Visiting Buddha land is 'dream fulfilled' for Buddhist delegation

Bihar may evoke negative images for many, but certainly not for Buddhists. This was evident from the glowing faces of a 110-member Buddhist tourist delegation from five Southeast Asian countries visiting the land of the Buddha - a fulfilment of a lifetime dream for them.

'We have fulfilled our lifetime dream to come and feel close to Buddha,' said He Khun Kok Hour, a Cambodian member of the Buddhist tourist delegation.

The Buddhist delegation from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar arrived here Wednesday afternoon has been declared as state guests by the government.

State tourism secretary Anjani Kumar Singh told IANS Thursday that elaborate arrangements have been made for the team to give them a feel of the Indian tradition of 'Atithi Devo Bhavo' (Guests are like god).

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has described the tourists as 'enlightened ambassadors' of Bihar to their respective countries. The state government is keen to impress them in order to promote religious tourism to Bihar from Buddhist nations.

The delegation was given a warm welcome by the state government after their arrival and invited to lunch by the chief minister, followed by dinner by Governor R.S. Gavai.

'Nitish Kumar presented the delegation Madhubani paintings as mementos,' officials sources said.

The Buddhist delegation visited Patna Museum and spent about 90 minutes there.

The members are feeling very upbeat and happy with their visit.

'We are lucky to be in the land of Buddha,' said Nabhasporn Bhuttarichva, who is from Thailand.

The delegation is to visit Bodh Gaya, considered the birth place of Buddhism where the Buddha attained enlightenment 2,550 years ago, Thursday. They will also visit other Buddhist places like Vaishali, Nalanda and Rajgrih before leaving for Varanasi on Sep 9.

According to official sources, the delegation comprises ministers, bureaucrats and media persons who are visiting Bihar under the banner of Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC)

The Mekong Ganga Cooperation was named after two major rivers - the Ganges in India and the Mekong, the 10th longest river in the world which originates in the Tibetan plateau and runs through China's Yunnan province, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.