Third international Buddhist conference to be held in Lumbini on April 29–30

LUMBINI: The Third International Buddhist Conference is set to be held in Lumbini on April 29 and 30, coinciding with the full moon of Baisakh (Baisakh Purnima) and the 2,570th Buddha Jayanti.

The council meeting of the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) held today decided to organise the conference in Lumbini on the occasion of the upcoming full moon of Baisakh. LDT Member Secretary Deepak Shrestha said the event aims to promote Lumbini internationally, raise its profile and increase tourist arrivals.

The meeting, chaired by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Chairman of LDT, Anil Kumar Sinha, has formed the main organising committee for the conference. It also decided to form a 10‑member main ceremony committee with Dr Lharkyal Lama (Khenpo Chimed), vice chairman of LDT, as coordinator.

The government has allocated a budget of Rs 30 million to organise the conference in the current fiscal year 2025/26.

LDT Member Secretary Shrestha said the conference, which was postponed from November because of previous political and structural changes in the country, is now scheduled for April 29 and 30.

LDT Chairman Dr Lama, convener of the main organising committee, said the conference is being organised to propagate world peace through Buddhism and philosophy and to spread the spirit of kindness, compassion and global brotherhood. He expressed his belief that Buddhist scholars, gurus, distinguished guests and important figures from various fields from more than 60 countries would participate.

The two‑day conference will include discussions and paper presentations on topics such as Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha; Kapilvastu and related heritage sites; the environmental condition of the Lumbini area; world Buddhist heritage; and Buddhist education and culture.

The LDT said the first and second international Buddhist conferences held earlier have made a significant contribution to Nepal’s religious, cultural and tourism sectors.

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