Nepal´s contribution to world peace


The renewal of Nepal's Vedic culture as a contribution to progress and peace: meditation, yoga and yagya promote harmonious interaction

Bernd Zeiger

Summary and analysis of a large 4-day "Yoga and Yagya" events in Nepal in November 2024
(taking into account AI research on the current world situation)


Nepal ist für viele Menschen in Europa das Land mit den höchsten Bergen einer wunderschönen Landschaften, gastfreundlichen Menschen, vielen Tempeln und spirituellen Zentren.Die Mehrheit der 30 Millionen Menschen aber ist sehr arm Deshalb hat das Land einen Aktionsplan entwickelt, um gemäß den von de UNO formulierten Nachhaltigkeitsziele der Agenda 2030 den Status eines Landes mit mittlerem Einkommen zu erreichen
Nepal, although only a small country in the Himalayas, has diplomatic relations with over 180 countries around the world. Close bilateral relations exist with India and China as well as with other important suppliers of economic goods such as France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, Australia, the United States and especially with Great Britain, with which relations have existed since the nineteenth century. These are also the countries from which most tourists come to Nepal. Regions in the world where many Nepalese live are the USA, Great Britain, Central Europe, especially Germany, the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan as well as Australia.

Due to the dissatisfaction of the population with the precarious living conditions and the tension between the two large neighbors - China and India - a civil war broke out in Nepal in 1996 with the aim of replacing the previous traditional social order with a communist one. Around 13,000 people died during this civil war. The conflict was brought to an end in 2008 by a peace agreement between the warring parties. The election of the first constituent assembly led to the abolition of the 240-year-old monarchy. However, despite repeated extensions of its two-year term, the first constituent assembly was unable to agree on a new constitution. A second Constituent Assembly was elected in November 2013, but it was not until September 2015, in the wake of the catastrophic earthquakes that year, that it succeeded in giving the country a new constitution

The seven-year delay in the adoption of Nepal's constitution resulted from the complex task of reconciling Vedic tradition, modern civil rights, ethnic diversity and regional geopolitical influences. The 2015 constitution was the result of an inclusive process that sought to preserve Nepal's cultural diversity while ensuring national stability and social development. However, the constitution remains a compromise, and many of the tensions associated with it persist.
Nepal Maharishi Vedic Foundation

The inner renewal of Nepal's characteristic ancient Vedic culture plays an important role in balancing the social tension, so that it becomes a guarantor for the lasting development of the quality of life. Back in 1974 Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1918 - 2008) already presented a proposal to the citizens and leaders of Nepal on how this could be achieved. In a three-day event to mark the 50th anniversary of this visit, the public was informed about the extent to which the Nepal Maharishi Vedic Foundation, founded in 2012, has been able to advance the renewal of Vedic culture in Nepal for the benefit of the population and what this means for national and international peace.
 
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi believed that collective meditation and Vedic rituals (e.g. Yagyas) could help create peace. Scientific research has repeatedly confirmed this over the decades. His organizations regularly organized group meditations in Nepal, which were intended to promote both spiritual practice and social coherence. The activities aimed to establish Nepal as a center of spiritual harmony and peace, particularly in the context of the Vedic tradition.

Media reports 

Here are some media reports available in English on the Nepal Maharishi Vedic Foundation's anniversary event:

1. Conference on Vedic Science

Vedic and Modern Science conference taking place on November 7-9
https://ddnews.gov.in/en/ancient-vedic-knowledge-meets-modern-science-at-kathmandu-conference/

|The second Vedic and Modern Science Conference, held at Bhrikuti Mandap in Kathmandu Valley,has attracted thousands of Nepali attendees, merging the wisdom of ancient Vedic knowledge with the discoveries of modern science. The three-day conference, which began on November 7, brings together over 70 experts and representatives from various countries, fostering a unique dialogue on the alignment between spiritual practices and scientific understanding.
At the heart of the conference, speakers explored how age-old practices like yoga, yagya, and meditation could foster world peace, prosperity, and personal well-being. The event featured a grand Maha Yagya on Thursday, led by 1,111 Vedic pandits renowned for their mastery in spiritual meditation and Siddhi Sadhana.
A ceremonial Rudrabhishek, invoking the energy of Lord Shiva, took place with the recitation of Vedic hymns, resonating deeply with participants committed to Vedic lifestyle principles. Coinciding with the conference, the Eighth Organic Agricultural Fair and Exhibition also opened its doors, drawing interest with over 50 stalls showcasing organic and natural agricultural products. As Nepal seeks to establish itself as a prominent organic food cultivator, the fair highlights the country’s dedication to sustainable, natural produce and its potential in both local and international markets.


Ancient Vedic knowledge meets modern science at Kathmandu conference
By Sweta Singh (Kathmandu) https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/51612
Vedic and modern science should be brought together for world peace
Published by The Rising Nepal TRN Online , 8 November 2024

Kathmandu, Nov 8: Former Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Khilraj Regmi, emphasized that Vedic science and modern science should blended for world peace, prosperity and development. Addressing the second day programme of Vedic Science and Modern Science Conference organized by Nepal Maharshi Vedic Foundation today at Bhrikutimandap, he said that modern science would be incomplete without Vedic science. Former president Regmi said that through yoga, yagya and meditation, world peace, prosperity and development will be supported. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, when he came to Nepal 50 years ago, declared that Nepal, which is in the lap of the Himalayas, could give a message of peace to the world through Vedic knowledge.
Deepak Prakash Baskota, president of the foundation and former minister of state for home affairs, informed that a conference of Vedic and modern science was held because modern science has also proved Maharishi's words that world peace, prosperity and development can be achieved through yoga, yajya and meditation. Similarly, vedic scholar Prof. Dr. Dirgharaj Ghimire mentioned that Vedic mantras have the power to tame violence and said that modern science has also benefited from it. The Maha Yagya, which started on Thursday, will end on November 10, the foundation said. One thousand and 111 Vedic Pandits (gurus) who are practicing spiritual meditation and Siddhi Sadhana are performing Rudrabhishek in the Mahayagya.(RSS).
 
Nepal can lead the world to peace happiness through yoga and yajna 
Published by NepalPress November 9, 2024

KATHMANDU: Dr. John Hagelin, a renowned quantum physicist, has stated that Nepal has the potential to lead the world toward peace and harmony through the practices of yoga and yajna (Vedic rituals). Dr. Hagelin made these remarks during his keynote address at the Atirudra Vishwakalyan Birat Mahayagna-2081, organized by the Nepal Maharishi Vedic Foundation in Kathmandu. “Through yoga and yajna, Nepal has the potential to lead the world toward peace and well-being,” he said. “Both yoga and yajna are the highest technologies of the Golden Age and essential for peace in society.”
Dr. Hagelin also referenced the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who visited Nepal 50 years ago and declared that the country could guide the world toward peace through the wisdom of Vedic knowledge. He emphasized that Nepal’s potential for global leadership is rooted in the practices of yoga and yajna.
As the director of the Transcendental Meditation Organization in the U.S., Dr. Hagelin shared that his organization has been actively promoting these practices to help Nepal take on a leadership role in the world. The event was organized to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s visit to Nepal, during which he shared his vision of peace through Vedic knowledge. Dr. Hagelin reiterated the importance of peace, quoting Maharishi Yogi’s belief that the world can achieve peace by fostering a healthy global population.
Dr. Hagelin, who also serves as the president of Maharishi International University (MIU) in the U.S., highlighted the university’s role in promoting education based on both Vedic wisdom and modern scientific principles. He described MIU as a leading center of Vedic knowledge in the Western world, where medical professionals from around the globe come to study Ayurveda. “Last month, the American Medical Association officially recognized Ayurveda, a milestone made possible by the efforts of MIU,” he said. “Without MIU, this achievement would not have been possible.” At MIU, students engage in the study and research of various Vedic disciplines, including yoga, Sanskrit, architecture, and Ayurveda, which are essential to global health.


2. Yagya by 1111 traditional Vedic pundits in the presence of 10 000 practioneers of Meditation to create peace

Atirudra World Welfare Virat Mahayagya 2081 Kartik 21-25 Mahayagya Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu.
https://ekantipur.com/en/national/2024/11/10/atirudra-vishwakalyan-virat-mahayagna-is-over-16-29.html
Atirudra Vishwakalyan Virat Mahayagya is over

For the first time in Nepal, Atirudra Vishwakalyan Virat Mahayagya conducted by 1 thousand 111 Sadhak Batuk has been completed. Organizer Nepal Maharshi Vedic Foundation informed that more than 10,000 devout devotees participated in the Maha Yajna held from November 21st at Bhrikutimandap located on Exhibition Road. Deepak Prakash Baskota, president of foundation, said that Nepal has made an important contribution to the promotion of world peace and Vedic ideas through Mahayajna. 'This great sacrifice has made Nepal and Nepali people's heads high. Our Vedic and Yagya traditions have attracted worldwide attention," said Baskota. He said that during the Maha Yagya, organic agriculture fair, Vedic and modern science conference and spiritual meditation camp were also successfully completed. Rudrabhishek was ritually performed daily from 1 thousand 111 Vedic temples and 1.5 million lamps were lit. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Maha Yagya, President of the World Hindu Federation, Ramchandra Adhikari called to stop the growing trend of religious conversion in Nepal. He said that since Hinduism can lead the world, the campaign to make Nepal the Gururashtra of the world should be successful.

 

3. Summary of the event by John Hagelin, quantum physicist, in a video presentation (transcript)


Very exciting to see Maharishi's dream for Nepal coming true. Mararishi Mahesh Yogi visited here 50 years ago, and he saw from being here that Nepal had the capability of leading the world to peace and happiness and health because of the Vedic wisdom. Nepal has the custody: of the Vedic knowledge, and the Vedic knowledge is coming out to be the most advanced knowledge in the world. Ancient yes but also the most advanced, the most powerful in the world of health, the world of education, in the world of enlightenment, in the world of brain development, in the world of education. The Vedic wisdom is the wisdom that is going to lead the world, and Nepal has a precious role to play in bringing peace, happiness, and health to the world. It's been great to be here. Really inspiring for me to see the Nepali people so shining with knowledge, very inspiring. The world is listening; the world is watching I've been speaking; to the United States I've been speaking to Europe while I've been here and they are watching they're enjoying. Inspired, they're waiting for the blessings of the Himalayas, the blessings of the ancient Vedic wisdom to come and help the whole world with solutions to the world's problems today. People are very eager for solutions to the world's problems today. They've been looking to modern science for the answers, and modern Science has something to contribute, but the ancient Vedic wisdom is more profound, more powerful and more important for the world than modern sciences even today. Nepal has the capability. Nepal has the wisdom. It is now just a question of whether it has the will. It's really now up to the Nepali people. Maharishi gave the total knowledge of life. It's natural knowledge for the Nepali people. So the Nepali people just have to continue to act, and we'll see Nepali and the whole world getting better and better and better. Thank you so much.

Nepal as the "Switzerland of world peace"

From a European perspective, Nepal is developing through the social transformations taking place within the country at the beginning of the 21st century into a country that can play a role model in preserving cultural diversity and a mediating role in the global interaction of peoples, comparable to Switzerland's international role as a reference system for economic value creation and in securing global financial balance. The comparison is realistic in that both countries have a disproportionate contribution to make due to their unique resources - Nepal in the area of ​​spirituality and cultural peace, Switzerland in the area of ​​international finance and humanitarian value creation. While Switzerland has financial and institutional strength, Nepal's influence is more intangible. But it can develop into a "spiritual Switzerland" in the long term if it uses its resources and spiritual power in a targeted manner. However, this would require strong national and international support.

A careful comparison between Nepal's potential contribution to promoting spiritually based global peace and Switzerland's contribution to securing a global financial balance based on humanitarian value creation reveals the following parallels and differences:

1.Parallels and points of comparison

1 1 Neutrality and international perception
  • Nepal is often considered a neutral country that bridges cultures and religions. Its spiritual history, particularly as the home of Vedic traditions and as the birthplace of Buddha, who renewed the consciousness-based basis of this tradition, gives Nepal a moral and symbolic role in promoting global spiritual values. 
  • Switzerland is already known worldwide as a neutral actor and has played a central role in the global financial system and peacekeeping through its stable financial institutions and humanitarian contributions (e.g. Red Cross). 
  • Both countries draw legitimacy for their international roles from their neutrality and special cultural identity. 
1.2 Resource and specialization
  • Nepal has a “spiritual resource” in the form of its cultural heritage, its connection to Vedic and Buddhist teachings and its natural environment (Himalayas) that serves as a place of retreat and meditation
  • Switzerland offers specialized financial services, political stability and a long tradition as a safe haven for negotiations and finance.
  • Both countries specialize in a niche of expertise that is recognized worldwide.
1.3 Symbolic power
  • Nepal has the potential to become a global platform for spiritual dialogue, for example through conferences, centers for meditation and interfaith cooperation. Lumbini, as the birthplace of Buddha, is already a symbol of peace and tolerance.
  • Switzerland is a symbol of stability, reliability and international cooperation in the financial and humanitarian fields.
  • Both countries have symbolic power that amplifies their impact on the world beyond their geographical and economic size.


2. Differences and limitations

2.1 Material resource
  • Nepal's economic and infrastructural capacities are limited, limiting its ability to finance and implement globally effective initiatives. Its contribution would be more intangible, through cultural and spiritual inspiration
  • Switzerland is an economic power with significant influence on global financial markets. Its material base makes its contribution tangible and directly measurable.
2.2 Institutional strength
  • While Nepal is present in international forums, it lacks institutional strength and a globally recognized mechanism to put spiritual diplomacy into practice.
  • Switzerland has established institutions and platforms, such as the UN offices in Geneva, that cement its role as a global actor.
2.3 Global focus
  • Nepal's contribution to promoting peace would be primarily cultural-spiritual and could be particularly effective in areas such as interfaith dialogue and environmental awareness
  • Switzerland has direct influence on global systems through its financial and mediation work and is deeply involved in international decision-making processes.
  • Both countries have unique characteristics that make them relevant in their respective fields and thus justify their historical role
Overall, Nepal has the potential to make a significant contribution to promoting a spiritually based global culture of peace, comparable to Switzerland's role in securing a global financial balance based on humanity and creative value creation.