PM Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of a unique centre for Buddhist culture and heritage in the Lumbini monastery area during his official visit to Lumbini, Nepal, on Monday on the occasion of Vaishakha Buddha Purnima, the Ministry of Culture said.

In Lumbini, PM Modi will go to the holy Mayadevi temple to offer prayers. PM will also address a Buddha Jayanti function organised by the Lumbini Development Trust under the auspices of the Government of Nepal, the ministry said in a press release. With the financial support of the Ministry of Culture, the Government of India and the sponsorship of the Lumbini Development Trust, a unique “India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage” will be built at the request of the public by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).

The International Buddhist Confederation is a grant-in-aid organisation under the Ministry of Culture. The Buddhist centre will be the first “Net Zero Emission” building in Nepal. Also, on this occasion, the Ministry of Culture collaborates with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) to organise a colourful event in New Delhi to celebrate the Vaishakha Buddha Purnima Day. A film for the Buddhist Culture and Heritage Centre in Lumbini, Nepal, will be screened at PM Modi’s groundbreaking ceremony earlier in the day.

The event will start at 2 pm with chanting from various Buddhist places played on the screen. The Chief Guest at the event will be Kiren Rijiju, Minister for Law and Justice, Government of India, and the special guest will be G. Kishan Reddy, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Development, North Eastern Region (DoNER) and Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister, the state of Culture, Government of India.

Modi’s visit to Nepal coincides with the inauguration of the Lumbini Buddhist Centre on the holy day of Vaishakha Buddha Purnima. The day is three times recognised as a blessed day which marks the birth, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha. Lumbini is one of the holiest and most important sites in Nepal, and as a result, it has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in New Delhi, the International Buddhist Federation of India (IBC) is an international Buddhist umbrella body that provides a common platform for Buddhists worldwide. It is fortunate to have been established under the patronage of the highest Buddhist religious hierarchy.

Its purpose is to create a platform for various Buddhist organisations and traditions worldwide to preserve, disseminate and promote common Buddhist values and principles. The goal is also to find standard solutions to global problems.

IBC has been actively involved in Buddhist organisations in Nepal and has developed strong relationships with several senior Buddhist monks. Modi’s visit and the establishment of the India Centre within the Lumbini Temple complex will further strengthen the connection by sharing Buddhist heritage and legacy.