SWAT: The most venerable and internationally renowned Thai Buddhist monk Arayawangso said that Swat remained the land of Dhamma peace for mankind and it was high time to once again send the sound of peace from Swat valley to the entire world.

He along with his disciples and Buddhist followers from Thailand was attending the inauguration of the ‘bell of peace’ on the birthday anniversary of King Rama X of the Kingdom of Thailand here on Thursday.

The ceremony was also attended by Military and Defence Attaché at Royal Thai Embassy Col Adisak Showichen, local elders and members of the former Swat state royal family.

Monk Arayawangso said that traces of civilisation in Swat clearly indicated the virtuous spirit of humanity that prevailed for ages.

Ceremony held to celebrate birthday of King Rama X of Thailand

“The revival of civilisation for peace and welfare can really happen when the moral spirit of mankind returns to this sacred land once again. Now, all of us, who wish for a peaceful existence, make a mindful determination and send it through the sound of the bell of peace to everyone everywhere in the world,” he said.

He said that the goal of peace could be possible when the peace-loving people on that land of Pakistan and those around the world endorsed the idea of peace. “Together, we can push forward the course of peace along the noble pathway of Dhamma,” he added.

Colonel Adisak Showichen read a message of blessings in wake of the celebration of King Rama birthday anniversary.

“We are grateful to the government of Pakistan and the people for their support for celebrating the birthday of King Rama the 10th and installation of the bell of peace,” he said. He added that he was sure that the ring of the bell would send a peace signal to all over the world.

Dr Nitinant Wisaweisuan, the dean of Puey Ungphakorn School of Development Studies, Thammasat University, said on the occasion that Thai monks already installed two bells of peace in Peshawar and in Taxila museums before 2019.

“In 2019, the late Miangul Adan Aurangzeb had asked the venerable monk Arayawangso to visit Swat and install the bell of peace in Swat however, due to Covid-19 we could not come,” she said.

At the end of the ceremony, Imran Shaukat, the organiser and host of the Buddhist monks, thanked the embassy of Thailand and the Buddhist monks for visiting and installing the bell of peace.

On the occasion, the national anthems of Pakistan and Thailand were also played.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2022