Lumbini – The 2569th Buddha Jayanti and Lumbini Day 2025 was celebrated with great grandeur in Lumbini. The Lumbini Development Trust organized a series of events on the 28th, 29th, and 30th of Baisakh (Nepali calendar) to mark the occasion. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli attended the main ceremony held on the 29th.

Addressing the event, Prime Minister Oli clarified the ongoing debate regarding the Buddha Jayanti numbering. He explained that while this year marks the 2569th year of the Buddha Era (Buddha Sambat), the actual birth anniversary is the 2649th. He emphasized that confusion arises from whether the count should start from Buddha's birth or his death. "Buddha was born in 623 BCE, attained enlightenment at 35, and passed away at 80," said PM Oli. “Therefore, it is the 2569th year of the Buddha Era, but the 2649th Buddha Jayanti based on his birth.”

He urged people not to remain confused, stating clearly that the Buddha Jayanti should be celebrated based on his birth. Highlighting Buddha as a messenger of peace and a great human being, PM Oli stressed that his teachings of peace, humanity, and compassion should be deeply understood and embraced by all.

Mentioning that three Buddhas were born within a 30 km radius of the Lumbini region, the Prime Minister emphasized that Buddha’s teachings must be put into practice.

 

During the special Buddha Jayanti ceremony, Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Badri Pandey—also the chairperson of the organizing body and the Lumbini Development Trust—pledged that next year’s celebration would mark the 2650th Buddha Jayanti. Minister Pandey stated that although in previous years the anniversary was observed with inputs from Buddhist scholars, from next year onward it will be commemorated strictly based on the Buddha's birth. "The Buddha Jayanti is indeed the 2649th based on his birth, and the Lumbini Development Trust is committed to honoring it accordingly from next year," he said.

Earlier, on Baisakh 21, National Assembly member Anjan Shakya had demanded that the Buddha Jayanti be observed based on the actual birth date. Not only Shakya, but several others have expressed differing opinions on the timing of the celebration.

Despite the banners and invitation cards mentioning the 2569th Buddha Jayanti, both the Prime Minister and the Tourism Minister affirmed the commitment to celebrate the event based on the birth anniversary from next year.

Dr. Lharkyal Lama, Vice Chairperson of the Lumbini Development Trust, also stated during the welcome remarks that the differing views regarding the Buddha’s birth anniversary should be resolved through consensus among all Buddhist sects. He added that the matter should be finalized by the government so that the celebration can be observed internationally from next year.

 

According to Sri Lankan historical chronicles Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa, Sakyamuni Buddha was born in Lumbini on the full moon day of Baisakh in 623 BCE. However, many historians based on Emperor Asoka’s era and archaeological evidence consider 563 BCE as the correct date. Nevertheless, both the United Nations and UNESCO have officially recognized 623 BCE as the birth year of the Buddha when designating Lumbini as a World Heritage Site.

As Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing all occurred on the full moon day of Baisakh Shukla Purnima, the day is observed as a Trisamyoga (triple coincidence) and celebrated accordingly.

At the special Buddha Jayanti ceremony, key dignitaries including Chet Narayan Acharya, Chief Minister of Lumbini Province; Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava; Chinese Ambassador Chen Song; Thai Ambassador Sahaphong Sirisorn; and UNDP Resident Representative Kyoko Yokosuka delivered speeches. They highlighted that the teachings of the Buddha should be embraced globally as a unifying force.

The main ceremony was held at the International Meditation and Conference Center, attended by federal and provincial ministers, members of parliament, local representatives, monks, nuns, spiritual teachers, and lay devotees. Prior to the main event, a peace rally was held in the morning.

Alongside Lumbini, various Buddha Jayanti programs were also conducted in Ramagram, Kapilavastu, and Devadaha.