The sacred Garden of Lumbini: Perceptions of Buddha's birthplace

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Abstract

This publication is based on the premise that Lumbini can be perceived from numerous viewpoints and that all viewpoints together facilitate the overall understanding of the birthplace of Buddha. This perception sets the frame for the preparation of a management system, a mandatory requirement for a World Heritage Property. At a meeting in Lumbini on 25 May 2010, Kai Weise, UNESCO consultant for the preparation of the Integrated Management Plan, presented to site managers and government authorities eight realms of understanding: in Buddhist texts; in historical texts; in archaeology; as part of the Kenzo Tange Master Plan; as a World Heritage Property; in an environmental context; and in association with the activities of visitors and pilgrims. This eight-layer approach was the basis for the formulation of a UNESCO project funded by the Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the Preservation of the World Cultural Heritage that was aimed at supporting efforts to better manage Lumbini and address three other critical issues, namely broadening the knowledge based on Lumbini through archaeological research; ensuring the physical conservation of the vestiges in Lumbini; and preparing an improved lay-out of the Sacred Garden through a better understanding of the Kenzo Tange Master Plan. A study was undertaken with funding from the Paris based nongovernmental organization, Oriental Cultural Heritage Sites Protection Alliance, under the coordination of Kosh Prasad Acharya. The following experts were chosen for each of the eight perceptions: Christoph Cüppers for the chapter on Buddhist texts; Basanta Bidari for the chapter on historical texts; Robin Coningham for the chapter on archaeology; Yukio Nishimura for the chapter on Kenzo Tange Master Plan; Herb Stovel for the chapter on World Heritage; Anil Chitrakar for the chapter on environment; and Sayalay Bhaddamanika for the chapter on visitor activities. Additionally, a study on visitors’ expectations was carried out by Gyanin Rai. These studies became the basis for the preparation of the ‘Guidelines for the physical planning of the Sacred Garden’, a key component of the Integrated Management Framework for Lumbini, the Birthplace of Buddha. This publication presents the eight perceptions based on the experts’ studies. It also incorporates additional information collected from various sources to provide a comprehensive and updated image of Lumbini.