Lumbini Trust With love to the land

Message from UNSG

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

November 1, 2008, Lumbini
 
 "I am awestruck by the beauty and profound significance of this sacred site, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. I am moved by the life journey of Prince who left behind all comfortable circumstances to comfort the hard realities of life, late becoming founder of one of the largest religions. As Secretary General of the United Nations, I sincerely hope that the life, philosophy and the teaching of Lord Buddha will guide us to promote peace, harmony and reconciliation among people of different religions, belief, culture and creed."
 
U Thant (1970)
Since early 1968, various phases of development works have been carried out both by the Government of Nepal and by United Nations Organizations and the project has now reached a stage where financingfrom voluntary contributions will be needed before it can become a pilgrimage center with adequate facilities from pilgrims and tourists. In this connection I would like also to express my personal appreciation to the Government of Nepal for the initiatives they have already taken. May I also express my sincere hope that both interested governments, individuals and private groups will make generous contributions in cash or kind to help in the implementation of what I consider to be a most worthy project?
 
Kurt Waldheim (1979)
 
Through the efforts of the Government of Nepal and with financial assistance from the United Nations Development Program, a Master Plan has been completed by the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. However, a necessary to make these plans a reality.

It is my hope; therefore, that governments, private institutions and individuals will make generous contributions towards this most worthy undertaking.

Javier Parez de Cuellar- (1989)

Lumbini, where Gautam Buddha was born in 623 B.C., is one of the most sacred places for Buddhists. Worldwide attention is focused on Lumbini not only because pilgrims and tourists come from all over the world, but because for all mankind Lumbini has special meaning as a place of meditation and spiritual renewal a center of culture exchange and a symbol of peace.


Buddha's message of compassion and devotion to the service of humanity is more relevant today than at any other time in history. Peace, understanding and a vision that transcends purely national boundaries and imperative of our insecure, nuclear age.

Since early 1968, the international community has been deeply involved in the development of the area. The Government of Nepal, with the assistance of the United Nations, has, made considerable progress towards the implementation of the Master Plan designed by the World- renewed architect Kenzo Tange.

The construction of the sacred garden, cultural centre, monastic enclave and other facilities are expected to be completed with the financial assistance of the world community. It is my hope, therefore, that governments, private institutions and individuals will make generous contributions to this unique undertaking.

 

Boutros-Boutros Ghali (1993)
The implementation of the Lumbini Master Plan is still in progress. I should therefore like to call on international community, governments, private institutions and individuals to consider contributing to the cause of preserving the tradition of the Buddha-that of compassion and devotion to the service of humanity.

Kofi Annan (1998)
As the most sacred place of pilgrimage for the world’s Buddhists, Lumbini
provides another illustration of interconnectedness of all people across borders and across time and let us applaud the commitment to tolerance that allows the Buddhist Summit to be held officially in the Hindu country. The further development of the Lumbini site in Nepal offers home. I

It would promote good relation among the countries of South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation. And in the broader sense it would serve as an international shrine for peace, for pilgrims for tourists, for all mankind.