construction of Russian Buddhist monastery begins in Lumbini

LUMBINI, Nov 18:The construction of a 'Russian Buddhist monastery' in Lumbini, Buddha's birthplace, has begun. The construction of a 180-year-old monastery in St. Petersburg, Russia, based on the Russian monastery concept, has begun.

The Russian Embassy in Nepal, the Russian Nepal Friendship Association, the Russian Buddhist Temple Construction Foundation, and Russian Buddhist pilgrims collaborated to build the temple. According to Prabin Gauchan, the coordinator of Russian monastery Nepal, the monastery will cost Rs 300 million to build.

He stated that the monastery's construction, which has begun on one bigha of land inside the Lumbini Area Development Trust, will be completed in 2025. The Russian Ambassador to Nepal, Aleksei Novikov, lay the monastery's foundation stone, which was followed by the recital of Buddhist texts by monks who traveled from Russia with a chunk of stone from the Russian monastery. 

Buda Badmaef, Jambalav Chiriganchap, Nanjtof Richelav, and Chilgasef Raman, Buddhist monk lamas from Russia, provided unique Buddhist lessons on that occasion.

In 2019, the Russian Embassy reached an agreement with the Lumbini Area Development Trust, and building on a two-and-a-half-story monastery began in 2023, with the structure meant to replicate the format of Russia's oldest monastery.

Russian Ambassador Novikov stated at the foundation laying ceremony that the construction of the Russian monastery near the birthplace of Buddha has begun in order to promote cordial relations and cultural interaction between Nepal and Russia.

He also stated that the Buddha birthplace Lumbini, which communicates the message of peace, will further boost Nepal-Russia relations.

According to Sanuraja Shakya, member secretary of Lumbini Development Fund, expatriate Nepalis have also assisted in this initiative.

At present, 27 countries have constructed temples and monasteries in Lumbini to symbolize their respective countries. According to the Lumbini Area Development Trust, agreements for structure development have been inked with 40 countries and organizations.