Buddhist community objects to the recommendation to dissolve the monastery development committee
Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: Buddhist organisations and stakeholders have expressed their concern over the government’s recommendation to scrap the Buddhist Philosophy Promotion and Monastery Development Committee in the name of restructuring.
The ‘Gumba Development Committee, Save the Gumba Citizens’ Struggle Committee, organized a press conference at Sambad Dabali in the capital on Thursday and warned of agitation if the government did not withdraw its decision.
Coordinator of the struggle committee, Palsang Bajra Lama, said that the dissolution of the ‘Buddhist Philosophy Promotion and Monastery Development Committee’ without consulting the stakeholders would not be acceptable. Lama expressed his anger that the importance and necessity of ‘Buddhist philosophy’ has been normalized by linking religious beliefs and archaeological sensitivities with economic burden.
He warned of a strong struggle if the government did not withdraw the decision.
Indra
Rokaya Dolpo (Sherap), spokesperson of the struggle committee, said that the recommendation of the government to scrap the development committee in the ‘Good Governance Roadmap 2082’ has worried millions of Buddhist followers.
According to the government report, it would not be acceptable to erase the existence of the existing committee by the Lumbini Buddhist University and the Department of Archaeology to carry out works related to ‘Buddhist philosophy’ and the Department of Archaeology. More than
two dozen Buddhist organisations and communities, including the Nepal Buddhist Federation, have protested peacefully after the recommendation was made public, Rokaya said, warning that they would take to the streets jointly if necessary.
Tasi Gyalzen Changba Bhote (Mithun) of the struggle committee has urged the government to conduct a detailed study on its historical role, responsibility and necessity and consult with the stakeholders rather than dismissing it in a hurry.
Bhote has established the B. S. B. S. with the objective of protecting, managing and developing monasteries, Buddhist religious heritage, art, culture and tradition in the Himalayan and high hill areas. The Monastery Management and Development Committee was established in 2036 BS.
Stating that ‘Buddhist Philosophy Promotion and Monastery Development Committee’ was added to the name of the committee in 066 B. S. and the name of ‘Buddhist Philosophy Promotion and Monastery Development Committee’ was added, he said that it was necessary to further develop the committee rather than scrapping it. Singha Bahadur Tamang, a language activist in the Sambota script, said that although the law related to the establishment of Lumbini Buddhist University provides for the operation of educational and academic activities related to Buddhist philosophy, it would not be appropriate to dissolve the committee that has the historical responsibility of monastery management, conservation and development on the basis of the law related to the establishment of Lumbini Buddhist University. Tamang demanded that the ‘Monastery Management and Development Committee’ be established and run as per its main objective.
Stating that the Committee has been playing an important role in the protection, documentation, coordination and promotion of intangible Buddhist cultural heritages including monasteries, religious heritages, ancient handwritten texts, idols, thangka, traditional architecture, religious teachings, literature, spiritual practices and traditional medical practices of the mountainous and hilly regions, Tamang stressed the need of developing these heritages rather than scrapping them.
The struggle committee has also announced various programs to address their demands.
The meeting will be held till August 1
7 to inform the monasteries registered with the committees of all the districts about the dissolution of the committee and take their opinions, and meet and discuss with the former office-bearers of the Nepal Buddhist Federation, Nepal Buddhist Federation, Indigenous Nationalities Federation, Ethnic Society, Monastery Development Committee and intellectuals.
Likewise, an all-
party interaction would be held with the representatives of the House of Representatives and National Assembly and leaders of the Buddhist community, a memorandum would be submitted to the government and a memorandum would be submitted through the District Administration Office in favour of the reinstatement of the monastery development committee.
The struggle committee has also threatened to announce a second phase of agitation if the government does not address their demands peacefully
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