बुद्ध जन्मस्थल बिषयमा केन्द्रित कुराकानी

The barrier between Childhood and Adulthood; Confronting Reality

By Aarya Pokhrel*

In a small province located in the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal, a young prince grew up, pampered with the pleasures of wealth and comfort. He was secure in his own safe haven within the Palace walls, oblivious to anything beyond the threshold of his rich home. But at one point in his early years of youth, he was aroused by a sudden desire to explore the village over which he was to reign one day. As he roamed around the streets with child-like energy in his feet, he came across something that stopped him short; a cripple man, whose face was distorted with the wrinkles of age, his hair a grey wiry mess. He wore filthy rags that were stained in sweat and his eyes held an expression unfamiliar to the young Prince; a look of immense pain and suffering. The young Prince walk on, still unable to remove the image of the crippled man in his mind. Soon, he came across a funeral procession where men and women alike sobbed in unbearable sorrow. He could only observe in astonishment as for the first time he felt pain, real, genuine pain.

तेरियाले नेपाललाई बुद्धको देशको रुपमा संसारभरी चिनाउने प्रतिबद्धता जाहेर

नेपालकी छोरी, हिमालकी छोरी, मिथुन चक्रबर्तीका अनुसार नेपालकी रानी जस्ता अनेक नामले चिनिने लुम्बिनी-कपिलवस्तु दिवस अभियानका लुम्बिनी वालिका शान्तिदूत तेरिया फौजा मगरले बुद्ध जन्मनु भएको देश नेपाल नै हो भन्ने सन्देश संसारभरी फैलाउने प्रतिबद्धता जाहेर गरिन सिडनीको तेरिया साँझमा आफ्नो बेजोड प्रस्तुति गर्ने क्रममा ।

करीब एक हप्तामा एक लाखभन्दा बढी हेरिएको भिडिओ 

जिम्मेवारीपूर्ण नि:स्वार्थ नागरिकीय जिम्मेवारीबोध – आजको आवश्यकता: सामाजिक अभियन्ता, इन्जिनियर रामकुमार श्रेष्ठ

श्रेष्ठ पछिल्लो समय बुद्धको जन्मस्थलबारे भैरहेका गलत प्रचार प्रसारको बिभिन्न किसिमबाट खण्डन गर्दै बुद्धको जन्मस्थल नेपाल हो भन्ने सन्देश बोकेर अघि बढ्नु भएको छ | सन् २००९ मा भारतले बुद्धको जन्मस्थल लुम्बिनीलाई आफ्नै देशमा जन्मेको भनेर नक्कली लुम्बिनी निर्माण गरेको समाचारले उहाँको मन निकै छोयो । उहाँ भन्नुहुन्छ ”यसको न त सरकारले खण्डन गर्यो न त कुनै ठुला मिडिया नै यसको विरुद्धमा लागे । यही सर्बपक्षीय मौनताका कारण भारतको रवैयाको विरुद्ध फेसबुक र इमेल मार्फत बुद्धको जन्मस्थल नेपाल हो भन्ने सन्देश दिने अभिप्रायले अभियानको नेतृत्वदायी सूत्रपात गर्न बिभिन्न देशमा छरिएर रहेका हामी लाग्यौं जसले छोटो समयमा विश्वब्यापी रूप लियो र छोटो समयमा अनपेक्षित उपलब्धिहरु हासिल भए । कोरियापछी स्वीडेनको पाठ्य पुस्तकमा बुद्धको जन्मस्थानबारेमा भएको गलत जानकारी सच्याउने जस्तो अत्यन्तै महत्वपूर्ण काम समेत भैसकेको छ ।”

डाक्टर अथवा इन्जिनियर बनेर देश र समाज सेवा गर्ने बाल्यकालदेखिको सपना बोकेका रामकुमार श्रेष्ठले १९८६ मा छात्रबृत्ति अन्तरगत रसिया गएर आफ्नो इन्जिनियरिङ्ग अध्ययन पुरा गरी १९९२ स्वदेश फर्केर बिभिन्न संस्था मार्फत काम गरी पहिलो पटक सन् २००२ मा अष्ट्रेलिया आइपुग्नु भयो श्रीमतिको मेलबर्न युनिभर्सिटिमा अध्ययनको सिलसिलामा | श्रीमतिको अध्ययनको समाप्तीपछि जुलाई २००४ मा नेपाल फर्किएका श्रेष्ठ २००६ मा बेलायततिर लाग्नु भयो र बिभिन्न इन्जिनियरिङ्ग कन्सल्टेन्सीहरु मार्फत आफ्नो इन्जिनियरिङ्ग कामलाई त्यहाँ निरन्तरता दिनु भयो | उहाँको जीवन यात्रा सन् २०१२ देखि पुन अस्ट्रेलियामातर्फ नै मोडियो र अहिलेको बसाई अष्ट्रेलियामा नै छ |

Tidbits of Nepali Journalism ‘’Buddha was born in ……..’’

By Chiranjibi Paudyal

That evening, Indian Defence minister Fernandes had hosted a reception in honour of the participants of the conference. When I met in the reception, he was little bit furious and adamant to his statement. We had arguments. I said ‘Buddha was born in Nepal’ but he said ‘Buddha was born in India.’ I asked him ‘’who told you and how did you know Buddha was born in India’’, he said me ‘’had read since his childhood that Buddha was born in Northern India.’’ I told him if you read UN documents then you will know the real fact. I was so infuriated that I said little bit loudly: ‘’ Do you know ‘’U Thant?’’ You should know UN Secretary General from Asia? Then he said ‘’ Why not.’’

So you must be aware that there is UN project in Lumbini which is in Nepal since the time of U Thant. When I repeatedly said UN Project then he seemed to be convinced, and felt embarrassed. I arranged an interview with him for next morning in the same hotel where we were staying. When we sat for interview, I asked the same question to him like a teacher repeatedly asks a same question to a weak student. Later he corrected saying ‘Buddha was born in Nepal.’

Famous poet Sir Edwin Arnold to UN official say Buddha was born in India distorting the fact and hurting the sentiment of millions of Nepali around the globe. However, I had the opportunity to persuade a senior UN official to make him understand and acknowledge that ‘’ Gautam Buddha was born in Nepal.’’

Indian PM Modi False Statement on Buddha’s Birthplace Issue

सुन्न पर्ने कुरा नसुने झैं, देख्न पर्ने कुरा नदेखे झैं गर्ने, पढिसकेको कुरा नपढे झैं गरी थाहै नपाए झैं गरी “घ्याम्पो डरायो, तर म त डराइन” भने झैं गरी बुद्धको जन्मस्थल बिषयमा बिस्वब्यापी रुपमा आवाज उठाउनेका बिरुद्ध समय र शक्ति खर्चने कनिस्ठ, बरिस्ठ भनिनेहरुले यो भिडिओ पनि त सुने नसुने, देखे नदेखे झैं गर्ने त होलान? पत्रकारिताको धर्म भनेको सत्य तथ्य बाहिर ल्याउनु हो, त्यसो गर्न डराएर स्वार्थका कारण कुरा तोड मोड गर्नेले पत्रकारिता क्षेत्रलाई कलकिंत बनाउँछन । स्वाभिमानी नेपाली त्यस किसिमको लाटो, अन्धो र बहिरो बन्ने नाटक गर्न सक्तैनन ।

14 Years Aarya Pokharel’s Amazing Speech on Buddha and Lumbini

This video is the part of historic continuous 25 hours program on Buddha and Lumbini that was organized on the occasion 2638th Lumbini Day/ 2558th Buddha Jayanti/ 2603 Samuddha Jayanti of   jointly by Lumbini-Kapilvastu Day Movement and Melbourne based 24/7 radio Nepali Sanchar. 14 years old Aarya Pokhrel, Madhu and Laxmi’s daughter, is very talented girl and her amazing speech on Buddha and Lumbini must be watched

 

LKDM Friend of Nepal Award 2013 to Brad Clarke and Graeme Kent

Brad Clarke and Graeme Kent received LKDM Friend of Nepal Award 2013 on the occasion of 5th Lumbini-Kapilvastu Day. The award was given by Consulate General of Victoria His Excellency Chandra Yonjan in a function after Pako Festa parade in Geelong on 22nd of February, 2014. The award was supposed to be awarded on 1st of December, 2013 in a function organised in Melbourne, however; Mr. Clarke and Mr. Kent could not attend the program because of their program in Nepal.

Justification of the Award:

“Australia and Australians fall in love with Nepal, the birthplace  of Buddha and home to Sagamartha, Mt. Everest.  When Australians travel to Nepal, we are captured by the physical beauty of the Himalaya and its people.  We celebrate the wealth of Nepali hospitality and genuine kindness to each other and leg-weary travellers alike” – say  Graeme Kent and Brad Clarke.

Correct misleading message on Lumbini

Kathmandu, Dec. 28: Stakeholders stressed on need of a concerted effort from all including the government as well as the

Former Minister Deep Kumar Upadhyay recognition by the Movement for his special contribution in the parliament for World Peace City proposal

Nepalese residing abroad to correct the misleading messages in textbooks of various countries regarding the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

 The participants of the interaction programme said as the curriculum of various nations are found disseminating wrong message that Lord Buddha was born in the northern part of India, there is a need to dispel such baseless fact from all the textbooks and other reading materials from across the globe.

 The speakers, organised by Lumbini, Kapilvastu Day Movement, mainly focused on finding the ways and measures to effectively run the campaign so that wrong publicity about the birthplace of Siddharth Gautam could be corrected.

 Speaking at the interaction, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ram Kumar Shrestha said it was very sad to know that the Lumbini related stakeholders have to struggle hard to establish the truth about the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Minister Shrestha added that the development of Lumbini was very necessary to dispel such misleading publicity. He said many Indian officials had stated that Lord Buddha was born in Nepal but the wrong publicity had resurfaced owing to some vested interests of some sections in India, the Minister clarified. He said that since the present government was an election government, it could not allocate essential amount of budget in time for Lumbini development.

 At the programme, different persons who have worked from their respective place to promote Lumbini in Nepal and beyond

Former Ambassador Kamal Prasad Koiralato Korea recognition by the Lumbini Kapilvastu Dayr Movement for his special contribution to correct Buddha birthplace misconception in Korean books and this is the milestone of the Movement

Nepal were honoured by Minister Shrestha. Former Culture Minister Deep Kumar Upadhyay, former Nepali ambassador to South Korea Kamal Koirala and senior journalist of Rupandehi Chetan Pant among others were felicitated with special commendation letters for their important contributions in promoting and developing the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

 After receiving the honour, Upadhyay said that the movement from the people’s level to establish the truth about the Buddha’s birthplace is a positive sign that the truth will prevail ultimately. He said that evidences collected from recent excavations such as marker stones and the Ashok Pillar would be enough to justify the fact about Lumbini. However, he said, it was sad that the Lumbini Master Plan had remained incomplete and added that the development process of Lumbini must take pace now. Upgrading Gatuam Buddha airport and connecting Lumbini with railroads could lead to familiarization of the Lord Buddha’s birthplace.

 Lumbini Development Trust Member Secretary Ajit Man Tamang said the movement to familiarize Lumbini throughout the world was a praiseworthy step. Nepal as the birthplace of Siddharth Gautam is proved by different findings and excavations and through the descriptions of ancient and modern visitors, Tamang said. ” Now, we must be able to tell the world that the birthplace of Lord Buddha, which many books and reading materials have stated, was in the Northern India, is actually in Nepal,” he said. Mr. Tamang further added that the Lumbini Development Trust required US$ 45 million to complete all the incomplete projects of the Lumbini Master Plan.

Even after Bedi Twitter apology, the first “Buddha” serial with misinformation

By Ram Kumar Shrestha

Creating misinformation on Buddha birthplace from Indian side is not a new issue and Nepali side is very furious from this kind of regular drama and attempt to take an unnecessary advantage from Buddha’s Global importance. A recent Hindi language television serial, “Buddha” launched by Zee TV Network already frustrated Nepalese by Indian over interference.

 In reaction Nepalese did not limit them only in social medias, but also on September 13, staged demonstrations in the streets of Kathmandu against the serial, Nepal Cable TV Association blocked the channel when the new series on the life of Buddha premiered on Sunday (Sept. 8) and which prompted the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu to post hastily the next day, September 14^th, on its Facebook wall, “The question of where Lord Buddha was born was settled over 2000 years ago when Emperor Ashoka installed the pillar with his inscription in Lumbini. Buddha was born in Lumbini, which is in Nepal.”  And also actor and TV presenter and commentator Kabir Bedi Twitter apology appeared, “Yes, my friends, I mis-spoke. Forgive me. Lord Buddha was certainly born in Lumbini, Nepal. My apologies to all whose feelings were hurt.” And this issue got space in International papers like Huffington Post and Washington Post as well.

 Lumbini-Kapilvastu Day Movement wrote letter to Chairman of Cabinet of Nepal Khil Raj Regmi, however; some Movement activists informed that when they had gone through the serials on line specially the first serial was very embarrassing because of not corrected misinformation. This clearly shows that Movement guess and writing letter to Chairman of Cabinet of Nepal were correct. And wrote another letter to him as our guess was correct and the scenario is changed now. 

IN UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NEPAL MAKES RESTRAINED ASSERTION THAT THE BUDDHA WAS BORN IN ITS LUMBINI

[In the 68^th United Nations General Assembly in New York few days ago, Nepal somehow made a lamentably restrained lowly assertion that the Buddha was born in its Lumbini.  The Himalayan country’s Interim Election Council Chairman Justice Khil Raj Regmi in his address to the general assembly said, “ I bring with me the message of peace and non-violence from Lumbini; the birth place of Gautam Buddha, the apostle of peace and the greetings and best wishes from the government and people of Nepal” But I rather would have loved him say  instead that he had brought with him “the message of peace and non-violence from Nepal’s Lumbini; the birth place of Gautam Buddha”.  But he did not say so and, which is very lamentable. We fully understand why he had required to make such a strangely twisted, indirect reference in his address but very sadly he failed to do so truly. ]

 

By B. K. Rana 

While debating the Buddha and recent television serial on him and the news reported by Hindustan Times [1]  and also by The  Washington Post[2] and The Huffington Post [3]  from down here, it may be worthwhile writing something today again on the other 12 part Buddha film made by a professor of history from Odisha[4] who also had discussed with me after the publication of my paper on the Buddha birthplace on February 14, 2010[5]. I have no idea how he has made those 12 part films but his writings seemingly based on later day literature such as Vamsa  Gathas from Ceylon, that is to say from Shri Lanka and other local publications, I assume they are also like what Zee TV aired recently.

It is not only the Buddha birthplace, Lumbini of present day Nepal Tarai, which has been brought into question since 1928; those professors and other authors from Odisha  are also found questioning about the actual location of  the Bodhi Tree[6] under whose shade the Buddha had attained enlightenment. Those scholars following, Mahagatimbiya—Tissadatta, a Bhikkshu from Shri Lanka, who seems to have visited the Bodhi Tree site, think the tree being very close to an ocean and also think the view running parallel to those of the Chinese travelers. Those historians  and authors also talk of Majjhimdesh (मज्झिम देश). In Jatakas and Lalita Vistara  the Buddha is said to have himself told he was born in Majjhimdesh or Majjhim Desh (मज्झिम देश) – the ‘middle country’ (मध्य देश) or  Madhesh (मधेश). Therefore, some Nepalese political leaders from Madhesh have nowadays begun to say that the Buddha was born in Madhesh (मधेश) – not in Lumbini either. But where wasMajjhimdesh or Majjhim Desh (मज्झिम देश) ?  I shall copy below few lines from my 2010 paper:

THE BUDDHA BIRTHPLACE LUMBINI IN CONTROVERSY AGAIN

[A recent Hindi language television serial, Buddha[1] launched by Zee Network, from September the 8^th has added, already frustrated people by Indian over interference, both frustration and anger in Kathmandu. In reaction, on September 13, students staged demonstrations in the streets of Kathmandu against the serial and which prompted the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu to post hastily the next day, September 14^th, on its Facebook wall, “The question of where Lord Buddha was born was settled over 2000 years ago when Emperor Ashoka installed the pillar with his inscription in Lumbini. Buddha was born in Lumbini, which is in Nepal.”(2)]

By B. K. Rana

The Buddha was born in Lumbini, which now is in western Nepal Tarai. The 249 BC inscription on the Lumbini Ashokan pillar reading, “the Buddha was born here in Luminigame” is the evidence, which cannot be contravened otherwise. There are other historical and archaeological evidence that prove the Buddha being Lumbini born and now Lumbini, the Buddhist holy land, is in Nepal. The people of Nepal and others of Nepalese origin elsewhere in the world, regardless of their academic achievements, socio-economic standings and political orientations, believe the Buddha was born in Nepal but feel very offended outright when media publicize otherwise. The Buddha is considered one of the greatest historical personages or Bibhutis – so to say, one of the national heroes of Nepal.

A recent Hindi language television serial, Buddha[1] launched by Zee Network, from September the 8^th has added, already frustrated people by Indian over interference, both frustration and anger in Kathmandu. In reaction, on September 13, students staged demonstrations in the streets of Kathmandu against the serial and which prompted the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu to post hastily the next day, September 14^th, on its Facebook wall, “The question of where Lord Buddha was born was settled over 2000 years ago when Emperor Ashoka installed the pillar with his inscription in Lumbini. Buddha was born in Lumbini, which is in Nepal.”[2]

Few days later, on September 19 from Gorkha, a hilly township in west Nepal, the Indian envoy to Nepal, Ranjit Ray told that there was no controversy on the Buddha birthplace. He said, “Gautam Buddha was born in Lumbini and Lumbini is in Nepal.” Expressing his discontent over the Kathmandu-media-hyped controversy, the ambassador is also reported to have further told that not all Indians may know his being born in Nepal’s Lumbini but ‘children in Indian schools are taught the Buddha was born in Lumbini which is in Nepal.’[3]

Lord Buddha’s Birth Place is Nepal

By Dirgha Raj Prasai

The Indian Zee TV is going to exercise that releasing the fake news- Lord Buddha’s birth place was India. But, it is 100% fallacious and wrong. Nepal is the birth land of Lord Buddha. This fake propaganda of Zee TV will invite confrontation between Nepal and India. Gautam Buddha was born in Lumbini in the 6th century BC in mid Tarai, Nepal.. Lord Buddha is the asset of Nepal who was born in this pious land. A scholar Ram Kumar Shrestha writes- ‘Ashoka Pillar built in 300 BC by Indian Emperor Ashok during his pilgrimage to the birthplace of Buddha still stands Lumbini. A thorough excavation and investigation near the Ashok Pillar has found the Nativity Stone that was laid down to mark
the Buddha’s birthplace.

An international team of archaeologists has begun a three-year survey, coordinated by the UNESCO of the archaeological ruins of Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha in Nepal. The team of archaeologists, including experts from Nepal’s Department of Archaeology and the Lumbini Development Trust, is directed by Robin Coningham, UNESCO Archaeological Expert and Professor of Archaeology, University of Durham. The UNESCO, after careful examination all facts and evidences, has already recognized Lumbini as the Buddha’s birthplace and a World Heritage Site’.

The descriptions of famous ancient Chinese pilgrims, Huian Tsang (who traveled through India between AD 629 & 645) and Fa Hein (who traveled between AD 400 & AD 414) indicate to this area, saying, ‘Lumbini, where the Lord was born, is a piece of heaven on earth where one could see the snowy mountains amidst a splendid garden embedded with Stupas and monasteries.’

Buddha’s Birthplace: Nepal Or India? New Currency Sets The Record Straight

By Vishal Arora

(RNS) Quick: Where was the Buddha born?

To hear many Indians talk, you’d think it was India, where he attained enlightenment and gave his first sermon.

But the people of Nepal know better — and they are eager to correct misconceptions about the Awakened One, considered one of the world’s most revered figures.

Next month, Nepal will circulate a new 100-rupee note with the imprint, “Lumbini: The Birthplace of Lord Buddha.” The currency is part of the government’s most recent effort to correct the record.

It comes amid protests following a promotional video on the private Indian channel Zee TV, which claimed the Buddha was born in India.

Zee TV corrected the error, but Nepal Cable TV Association blocked the channel when the new series on the life of Buddha premiered on Sunday (Sept. 8). The association’s chairman described the move as a way to prevent possible unrest in the country, which is predominantly Hindu but proud of its Buddhist heritage.

Indian Friends, Do Not Make Everyday April 1st

We are in the 21st century, not stone age. This is epoch of internet, WikiLeaks, and Google. These days, even internet media is dominated by social media. Our deeds and words become our identity. Before acting and speaking, we must think. Otherwise minor mistakes could ruin our identity. As neighbours we always need to be close and for that we must respect each other. India faked Lumbini, Indian ambassador even said Mt. Everest is in India, duplicate Indian Pashmina spoiled our International market. Lots of rumours are frequently created by the Indian side on Buddha’s birthplace. They know this is wrong, yet they are doing it. Misinforming intentionally is a big crime. As neighbours we want everybody to respect India as a honest country. For this India must not make fool of the world through unnecessary rumours. Despite lots of apologies due to floods of voices against their wrong information, India is continuously launching Grand TV Shows misinforming Buddha’s birth place. Indian friends, do not make everyday April 1^st.