Lumbini Nepal: The Birth Place of Budha

 

Lumbini Nepal was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. The word Lumbini is a Nepali word which means lovely. Indeed, Lumbini is one of the loveliest and most peaceful places on Earth. It is a place rich with culture and tradition.

Lumbini is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi district of Nepal. It is known as the place where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha Gautama lived roughly between 623 and 543 BCE and he founded Buddhism as Gautama Buddha. 

 Wikipedia.com says that:

Buddhism is a nontheistic religion or philosophy (Sanskrit: dharma; Pali: dhamma), that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha ("the awakened one"). According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha lived and taught in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE. He is recognized by Buddhists as an awakened or enlightened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end their suffering through the elimination of ignorance and craving. Buddhists believe that this is accomplished through direct understanding and the perception of dependent origination and the Four Noble Truths. The ultimate goal of Buddhism can either be Arhatship, Buddhahood or rainbow body depending on the branch of Buddhism.

It was winter when I went to Lumbini, Nepal on January 2014. At first sight, I felt like I have been to this place in a dream. With the foggy clouds and with the sun high up in the sky without its mighty orange rays, Lumbini felt like heaven. 

This eternal flame symbolizing peace was lit by the chairman of the Lumbini Development Thrust, his Royal Highness Prince Gyanendra Dir Bikram Shan of the occasion of the International Year of Peace on the 1st of November 1986.

Excitingly, the Nepalese People are also the most welcoming, warmest, and hospitable people in the world. I have made friends in Nepal and I am proud that I kept the friendship .

As always, I travel on purpose. I went to Nepal to attend the 7th Youth Peace Ambassador Program. Here's a short video of us made by Harry Norvar from Indonesia. 

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A Meaningful Journey in Tallinn Estonia

The month of May 2011 is a remarkable and meaningful month of my life. It was the time  I received my notice via email that I was accepted as one of the Non-European Participants in the European Youth Meeting 2011 which is going to be held in Tallinn Estonia. It was 6th of May, 2011 when I received the letter. I was jumping with joy and even woke up my husband at 2:00 AM to announce the good news. My husband woke up and read the letter. He asked if I am going even if I should shoulder the travel costs, and I said YES!! I don't know where to get the funds, but I just I knew I was going.

I was excited not only because I wanted to travel, but because the trip was really meaningful to my personal life and my line of work. The European Youth Meeting on Sustainable Development in 2011 aimed to mobilize the voice of the youth on issues about the environment and sustainable development. I also wanted to hear the perspective of the European Youth when it comes to the fair and green economy. 

The seven (7) major topics discussed during the 7 days meeting  on  July 19^th to July 24^th 2011 were the following:

1. Natural Resources
2. Education for Sustainable Development
3. Urban Development
4. Waste Management
5. Agriculture
6.  Social Well Being 
7. Renewable Energy



The agenda of the European Meeting was successfully followed where we came up with the declaration entitled, European Youth for Sustainable Development. 



The picture below were the participants and organizers during EYM 2011. 

Photo Credit: Peppi-Emilia Airike

As a result of my participation in this event, I have organized the Cordillera Youth Network for Global Change, which is a youth led organization promoting Indigenous Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Development.

About Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn, Estonia is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located on the north coast of the country, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg.

In the Old Town of Tallinn, you can see the magnificent 700 hundred year old buildings. The century buildings were restored beautifully and some are creatively used for commercial purposes such as restaurants or stores.

Because I was given seven days only to stay in Tallinn, I have seen a few places such as the Parliament of Estonia, the Old City and the famous Port of Tallinn. 

Excitingly, it was Summer when I went there. I was really amazed to experience the sun setting at 12:00 midnight and rising again at around 4:00 in the morning. I stayed at the Meriton Grand Conference & Spa Hotel Tallinn  which is now called Park Inn. I was at the 10th floor where I had the opportunity to view the stunning Old City at night.

 

As I look back, 4 years after this momentous trip, I thank the almighty God for all his blessings. I have not only enhanced my perspective on Sustainable Development but it has deeply impacted my life when it comes to the advocacy on land and natural resources. Also, I made friends with young people around the Globe who shares the same advocacy for Mother Earth. 




 

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