The Indian International Center for Buddhist Culture and Heritage construction began in Lumbini on August 6, 2023, following a groundbreaking ceremony featuring Buddhist monk chants in Nepal.
It is being built with investment from the International Buddhist Confederation in the Buddhist Vihara area of Lumbini.
The heritage center to be built at a cost of Rs 1.60 billion is expected to be in the shape of a lotus. It will be built in zero-net technology and will be completed in about one and a half years.
Its foundation stone was jointly laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the then Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba during Modi's visit to Lumbini in 2022.
India and Nepal share cultural heritage, and are building a monastery on international standards. This will give a big boost to spiritual and religious tourism in Lumbini.
Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born as Siddhartha Gautama (Shakya dynasty) in Lumbini around 563 BCE.
Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under a Peepal tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar.
Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath near Varanasi. This is known as Dharma Chakra Pravartana.
He died in 483 BCE at the age of 80 in Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh). This is known as Mahaparinirvana.
He is considered to be the eighth avatar out of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu.
Council |
Mentor |
Location |
President |
Year |
First |
Ajatshatru |
royal house |
Mahakasyapa |
483 BC |
Second |
Kalashoka |
Vaishali |
Sabkamir |
383 BC |
Third |
Ashoka |
Patna |
Mogali Putra |
250 BC |
Fourth |
Kanishka |
Kundalvan |
Vasumitra |
72 AD |