A two-day international Buddhist conference to mark the 2,560th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha began in Nepal with Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, advocating Buddhism as a means to avoid extremism in all forms. Over 1,200 delegates and observers from 28 countries around the world will attend the conference from May 19-20, themed “Lumbini, Nepal: the birth place of Lord Buddha and the fountain of Buddhism and world peace“.

The Than manuscript of China has mentioned that Lumbini is the birth place of Lord Buddha, said Yin Shun, vice-president of Buddhist Association of China. The main objective of organising the event is to highlight Lumbini as birth place of Lord Buddha and the fountain of Buddhism, in the international arena, to establish Lumbini as the centre for interfaith and peace dialogue as well as developing Nepal as the fountain for world peace.

During the conference, around two dozen Buddhist scholars and renowned monks will be presenting working papers on various topics such as, “Good governance and Buddhism,” Buddhism its beginning and continuity,” and “Three fold body of Buddha.”

During the event, the president will announce the winner of ‘Lord Buddha Peace Prize’ worth USD 50,000. Delegates from various countries including from Bhutan, Thailand, Korea, Sri Lanka and Malaysia will attend the conference. The conference will come up with a declaration based on presentations from national and international Buddhist scholars at Lumbini.