Lumbini, Nepal — The birthplace of Lord Buddha is set to take center stage once again as Nepal prepares to host the Third International Buddhist Conference in Lumbini on April 29 and 30 (Baisakh 16–17), aiming to promote global peace and boost religious tourism.

 

The decision was made during a meeting of the Lumbini Development Trust Council, chaired by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Anil Kumar Sinha, who also serves as the Trust’s chairperson. Officials said the conference is part of a broader effort to elevate Lumbini’s profile on the global stage and attract more international visitors.

 

A 10-member main organizing committee has been formed to oversee preparations, with Dr. Lharkyal Lama, Vice-Chairperson of the Lumbini Development Trust, appointed as the coordinator.

 

According to Dr. Lama, the conference will focus on promoting world peace through Buddhist philosophy, emphasizing values such as compassion, non-violence, and universal brotherhood.

 

Organizers expect participation from Buddhist scholars, spiritual leaders, dignitaries, and experts from more than 60 countries. The two-day event will feature discussions and research presentations on topics including:

• The heritage of Lumbini, Kapilvastu, and other Buddha-related sites

• Environmental conditions of the Lumbini region

• Global Buddhist heritage

• Buddhist education, culture, and philosophy

 

The Lumbini Development Trust noted that the first and second International Buddhist Conferences played a significant role in strengthening Nepal’s religious, cultural, and tourism sectors, and similar outcomes are expected from this year’s event.

 

With growing international attention on spiritual tourism, officials say the upcoming conference could further position Lumbini as a global hub for Buddhist dialogue and peace-building