Kathmandu, April 30 – Speakers at a programme commemorating the 2562nd Buddha Jayanti today have called for installing a statue of the Buddha at the UN Office in Kathmandu for propagating the way shown by the apostle of peace, the Buddha.
Addressing the Buddha Jayanti function organised by the Buddha Jayanti Celebration Committee, the United Nations Kathmandu and Nepal Buddhist Council here today, Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City Chiri Bbau Maharjan said the metropolis was committed to protect and preserve the archaeological heritages related to Buddhism.
“The Lalitpur Metropolitan City is ready to extend support for installing a statue of the Buddha at the United Nations Office here,” he said.
Myanmar’s ambassador to Nepal, Thiripyachi U Than Mey Leon expressed happiness at the opportunity to celebrate the Buddha’s birth anniversary in his birthplace, Nepal. “Today is an important and special day for the 80 per cent of Myanmar’s population who are Buddhists,” he declared.
UNESCO’s resident director in Nepal, Christian Manhart said that the programme would play a significant role in propagating the Buddha’s message across the world.
President of the Buddha Jayanti Celebration Committee Dharma Murti, general secretary Shankar Ratna Shakya, president of Nepal Buddhist Council Mahishwar Raj Bajracharya, among the speakers called for installing the statue of the Buddha at the UN Office in Nepal.
The UN Office in Nepal has been organising a programme in commemoration of the Buddha Jayanti every year since 2002 in keeping with the United Nations’ decision in 1999 to celebrate Buddha Jayanti throughout the world.
