Butwal, Jan. 30 : The International Buddhist Conference to be held at Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha from February 1, is expected to play an important role in development of Lumbini.

The International Buddhist Conference with the theme “Lumbini in the New Millenium: The Role of the Youth and the Community” will be participated in by about 300 Buddhist intellectuals, Bhikshus, scholars, archaeologists, historians and representatives of various Buddhist organisations.

The main objective of the conference is to apprise the youths of their responsibilities in the development of Lumbini as well as to develop the local communities of the neighboring areas along with the development of Lumbini.

The conference to be organised by the Lumbini Development Trust (Ltd) with the cooperation of His Majesty’s Government is expected to develop Lumbini as a pilgrimage center of Buddhists and peace loving people throughout the world by mobilising the Buddhist youths and community and enhancing the faith and confidence of the local people in Lumbini.

The conference is being organised in accordance with the commitment made by Nepal during the first International Buddhist Conference held in 1998 to organise International Buddhist Conference every two years, according to vice-chairman of the Lumbini Development Trust Omkar Prasad Gauchan.

Mr Gauchan said the conference is being organised with the objective of mobilising the local and neighboring people in development works of Lumbini as well as safeguarding sanctity, peace and civilisation of Lumbini.

Even though efforts have been made to introduce Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, throughout the world, it has not been productive as development works have not been carried out in accordance with the Lumbini Development Master Plan.

Two working papers on the role of the youth and the community will be presented at the conference for mobilising the cooperation of peace loving people of the world for the development of Lumbini.

The International Buddhist Conference is expected to play a crucial role in introducing Lumbini to the world as this has not been done to the desired extent even though the national and international archaeologists have played a significant role in excavating and preserving the stupas, vihars and other archaelogical goods found in Lumbini development area.

His late Majesty King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah had initiated the process of developing Lumbini after the fourth International Buddhist Conference held in 1956 suggested that Lumbini be protected and developed taking into consideration the historical and religious importance of the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha.

The then United Nations Secretary General U Thant visited Lumbini in 1957 and constituted an International Lumbini Development Committee comprising of 13 countries under the chairmanship of the Royal Nepalese Permanent Representative to the United Nations in 1970 for the development of Lumbini. Later famous Japanese architect Prof. Kenjo had prepared the master plan for development of Lumbini.

His Majesty’s Government is making necessary preparation to convert the Siddharthanagar airport into an international airport taking into consideration the suggestion made by the first International Buddhist Conference held in Lumbini to develop an international airport near Lumbini.

Even though Lumbini is geographically located in Nepal, it belongs to the world community as it is included in the world heritage list, member-secretary of the Lumbini Development Trust Janaklal Shrestha said, adding that the conference will play an important role in motivating all the peace loving people of the world to develop Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha.

As the teachings of Lord Gautam Buddha is relevant in the world plagued by dissappointment, arms race, terrorism, bloodshed, hunger and disease, the International Buddhist Conference is expected to contribute significantly towards freeing Lumbini from its backwardness and introducing it in the international tourism market.

During the conference discussions will be held on matters relating to promotion and development of Lumbini. The Lumbini declaration will be ratified and religious, cultural and archaeological programmes organised during the conference.

His Majesty’s Government has already build the Siddarthanagar-Lumbini road and guest house and developed necessary infrastructures for providing electricity and water services for development of Lumbini.

The International Buddhist Conference will also draw the attention of the international community towards publicising the spiritual and other development activities taking place at Lumbini, developing Lumbini Development Trust into an autonomous body and reviving the United Nations Lumbini Development Committee for the development of Lumbini.