Meditation Tourism, Buddhist Philosophy in Practice: A Case Study of Lumbini, Nepal

Abstract

The dimensions of travelling and tourism have become manifold in recent decades. People love to travel with various purposes. Religious tourism, yoga tourism, peace tourism and spiritual tourism are some dimensions. Lumbini can be a best destination for meditation tourism, which could be much rewarding for individual, social and national development. The travelers and stakeholders have yet to be aware of this aspect. In Buddhism, Lumbini is a best destination for meditation tour. Exploring the importance of travelling Lumbini for meditation is the main objective of this article. Tourists and pilgrims would benefit immensely if they understand the significance of meditation tourism to Lumbini, its philosophy and practice. This article aims to explore the spiritual significance of Lumbini and it will provide visions of a purposeful development and publicity that would shape Lumbini as a best destination for meditation tourism. The government and private sectors are interested to develop Lumbini as best tourist destination. People all over the world are attracted to visit Lumbini for different reasons. Most tourists are unaware of the core aspect of visiting Lumbini. People who visit Lumbini are unaware about meditation practice or involving in charity works. Meditation and compassion are the core aspects of Buddha’s teachings, which are neither realized nor practiced. There seems a vast gap between the actual philosophy of Buddhism and the attitude of most of the visitors. This research study attempts to reveal the significance of meditation tourism in Lumbini.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism: A Case Study of Lumbini, Nepal

“…Pilgrims and travelers with diverse cultures reach to Lumbini for expressing their religious and mystical feelings in several ways (Rai, 2020).Th e diff erent studies showed that pilgrimage lies in the third main purpose of visiting Nepal and Lumbini is the fi rst and foremost on the list. Lumbini is also one of the best places for practicing meditation, spiritual vacation, worship, and charity work (Sharma, 2019).…”

Buddhists Tourism Promotional Strategy to Nepal

“…Meditation practitioners will avoid non-vegetarian food; killing animals in Lumbini will slowly come to end. As people find peace of mind during meditation, they will be ready to pay the meditation centers (Sharma N. P., 2020). Therefore, Buddhist tourism is a guideline of scientific modern tourism with ethics and moral values to bring sustainable happiness to human beings.…”

Impact of COVID-19 on Pilgrimage Tourism: A Case Study of Lumbini, Nepal

“…Th e pilgrims and travelers of diff erent culture reach to Lumbini for expressing their spiritual and magical feeling in several ways (Rai, 2020). Lumbini is one of the best places in the world for practicing meditation, mystical vacation, worship, listening to speech, chanting, and getting wisdom and knowledge (Sharma, 2019). According to Liro, Soljan & Bilska-Wodecka, there are three kinds of motivations for visiting pilgrimage centres in Krakow, Poland i.e., tourist motivations (Sightseeing, prayer, pilgrimage), religious motivations (service, confession), and recreational motivations (walking, spending time with the family) (Kunwar & Th apaliya, 2021).…”

“…In context to the impact of COVID-19 on pilgrimage tourism in Lumbini, there is also diff erent literature but that research is directly or indirectly related to the promotion of pilgrimage tourism and tourism development of Lumbini. Th e example includes research on pilgrimage tourism in Lumbini by Nyaupane (2009), Kunwar and Ghimire (2012), Ghimire (2014;2017), Ghimire & Rai (2015), Khatri (2016), LDT (2014LDT ( -2020, Sharma (2019), Rai (2020), UNESCO (2013). Th ese works are related to Lumbini from a pilgrimage, cultural or religious point of view to promote pilgrimage tourism with development and commercial interests, but none of the academic work has been conducted in Lumbini highlighting the impact of the pandemic on pilgrimage tourism in the destination.…”