TAXILA: At least 100 monks and their disciples mostly belonging to Thailand participated in a Kathina ceremony – the largest alms-giving ceremo ny of the Buddhist year – at Taxila Museum on Wednesday to mark the end of the first-ever rain retreat.

In July, a group of Buddhist monks along with their disciples had gathered at Dharmarajika stupa in Taxila for the annual rain retreat (vassa). Chief Buddhist Monk of Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand Most Venerable Arayawangso, who along with his disciples is on a three-month pilgrimage to Pakistan, performed the ceremony.

Envoys of Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar besides tourism secretary Ayisa Gull were also present on this occasion.

In his sermon, Mr Arayawangso said the pilgrimage and rituals at various Buddhist sites in Taxila, Haripur, Peshawar, and Swat brought a new aspect to modern Buddhist history.

Tourism secretary says Buddhist sites are getting their ‘lost pilgrims’ back

He said that the rituals were telecasted to over 700 million followers across the world and added that this coverage would not only help fetch more religious tourists to Pakistan but also promote a soft image of the country. “I found Pakistan a safe country and termed the Pakistani people peaceful and hospitable.”

Talking to reporters, Ambassador of Thailand Chakkrid Krachaiwon termed the event landmark, hoping that this would give a boost to Pakistan-Thailand bilateral relations.

The envoy added that the Thai government was keen to arrange more such pilgrimages to Pakistan. “According to 2010 estimates, the vast majority of the Thai population, around 93 per cent, are Buddhists and Pakistan could be their favourite destination for religious tourism,” he added.

Speaking to the media, Adam M Tugio, Indonesian envoy, said that Buddhism was the majority religion in nine out of 10 ASEAN countries. “Such events would play a key role in fetching tourists and pilgrims from these countries,” he said, adding, “May this be a start for millions more Buddhists to come to Pakistan.”

Punjab Tourism Secretary Ayisa Gull told reporters that the delegation of Thai monks had been in Pakistan for the last three months and over 100 more monks arrived later on.

In a comment on the rain retreat that started in July, she added that the Buddhist sites in Pakistan were getting back their lost pilgrims back.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2022