Search Buddhist Channel

Indian government doesn’t smile at these Buddhist sites

Express News Service, June 16 2008

KENDRAPARA, India -- For an archaeological hotspot, Langudi wears the tag of obscurity. Located in Dharmasala tehsil 40 km from here, it’s a sleepy hamlet with a sparse population.

But things could change. Discovery of a Buddhist Stupa along with many images of different postures of Lord Buddha have raised hopes. Langudi hit the headlines eight years ago. However, few tourists have since ventured into this remote hamlet.

Arun Nayak, secretary of Orissa Tourism Guide Association (OTGA), feels the Buddhist site in Langudi hill can turn Langudi into a full-fledged tourist destination.

Many newly discovered Buddhist sites in Dharmasala areas was conclusive proof of the existence of Buddhist culture for centuries. But the State Government is doing little to develop all the new Buddhist sites by constructing roads and other facilities essential to promote tourism.

The discovery of some Buddhist caves at Neulipur village and Langudi Hill are also potential tourist attractions.

The caves in the Langudi Hill face south and are cut out of Khondalite stones. While most of the caves discovered at Neulpur are rectangular, a few are in square shape. Some Buddhist caves were also discovered at Bajragiri, Kaema, Deuli, Sarapur and Paikrapur. On the other hand, the Orissan Institute of Maritime and South East Asian Studies has been unearthing Buddhist sites in Kaima, Deuli, Tarapur and Radhanagar for long. An ancient fort was unearthed three years back in Radhanagar. The existence of an ancient fortress at Radhanagar that resembled the one at Sisupalagarh near Bhubaneswar will also be a major attraction for the tourists, said Nayak.

Nayak, however, rued that lack of proper accommodation has hampered the development of these tourist places. The State’s Tourism Department has not mentioned the newly discovered Buddhist sites in its website and booklets for which many tourists are completely ignorant about important Buddhist sites.

‘‘We have umpteen times urged the officials of tourism department to highlight the tourism potential of Buddhist sites in the State but the demands have fallen on deaf ears,’’ added Nayak.

We Need Your Help to Train the
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Omniscient Robotic-Being for Buddhist Understanding)

For Malaysians who wants to donate in MYR, please use the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.

Dear Friends in the Dharma,

We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.

Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:

One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.

How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.

For Malaysians who wants to donate in MYR, please use the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.

Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.

Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.

Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.

Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.

Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!

May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,

With deepest gratitude,

Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team

Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau

We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.

If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv

TOP