(TibetanReview.net, Dec22’23) – Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the Indian state of Bihar has on De 21 invited Tibet’s exile spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, to inaugurate the upcoming Buddha Samyak Darshan (True Faith or Right Perception) museum in Vaishali, located around 60km from the state capital. The chief minister has visited the Dalai Lama at Bodh Gaya, where the latter inaugurated a three-day international inter-Buddhist forum on Dec 20 and is to give religious teachings later this month.
The Dalai Lama has accepted the invitation, the timesofindia.com Dec 22 cited a press release issued by the chief minister’s office as saying. It was not clear when the inauguration will take place, with the museum being still under construction.
The report said the Rs 315 crore worth museum and a memorial stupa, which will house one of the authentic mortal remains of Lord Buddha, were coming up on an area of 72 acres.
The chief minister was reported to have told the Dalai Lama that he never missed any chance to meet him whenever the latter visited Bodh Gaya, and that he respected all religions, including Buddhism.
The chief minister was reported to have later met with the representatives of the ongoing International Sangha Forum. More than 2,000 monks, nuns and scholars from 35 countries are participating in the three-day forum that the Dalai Lama inaugurated on Dec 20.