By Our Correspondent

Bhairahawa, Nov. 14: Representatives from 25 nations participated in the Tripitak recitation programme organised in Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha.

Recitation of Tripitak, the main manuscript of Buddhist religion, was organised for the second time in Lunbini with the support of the Lumbini Development Trust (PADT), Thai Monastery and the Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Ministry of State -5.

Chief Minister of State 5 Shankar Pokharel inaugurated the Tripitak recitation function on Thursday.

Addressing the function, CM Pokharel said that peace, humility, piety and goodwill can be achieved through the teaching of the Buddha, Chief Minister Pokharel said, adding that Tripitak recitation would help spread the teachings of the Buddha globally, he said.

Tilaurakot, where Lord Gautam Buddha spent his 29 years of his life and where the excavation works have been going on at present. The sculpture of Gautam Buddha is being set up at Niglihawa, the birth place of Kanakmuni Buddha and Gotihawa, birth place of Krakuchanda Buddha, he informed.

Tripitak recitation has enhanced further the glory and importance of Lumbini, he added

He said the Lumbini Ring Road project which started keeping the Lumbini in the centre would complete in the current fiscal year.

The ring road is being constructed to connect all supportive roads with Lumbini and promote tourism.

CM Pokharel said that the ring road would connect all the side roads to the Lumbini. The road will play important role to promote tourism in Lumbini.

The roads around Lumbini are being upgraded to four lanes.The narrow roads have caused difficulty to the tourists visiting Lumbini. Once the roads get expanded, visitors will face difficulty to visit Lumbini, he said.

“Bhairahawa, Lumbini, and Taulihawa road section are being upgraded into four-lane one. It will take one and a half years to complete it. The State 5 government is moving ahead with the construction works of byroads which will complete during the current fiscal year,” he said.

Thai government has provided support for the development of Lumbini, former minister of Thailand and president of Thai Foundation Kun Hing Sudhara stressed that the teachings of the Buddha have to be spread globally.

Speaking at the programme, Awadhes Tripathi, vice-president of Lumbini Development Trust said that Federation of Nepal Monk has been preserving Gautam Buddha’s guidance.

The recitation process will continue till the date of November 16 at Maya Devi Temple premises. At the programme, the monk, teacher, lama, nun and followers from Nepal, India, Sri-Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Korea and Japan will participated, said Hem Bahadur Bista, secretary of organising committee.

According to Bikshu Maitri Mahasthabir, coordinator of committee said that Binayapitak, Sutrapitak an Abidhmapitak will be reciting in three days programme.

On the first day, Neplai monk started Tripitak recitation process reciting the Bramajalsutra of Dirganikaya. Myanmar monk will lead recitation process on second day and third day lead by Thai monk.