Kathmandu, July 3: On the auspicious occasion of Asadha Purnima, the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, in association with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) held joint celebrations at the Embassy’s Swami Vivekananda Culture Center in Kathmandu on Monday. The celebrations were graced by  Minister of State for Culture, Civil Aviation & Tourism, Sushila Sirpali Thakuri. Representatives from various Buddhist sects and monasteries in Nepal, as well as office bearers from the Lumbini Development Trust participated in the event. Secretary of International Buddhist Confederation Khenpo Chimed represented IBC at the event.

     Asadha Purnima commemorates Lord Buddha's first sermon to his first five ascetic disciples at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in Bihar. This is popularly also known as the day of the First Turning of Wheels of Dharma. In this sermon, Lord Buddha stated the ‘Four Noble Truths’ and the ‘Noble Eightfold Path’.

   The celebrations witnesses ceremonial prayers by Mahayana Sangha and Theravada Sangha. This was followed by dedication of prayers of four Buddhist Sutras.

   Secretary of International Buddhist Confederation Khenpo Chimed welcomed the guests to the Asadha Purnima celebrations and highlighted the significance of the occasion. Minister of State for Culture, Civil Aviation & Tourism, Sushila Sirpali Thakuri stated that Buddhism was one of the bonds that have connected India and Nepal for centuries and expressed confidence that the civilizational ties between India and Nepal will be strengthened in modern times by the construction of Buddhist as well as other religious circuits. Deputy Chief of Mission, Prasanna Shrivastava underscored the importance of the teachings of Lord Buddha and noted that the revered sites of Buddhism in both India and Nepal reflect the shared cultural heritage of the two countries.

  Video highlights of the design and features of the upcoming India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in the Lumbini Monastic Zone was displayed at the event. The shilanyas of the Centre was done by Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and former Prime Minister of Nepal Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Modi to Lumbini, Nepal, on the occasion of Buddha Purnima in May 2022. 

An exhibition showcasing various Buddhist sites of religious importance in Nepal and India was also displayed on the occasion.