Patna, Bihar:
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama arrived in Patna on Thursday to take part in a three-day International Buddhist Conference starting in Patna from January 5.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar went to Jayprakash Narayan airport to receive the Dalai Lama who came to Patna from New Delhi, official sources said.
The Noble laureate extended his blessings to the CM. The Dalai Lama will be in the state capital till January 7 to take part in the International Buddhist Sangh conference, Principal Secretary, Cabinet Coordination, Vijay Prakash said.
The meet is hosted jointly by state department of Art and Culture and Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee. Nearly 1,500 delegates from various parts of the world are expected to attend the conference.
The Chief Minister will be the Chief Guest at the inaugural function of the Buddhist meet for establishing peace and harmony in the world.
He would unveil a statue of Lord Buddha at Buddha Smriti Park in Patna on Friday. The Dalai Lama had inaugurated the massive park in 2010 which has come on the ruins of district jail.