BRUSSELS:- The Embassy of Nepal in Brussels marked the 2570th Buddha Jayanti with a special ceremony in Antwerp, highlighting the message of peace and the enduring ties between Nepal and Belgium.

The event was held at the Buddha statue located in Middelheim Museum, a public park that houses the statue gifted by Nepal to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The programme began with floral offerings and candle lighting, followed by a formal inauguration. Addressing the gathering, Nepal’s Ambassador to the BENELUX countries, Sewa Lamsal, underscored the significance of Buddha Jayanti and Nepal as the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.

She highlighted the “thrice-blessed” occasion marking Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana, and reflected on Nepal-Belgium relations that date back to 1963.

“This Buddha statue in Antwerp not only reminds us of the enlightened son of Nepal but also represents the warm and enduring relationship between Nepal and Belgium,” she said, noting that the statue was unveiled in 2015 to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Ambassador Lamsal also called for renewed commitment to Buddha’s teachings of compassion, understanding, and peace.

The event featured a message and prayer led by Khenpo Ngawang Shila, who spoke on the relevance of Buddha’s teachings in today’s world and led a joint prayer session.

Representing the City of Antwerp, Vice-Mayor Kareem Bachar appreciated the contribution of the Nepali community and extended best wishes for the occasion.

Following the formal session, participants joined a peace walk around the park and took part in a guided meditation.

The programme was supported by Nepali Milan Kendra, a local community organisation, and concluded with a group photo session. More than 100 participants attended the event, including members of the Nepali diaspora, students, community leaders, and well-wishers of Nepal.

This was the first such event held at the site since the installation of the Buddha statue in 2015.