Lumbini World Peace Bell Here in the celestial garden of Lumbini, the fourth Buddha in the Bhadrakalpa was born as the son of King Shuddhodana and Queen Mayadevi of the Shakya clan. Each time this great bell symbolizing the Buddhavacana rings out, sound flows from its open heart through the sutras, mantras, and prayers upon its surface, filling the mind of all who hear its melody with the blessings and peace of Dharma. In honour of the Kingdom of Nepal, the patron of all the Buddhas who have reigned in Jambudvipa, and in honour of the illustrious Clan of the Shakyas, with great respect for the history, culture, and religion of Nepal, and on behalf of the Tibetans full of faith in Dharma, this bell is dedicated as a symbol of peace for all time. Inscription on the Lumbini World Peace Bell

Lumbini, the birthplace of the Enlightened One, is one of the most beautiful holy sites to behold. Situated in southern Nepal, the protected site of the temple monuments and the Lumbini Sacred Garden encompasses seven square kilometres of land, including luscious fields, sparkling waterways, and rich forests. Rare birds such as the Sarus crane find refuge in this great sanctuary.

The Lumbini peace bell arrived in Nepal at a dynamic time of change and new directions. After the Nepalese Ministry of Finance had approved the bell as a public monument, it was donated to the Lumbini Development Trust, a group of fifty-four persons headed by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, which manages the Lumbini Sacred Garden

The Development Trust agreed that the most appropriate place for the peace bell would be adjacent to the eternal peace flame, a short distance from the exact spot where the Buddha was born. Allotted just three weeks for the bell's installation, the bell team worked hard to complete installation in time for the celebration of Buddha Jayanti. At dawn of the day of the Buddha's Enlightenment, the bell was installed and ready for the ceremony. The Vice-President and Minister of Culture of Nepal were the first to ring the bell.

Over two thousand people attended the Buddha Jayanti celebrations. More than a thousand circumambulated the sacred garden and ended their walk at the newly installed peace bell. Monks and nuns from all Buddhist traditions attended, and many offered plants and flowering trees for the beautiful Peace Bell Garden. A senior monk from Korea graciously sponsored installation of a water pump for pilgrims in the area.

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