Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha and a holy shrine for over 500 million Buddhists worldwide, is increasingly turning into a spot of conflict. In March, the fourth Nobel Laureates conference was called off at the last minute. The Chinese government had strong reservations that the meet would have a pro-Dalai Lama agenda, despite the organisers denying it. China also suspected that the conference on March 11 and 12 was deliberately chosen close to the Tibetan Uprising Day, March 10.
At about the same time, the two major constituents of the then government in Nepal — the Nepali Congress and Maoist Centre — fell out and the latter came together with the country’s other big communist party, the Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist to form a government. China’s happiness at this development was short-lived. Decision-making in Nepal is highly centralised, and leaders’ interests and wishes override political principles and ideology in pursuit of power. UML’s K P Oli formed the new government with the support of the Nepali Congress.
Ten months after the fiasco over the Nobel Laureates gathering, controversy returned to Lumbini, when the city along with Kathmandu was chosen as the venue for the Nanhai Buddhism Round Table attended by hundreds of monks from Mainland China. There were speculations that the Panchen Lama, recognised by the Chinese government but a persona non-grata for Dalai Lama supporters, would be among the key figure attendees.
In 1995, Gyancain Norbu was chosen as the Panchen Lama and recognised by the Chinese in place of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who has been missing since then. The Panchen Lama is next to the Dalai Lama in the Gelug hierarchy and leads the search team for the new Dalai Lama whenever a vacancy arises. Norbu’s first international exposure in the land of Buddha would have been highly significant. However, there were protests in the area, and the Chinese authorities said the reported news was propaganda.
Lumbini, around 250 km west of Kathmandu was envisioned as a global secular pilgrimage by King Mahendra and UN Secretary General U Thant, a Buddhist, in 1967. Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, prepared the master plan in 1978. The major part of the plan around an eight-km radius of the Maya Devi Temple — the spot where Buddha was born — was implemented in the first six years with Prince Gyanendra Shah as the founder chairman of the Lumbini Development Authority.
Land acquisition, evacuation of population and existing industries within the project area followed by major constructions as per plans were the tasks carried out by the authority. However, the pace of development suffered after instability became part of the political order post 1991. In 2006, the Maoist Party came to the centre stage of Nepalese politics and the country inched towards becoming a Republic. The government led by Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal tried to bring Hindu and Buddhist shrines under political control. Dahal fired the head priest of Pashupatinath temple, traditionally from Karnataka in India, and appointed a Nepali priest. He, however, retracted after protests.
He tried a somewhat similar strategy in Lumbini. The Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation, apparently an NGO controlled by the Chinese government, pledged $3 billion for all-round development that included building an international airport, roads, cultural zones, a Buddhist University, monasteries bypassing the LDA or the Kenzo Tange plan. China’s plan did not succeed after widespread protests. However, of late China has shown renewed interest in Lumbini and there has been a flow of Chinese tourists, politicians and government authorities to the city.
Lumbini’s master plan has provision for monasteries from several countries. India was the last to show interest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation of the Indian monastery on May 16, 2022, Buddha Jayanti Day. He pledged to build Buddhist circuits connecting shrines in both countries.
South Korea had taken interest in developing the site when Ban Ki Moon was the UN Secretary-General. The South Korean architect Kwaak Young Hoon had led a team that prepared the Lumbini World Peace City Preservation and Development Master Plan. But the Nepali authorities were more interested in mega projects coming from business and private channels, rather than government agencies.
There is anger within the Lamadom over what they say attempts to turn their sacred land into a communist and a commercial zone. The LDA, which once used to be a bipartisan body, is today packed with politicians affiliated to the ruling party. The decision of the current chief Lharkyal Lama, a Maoist leader to give Rambag, a holy site near Buddha’s relic, on a long-term commercial lease to a private party fell after an all party protest three months ago.
On November 22, a Buddha temple built by the widely-respected Buddhist monk Chokyi Nyima Rindpoche was inaugurated. He took the founder chairman of the Lumbini Development project, Gyanendra Shah, as a Guest of Honour. “I came to Nepal as a refugee child from Tibet, lived here all along, breathing Nepali air, drinking its water and enjoying religious freedom all through. This monastery is my modest attempt to acknowledge all that. It is an institution to spread Buddha’s teachings”.
His message was clear — the primary responsibility to preserve Lumbini’s sanctity lies with the Hindus and Buddhists.
That sentiment is being undermined as Lumbini gradually turns into the playground of players who do not understand that Lumbini is respected for peace, compassion and renunciation rather than profit seeking investments and strategic intent.
The writer is the Kathmandu-based contributing editor of The Indian Express
Why should you buy our Subscription?
You want to be the smartest in the room.
You want access to our award-winning journalism.
You don’t want to be misled and misinformed.
Choose your subscription package
