Lumbini to host Tripitaka chanting ceremony in early March

By Laxman Paudel, Bairahawa, Feb. 22: An International Tripitaka Chanting Ceremony is going to be organised in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. 

To promote the birthplace of Buddha at the international level and promote the tourism sector, the third International Tripitaka Chanting Ceremony is being organised.           

All Nepal Bhikkhu Association is hosting the third International Tripitaka Chanting Ceremony on the premises of Mayadevi Temple in Lumbini from March 3 to 5.

Sanu Raja Shakya, Member Secretary of Lumbini Development Trust (PADT), said, “This time, Tripitaka chanting will attract the attention of the world.”    

Member Secretary Shakya said that the Tripitaka has special importance in the Buddhist religion. The event to be held in Lumbini would contribute to promoting Buddha philosophy and Lumbini. 

“The Tripitaka recitations held earlier were a grand success in a way that attracted the attention of Buddhists from all over the world in Lumbini,” said Shakya.    

Tripitaka is a collection of knowledge and religion, which Buddha preached continuously for 45 years.  Tripitaka is a book that combines three texts namely Dhamma Sutra Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka and Vinaya Pitaka written in the 2nd century BC during the rule of Emperor Ashoka.

Monk Nigrodh, secretary of the All Nepal Bhikkhu Association, said that the Tripitaka chanting programme was planned to make the international community aware of the importance of Buddhist pilgrimage sites, Buddhist education, literature and philosophy. 

Monks, religious leaders and followers from Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Korea, Japan and other Asian countries will participate in the recitation. 

A peace march will also be organised as part of the Tripitaka chanting ceremony where the general public can also take part.

The Tripitaka is the main religious scripture of Buddhism. The followers of Buddhism of all the sects, including Hinayana, Mahayana and others have adopted this text which includes the Buddha's teachings.

First written in the Pali language, the Tipitaka has been translated into various languages.