Zubair Qureshi
Speakers, foreign delegates and Buddhist scholars on Tuesday called for showcasing Pakistan’s rich Gandhara heritage with ancient Takshila (present-day Taxila) as its capital which used to be the centre of learning and knowledge in the Buddhist Era ( around 1000 BC).
They were speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the two-day symposium and an exhibition titled “From Gandhara to the World” organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in connection with Vesak Day 2024 at the Sahibzada Yaqub Khan Block.
Sri Lanka’s Minister for Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Mr Vidura Wikramanayaka was the Chief Guest on the occasion while Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Ch Salik Hussain was the guest of honour on the occasion.
Monks and scholars from Vietnam, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, ambassadors, diplomats, archaeologists and researchers participated in the inaugural ceremony and appreciated the initiative taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote and project the country’s rich heritage sprawling in Taxila, Swat, Takht Bhai, Charsadda, Peshawar in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Sri Lankan Minister termed Pakistan’s Gandhara region full of the relics of the past Buddhist era. We have been told and taught since childhood that it is Gandhara where Buddhism flourished. Here the monks and teachers shared Lord Buddha’s philosophy and teachings with the rest of the world, he said.
He also called for the establishment of a Heritage Forum between Sri Lanka and Pakistan where the researchers and historians working on Buddhism could exchange ideas. This will also boost Pakistan’s Buddhist heritage in the world and attract tourists from around the world.
He called the symposium a milestone and commended the organizers for inviting Buddhist monks from around the world to tell the world about Pakistan’s Buddhist heritage.
Speaking on the occasion, Venerable Anil Sakya from Thailand said it was time to regain the glory of Gandhara Civilization.
