THE OFFICIAL SITE OF LUMBINI LIGHT & SOUND PROJECT
Seminar on Light and Sound Project on Gautam Buddha at Lumbini
May 05-07, 2023
A seminar of Buddhist scholars was organised at Lumbini to deliberate on the Light and Sound Project, on various aspects on Gautam Buddha’s teachings and his message to mankind, an initiative of the Foundation for finalizing the script, technology, site and design of the Light and Sound Project at Lumbini from May 05 - 07, 2023 as part of Buddha Jayanti celebration in collaboration with Lumbini Development Trust.
Detailed discussions were held to cover Gautam Buddha’s journey from his birth at Lumbini to his renunciation. Gautam Buddha’s strong footprints and impact of Buddha and places of the relevance of Gautam Buddha in Nepal and India will be part of this Light and Sound Project.
Seminar on Light and Sound Project
Note from Venerable Metteyya Sakyaputta, Former Vice-Chairman, Lumbini Development Trust
My best regards for the swift completion of the “Son et lumière” project in Lumbini. I strongly believe that it this new addition in Lumbini will provide an amazing opportunity to Immerse the visitors in the sacred birthplace of the Buddha like never before as Lumbini comes alive with a mesmerizing light and sound show.
It will help discover the captivating story of the enlightened one through a truly inspiring experience that will leave pilgrims and visitors in awe. Lumbini, nestled in the heart of Nepal, holds profound spiritual significance as the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. Now, this groundbreaking addition promises to enhance the ambiance and deepen the pilgrims' connection to this hallowed site. The introduction of a spectacular light and sound show in Lumbini will bring the story of the Buddha to life in a captivating and unforgettable way.
Venerable Metteyya Sakyaputta, Former Vice-Chairman, Lumbini Development Trust
This remarkable production will transport audiences back in time, unveiling the incredible journey of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, from his noble birth to his profound spiritual awakening. Through a seamless combination of lights, music, and narration, visitors will be immersed in the trials and triumphs of the Buddha's life, witnessing the challenges he overcame and the wisdom he imparted to the world.
The Light and Sound show will serve as a beacon of inspiration, inviting pilgrims from all corners of the globe to experience the teachings of the Buddha in a new and powerful manner. As the lights dance across the sacred landscape of Lumbini and the resonant music fills the air, a sense of tranquility and enlightenment will permeate the atmosphere, fostering a profound connection with the teachings of compassion, peace, and self-realization. This innovative addition to Lumbini will not only enrich the experience of pilgrims but also contribute to the overall value of the site. The Light and Sound show will enhance the ambience and reverence of Lumbini, elevating it to a truly immersive and transformative destination. It will create a dynamic and engaging environment, inviting visitors to explore the birthplace of Buddhism with a renewed sense of wonder and appreciation.
The significance of this creation cannot be overstated. By presenting the life of the Buddha in such a captivating way, the Light and Sound show will ignite the hearts and minds of those who embark on this spiritual journey. It will serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring relevance of the Buddha's teachings, inspiring individuals to embrace compassion, mindfulness, and enlightenment in their own lives.
Prepare to be enchanted and enlightened as Lumbini's Light and Sound show unfolds, illuminating the path of the Buddha and igniting the souls of all who bear witness to this extraordinary production. Let this transformative experience in the sacred birthplace of the Buddha leave an indelible mark on your spiritual journey, forever shaping your understanding of the timeless teachings of compassion and wisdom.
Executive Summary
The Son-et-Lumière (Light and Sound Project) is a collaborative effort between the South Asia Foundation (SAF), South Asia Foundation-Nepal (SAF-Nepal), and the State-run Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) with the shared objective of dissemination of information on Gautam Buddha as the South Asian face of Global Peace and Human Integrity. This project aims to provide visitors with a memorable experience, allowing them to witness the life and teachings of Gautam Buddha in a unique way through the medium of light and sound. The project will showcase Siddhartha's magnificent journey, from his birth in Lumbini to his transformation into Buddha. Additionally, it will cover his ultimate attainment of nirvana in Kushinagar and his teachings will be presented to visitors through spectacular light and sound effects. The renowned Indian filmmaker, Sh. Shyam Benegal is giving his creative inputs in the Son-et-Lumière Project, which will be the first of its kind in Nepal and one of its kind in the world.
Seminar on Son-et-Lumière was conducted from May 05 - 07, 2023 at Lumbini, Nepal by SAF and SAF-Nepal in partnership with the State-run Lumbini Development Trust. More than hundred scholars, academicians, monks, eminent people and participants from local areas and Kathmandu, India, Myanmar, people from tourism industries, corporate houses, government officials, law makers, local self-government representatives, bankers including senior representatives of LDT graced the event.
The project's launch commenced with the inauguration of a seminar on Son-et-Lumière showcasing the life of Gautam Buddha through the lens of scholars present there. The Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Civil Aviation, Govt. of Nepal, Sh. Sudan Kirati, inaugurated the event in the presence of the former Prime Minister of Nepal, Sh. Madhav Kumar Nepal. Along with the project’s launch, the seminar moved forward with the release of a dedicated website, www.lumbininepal.org. The seminar included presentations by various scholars on May 06. Notably, Sh. Basant Bidari, a well-known scholar and former Chief Archaeologist of Lumbini Development Trust, delivered the keynote address and presented the entire life of Gautam Buddha. Prof. (Dr.) Saw Htut Sandar and Prof. (Dr.) Nilima Chawhan of Ras Bihari Bose Subharti University, Dehradun also spoke on the significance of Buddha's teachings for humanity.
Day 1
The seminar as an integral part of the project was conducted for three days from May 05 - May 07.
On May 05, Sh. Sunil Sakya, the Executive Member of South Asia Foundation-Nepal presented the introductory speech and vision on the Son-et-Lumière project and its implication in the socio-cultural and economic influence the project will create. He shed light on the conceptualization of the project and how, following the request from the people of Lumbini and people from various walks of life, the Foundation made the decision to move it forward. He also expressed his support and gratitude to the Foundation for taking the initiative.
Sh. Padma Jyoti introduced the theme of the Seminar. He began by thanking everyone for their support on Buddha Jayanti Day. He emphasized on the seminar as it is important to get feedback from scholars and various stakeholders of the project considering the magnitude of the project. He further reiterated that the project will have inclusiveness of the people of Lumbini and its surroundings keeping in view their socio-cultural practices. He further expressed the importance of Lumbini, the birth place of Buddha as the potential advantage for tourism in Nepal. Sh. Jyoti also elaborated on the importance of support and cooperation from the people of Lumbini, Kaplivastu and its surrounding areas. To make it successful and timely completion of the project, he advocated the need for public-private partnerships where private corporate houses can play an effective role in implementing the project. The remarks made by Sh. Jyoti also mentioned the significance of cooperation and the potential advantages for Nepal's development.
Bhante Bhikku Mettaya, Hon’ble Vice Chairman of Lumbini Development Trust welcomed all the participants of the seminar with his welcome speech. He addressed the audiences and highlighted the importance of the Son-et-Lumière project in increasing the number of visitors to Lumbini in the future. He believes that the Project can play a crucial role in sustaining visitors for longer stay in Lumbini and carry the message of Buddha and his teachings to mankind. Ven. Metteya emphasized the need for a well-written script for the project, which will be developed in collaboration with experts and all stakeholders. He praised the Foundation for its efforts to promote Lumbini's cultural heritage and appreciated their contribution to the cause.
Member of the House of Representatives (Nepal's Federal Parliament), Hon'ble Sh. Chhabilal Bishwakarma highlighted the importance of Lumbini, Kapilvastu, Tillaurakot, and Devdaha and their impact on social and cultural development. Bishwakarma believes that the upcoming Son-et-Lumière project will usher in a new era in the region, potentially leading to positive developments and progress in various aspects such as tourism, culture, and social life.
Amb. Deep Kumar Upadhyay, Vice Chairman of SAF-Nepal, shared information regarding the forthcoming Light and Sound Project undertaken by the Lumbini Development Trust. He highlighted the Project's integration with significant Buddhist sites and the incorporation of digital and audio technology. Upadhyay also recognized Gautam Buddha as an emblematic figure of global peace in Asia and extended his best wishes to the foundation for creating a world-class attraction. He emphasized the significance of collaborations between the public and private sectors, specifically calling upon the Jyoti Group to take the lead in ensuring the project's success.
Deputy CEO and CFO of Nepal SBI Bank Mr. Rizwan Alam expressed his proud association with SAF-N for the light and sound show Project which portrays the life history of Gautam Buddha from his birth to his nirvana at Kushinagar.
This was followed by the Project's launch by the release of a dedicated website, www.lumbininepal.org showcasing the credibility, collaboration and Project’s presence. The Honourable Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Civil Aviation of Nepal, Sh. Sudan Kirati inaugurated the event in the presence of the former Prime Minister of Nepal, Sh. Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Sh. Sudan Kirati, Hon'ble Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Government of Nepal, lauded the Lumbini Light and Sound Project as a comprehensive approach to uplift the region and establish it as a prominent tourist destination. He underscored the significance of preserving historical knowledge for future generations and highlighted how the Son-et-Lumière project will effectively convey Buddha's teachings to the audience. Mr. Kirati emphasized the importance of timely project completion to maximize its benefits for the local population. Furthermore, he expressed his vision for Lumbini to emerge as a hub of cultural and traditional diplomacy on the global stage, focusing on its significance beyond religious aspects.
Sh. Madhav Kumar Nepal, Hon’ble Former Prime Minister, expressed his enthusiasm for the Lumbini Light and Sound project, emphasizing its potential to spur social and economic development in the region. Mr. Nepal also called for similar projects to be expanded to other cultural areas of Nepal. He suggested creating movies based on the life of Gautam Buddha and urged the South Asia Foundation-Nepal to host a conference on the topic as well. Nepal's comments highlight the Project's potential to drive growth in Lumbini and promote cultural tourism in Nepal.
Following that, SAF-N presented the token of love for distinguished guests as appreciation for their valuable presence in the program.
Sh. Sanuraja Shakya, Member Secretary of Lumbini Development Trust concluded the session with a vote of thanks where he expressed his interest to make the Light and Sound Project a dream project for Lumbini. He highlighted that this project will not only have potential to showcase the life of Buddha and his teachings, also would promote tourism in Lumbini.
Day 2
Sh. Padma Jyoti addressed the participants present in the seminar. He welcomed everyone again for the second day. Along with the welcome speech, he requested Nigrod Bhante (former VC of LDT) to grace the podium and express his views.
We had Sh. Basant Bidari, former Chief Archaeologist as the first presenter. He presented his research report and his extensive knowledge on Buddha. Despite having a limited time slot of only 40 minutes he attempted to encompass all the intricate details of Buddha’s life within this timeframe.
His presentation was followed by the speech of Former Prime Minister of Nepal, Sh. Madhav Kumar Nepal and Hon'ble Chhabilal Bishwakarma, a Member of the House of Representatives of Nepal's Federal Parliament. Hon’ble Chhabilal Bishwakarma emphasized the significance of Lumbini's social and cultural development during his speech and believes that the upcoming Son-et-Lumière project will mark a new chapter in the promotion of the region. With this we completed the first session of the second day’s seminar.
Second session was occupied by presentations from the two scholars Dr. Saw Htut Sandar and Dr. Nilima Chawhan representing Ras Bihari Bose Subharti University, Dehradun. And concluded with a presentation from Gyanin Rai, the Chief Administrative Officer of LDT.
Day 3
The guests and scholars were escorted to North Pond which is the proposed site for the Light and Sound Project. During the visit, they engaged in discussions and shared their perspectives on the construction plans and the technology that would be implemented at the site. Subsequently, they all proceeded to explore the ancient kingdom of Kapilvastu, Tilaurakot where they delved into conversations about the early life of Gautam Buddha.
