Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, May 13:

Vietnamese professor-turned-Buddhist monk, who claims he is a pioneer of Lumbini’s development, has said he will return home if warring sides in Nepal don’t listen to his appeal.

His appeal: “Unite and resolve conflict so that peace prevails in the land where Buddha was born.” The first step for this, as Dr Ven Lam suggests, would be a ceasefire and the release — at least for a week on the occasion of upcoming Buddha Jyanti on May 23 — of political detainees.

“I appeal to those concerned to declare ceasefire at least for a week,” said the monk.

A rueful Dr Lam asked, when Buddha — a Nepali and born some 2600 years ago — could make a billion people worldwide follow his philosophy of love and kindness, why could not Nepalis today follow Buddha’s path?

“It applies to the King, the political parties and the Maoists. I am hopeful that they will unite and bring abou eventual peace,” said the history professor.