“Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhist philosophy, is truly the 'Light of the World'. Yet, he is often narrowly described as the 'Light of Asia'. A scientific worldview is a philosophy, rooted in reason and inquiry. True philosophy should not be confined to any single sect or tradition; rather, it transcends boundaries and aligns with the broader goal of serving the welfare of all humanity.”

This statement was made by Nepal Workers and Peasants' Party Secretary and Member of Parliament, Prem Suwal, during a discourse program on "Buddhist Philosophy and Social Sciences", held on Monday, 29th Baisakh, 2082, at the premises of Khwopa College of Law. The event was organized on the occasion of the 2569th Buddha Jayanti. It was jointly organized by the educational institutions operated by Bhaktapur Municipality—Khwopa Higher Secondary School, Khwopa College, Khwopa College of Law, Khwopa Engineering College, Khwopa College of Engineering, Khwopa Polytechnic Institute, and Sharada Campus Higher Secondary School.

“Buddha, born in a royal family in Lumbini, deeply studied the evolution of human society. Through this understanding, he concluded that suffering exists, that suffering can end, and that there are causes and paths leading to its end,” said MP Prem Suwal.
He added, “It has been approximately 7,000 years since humanity emerged from the savage age. Throughout this period, people have experienced various forms of suffering, ranging from slavery to the hardships of the capitalist era. Today, some countries are moving beyond capitalism and transitioning toward socialism. This is the path to end suffering. True liberation comes when the oppressed rise, struggle, and secure their freedom.”

He said, “The existence of slaves and slave owners, serfs and feudal lords, workers and capitalists represents the suffering of humanity. Just as the eras of slave owners and feudal lords came to an end, the bourgeoisie is also disappearing in some countries. This reflects the natural law of social development.”

MP Suwal added, “Leaders of political parties that have been in government often issue statements portraying Buddha as a symbol of peace, tolerance, and harmony, but extending best wishes only to 'Buddhists' on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti. This reflects an effort to confine Buddhist philosophy to a particular sect. In reality, Buddhist philosophy is a universal philosophy that is intrinsically tied to the welfare of all humankind.”

He emphasized that it is the responsibility of those in government leadership to integrate the core principles of Buddhist philosophy into school and university curricula, thereby preparing the younger generation to become ambassadors of peace, tolerance, and harmony.

He further stated that sacred sites such as Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, the Mahachaitya of Swayambhu, the Mahachaitya of Buddha, and other significant locations should be kept clean, orderly, and beautiful not just on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, but throughout the year. These areas' archaeological sites and artifacts must be preserved in their original state rather than haphazard constructions.

However, he expressed concern over growing reports of corruption under the Lumbini Development Fund and the destruction of culturally and historically significant sites. He urged the government to take serious and immediate action to address these issues.

MP Prem Suwal stated, “Had the leaders who assumed power governed with an understanding of Buddhist philosophy, they would not have felt the need to forcefully introduce legislation aimed at shielding policy decisions from oversight or barring civil servants from working for one to two years post-retirement. Key positions such as the Vice Chancellor of Tribhuvan University and the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank would not have remained vacant for months, and the Khwopa University Bill would not have been indefinitely stalled.”

He added, “The suffering of the Nepali people has deepened because those in power lack an appreciation for the values embedded in Buddhist philosophy. The Finance Minister himself acknowledged in Parliament that the government’s revenue is barely sufficient to cover public employee salaries, and that the nation has incurred a loss of 1.2 trillion rupees. Had those in government embraced the principles of Buddhist philosophy, centered on wisdom, responsibility, and compassion, this national crisis could have been avoided.”

He said, “Today’s students are the future leaders in politics, journalism, medicine, economics, science, and engineering. Therefore, colleges must prepare students to achieve at least 60 percent results in all subjects. This goal was also emphasized years ago by Narayanman Bijukchhe (Rohit), Chairman of the Nepal Workers and Peasants' Party. I believe that with greater dedication from college professors and staff, more focused efforts can be made toward achieving this objective.”

The program chairman, along with the chairman of the college/school Management Committee and Bhaktapur Municipality Mayor Mr. Sunil Prajapati, stated that Buddhist philosophy has been instrumental in guiding the path toward building a civilized and cultured society.

He added, "As we reflect on the history of Buddha leaving his palace for the upliftment of humanity, it is disheartening to see that the rulers of Nepal have appropriated the palace and its land, which starkly contrasts the principles of Buddhist philosophy."

Mayor Prajapati highlighted the significant contribution of the leaders of the Nepal Workers and Peasants' Party to the social and cultural transformation of Bhaktapur. He acknowledged that, under their exemplary leadership, Bhaktapur has become a model city in education, health, sanitation, and heritage conservation.

Prajapati further stated that Buddhist philosophy emphasizes the importance of criticism and self-criticism. He noted that constructive criticism is essential, as, without it, individuals may become arbitrary in their actions, which could hinder progress.

Since social transformation does not occur automatically, Karl Marx, the great leader of the world proletariat, proposed the Marxist theory. This theory asserts that the working class must use force to overthrow the power of the exploiting class and establish its own power. According to Marx, peace will prevail once the working class replaces the ruling class.

He stated that the country’s international reputation is tarnished due to the behavior of parliamentarians, including members of the ruling party who appear and leave the parliament without participating in its activities, leading to very low attendance.

Mayor Prajapati remarked, “Due to the vested interests of the educational mafia, the university has not yet been approved, despite the completion of all the necessary infrastructure. Not what is said in words matters, but what is actually done through action.”

Stating that the government is systematically driving youth abroad, Mayor Prajapati emphasized that the educational institutions run by Bhaktapur Municipality will only be justified if they can foster strong leadership capable of guiding society in the right direction and safeguarding the country from potential crises.

Mayor Prajapati also highlighted that Bhaktapur Municipality has already provided 751 students with educational loans of Rs. 5 lakh per person.

Deputy Mayor of Bhaktapur Municipality and Vice-Chairperson of the College/School Management Committee, Ar. Rajani Joshi stated that socialism is a system that frees people from exploitation. She emphasized that uplifting lower-class individuals is crucial for driving societal change. Deputy Mayor Joshi also informed that Bhaktapur Municipality is forming a consumer committee to actively involve the community in development and construction efforts.

Principal of Khwopa College, Prakash Kumar Shrestha, shared that Buddhist philosophy teaches us to approach life from a materialistic perspective, emphasizing personal purification and collective discipline. Reflecting on a key teaching of Buddhist philosophy, he quoted, “Enmity does not destroy enemies; friendship destroys enemies.”

The principal of Khwopa Engineering College, Er. Sujan Maka stated that Buddhist philosophy is not merely a religious system but a cultural revolution.

The principal of Khwopa College of Engineering, Er. Sunil Duwal, highlighted that scientific philosophy promotes critical analysis, questioning, and freedom of thought. This aligns with Buddhist philosophy, which strongly emphasizes critical analysis, ethics, and empathy.

The principal of Khwopa College of Law, Anita Jadhari, explained that Buddhist philosophy is not a religion but a way of life. This philosophy guides people towards a happy life.

The principal of Khwopa Higher Secondary School, Laxmi Prasad Karmacharya, opined that the distinction between right and wrong can only be understood through deep study. He emphasized the importance of teachers embodying compassion and tolerance. Gokarna Dulal, the school's in-charge, also shared his thoughts during the program.