August 6th, 2016

(Source: www.cnr.com) On August 6th, 2016, at 10 am, the signing ceremony for the Nepal “International Buddhism Culture Center” was held in Beijing.

More than 40 Chinese and foreign guests including Mr. Xiao Wunan, Executive Vice Chairman of Asia Pacific Exchange & Cooperation Foundation and first Executive Vice Chairman of the steering committee of the Nepal “International Buddhism Culture Center”, Mr. Yang Tianlong, Vice Chairman of the Sichuan Wenchuan Earthquake Reconstruction Foundation and Executive Vice Chairman of Nepal the “International Buddhism Culture Center”, Mr. Harishchandra Ghimire, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing, attended the signing ceremony.

Nepal, the birthplace of Buddha, has the longest history of Buddhist culture and has a special place in the hearts of Buddhists world wide. As early as the Han Dynasty Buddhism was introduced to China. Monk Xuan Zang of the Tang Dynasty defied death and brought home Buddhist scriptures from the west. He is regarded as “an envoy of world peace, a patriot and protector of the Dharma”. Today Buddhism has become an integral part of Chinese culture and played an important role in achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

From December 22 to 26, 2015, the Sichuan Wenchuan Earthquake Reconstruction Foundation was invited to visit Nepal after the catastrophic earthquake. Under the strong support of then Nepali Prime Minister Oli, the foundation formally signed an MoU on the construction of the “World Buddhism Culture Center” with the Nepali Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. On March 26, 2016, then Nepali Prime Minister’s visited China and meet cooperation partners of the International Economic Cooperation Zone of Nepal post-disaster reconstruction and attended a seminar for International Buddhism Culture Center” at the Jinjiang Hotel in Chengdu. Nepali Prime Minister Oli praised the planned International Buddhism Culture Center and hoped it would start construction as soon as possible.

Today, the Nepal “International Buddhism Culture Center”covers an area of about 36 hectares with a total construction area of 160000 square meters, a sacred place for modern Buddhism culture and spiritual purification for Buddhists from all over the world to make pilgrimages, hold Buddhist culture exhibitions, Buddhist studies, collect Buddhist classics, Buddhist talent training and improvement of human character. We strive to develop Nepal as a foundation for world peace to let many hearts of love and peace pour out from here, flow in all directions, and give more hope of peace to the world. I hope Buddhists could add bricks and tiles to the construction of International Buddhism Culture Center and make all-out efforts to build Shakya Muni Buddha Ashram.

Executive Chairman Xiao Wunan said that Asia Pacific Exchange & Cooperation Foundation has been committed to world peace and development. The “International Buddhism Culture Center” was also the first project of cultural and economic aid after Nepal’s earthquake, which was located in Katmandu and Lumbini. Mr. Xiao Wunan emphasized that natural disasters can destroy homes, but it can not destroy faith and can not prevent the human pursuit of peace and a better life. Home building was just the first step, cultural reconstruction and spiritual pursuit need the support research, a sustainable regional economic and cultural strategy and targeted programs that can be implemented. In Nepal’s Katmandu and Lumbini, we all hope to explore a new model of this cultural and economic aid, that can bring “seeds of sustainable development” to region’s economy and culture, so that it may grow “roots, germinate, flower and bear fruit, spreading from generation to generation” on the land suitable for its growth.

During the signing ceremony, Mr. Harishchandra Ghimire, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing, expressed warm congratulations and at the same time emphasized that the new government of Nepal would continue to implement a series of bilateral agreements signed between the previous government of Nepal and the Chinese government, and firmly maintain and develop Sino-Nepalese bilateral friendship.

On behalf of the Sichuan Wenchuan Earthquake Reconstruction Foundation, Vice Chairman Yang Tianlong signed a cooperation agreement and delivered a speech. He said the Sichuan Wenchuan Earthquake Reconstruction Foundation was born amid a natural disaster and that we felt love from all over the world. Now Wenchuan is thriving and prosperous. Last year the earthquake of Nepal also provided us with an opportunity to share the achievements of Wenchuan earthquake reconstruction and return the love to the international community. We are delighted to work hand in hand with APECF, domestic and international caring institutions and enterprises to contribute to Nepal’s post disaster reconstruction.

The Asia Pacific Exchange & Cooperation Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by dignitaries, renowned scholars, social activists, internationally influential enterprises, and research institutes in the Asia-Pacific region. The foundation engages in extensive and constructive communication and cooperation with many other organizations in the region. The foundation aims to create a platform for open dialogue and a consultation mechanism to promote regional exchanges, cooperation and resolution of disputes. Moreover, the foundation seeks to achieve the revival of eastern civilization in today’s fast changing world by utilizing its influence, creativity and action, as well as through public diplomacy, strategic research and public service in an effort to promote world peace and the well-being of all mankind.

The Sichuan Wenchuan Earthquake Reconstruction Foundation was approved by the Sichuan Provincial People's Government. This foundation is the only public-raising foundation for the purpose of post disaster reconstruction in Sichuan province and China. The foundation’s aim is “people-oriented, rescue people's livelihood”, and it is committed to the reconstruction in disaster areas. The foundation has played important roles in earthquake relief and post disaster reconstruction of the May 12 Wenchuan earthquake and April 20 Lushan earthquake. The foundation has 16 special funds including Huaxi Dream Fund, Heritage Preservation Fund, Lin Hao Love Chain Foundation. Focusing on disaster areas, remote mountainous areas, old revolutionary bases and poverty-stricken areas, the foundation has carried out post disaster relief and home reconstruction, offered assistance to students, teachers, the disabled, and provided medical and health assistance, culture relics protection and other charitable activities in order to support regional cultural tourism, agricultural development and other livelihood projects.

It is worth mentioning that since July 15, 2011, under the support of the United Nations, the international community and the Chinese government, the “Lumbini Recovery Plan” initiated and promoted by APECF has smoothly developed and achieved fruitful results. Today’s signing is a continuation of this grand plan.