http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/content.php?nid=11759
Buddha Chaitya Stands At The United Nations [ 2007-2-2 ] By Prem Lal Chitrakar It is a matter of pride for Nepalese in general and the Buddhists in particular that a Buddha Chaitya stands at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Memorial of Buddha Chaitya was handed over formally to the UN Deputy Secretary General Mr. Mark Malloch Brown at a stupa dedication ceremony held in September 2006, five days prior to the opening of the 61st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The Memorial of Buddha Chaitya contains the most sacred and invaluable relics of Lord Buddha gifted by Buddhists as well as by the governments of Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar. The Chaitya is made of brass caskets with pure gold leaves. It was crafted in Thailand. The installation ceremony was attended by a large number of invitees from the United Nations Member countries as well as Buddhist monks in New York. The Memorial of Buddha Chaitya was taken to over 30 UN member nation as a symbol of peace before it was finally installed in the UN Headquarters. The Memorial of Buddha Chaitya was also displayed at Muni Bihar of Bhaktapur, Nepal from August 9 to 11, 2003.It was brought to Nepal from Bangkok in August 2003. The Memorial of Buddha Chaitya was also taken to Kushinagar, India where Lord Buddha attained his Maha Pari Nirbana, via Lumbini - the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Following were the remarks made by the United Nations Deputy Secretary General Mark Malloch Brown during the installation ceremony at New York on 8th September, 2006. "I am glad to welcome you to the United Nations on this happy occasion. Five years ago, we saw on the Vaishakh Day (Full Moon of Baishakh) World Peace Buddhist Stupa off on a worldwide pilgrimage. Today, all of us at United Nations Headquarters are delighted to welcome it back to what is now its permanent home. I believe this beautiful artifact and its relics will enrich not just a physical corner of our building, but also the spiritual life of our Organization and of all who pass through here. As Buddhism teaches, we must deal with all our fellow human beings fairly and objectively, while refraining from malice, aggression and harm. Tolerance is essential, but it is not enough, we must go further, and make positive effort to learn more about each other, and to discover what is best in each other's belief's and traditions. As world leaders gather again for the General Assembly's annual High level session, this gift, lovingly constructed in Thailand and welcomed on five continents, can help remind them of this commitment, and of Buddha's vision of peace and of humanity's highest potential. I also hope it will inspire each of us to think beyond our narrow, short- term self interest, and raise ourselves to a universal perspective from which the welfare of the broader human community appears as important as our own well-being." The above mentioned remarks made by Mr. Malloch Brown are very commendable, invaluable and highly appreciated. Legal disclaimer ------------------------- This email may contain confidential and/or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient (or have received this email by error), please notify the sender immediately and delete this email. Any unauthorized copying, disclosure, or distribution of the material in this email is strictly forbidden.
