Secretary-General Visits Lumbini in Nepal

Secretary-General António Guterres (third from left) lights a butter lamp during his visit to Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha, located in the Terai plains of southern Nepal.

"My message to the world from the tranquil gardens of Lumbini is simple: Humanity has a choice. The path to peace is ours to take," said the Secretary-General, and concluded: "Across the ages, Lord Buddha's message of compassion, non-violence and interdependence calls to us all, and inspires us all – reminding us of our common humanity and the connectedness of all things. [...] Peace is more than a noble vision, It is a rallying cry. And it is an appeal I make today. From these sacred gardens, I call on the world to act now for peace."

Siddhartha Gautama, the Lord Buddha, was born in 623 B.C. in the gardens of Lumbini. While in Lumbini, the Secretary-General toured the sacred garden and the Mayadevi temple basement, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.