Yek Raj Pathak
Xian (China), April 30: The upcoming International Buddhist Conference in Nepal will see a special and high-level participation from China.

The government of Nepal is going to organize a three-day conference on Buddha Jayanti, the day when Lord Buddha was born, in Kathmandu and in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. Buddha Jayanti falls on May 21 this year.

However scores of events, including the International Buddhist Conference, will be organized since May 19.

A large number of Buddhists, scholars, monks and delegates from Chinese government are expected to take part in the Conference.

On the occasion, a statue of Chinese monk Xuanzang will be erected and unveiled by the Vice Chief Minister of Shanxi Province, Yao Yinliang.

Xuanzang is believed to have introduced Buddhism in China from Nepal.

Professor at the Xian University at Shanxi province Dr Rajiv Kumar Jha has been publicizing about the International Conference across Shanxi, Henan, Sichuan and Chinese capital city Beijing through local media.

Prof Dr Jha was appointed a goodwill ambassador by the Sichuan provincial government during the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s state visit to China in last March for promotion of ties between Nepal and Sichuan province.

Prof Dr Jha believes that the number of Chinese religious tourists will soar following the international conference as the message the Chinese scholars and monks bring home from Nepal would hold a significant meaning.

“One thing for sure is that China will mark its special and high-level participation in the international Buddhist festival as talks on the same is doing round here among the distinguished Buddhist scholars, high-level leaders of Communist party and Chinese government,” said Prof Dr Jha.

Jha told RSS that he was effortful to encourage as much as Chinese participation in the Conference. Of the total 400 monks invited from 40 countries for the event, 22 countries have confirmed their participation so far, it was shared.

This year marks 2560th birthday of Lord Buddha.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ananda Prasad Pokharel was of the confidence that the event would help boost the influx of international religious tourists to Nepal as the conference represents several international countries.

Similarly, Ajitman Tamang, member-secretary of the Lumbini Development Trust gushed that the international conference this year will be special from the participants and other point of view. Deliberation, working paper presentation and seminars on Buddhist philosophy will be organized to mark the event. RSS