LUMBINI Nepal AP Amid loud religious chants hundreds of monks and other worshippers gathered at the birthplace of the Buddha Tuesday to begin the World Buddhist Conference. Nepal's Crown Crince Dipendra inaugurated the two-day meeting by unveiling a multicolored traditional flag at a religious ceremony. ``Lumbini has now become the symbol of world peace and goodwill. Everyone should make a pilgrimage to Lumbini at least once in their life'' said Nepal's Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. Monks from Nepal neighboring India and nine other countries are taking part in the conference. ``This conference is important in the campaign for world peace since Buddha was the first person to call for world peace'' said Sri Lankan Cultural Minister Laxman Jayakode. The Buddha was born in Lumbini over 2500 years ago. Lumbini is about 200 kilometers 120 miles southwest of Katmandu the Nepalese capital. APW19981201.1183.txt.body.html APW19981201.0070.txt.body.html