Lumbini - The four-day Fourth International Tripitaka Chanting Ceremony held at Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, has concluded. The event, organized by the All Nepal Bhikkhu Association in collaboration with the Lumbini Development Trust and various other organizations, took place at the Mayadevi Temple complex in Lumbini.

The ceremony was concluded on Saturday by Lumbini Province Chief Minister Chetnarayan Acharya. Addressing the closing ceremony, Chief Minister Acharya urged the global dissemination of Buddha's teachings. He emphasized that internalizing Buddha's teachings and messages could help spread peace, compassion, and coexistence. He expressed confidence that Buddha's teachings would guide the world toward peace and tolerance.

Chief Minister Acharya stressed the need to promote Lumbini globally by increasing religious and cultural activities in the region. He highlighted that the Tripitaka Chanting Ceremony held at Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, would significantly contribute to the promotion of Lumbini's religious, cultural, and tourism sectors.

Similarly, Dr. Lharkyal Lama, Vice-Chairperson of the Lumbini Development Trust, stated that Lumbini, being the birthplace of Buddha, is a focal point of faith for Buddhists worldwide. He described visiting Lumbini as akin to meeting Buddha in person. Dr. Lama emphasized that among the four significant sites associated with Buddha, Lumbini holds the utmost importance and urged peace-loving individuals worldwide to visit Lumbini at least once. He also called for honoring the state's role in preserving Buddha's teachings, lamenting that the Nepalese government has not played a significant role in spreading Buddha's teachings or enhancing spiritual activities in Lumbini.

Dr. Lama highlighted the importance of the Tripitaka Chanting Ceremony in spreading Buddha's teachings globally and stressed the need to expand the event in the coming years.

During the program, Bhikkhu Dhammashobhan Mahasthavir, President of the All Nepal Bhikkhu Association, stated that Buddha's teachings are scientific and timeless. He noted that chanting Buddha's teachings at his birthplace for four days generated positive energy.

Sanuraja Shakya, Member Secretary of the Trust, emphasized that the Tripitaka Chanting Ceremony significantly contributed to promoting Lumbini's tourism and internationalizing Buddha's teachings.

Upasika Wangmo Dixi, founder of the International Tripitaka Chanting Committee, expressed that chanting Buddha's teachings in Lumbini was a priceless achievement in her life. The event also saw speeches from Bhikkhu Nigrodh Mahasthavir, General Secretary of the All Nepal Bhikkhu Association, and Lilamani Sharma, Senior Vice-President of the Lumbini Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, among others.

During the ceremony, individuals who supported the Tripitaka Chanting program were honored, as informed by Bhikkhu Bimalo Mahasthavir, Publicity Coordinator of the Association.

The Tripitaka contains the teachings and sermons delivered by Gautam Buddha over 45 years. The chanting ceremony saw the participation of over 400 individuals, including monks, nuns, lamas, anis, upasakas, and upasikas. The event was inaugurated on Wednesday by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakashman Singh.