Universal Peace in Nepal

“All good things come to those who wait…” so the saying goes.

In January 2015 we had the good fortune to be introduced to an exceptional project and an even more exceptional person, His Eminence Shyalpa Tenzin Rinpoche, one of the pre-eminent spiritual leaders of the Buddhist faith, originating from Nepal.

The devastating earthquake in April of that year, which killed almost 9,000 people and caused over 10 billion USD to buildings and infrastructure halted the project in its tracks. Through the client’s perseverance, the project has now been resurrected, almost exactly 4 years later.

This project is the Mahasiddha Sanctuary for Universal Peace, conceived by H.E. Shyalpa Tenzin Rinpoche.

This Sanctuary and Museum will be constructed within the sacred grounds of one of the holiest Buddhist sites - the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha - located in the lower foothills of the Himalayas in Lumbini, Nepal.

The site is part of a greater Masterplan which was envisioned by Kenzo Tange in 1969 and later endorsed and protected as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The building design has already received tacit approval by the Lumbini Development Trust, the governmental body overseeing the implementation of the Masterplan.

KplusK associates have now been appointed as the Executive Architects to lead a group of international design consultants based in Hong Kong, Beijing and Kuala Lumpur to complete the groundbreaking vision of H.E. by 2022.

In mid-November last year, JK and Seb flew to Kathmandu for the first time after the devastating earthquake in 2015 and met with H.E. and the design team on site.

Invited to the discussions were also the local planners and capable contractors who gave their full support to the project.

Following the meetings, JK and Seb witnessed the first ever chanting of the complete teachings of Lord Buddha by monks from around the world, held over three consecutive days on the lawn outside the Maya Devi Temple.

Through the very personal experience at Lumbini, JK and Seb have committed themselves and the KplusK team to join the Nepali people and all people seeking world peace to engage with the deeper meaning of the project and to support it on all levels possible – beyond the typical scope of an Executive Architect: from sustainable design to funding.

We at KplusK associates are sure that with our enthusiasm and with the support of our collaborative partners, friends and families, we will be able to make H.E.’s vision a reality.