Russian Buddhist Temple construction begins

By Our Correspondent, Lumbini, Nov. 18: Construction of the Russian Buddhist Temple has begun in Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha.

The new Buddhist temple will be constructed in the style of the 108-year-old Russian monastery in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Er. Prabin Gauchan, Coordinator of Russian Monastery Nepal, said that the construction of the structure has started in the joint initiative and efforts of the Russian Embassy in Nepal, the Russia Nepal Friendship Association, the Russian Buddhist Temple Construction Foundation and Russian Buddhist pilgrims with an investment of Rs. 300 million.

Gauchan said that the construction of the temple in the shape of a Russian monastery has started in one bigha land within the area of the Lumbini Development Trust. The temple is expected to be ready by 2025.

At a special ceremony held recently, Russian Ambassador to Nepal Aleksei Novikov laid the foundation stone for the construction of the temple with Buddhist sermons from the monks who came from Russia with a piece of stone from the Russian monastery.

On that occasion, Buddhist monks, including the head of Lama of the Russian Buddhist Temple in St. Petersburg Badmaev Buda delivered special Buddhist sermons. The CE Construction of Nepal has started the construction of the two-and-a-half-story temple.

The construction of the temple has started as per the agreement signed between the Lumbini Development Trust and the Russian Embassy in 2019.

The structure of the temple is designed in such a way that it will reflect the style of the oldest monastery in Russia.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Ambassador Novikov said that the construction of the Russian monastery on the land of the Buddha had started with the aim of cultural exchange between Nepal and Russia.

He said that the message of peace from the Buddha's birthplace, Lumbini, would strengthen the relationship between Nepal and Russia.

Ambassador Novikov 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 generations.

Dina Nath Rajbhandari, Vice President of Russia-Nepal Friendship Association, said that the effort to build the temple would further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. President of the Russian Buddhist Society Oleg Vavilov said that  Nepal could become a source of peace in the world.

Vice-Chancellor of Lumbini Buddhist University Prof. Dr. Subarna Lal Bajracharya said that the message of peace flowing from Lumbini was important to humans all over the world.

Rishiram Ghimire, former Nepali Ambassador to Russia, said that the relationship between Nepal and Russia is a symbol of mutual cooperation, harmony and friendship and mentioned that there is a new link to increase the importance of Buddha land.

President of the Non-Resident Nepali Association Badri KC said that Nepal should respect the good faith of Russia and take benefit from it.

Sanuraja Shakya, member secretary of Lumbini Development Trust, said that NRNs are also facilitating the construction of temples in Lumbini.

He said that 27 countries have built temples and monasteries to represent their countries in Lumbini. According to the Lumbini Development Trust, agreements have been signed with 40 countries and organisations for the construction of structures.

Nearly 12 per cent of people in Russia follow Buddhism.