Sharda Poudel, associate professor of Lumbini Buddhist University, is of the opinion that there are 530 million Buddhist pilgrims in the world and only a small part of them come to Lumbini, and Nepal's tourism will be successful. Speaking about the tourism potential of Lumbini, she mentioned that it is necessary to increase knowledge in Buddhist philosophy, art and literature.
Speaking at the third session of 'Lumbini's Call: International Flight' organized by Kantipur Media Group in Bhairahawa on Wednesday, Paudel said that research and study in Buddhist studies, Buddhist philosophy, art and literature are necessary for the sustainable development of Lumbini.
"Lord Buddha said that any person who is a believer in Buddhism or who wants peace should go to four places namely Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kusinagar and those who go there will get ultimate peace," she said referring to the Mahaparinirvana Sutta, "We are saying Buddha, Buddha but we are not meditating on the vision of Buddha."
co-prof. According to Paudel, there are about 530 million Buddhists worldwide. He said that even if only 0.5 percent of them i.e. 2.6 lakhs can be brought in to Lumbini, there will be a significant increase in the tourism industry of Nepal. "If they have good knowledge of Buddhist philosophy, Buddhist guests are attracted by our behavior and behavior and want to come again and again to Lumbini," she said.
Mentioning that both 'Core Wisdom' and 'Applied Wisdom' are currently being taught at Lumbini Buddhist University, she informed that Travel and Tourism students have been being produced for the past seven years. "Our students have done internships in hotels and restaurants in Bhairawa and Butwal and now they are going to China to study more," she said, "Also, we have 200 Chinese students studying with us."
She emphasized the need for a combination of education, research and practical knowledge to develop Lumbini as an international religious tourism centre.
