China foundation injects funds to develop Buddha’s birthplace
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A Chinese-backed foundation and Nepal’s government plan to transform Lord Buddha’s birthplace in southern Nepal into a magnet for Buddhists in the same way Mecca is to Muslims, Reuters said.The Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation plans to raise US$3 billion at home and abroad to build temples, an airport, a highway, hotels, convention centres and a Buddhist university in the town of Lumbini, about 171km south-west of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu.The report said the foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nepalese government last month to jointly develop and operate Lumbini, where Buddha was born.The foundation has also pledged to bring communications, water and electricity to Lumbini.The report said Buddhism was virtually wiped out in China during the chaotic Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976. In recent years, however, China has become more tolerant of Buddhism.Reuters said Lumbini attracts nearly 500,000 tourists each year.
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