Nepal, July 31 -- Buddha never undertook a journey to preach his teachings in the Himalayas. Born in Nepal, he attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya and first met his disciple in Sarnath, Varanasi, India. However, people didn't appreciate his newfound enlightenment until other Southeast Asian countries and Ceylon (Sri Lanka) recognised him. His teachings subsequently travelled back to India and its neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bhutan.

People's acceptance of any religion was possible only when rulers patronised and popularised it. This has happened to major religions worldwide as rulers adopted them either as faith or as elements of legitimacy. The latter trend seems more explicit, with rulers integrating religion into constitution...