BANGKOK, 8 August 2012 – A group of Thai people is launching a project to develop Lumbini, the site where the Lord Buddha was born, as a tribute to Their Majesties the King and Queen.
Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, chaiperson of the Lumbini Development Project has stated the “Faith of Lumbini” project is progressing into its 3rd phase which focuses on developing the area surrounding the Baby Buddha statue, and a 1-kilometer road access to the statue. After the development, a first-aid station will be built to facilitate sick pilgrims visiting the place. A number of restrooms will be built as well.
To support the project, a fund-raising event will take place at Central World in Ratchaprasong area during August 9-16, 2012, starting from 9 am to 7.09 pm. The highlight of the event will be the unveiling of an imitation of the Pillar of Ashoka, which the Lumbini Administration has given as a gift to the Thai people who have helped restore the pilgrimage site. Furthermore, 500 bottles of holy water will be distributed daily to people who come and pray at the event. The holy water comes from the 3,000-year-old sacred pool of “Puskarni” in Lumbini, known to Thais as Bok Khorani pond. Those people who can not make it to the fund-raising event can make donations at all branches of 7-Eleven and Thailandpost.
