NEW DELHI: The Heartfulness Lord Buddha Trination Tri-Services Motorcycle Expedition is a historic and unique initiative uniting Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka in a journey through their shared Buddhist heritage. Under the leadership of Convener Rahul Laxman Patil, the expedition is organized in association with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) along with other partners, the Ministry of Culture said in a statement on Friday.The journey will commence on February 16 from Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, symbolizing the historical spread of Buddhism and reinforcing the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual connections among these countries. The expedition will cover significant Buddhist heritage sites across Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka, the ministry said.
The Indian chapter of the expedition is being organized with the support of the Land Port Authority of India (under the Ministry of Home Affairs) and Nalanda University, Rajgir (under the Ministry of External Affairs), with BIMSTEC as the strategic partner and IBC as the guiding institution. The route will include key Buddhist landmarks such as:
- Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh – The site of Buddha’s first sermon
- Bodhgaya, Bihar – The place of Buddha’s enlightenment
- Nalanda, Bihar – The renowned ancient Buddhist university
- Nagarjuna Sagar, Andhra Pradesh – An important Buddhist learning center
- Udayagiri, Odisha – A significant Buddhist monastic site
- Karnataka – Various Buddhist sites reflecting India’s rich Buddhist legacy
The official flag-off will take place at Bodhgaya on February 19, led by Ram Nath Kovind, former President of India, at this iconic Buddhist pilgrimage site. The expedition will then proceed to Sri Lanka, where it will receive a ceremonial welcome in Jaffna, marking the culmination of this historic journey. The Sri Lankan leg of the event will highlight the enduring Buddhist ties between the three nations and further promote cultural diplomacy.The Heartfulness Lord Buddha Trination Tri-Services Motorcycle Expedition aims to:
- Promote peace and harmony through the teachings of Buddha
- Enhance cultural and heritage tourism across South Asia
- Raise awareness on environmental conservation and sustainable development
- Strengthen people-to-people and defence ties between India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka
This initiative is a testament to the unifying power of Buddhism, fostering goodwill and cooperation between the three nations while celebrating their common spiritual and historical heritage, the ministry added.
