Bhutani Monastery Foundation Laid in Lumbini

Rupandehi. The foundation stone of the Bhutani monastery to be built by the Bhutanese government in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, has been formally laid today. The construction of the monastery was initiated in a special religious ceremony in the presence of Bhutan's Home Minister Lyonpo Chirring, Bhutan's religious leader Upadhyaya Mahasangharaja Dorje Lopen Rinpoche, and Nepal's Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Khadgraj Adhikari (Ganesh) Poudel.

During the foundation laying ceremony, Bhutanese Lama gurus performed religious rituals and conducted a ground-breaking ceremony. The construction of the monastery is seen as a historic step towards further strengthening the cultural, religious, and diplomatic relations between Bhutan and Nepal.

Maksud Oji, Director General of the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development under the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Bhutanese government, stated that the commencement of the construction of the Bhutanese temple in Lumbini is an extremely important and historic achievement for Bhutan. She said, "We are gathered here to seek the blessings of the earth goddess for the commencement of the construction of a new Bhutanese temple in the Lumbini complex. This project will connect the Bhutanese Buddhist tradition and culture with the birthplace of Buddha."

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the construction of the monastery was signed between the Bhutanese government and the Lumbini Development Trust last year. She stated that the construction process has been expedited, implementing the commitment to start the project within the current fiscal year as per the agreement.

As part of the first phase of the project, the boundary wall of the monastery complex has been completed, and the construction of the main temple has now begun. Oji mentioned that the Bhutanese government aims to complete all construction within the next two years.

The proposed monastery will incorporate Bhutan's unique architecture, religious art, and cultural characteristics. Structures in the Bhutanese style, prayer halls, cultural exhibition areas, and necessary infrastructure for religious activities will be built.

According to Director General Oji, upon completion of the monastery, Buddhist pilgrims and tourists from around the world visiting Lumbini will be able to experience Bhutanese culture, art, and spiritual traditions firsthand.

"As a Buddhist nation, we want to present our unique architecture and devotion to Buddha here," she said, "This will help establish Lumbini further as an international and multicultural Buddhist center."

Emphasis on Tourism Cooperation in Bilateral Talks

Along with the foundation laying of the monastery, a bilateral meeting was also held between high-level government representatives of Nepal and Bhutan in Lumbini. Discussions between Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Khadgraj Poudel and Bhutan's Home Minister Lyonpo Chirring focused on tourism, cultural exchange, and strengthening relations between the two countries.

According to Gyanin Rai, Acting Member Secretary of the Lumbini Development Trust, Nepal presented two important proposals to the Bhutanese side during the talks. Minister Poudel emphasized the need to operate direct flights between Bhutan's Paro International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa.

The Nepali side expressed the view that developing a Paro-Lumbini-Bodhgaya religious tourism circuit could create new possibilities in South Asian Buddhist tourism, stated Acting Member Secretary Rai.

The Nepali side highlighted the necessity of connecting Lumbini with direct air networks as an international Buddhist destination, given that Bhutan's national flag carrier Druk Air currently operates flights between Paro and Kathmandu.

Bhutan's Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for foreign tourists was also discussed. Currently, Nepali citizens also have to pay a fee equivalent to 100 US dollars per person per day when visiting Bhutan.

Considering the historical, cultural, and religious ties between the two countries, Nepal has requested the removal of this fee for Nepali citizens or the provision of special concessions. Presenting the example of separate arrangements for tourists from India and Bangladesh, the Nepali side urged for easier access for Nepali tourists.

Bhutan's Home Minister Lyonpo Chirring stated that the issues raised by Nepal have been viewed positively and assured that further discussions will be held at the governmental level. He expressed gratitude on behalf of the Bhutanese government for the land and support provided by the Nepali government for the construction of the Bhutanese monastery in Lumbini.

He also pledged to strengthen the religious ties between Lumbini and Bhutan, and to enhance cooperation in the conservation of Buddhist heritage, promotion of pilgrimage tourism, and expansion of people-to-people relations.

The bilateral meeting was attended by Member of Parliament Taufik Ahmed Khan, elected from the Lumbini region, and Member of Parliament Kanhaiya Baniyan, elected from Rupandehi-4, on behalf of Nepal. Similarly, Bhutan's Ambassador to Nepal Major General Vetsop Namgyel, Bhutan's Home Secretary, and others were present on behalf of Bhutan.