Namo Buddha, deeply rooted in the ancient legend of Siddhartha Gautama’s past life more than 6,000 years ago, holds profound spiritual significance. It is revered as the sacred site where Prince Mahasattva, a previous incarnation of the Buddha, performed the ultimate act of compassion (Avayadan) by offering his own body to save a starving tigress and her cubs. This powerful story of self-sacrifice and unconditional compassion continues to inspire to this day. In modern times, it resonates strongly with ethical discussions around organ donation, medical altruism, and selfless service in healthcare, underscoring the enduring relevance of ancient values in contemporary contexts.
A visionary yet informal forum, comprising cultural thinker Biswo Ulak, spiritual leader Naresh Prasad Manandhar, and peace advocates such as Deva Sainju, Palden Lama, Subarna Shrestha, Rajaram Karmacharya, and others, came together to lay the foundation for what would later be known as the Global Cultural Peace Walk. The initiative emerged with the profound intent to rekindle the ancient spirit of selfless sacrifice (Avayadan) exemplified 6,000 years ago by Prince Mahasattva and to carry forward the timeless values of peace and compassion taught by Gautama Buddha 2,500 years ago. Collaborating with a grassroots movement, the team sought to revive age-old values through a one-day Global Cultural Peace Cycle Rally held in April 2017, from Swayambhu Mahachaitya to Namo Buddha Stupa, under the guidance of Venerable Tapssidhamma Bhikkhu, a respected monk based at Charumati Buddhist Bihar, a historic Theravāda monastery in Kathmandu.
Meanwhile, it was learned that Gautama Buddha had visited Hiranya Gandhaman Parbat, the site of the present-day Namo Buddha Temple, to pay homage at the burial site of Prince Mahasattva. During his pilgrimage to Swayambhu, it is believed that he may have traveled through Sree Gha, Thimi, Bhaktapur, Nala, Panchal (Panauti), and Itey before reaching the sacred site.
In the same year, 2017, the forum organized a three-day Global Cultural Peace Walk, carrying the symbolic Peace Lamp in honor of the International Day of Peace, observed from Sept 21st to 23rd. The walk followed a spiritually significant route, beginning at Swayambhu Mahastupa and continuing through Sri Gha, Thahity Baha, Jam Baha, Charumati Bihar, and Boudhanath Stupa, with an overnight stay at Nagadesh Bihar. On the second day, the journey continued through Muni Bihar, passed Shristikanta Lokeswor, and concluded with another overnight stay at Dhyanakuti Bihar. On the final day, the walk proceeded through Panauti and Itey, ultimately reaching the sacred destination of Namo Buddha.
This three-day walk continues to be held annually on the occasion of the International Day of Peace, from September 21st to 23rd, under rotating leadership. From 2019 to 2022, it was led by the Education Foundation for Buddhism, followed by Kavre Sewa Samaj in 2023. The World Forum for Buddhism has actively participated since its inception in 2017. In 2024, the walk was led by the World Forum for Buddhism under the new name Nepal Peace Walk, in collaboration with Halin Newa Guthi and Jyapu Mahaguthi, with technical support from Peace Tour International. That year saw strong international participation, including representatives from India, China, Thailand, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and the United States. The first-day overnight venue was shifted from Nagadesh to Muni Bihar, Bhaktapur, to better accommodate international participants.
The upcoming 2025 edition is being jointly organized by the World Forum for Buddhism and Halin Newa Guthi, in collaboration with Jyapu Mahaguthi. It is scheduled for November 3rd to 5th, culminating at Namo Buddha Temple on the day commemorating the Bodhisattva’s enlightenment through Prince Mahasattva’s selfless act. This year, even greater international participation is anticipated, with participants from an increasing number of countries expected to join this meaningful journey for peace.
Given its deep spiritual legacy, Namo Buddha holds immense potential to be developed as a meaningful tourist and pilgrimage destination. With thoughtful planning, the site can serve as a global platform for education on compassion, non-violence, and peace, bridging ancient wisdom with modern humanitarian values. By connecting timeless stories with contemporary moral challenges, Namo Buddha can become not only a place of worship but also a living classroom for ethical reflection and intercultural dialogue through an inner peace engineering approach. Such initiatives can reinforce the peacebuilding missions of international organizations like the United Nations, while simultaneously promoting outdoor and spiritual tourism in partnership with Nepal’s tourism institutions.
