Lumbini declared a ‘Panchasheel Zone’

Rupandehi, Nov 21 . Lumbini, the birth place of Gautam Buddha, has been declared the ‘Panchasheel Zone’.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Rabindra Adhikari made the declaration amidst a programme organized by the Lumbini Development Trust and the Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality in Lumbini today.

“Lumbini is a place of peace and non-violence. Killing, violence, theft, misconduct and drinking alcohol are strictly prohibited in the area,” the Culture Minister said while declaring Lumbini as ‘Panchasheel Zone’.

It is necessary to observe the panchasheela conducts in this place to spread the message to the world that the Buddha’s birthplace is peaceful and beautiful, he added.

Stating that only making the declaration was not a big deal, he stressed on its implementation in practice. He stated that the development of the Lumbini area was in the government’s priority, he claimed that the master pan of the Lumbini Development Area would be completed in the coming three years.

The Minister shared that more than 6 billion rupees would be required to complete the master plan and it would be completed even by looking for the prospective donors. “My life would be meaningful if this mission is completed,” he declared.

Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) vice-chair Bhikkhu Metteya Shakyaputa, Province 5 lawmaker Fakaruddin Khan, Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality mayor Manmohan Chaudhari, Bhikkhu Maitri Mahasthaveer, LDT assistant information officer Rajan Basnet and a local Aziz Khan, among the speakers stressed on the strict observance of the panchasheela conduct to make Lumbini truly a land of peace and non-violence.