TAXILA: A 16 member delegation of tourists from Thailand led by monk Phra Pisit of Hinayan thought of Buddhism pay homage to giant Buddha statues during their visit to Taxila Museum on Thursday.

The delegation expressed admiration for the impressive collection at Taxila Museum and lauded the dedicated efforts of the Directorate General of Archaeology, Punjab, in preserving the rich cultural heritage.

Upon arrival, the delegation was received by the curator of the Taxila Museum Humera Naz, who also briefed them about various artifacts put on display at Taxila Museum.

She informed the Thai delegation that there were 4,000 objects, including stone, stucco, terracotta, silver, gold, iron and semiprecious stones, displayed in the museum.

She also briefed the visitors about the history of Gandhara civilisation, various stupas, statues and other artifacts in the museum. The Thai delegation took round of the main hall which exhibits more than 70 stories of the life of Buddha i.e. from the time of his birth till death.

They also visited the Bodhisattva and Buddha galleries. The envoy was informed that hundreds of monasteries and stupas were built together with Greek and Kushan towns such as Sirkap and Sirsukh, both in Taxila.

“Mainly the display consists of objects from 600 BC to 500 AD,” she said. She said that Gandhara is the second holy land of Buddhism and it is the place from where the religion flourished across the globe. She informed that historians believe that the first statue of Buddha was created in Taxila while several historical archaeological Gandhara sites located in different parts of Pakistan’s cities including Taxila, Peshawar, Mardan, and Swat are sacred holy places in the eyes of Buddhists and have potential to attract international tourists from Thailand and other countries.

During their visit, they witnessed some of the oldest historical archaeological artifacts displayed in the museum. The guests showed interest in the history and development of the Buddhist art of Gandhara.

The Thai Monk said that Gandhara tourism is a symbol of the shared Buddhist heritage, and could attract Thai followers of Buddhism.

“Gandhara Civilisation has been in the minds and hearts of Buddhists across the world for thousands of years,” he added.

He said that Thailand and Pakistan had deep rooted diplomatic relations and on the cultural front it has gone on fast track during the last couple of years. He said that in January 2023, the ambassador of Thailand to Pakistan Chakkrid Krachaiwon inaugurated gold plated gallery with bullet-proof glasses to display the holy bone relics of the Lord Buddha at Taxila Museum which was gifted by the Thai government as a token for the decade-old cultural and bilateral relations between the two countries.

He said that the chief monk of Thailand inaugurated the “bell of peace” in Taxila and Peshawar during his visit to Pakistan in 2019.

In July 2022, a 26-member group led by Mr Arayawangso, chief monk of Thailand, and comprising six monks and 20 disciples performed the rituals of ‘rain retreat’ at the stupa in Taxila. He lauded the Pakistan government for preserving sites related to Buddhism and maintaining Taxila as one of the prominent places for Buddhists.

Irfan Karim, who was coordinating the delegation said that the visit of these Thai tourists is designed to explore the awe-inspiring Buddhist remains in Pakistan, once home to the incredible faith and centre of learning for monks. He said that several historical archaeological Gandhara sites located in different parts of Pakistan’s cities including Taxila and northern areas are sacred holy places in the eyes of Buddhists and have potential to attract international tourists from Thailand and other countries

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2024