Kathmandu: The Embassy of Nepal organized a peace walk program to mark the 2570th Buddha Jayanti in front of the Buddha statue located at Middleheimmuseum, a public park in Antwerp, on May 3. The park is home to a Buddha statue, presented by the Embassy of Nepal and revealed together with the City of Antwerp to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties between Nepal and Belgium.
The program was jointly inaugurated with the offering of flowers and lighting of candles at the Buddha statue by the participants, followed by welcome remarks by the Ambassador of Nepal to BENELUX countries, Sewa Lamsal; message and prayer by a venerable monk; and remarks by the Vice Mayor of Antwerp, Karim Bachar.
Ambassador Lamsal welcomed the guests and participants. In her welcome remarks, she highlighted the significance of the day, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, and the message of Buddha. She underlined the thrice-blessed occasion–the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Gautam Buddha–and briefly touched upon Nepal-Belgium bilateral relations.
She said, “This Buddha statue in Antwerp not only reminds us of the enlightened son of Nepal but also represents the warm and enduring relationship between Nepal and Belgium. Established on 19 August 1963, our diplomatic relationship spans over six decades. The statue was unveiled on 16 June 2015 to mark the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic ties.” She underlined that the site stands tall as a testament to a philosophy born of Nepali soil–one that transcends borders and cultures to offer the world a universal path of peace, understanding, and coexistence.
She further mentioned, “On this day, let us renew our commitment to Buddha’s teachings. Let us cultivate compassion over hatred, understanding over ignorance, and peace over conflict. Let us strengthen unity within our communities and contribute positively to the societies we live in while staying rooted in our Nepali values.”
The programme was graced by Venerable Khenpo Wagindra Shila, a renowned monk from Nepal who has devoted his life to spreading the teachings of the Buddha. Venerable Khenpo delivered a message on the early life and teachings of Buddha and the importance of his message in this world. He also conducted a joint prayer on the occasion and joined the peace walk.
Vice-Mayor Bachar represented the mayor’s office and conveyed his message and greetings. In his remarks, he appreciated the love, support, and cooperation received from the Nepali community in Antwerp and wished for the success of the programme.
Following the inaugural session, participants took part in a brief peace walk around the park. A short, guided meditation was also conducted at the end of the programme.
Nepal Milan Kendra, a social organization based in Antwerp, coordinated for the local hospitality and other arrangements. The programme concluded with a group photo session. Over one hundred guests attended the event, including presidents and representatives from Nepali community organizations, the City of Antwerp, members of the Nepali diaspora, Nepali students, and well-wishers of Nepal.
The Embassy stated that this was the first programme of its kind since the Buddha statue installed in 2015.
