Kathmandu, May 19:

A two-day International Buddhist Conference started in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, while inaugurating the conference, said it aims to spread message to the world that the Buddha was born in Nepal, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The contribution of Lord Buddha and Buddhism to the development of our civilisation must be assessed. We have not been able to glorify our rich civilisations, our oriental values and philosophies on a global scale while our ancestors were the pioneers in leading human civilisations," Oli said.

Oli said Buddha is an embodiment of the quest for truth and peace.

"For us, he is not just the light of Asia. He is the light of the whole world. His teachings provide, in the form of Buddhism, a strong foundation on which our historical and cultural identities have been shaped. And, we are proud to share this glorious tradition," he said.

He expressed gratitude to India, China, and Unesco for their continued support in the development of Lumbini.

Hundreds of Buddhists scholars, monks and government delegates from around the world are attending the conference under the theme of "Lumbini, Nepal: the birthplace of Lord Buddha and Fountain of Buddhism and the World Peace."

The Nepal government is organising a separate function on Saturday in Lumbini, the birth place of the Buddha, to commemorate the lord's 2,560th birth anniversary. (IANS)