[news] Propose to open direct flights from China to Lumbini during the Two Sessions by Chinese abbot
Originally appeared in Phoenix News March 05, 2024.
Context: The Two Sessions (两会 or Liǎnghuì in pinyin) is the annual gathering, in March, of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). The NPC is the highest organ of the state (national legislature) with a total of 3000 delegates and functions as a ‘rubber stamp’ to the Party’s decisions. The CPPCC on the other hand is an advisory body having no official role but rather serves as an influential body in bringing forth various issues/proposals for policymaking.
This year the Two sessions will run from March 4-11
Original title: Master Yin Shun, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC): It is proposed to open direct flights from China to Lumbini, a Buddhist holy site in Nepal
On March 4, 2024, the second session of the 14th National Committee Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opened in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Master Yinshun, a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC, vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, and abbot of Shenzhen Hongfa Temple, submitted the proposal "Suggestions on Strengthening the Construction of the Air Silk Road and Opening Direct Flights to the Buddhist Holy Land of Lumbini in Nepal" to the conference.
Master Yinshun said in the proposal that the opening of direct flights to Lumbini, Nepal will help speed up the construction of the Air Silk Road, reduce transfer costs, increase people-to-people exchanges among the "Belt and Road" countries more quickly and conveniently, and develop China-Nepal tourism. Promote religious harmony and mutual learning among Master Yinshun said in the proposal that the opening of direct flights to Lumbini, Nepal will help speed up the construction of the Air Silk Road, reduce transfer costs, increase people-to-people exchanges among the "Belt and Road" countries more quickly and conveniently, and develop China-Nepal tourism. Promote religious harmony and mutual learning among civilizations, and enhance the influence of Chinese Buddhism in Buddhism around the world. The following is the full text of Master Yinshun’s proposal:
Suggestions on strengthening the construction of the Air Silk Road and opening direct flights to the Buddhist holy land of Lumbini in Nepal
Proposer: Yinshun
Lumbini in Nepal is the birthplace of Buddha Sakyamuni and a world-famous Buddhist cultural holy site. Since the country completed the completion of its second domestic international airport that meets the navigation conditions in May 2022, flights from mainland China can only be diverted through the capital Kathmandu. Lumbini. On January 17, 2024, taking the opportunity of Sakyamuni Buddha's Enlightenment Day, the Buddhist circles in Hainan and Shenzhen organized relevant personnel to charter a flight to Lumbini, the hometown of Buddha, and completed the first direct flight to Lumbini.
Given the smooth opening of the first direct charter flight, to better promote cultural exchanges between China and Nepal, implement the spirit of the 3rd "Belt and Road" International Cooperation Summit Forum, and reduce transfer costs, it proposed to open regular direct flights from China to Lumbini, Nepal. The specific reasons are as follows:
First, it is conducive to further implementing the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping on strengthening religious and cultural exchanges between China and Nepal. China and Nepal are connected by mountains and rivers and have been friendly for generations. They have left precious records of mutual visits to each other's countries by Chinese eminent monks Faxian and Xuanzang and Nepalese eminent monk Buddhabhadra, especially China's visit to Lumbini, the birthplace of Sakyamuni. Since their establishment of diplomatic relations in 1955, the two countries have become an example of equal treatment, friendly cooperation, and mutual benefit between neighboring countries. Religious and cultural exchanges have kept pace with the times. In October 2019, General Secretary Xi Jinping published a signed article " Toward Greater Progress of China-Nepal Friendship across the Himalayas"[1], proposing that "China and Nepal are good neighbors who learn from each other. The Chinese Temple built by China in Lumbini has become a symbol of religious and cultural exchanges between China and Nepal. " The launch of direct flights to Lumbini, Nepal is conducive to implementing the spirit of the General Secretary’s important instructions, taking Buddhist cultural exchanges as a breakthrough, better enhancing the millennium dharma friendship between China and Nepal, and giving full play to the positive role of the Chinese Temple in the religious and cultural exchanges between China and Nepal.
Second, it is conducive to safeguarding and exerting China's important role in world Buddhism. The launch of direct flights to Lumbini, Nepal, is conducive to using Lumbini, Nepal, the hometown of Buddha, as a bridgehead, expanding the overseas spread of Chinese civilization, and enhancing the influence of Chinese Buddhism in other countries around the world.
Third, it is conducive to the implementation of China’s eight actions to support high-quality joint construction of the “Belt and Road”.
Nepal is an important node on China's ancient Silk Road. As the hometown of Buddha, Nepal's Lumbini has left its footprints on the ancient Silk Road. Its unique cultural and tourism resources have provided opportunities for people-to-people exchanges in the contemporary construction of the "One Belt, One Road" It provides convenient conditions to play a role in, civilized dialogue, tourism, and other aspects. At the third Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum held in October 2023, China proposed eight actions to support high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. Article 1 proposes to build a three-dimensional interconnection network under the "One Belt and One Road" initiative, actively promote the integrated development of ports, shipping, and trade in the "Silk Road Maritime Transport", and accelerate the construction of the Air Silk Road. Article 6 proposes to support people-to-people exchanges, deepen civilized dialogue with countries co-building the “Belt and Road”, and establish the Silk Road Tourism Cities Alliance. The launch of direct flights to Lumbini, Nepal will help speed up the construction of the Air Silk Road, reduce the cost of transferring to Kathmandu, increase people-to-people exchanges among the "Belt and Road" countries more quickly and conveniently, develop China-Nepal tourism, and promote religious harmony and civilization. Learn from each other.
Fourth, it is conducive to the Chinese Buddhist community to carry out more in-depth non-governmental exchanges with foreign countries. Lumbini is an important Buddhist town in the world and the best place for Chinese Buddhist circles to strengthen people-to-people exchanges with foreign countries. In recent years, we have given full play to the role of the Chinese Temple in Nepal as the frontline of the first official temple built by China abroad, strengthened communication and contact with the Buddhist community in Lumbini, Nepal, and other countries around the world, and carried out solid social charities such as poverty alleviation, medicine, and student aid. business, creating brand activities such as the Silk Road Light Tour, which has won praise from Buddhist circles and local people in various countries. The launch of direct flights will be conducive to serving the country’s overall diplomatic work, deepening Buddhist people-to-people exchanges with foreign countries, and promoting people-to-people bonds.
In summary, it is recommended that the opening of direct flights to the Buddhist holy land of Lumbini in Nepal be included in the relevant projects of China’s eight high-quality joint construction of the “Belt and Road”, included in the construction of the Air Silk Road, and included in the Silk Road Tourism Cities Alliance system , to further strengthen communication with Nepal on the grounds of paying homage to Buddhist holy sites, focusing on domestic first-tier cities and relying on domestic airlines to open regular direct flights from China to Lumbini, Nepal as soon as possible.
*** This is the translation of the original article that appeared in Phoenix News Buddhist culture section. The link to the original article can be accessed here***
[1] http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-10/11/c_138463745.htm
About Master Yin Shun:
Venerable Master Yin Shun is the Dharma successor of the late Venerable Master Benhuan and the 45th successor of the Linji School of Chinese Chan Buddhism. Besides being a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China, President of the Buddhist Association of Hainan Province, Honorary President of the Buddhist Association of Hubei, President of the Buddhist Association of Shenzhen, currently, he also serves as the abbot of several temples including Hongfa Temple in Shenzhen, and the Chinese Temple in Nepal. The late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej bestowed on him the title of "Supreme Chinese Monk".
Can find more about Master Yin Shun here.