Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Buddha's Birth Place

Buddha's Birth Place

Over 2,600 years ago, the Buddha was born in a natural grove, where rare and beautiful flowers bloomed and one could hear the humming of five different types of bees. Queen Maya Devi was passing through this earthly paradise on the way to her parents’ house when the pangs of labor began. After bathing in a nearby pond the queen walked 25 paces, took support of a sal tree and gave birth standing up. The infant Buddha then took seven steps forward and declared that this would be his final birth.

There are many versions of this well-known story, but they all take place at the same sacred site: Lumbini, Nepal. In the time since the Buddha’s birth, individuals as well as organizations have played a role in discovering, maintaining, and developing Lumbini as a Buddhist pilgrimage site, beginning with Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor of the 3rd century B.C.E who first marked the place with one of his stone edicts. In 1967 U Thant, then secretary general of the United Nations, called international attention to the neglected site, in accordance with a wish from the Nepali government. Presently, Lumbini is undergoing a complex development process. Unlike long-established pilgrimage sites such as Varanasi, Mecca, or Lourdes, Lumbini was rediscovered only a little over a century ago.

5th Century B.C.E.
Siddhartha Gautama is born.

3rd Century B.C.E.
Emperor Ashoka erects a stone pillar, proclaiming Lumbini as the Buddha’s birthplace.

5th and 7th centuries C.E.

Two famed Chinese pilgrims, the monks Fa-hsien (Faxian) and Hsuan-Tsang (Xuanzang), make pilgrimages to Lumbini, writing down detailed travel accounts of their journeys.

14th century C.E.
Ripu Malla, the king of Jumla (now a district in modern Nepal), carves his name on the upper portion of the Ashoka pillar.

1896
The longstanding interest of the ruling British authorities in finding
the location of the neglected site bears fruit, and Lumbini is rediscovered during explorations.

1967
UN secretary general U Thant visits Lumbini and presses for international cooperation to develop the Buddha’s birthplace.

1972
The renowned Japanese architect Kenzo Tange is assigned to create the “master plan” for Lumbini. It was completed in 1978.

1997
UNESCO declares Lumbini a World Heritage Site.

To watch a video about the Buddha’s birthplace today, click here.

To watch an interview with Venerable Metteyya about Lumbini, click here.

Images: Envelop from Lumbini, 29 July, 1970, courtesy United Nations Archives; Photograph of Ashokan Pillar © Ajay Pillarisetti; Photograph of U Thant courtesy UN Photo/Grunbaum; Lumbini master plan courtesy of United Nations Archive

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Calling for Change Nepal

On April 9 we went to Patan Durbar Square where KUTUMB band was displaying music. This even was sponsored by Ncell. And the message was 'Calling for Change'. We liked it...the loud drums beating and young people dancing.

Sunday, April 07, 2013

मधेस, देश र परदेश

The politics of Nepal has to change for overall development of Nepal. The narrow mind of politicians must change. The people's perspectives on politics must change. Here is a powerful article by Raghuji.
मधेस, देश र परदेश | विचार/विश्‍लेषण | ekantipur.com

Cultural program by Gurans Sanskritik Kala Kendra of Dehradun

On 5 April 2013, Embassy of India, in association with Gurans Sanskritik Kala Kendra, Dehradun presented Cultural Evening through Gorkhali folk dance and music at Nepal Army Club in Kathmandu. The Gurans Sanskritk Kala Kendra was established in April 2006 in Gorkhali Sudhar Sabha in Dehradun, India. It was registered with Uttarakhand state, India, in Feb 2008.
The items presented were:
Chhupu chhupu ropaunla—Sorathi dance
Sandhai mero Jivanma—Kaura dance
Nungeko Dali—Jhyaure dance
Rime Thume—Gurung dance
Mere Dholma—Semi classical Hindi song
Pani Mitho Mero Hajur—Maruni dance
Kheauna Juhari—Tamang Selo
Andeheri Jastai—Nepali song
Sainli Maili—Jyaure dance

Thursday, April 04, 2013

Lalitpur festival



Lalitpur Festival 2013 was organized for a week starting from March 28 to 3 April 2013. It was an ‘effort towards transforming city into one of the most vibrant city for its rich culture and heritage, social lifestyles, its traditional handicrafts and its industries borne upon its traditions.’ I was very much impressed with the art and culture of the people of Lalitpur—especially of Patan.





Saturday, March 23, 2013

Migration of Bharseli people and social transformation



On 23 Mar 2013, I attended the discussion on the study paper ‘Bharseli basain sarai ra samajik ruppantaran’ (Migration of Bharseli and Social Transformation) organized by Bharseli Sewa Samaj, Lalitpur. My comments were:
The report needs analysis and synthesis
This study can lead to several in depth ethnological studies
Bharseli can institute a mini museum with the collections of Bharseli veterans’ items of pride
On the political front, now it is time to change our tone of advocacy for rights—we need to be more diplomatic and work in unison with other castes to ensure rights of people—not only of Magars or adibasi  janajati
Magar Sangh must work with some set goals and strategic plans

Sunday, March 10, 2013

What Magars can do for Nepal?

Magars and other communities must keep in mind that national interests are always ahead than their interests. We have to build a strong Nepal. Magars, as largest among the Janajati and Adbasi, must think of contributing to nation state building. We need to work with new policy and strategies. This is what I said in Magar Samaj Sewa Kendra's 19th Bhetghat program. Finance Minister Barshaman Pun also spoke on this issue.

दलितलाई खै ?

  दलितलाई खै ? सञ्जीव कार्की भदौ १६ , २०८१ आइतबार ९:२५:५१ माइतीघर मण्डलमा एक जना व्यक्ति २३ दिनदेखि उभिरहेको छ। ओसोको माला लगाएको , दा...