Lumbini - NEW PACKAGE I

Buddhist literatures cited that Lumbini is the place where the newly born Prince Siddhartha took his first seven steps and uttered an epoch-making message to the suffering humanity. This happened exactly in the beautiful Sal grove, the garden renowned for the beauty of its shady grove of lush green trees and colourful flowers. Maya Devi, the queen of Sakya King Suddhodan of Kapilvastu, while was passing through the Lumbini Garden, on the way to her maternal home Devadaha, in the day of Vaisakha Poornima(the full moon-day of My 623 BC), took bath in the Pushkarni (the Sacred Pond) and proceeded towards the north. Suddenly, she felt lever pain, took decent support of a tree branch and holding it, she gave birth to the Crown Prince Siddhartha.

It is located in the western Tarai of Nepal holds a historic event in the Buddhist world. The classical texts of Suttanipata, Mahaparinibana Sotta and Divyavadana Lumbini mentioned that the Buddha advised his followers to visit Lumbini at once- the area which crossed by three rivers, the Harahawa, Ghoraha and Tela. The area has a sub-tropical monsoon climate with a warm wet season. The Lumbini Garden covers an area of 1x3 sq miles (2.56 sq km) and encompasses three zones each covering one square mile, united by a walkway and a canal.

LUMBINI SACRED GARDEN

It is the Sacred Garden, the heart of Prof. Tange’s design, the ultimate objective of the plan, to create an atmosphere of spirituality peace, universal brotherhood and non-violence consisting with the time and Buddha’s message to the world. The zone shelters the ancient monuments at the center in a freshly restored atmosphere of serene and lush forestation and pond all around the complex, spreading 2.56 sq. Km, posses all the treasures of the history.

Strolling around the garden, one comes to conclude the reason of the global initiative to promote Lumbini ‘The Foundation of World Peace’.

MAYADEVI TEMPLE

It is the heart of all monuments at this holy site. The temple complex bears the testimony of several layers of constructions over the centuries. It is fully restored and graced by the then HM King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, on the 2547th auspicious birth anniversary of Lord Buddha. Inside the temple one can see the foundation remains of the early Mayadevi Temple that dates back to the 3rd century B.C. the upper floor remains open for meditation platform.

MONASTIC ZONE

This is the Eastern Lane of the Theravada Monastic Zone, crossing the Thai Monastery and Stupas, built by the Government of Thailand. The architecture design is typical to Thai environs. There after one will pass to Mahamaya Bishwa-Shanti Buddha Bihar constructed by the Maha Bodhi Society of India, Kolkotta; neighbouring is the Buddha Dharmakar Sabha, built by the Buddhist Society of West Bengal, India, giving a South Asian Locality. One will

pass the Burmese Temple called Lomkani Cula Pagoda and the Monastery build by the Government of Myanmar, correspond to different Buddhist World. One will cross the Lankan Monastery constructed by the Government of Ceylon represent different architecture, culture, surrounding including the system of the Monks. The next is the Bhikshuni Sangha, built by the International Gautami Nun Society, Nepal – typical monastery in replication of

Swayambhu Chaitya, with the Buddhist philosophy of thirteen cosmetic steps to Nirvana and three pinnacle-stages. One can enter to Nepal Vipasana Centre and easily learn the meditation practice and methods. No-doubt, all the monasteries also provide meditation practice. However, the center is particularly located for the purpose. Further information can be sought from the temporary Tourist Information Center, near about. After immersed deeply in the serenity of the spiritual atmosphere, one will enter the Sacred Garden crossing the Shanti Deep, the symbol of peace and prosperity of human existence-the Eternal Peace Flame.

THE LUMBINI CULTURAL SITES

On the walkway to the Lumbini Cultural site, the several interesting sites crossing from the Reiyukai International (Japan), one can visit Lumbini Museum, containing Mauryan and Kushan coins, religious manuscripts, terra-cotta fragments, and stones and metal sculptures and many other archaeological values. On the other side one can view the Lumbini international Research Institute, a peculiar architectural design, provides research facilities for the study of Buddhism and other religions. It contains over 12,000 religion, philosophy, art and architecture books. Besides, there are Peace Hall(Auditorium), Archaelogical offices, High School Complex, Boat Station, Lumbini Square, Symbolic Pavilion and Camping Ground, which are yet to be completed. The Crane Sanctuary, Peace Stupa, Harahawa River, Boating Station, gives worthy experienced in the ambiance of Buddhist World. Passing through the Friendship Bridge, the symbol of coexistence, one will enter the Monastic Enclaves, bisects by a Central Link, have 42 plots allotted for new monasteries- Theravada and Mahayana sects of Buddhism. Some of them, east with 9 out of 13, and west with 19 out of 29 so far been constructed.