Kathmandu, 18 November:
By Rajendra Acharya, Lumbini:
The construction of the ‘Russian Buddhist Temple’ started in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. The construction is in the style of a 108-year-old Russian monastery in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Pravin Gauchan, Representative of the Foundation for the Russian Monastery of Nepal, informed that the construction of the structure has started with the joint initiative and effort of the Russian Embassy in Nepal, Russian Nepal Maitri Sangh, Russian Buddhist Temple Construction Foundation, and Russian Buddhist pilgrims with an investment of 300 million rupees.
Gauchan said that the construction of a temple in the shape of a Russian monastery has started on one bigha land within the Lumbini Area Development Fund, and the goal is to complete the construction in 2025.
In the middle of a ceremony, the Russian Ambassador, Aleksei Novikov, laid the foundation stone for the construction of the temple with Buddhist lessons from the monks who came from Russia and a piece of stone from the Russian monastery.
On that occasion, Buddhist monk lamas Buda Badmaef, Jambalav Chiriganchap, Nanjtof Richelav, and Chilgasef Raman, who came from Russia, gave special Buddhist lessons. Anton Maslov, Director of the Russian house in Kathmandu, was also present in the ceremony. CE Construction of Nepal has started the construction of a two-and-a-half-storey temple.
An agreement was concluded with the Lumbini Development Fund through the Russian Embassy in 2019, and construction started in 2023, where the structure is designed to reflect the format of the oldest monastery in Russia.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Russian Ambassador Novikov said that the construction of a Russian monastery on the land of Buddha’s birthplace has been started with the aim of cultural exchange in Nepal-Russia friendly relations.
He said that the message of peace from Buddha Bhoomi Lumbini to Nepal will strengthen the relationship between Nepal and Russia. Also, the ambassador expressed his belief that Lumbini’s ‘Russian Buddhist Temple’ will prove to be a milestone in the relationship between Nepal and Russia and will be useful for future visitors.
Dinanath Raj Bhandari, Vice President of the Russia-Nepal Friendship Society, explained that this effort to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries has further exposed the identity of Buddha Bhumi Nepal in the preservation of culture.
President of the Russian Buddhist Society, Alek Bhayasilo, said that by building the temple, Nepal can become a source of peace in the world. Lumbini Buddhist University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Suvarnalal Brajacharya claimed that the message of peace flowing from Lumbini is important to the human race all over the world.
Rishiram Ghimire, the former ambassador to Russia on behalf of Nepal, mentioned that the relationship between Nepal and Russia is a symbol of mutual cooperation, harmony, and friendship and that there is a new link to increase the importance of Buddha Land.
Dr. Badri KC, president of NRNA, said that Nepal should respect the good faith of Russia and benefit from it. He said that along with the study of Buddhist culture, society, and people’s lives, the construction of the temple has systematically expanded the diplomatic and friendly relations between the two countries.
Sanuraja Shakya, Member Secretary of the Lumbini Development Fund, informed that expatriate Nepalese also facilitated this. Shakya said that 27 countries have built temples and monasteries to represent their countries in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. According to the Lumbini Development Fund, agreements have been signed with 40 countries and organizations for the construction of structures. Russia, a country where nearly 12 percent of the population is Buddhist, has said that it will complete the construction of the temple in the next two years.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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