Thirty-one students from Lumbini Buddhist University, Nepal’s public university dedicated to Buddhist studies, departed on September 20, 2026, for a one-year study and exchange program at Nanhai Buddhist Academy in Sanya, Hainan province, China. This initiative marks the fourth year of the program, which aims to strengthen people-to-people ties and cultural exchange between Nepal and China.
Significance of the Exchange
The contingent includes 21 lay students focusing on Chinese language and 10 monastic students (nine lamas and one ani). All students have demonstrated proficiency in Chinese, with lay students passing the HSK Level 3 examination and monastic students passing HSK Level 2. During their stay, they will delve into Chinese language, Chinese Buddhist culture, and subjects related to their respective fields of study. Nanhai Buddhist Academy will cover their accommodation and meal expenses, and no tuition fees will be charged.
This program is seen as a significant step in revitalizing the historical, cultural, and spiritual connections between Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, and China’s long-standing Buddhist traditions through contemporary academic collaboration. The university aims to develop skilled human resources proficient in Chinese language and intercultural dialogue, contributing to bilateral exchange. The growing demand for Chinese language experts in the Lumbini region, driven by potential increases in Chinese Buddhist pilgrims and tourists, underscores the importance of this initiative. Lumbini Buddhist University already hosts a Confucius Institute and a Chinese language learning and testing center, and over 250 Chinese students are currently enrolled, fostering a multicultural environment.
Historical and Institutional Context
Diplomatic relations between Nepal and China were established on August 1, 1955, but their historical ties date back to the fourth century with the exchange of saints and Buddhist scholars. Notable figures include Nepali monk Buddhabhadra, who visited China in the fifth century, and Chinese monks Fa Xian and Xuan Zang, who traveled to Nepal. The seventh century saw the strengthening of familial bonds through the marriage of Lichhavi Princess Bhrikuti to Tibetan Prince Songtsen Gampo, while the 13th century brought Nepali artist Araniko to China, where he introduced the Nepali pagoda architectural style. Lumbini Buddhist University itself was conceived during the First World Buddhist Summit in Lumbini in 1998 and formally established on June 17, 2004.
Future Prospects and Unanswered Questions
Lumbini Buddhist University plans to continue strengthening its collaborations with Nanhai Buddhist Academy and other Chinese academic institutions, consistently promoting Chinese language education and China studies. Education, Science and Technology Minister Sasmita Pokharel, who is also the co-chancellor of Lumbini Buddhist University, has instructed the university to focus its academic programs on Buddhist philosophy, gradually aligning other existing programs with this core mission. However, the detailed Memorandum of Understanding for the current exchange program remains undisclosed. Furthermore, the outcome of an investigation into alleged academic and administrative irregularities at Lumbini Buddhist University, prompted by an attention letter from the Lumbini Bachao Mahabhiyan to Minister Pokharel on October 2, 2026, is still pending. The precise end date or academic calendar for the students’ one-year program has also not been explicitly stated.
