Kathmandu,26 Nov 2014: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has emphasized on need for establishing a cultural trail linking key Buddhist sites in the South Asian region.
In his address to the inaugural session of the 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit here in the capital city on Wednesday, Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa underlined that cultural trail link of Buddhist sites would help the people of South Asia find commonality in a shared civilizational wealth.
“Buddhist civilizational heritage is seen across South Asia,” the Sri Lankan President while stressing that the ease of air link was imperative for the success of the Buddhist cultural trail.
President Rajapaksa added that the South Asia’s intellectual and spiritual heritage is unparalleled in many ways.
Likewise, Indian Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi, in his inaugural speech, said the South Asian collective effort for shared heritage and diversity to encourage tourism within the region, and present South Asia to the world could begin with the Buddhist circuit.
Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said Nepal, as a birthplace of Lord Buddha, held spiritual affinity to all Bhutanese and millions of people all over the world.
Meanwhile, Nepali Prime Minister and Chairperson of the 18th SAARC Summit, Sushil Koirala quoted a saying of Gautama Buddha, the pioneer of peace and son of the region, “Be a lamp to yourself, Be your own confidence. Hold to the truth within yourself as the only truth.”
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