Repository of Faith: Importance of Lumbini

Repository of Faith

Despite such facts, the Buddhist countries' outlook and attitude towards the Lumbini area have not changed. Reposing their faith in Lumbini as the most hallowed place, they erected their viharas (monasteries), making them appear as beautiful and sacred shrines. To expedite the development process in Lumbini, the three other Secretary Generals of the United Nations - Kurt Waldheim, Perej De Cuellar and Ban Ki-Moon - too have paid visits to Lumbini. Each of them has spent a considerable part of their time paying tribute to it. The present UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has asked the Nepal Government to develop this area comprehensively by pledging to support it wholeheartedly. His words in this context may be -- given that Preservation of Lumbini is essential not only in Nepal and all the people around the world. Lumbini has an outstanding value and a special symbolic meaning for its rich cultural treasure Development and integration of Lumbini, Ramgram, and Tilaurakot will add value to the already rich cultural heritage." Ban has expressed these words to former Minister for Federal Affairs, Constituent Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture Minendra Rijal while meeting him in New York.

Creation of Anomalies

There have been times when anomalies or conundrums are created regarding Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, and especially regarding the palace area of Kapilvastu, where the Buddha had spent twenty-nine years of his life span as the crown prince. Such anomalies or conundrums are created chiefly by Indian scholars and writers by repeatedly depicting these areas as the parts and parcels of India. In this context, the books by Chakradhar Mahapatra and K. M Shrivastava on The Real Birth Place of Buddha and the Discovery of Kapilvastu may be glaring examples. In this context, it is also to be noted that the most celebrated Vipassana teacher Satya Narayan Goenka also found to state India as the birthplace of the Buddha. He is found to say so while delivering discourses on Vipassana to the students engaged in Vipassana practice. However, the Nepalese people, the students of Vipassana practice especially, do not mind this statement of Goenka because Goenka was a noncontroversial figure and did not wish the Buddha to be confined within the ambit of Nepali or Indian citizens but to elevate Him as the great master of the world. However, it is to be noted that there is nothing to worry about regarding the location of the Buddha's birthplace. Almost all the nations of the world. Even India is found to recognize Lumbini in Nepal as the birthplace of the Buddha. But as regards the palace area, there is still an anomaly or conundrum because Piparhawa in India is also a part of ancient Kapilvastu, where one may find -- certain Buddhists rely on indicating it as a part of it. As regards the Buddhist relies found in Piprahawa, the Eicher Guide Book prepared in India with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India Walking with the Buddha Buddhist Pilgrimage in India traces the following facts 50 to prove Piparawa as Kapilvastu:

"The little village of Piprahawa, 9 km from Lumbini via Sonauli, is identified as Kapilvastu, the capital of Sakyas, where the lord spent the thirty years of his life. If Lumbini is remote, then Kapilvastu seems caught in a time warp. Excavations were conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India between 1971 and 1977. Archaeologists found an inscription dating back to the Kushan period in a stupa that was excavated, referred to as the Eastern Stupa. Its text read "om devaputra vihare Kapilvastu vhikku sanghasa (This is the Devaputra of the Kapilvastu Bhiksu Sangha). Two excavated mounds are one and a half kilometers from the site. The larger one is a thick-walled structure that, according to local belief, was Suddhodana's palace. There is a small Sri Lankan monastery and temple, Mahinda Mahavihara, in the vicinity of the ruins." Varsha Rani and friends,

Walking With The Buddha: Buddhist Pilgrimages India, (New Delhi: Eicher Goodearth Limited. Nepal has not been able to disclose to the world that the palace area of Kapilvastu lies within Nepal at the Tiluraket region of Nepal. That is why one should not remain silent regarding the anomaly or conundrum (propaganda) created by Indian scholars and writers. Hence, Monk Ananda, a member of the Constituent Assembly in Nepal, has raised his voice in this context, expressing words like:

"Is there an area where India has not interfered, whether it be in border encroachment interference in Nepal's internal political fairs, in the making of an unequal trade treaty, or the cultural transgression? ... The negligence created by India recently is found in its day to day attempt to forcibly snatch Gautam Buddha -- the identity of Nepal in the world, the grandeur of Nepal and the inspiration of world peace -- as Her own. The other thing -- that remains unhidden is the Indian mentality that wishes to count the entire Nepal as a part or province of India. ... The latest abetment made by India day and night is to engage Herself in the creation of Lumbini and Kapilvastu. ... India had been claiming Piparhawa, the area nestling 25 or 26 km south from Lumbini, as the fake Kapilvastu since many years and taking economic benefit from the tourists by befooling them. Now She is trying to develop that very spot as Lumbini. The provincial government of India is engaged in this task with a long-term plan."

The problem of the palace area of Kapilvastu, too, might have been solved if the Nepal Government had diligently excavated the Tilaurakot area very sincerely. But wing to the government's negligence, garbage left by the visiting tourists is taking a toll on the beauty and value of the historic site, and the walls of the historic palace have caved in. The palace is turning into a jungle because of trees and hushes. However, it is expected that the excavation to be carried on by a British University University of Durham will help to counter the anomaly or conundrum created by the Indian scholars. The news carried on by The Himalayan Times in this context may be given as:

"A British University is set to excavate the area where Gautam Buddha's father's palace once stood. The Ministry of Federal Affairs, Constituent Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture (MoFACPAC), the Lumbini Development Trust (LTD), the Department of Archaeology (DOA) and the University of Durham (UD) have just inked the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on an archaeological excavation in Tilaurakot, Kapilvastu. Tilaurakot, a major archaeological site in Nepal, lies 25 kilometers west of Lumbini. The palace extends to 1,700 feet in the north-south direction and 1,300 feet in the east-west."

Measures to be Adopted

Taking into consideration all these factors, the Nepal Government should adopt the following measures as soon as possible:

1. The other prominent Buddhist sites. Which are essential from a historical and monumental point of view, also be developed by incorporating them in the Lumbini area. The different regions to be incorporated into this context may be given as follows:

(a) Tilaurakot: The ancient capital of the Shakyan kingdom (Kapilvastu), located some 27 kilometers west of Lumbini.

(b) Niglihawa: About 8kilometer northwest of Taulihawa, where the Ashokan pillar and pond known as Niglisagar are nestled. It is known to be a site where Kanakmuni, the predecessor of Gautam Buddha, was known to take birth, attain enlightenment and meet his father.

(c) Arorakot: A rectangular fortified area about 3 kilometer northwest of Niglihawa, believed to be the natal town of Kanakmuni.

(d) Sagarhawa: The forest area lying 12 kilometers north of Taulihawa where the Shakyans were known to be massacred by Vidhudhaka, King of Kosala.

(e) Gothihawa: About 5 kilometer southwest of Taulihawawhere, the Ashokan pillar commemorates the birth and enlightenment of Krakuchhandra, a predecessor of Gautam Buddha, we nestled.

(f) Kudan: About 3 kilometer southwest of taulihawa, where the ancient Nigrodharama monastery is known to exist. This site is where Suddhodhan met his son, the Gautam Buddha when he returned to Kapilvastu after attaining supreme enlightenment.

(g) Devadaha: The famous capital city of the ancient Koliyan kingdom lying 27 kilometers northeast of Lumbini. It is the maternal hometown of Queen Mayadevi, Oqueen Prajapati Gautami and Princess Yasodhara, mother, aunt and wife of the Gautam Buddha, respectively.

(h) Ramagrama: The brick stupa standing on the bank of the Jharahi River in Nawal Parasi district is known to be one of the eight great stupas erected immediately after the great decease of the Gautam Buddha. Literary sources mention that King Ashoka had tried to open this stupa to redistribute the Buddha's cremation relics enshrined in it to 84 thousand stupas being erected by him, but, here, the dragon kings stopped him from doing so.

2. Toilets and other facilities are provided within the Lumbini area for tourists and pilgrims.

3. Encroachment in the forest area of Lumbini by the local people is controlled.

4. Package trips to Lumbini and other prominent Buddhist sites in Lumbini Zone are available for foreign tourists and local pilgrims.

5. Cheaper lodging facilities be made available for the poor Nepalese pilgrims by erecting governmental inns (dharmasalas) and guest houses.

6. Political meddling in the Lumbini Development Trust is stopped.

7. The decision undertaken by Industrial Promotion Board (IPB) on November 27, 2009, be implemented very strictly.

8. Measures are taken to revive the International Committee for Lumbini's Development immediately. The prime minister or the foreign minister, when he visits UN sessions, conducts the meeting of this committee regularly.

Conclusion

As one of the most hallowed places, Lumbini should be developed beneficially to consolidate its position as the fountain of world peace. This will help brighten the future of the country and people to a large extent. It is expected that the present and future governments will undertake appropriate measures to ensure the glory and grandeur of the Lumbini area and other historical Buddhist sites adjoining it by developing them properly.

2012