Pakistan hands over Sacred Buddhist Relics to Sri Lanka for Exposition

[Gibbs]

Pakistan hands over most Sacred Buddhist Relics to Sri Lanka for Exposition

ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan has handed over the most sacred relics of Lord Buddha to the Government of Sri Lanka today in a special ceremony arranged at the historic Taxila Museum today, says a press release received here today from Sri Lanka.

The relics were handed over on behalf of the government of Pakistan, by the Advisor to Pakistan’s Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage, Mr. Irfan Siddiqui to the Sri Lankan Minister for Sustainable Development and Wildlife, Mr. Gamini Jayawickrama Perera and his delegation.

The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka Maj. Gen. Syed Shakeel Hussain, Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Pakistan Maj. General Jayanath C.P. Lokuketagodage, Secretary Ministry of Buddhasasana Sri Lanka Mr. Wasantha Ekanayaka, Venerable Thiniyawala Palitha Thero, Chief Incumbent Nalandramaya, and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

The relics will be arriving in Sri Lanka tonight and will remain in Sri Lanka for exposition around the country. The exposition of the most sacred relics will commence at the Temple Trees on the auspicious day of Wesak on 21st May 2016 and will be exhibited at famous temples around the Island until Full Moon Poson Poya Day.

The Prime Minister’s Advisor on National History and Literary Heritage, Mr. Irfan Siddiqui said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoy brotherly relations which have deep and historic roots. He said that the request for exposition of the most sacred relics was made by the leadership of Sri Lanka to the Prime Minister of Pakistan during the latter’s official visit to Sri Lanka in January 2016.

Mr. Irfan Siddiqui elaborated that the decision to organize the exposition of the most sacred relics in Sri Lanka, reflects the desire of the government of Pakistan to promote cultural linkages between the people of the two countries.

The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka Maj. Gen. Syed Shakeel Hussain, said that the deep bond of cordial friendship and understanding between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has a solid and unblemished history of standing together for each other in difficult times. He said that the exposition of the most sacred relics from the Gandhara region of Pakistan will further strengthen the already existing deep rooted cultural relations between the two friendly nations.

The Sri Lankan Minister for Sustainable Development and Wildlife, Hon. Gamini Jayawickrama Perera thanked the Government of Pakistan for providing the most sacred relics and said that millions of Sri Lankan devotees are eagerly waiting for their exposition in Sri Lanka.

The most sacred relics will be received today evening in Colombo by the Political and religious leadership of Sri Lanka along with Acting High Commissioner Dr Sarfaraz Sipra and Officers of the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo

http://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/121176-Pakistan-Sacred-Buddhist-Relics-Sri-Lanka-Exposition

 

[Tameem]

Now, What is That? any Pictures?

 

[Gibbs]

Sri Lankan Religious and Political Leaders hail arrival of Holy Relics from Pakistan’s Gandhara Region

Sri Lankan religious and political leaders welcomed the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha from Pakistan’s Gandhara region in an impressive ceremony last night at Bandaranayake International airport at Katunayake.

Sri Lankan Minister for Public Administration and Management Hon. Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Minister for Sustainable Development and Wildlife Hon. Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, Senior Monks, high ranking government officials, religious scholars, as well as Deputy High Commissioner and officers of the High Commission of Pakistan received the holy relics amidst hordes of devotees. The Secretary National History and Literary Heritage S. Mohsin Haqqani, Joint Secretary NH&LH and the curator of Taxila museum were also present on the occasion.

The most sacred relics includes two holy bone relics of Lord Buddha, a golden Casket which contains the holy relics and a stone reliquary in stupa shape. @Tameem

The holy relics are part of collection from Taxila Museum of Pakistan, which is located at one of the most important archaeological sites in Asia.

The religious leaders performed special pooja on arrival of the most sacred relics which will be in the island for exposition around the country.

While speaking on the occasion, the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan, Dr. Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Sipra informed the gathering that Government of Pakistan is holding Wesak Festival for first time in the history of Pakistan at Taxila valley, which was the historic capital of the aniciant Gandhara region Pakistan. He said that only Sri Lankan Senior Monks, religious scholars, pilgrims and media personalities are invited by the government of Pakistan for the celebrations.

While recalling the successful visit of 40 Sri Lankan Monks who recently visited Pakistan to witness the rich Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan, DR Sipra said that such exchanges will further strengthen the already existing deep rooted cultural relations between the two friendly nations.

The advent and development of Buddhism owes a great deal to the ancient land of Pakistan. It was here that the religious activities reached its climax through well-organized missionaries and ultimately made it a world religion.

The land of Gandhara where the celebrated faith evolved is more or less a triangle about 100 kilometers across east to west and 70 kilometers from north to south, on the west of the Indus river in Pakistan. It is surrounded on three sides by mountains and covers the vast areas of today’s Peshawar valley, the hilly tracts of Swat (Udyana), Buner and the Taxila valley.

The name ‘Gandhara’ is found for the first time in the Rig-Veda, the sacred ancient hymns of the Hindus. The name also appears in some Persian inscriptions, particularly in the Behistun inscription (528-486 B.C) and in the inscription discovered from the ruins of the Susa Palace in Persia (An archeological site belonging to 6th century B.C).

Featuring civilizations dating back to 9000 BC, Pakistan’s ancient history is richly illustrated by archeological sites and imposing monuments punctuated all over its length and breadth.

The Ghandara trail, having its capital and cultural hub at the present day Taxilla, was part of the silk route and many Buddhist pilgrims from different countries used to visit these sites on this historical route.

The exposition of the most sacred relics in Sri Lanka will commence at the Temple Trees on the auspicious day of Wesak on 21st May 2016 and will be exhibited at famous temples around the Island until Full Moon Poson Poya Day.

http://www.pakistanhc.lk/2016/05/sr...f-holy-relics-from-pakistans-gandhara-region/

 

[Gibbs]

Sri Lanka exhibits sacred Buddhist relics from Taxila on Poson Poya

COLOMBO: The most sacred relics of Lord Buddha from Taxila are currently on display for general public in Thanthirimalaya Rajamaha Viharaya, Thanthirimalaya, Anuradhapura for two days on the occasion of Poson Full Moon Poya Day being commemorated on Sunday.

The sacred relics include two holy bone relics of Lord Buddha, a golden casket containing the relics and a stone reliquary in stupa shape. The relic casket of steatite with a miniature gold casket inside, containing holy bone relics were discovered near the Dharmarajika stupa in Taxila Pakistan, said a press release received here Sunday.

Dharmarajika stupa is the earliest and the largest Buddhist religious complex at Taxila. It is situated on the bank of Dharma rivulet. It was built to enshrine the redistributed holy relics of the Buddha by the famous Mauryan king Asoka the great who was also known as Dharmaraja for his services to Buddhism. Thus it is named Dharmarajika.

It was Poson Full Moon Poya day in the 3rd century BC that Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka by Arahant Mahinda, son of Emperor Ashoka who had become a Buddhist monk. This momentous event celebrated in Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka's North Central Province, which has since then, became the focus of Poson Poya religious observances each year.

Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Sri Lankan civilization. It was the third capital of the Kingdom of Rajarata, following the kingdoms of Tambapanni and Upatissa Nuwara.

The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the center of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries. During the exposition of holy relics in Anurdhapura, hundreds of thousands of devotees are paying homage and performing their religious rituals.

http://dailytimes.com.pk/world/19-J...red-buddhist-relics-from-taxila-on-poson-poya

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Unfortunately we have to do much more to protect our heritage sites from theft ... And bring back our national heritage artifacts sitting in indian and European museums ...

On topic : Great for Pak-Sri Lankan ties... and excellent for Buddhists of SL..

 

[B+ Dracula]

That news has won my heart.....its very Postive aspect about our Country outside
We have great heritage site with numbers of Buddhist relics that are inviting people of Srilanka, China, and Japan to visit us.....right now our war-torn country is not in a position for tourism but we are moving in a right direction ...Inshallah in coming days I am foreseeing -the flock of Tourist arriving in Gandhara Civilization center of Taxila
I recommend Gov of Pakistan to persist that policy for Japan and China, why not we open Gandhara Museum in BEIJING, CHINA that will help build our positive image inside China and also it serve as the token of love from Pakistani people.

 

[aamerjamal]

its gr8, but also want Pak Gov to improve the quality of storage and museums for Priceless stuffs like these.

 

[Sheikh Rauf]

I know quite a few people from KPK city mardan and between sawabi who digged and finding treasure of old statues to sell for unlimited amount to foreigners.. specially to indian,korean.
We need to protect our treasure.

 

[Gibbs]

That news has won my heart.....its very Postive aspect about our Country outside
We have great heritage site with numbers of Buddhist relics that are inviting people of Srilanka, China, and Japan to visit us.....right now our war-torn country is not in a position for tourism but we are moving in a right direction ...Inshallah in coming days I am foreseeing -the flock of Tourist arriving in Gandhara Civilization center of Taxila
I recommend Gov of Pakistan to persist that policy for Japan and China, why not we open Gandhara Museum in BEIJING, CHINA that will help build our positive image inside China and also it serve as the token of love from Pakistani people.

I think Pakistan has done a tremendous job against the odds to safeguard their heritage, Especially with what was happening in Afghanistan right next door, Who could forget the utter destruction of world heritage sites like Bamiyan Buddha's by the hands of the Taliban

Pakistani people have a great culture and heritage that goes back thousands of years even before the arrival of Islam, It was a hub of Buddhist philosophy in Gandhara which is unique in the world, Gandhara art depicts Lord Buddha in Caucasian features due to it's proximity to Asia minor and due to Greek and Macedonian influence and Taxila one of the greatest educational institutions of the ancient world

Pakistan has a massive opportunity to be a Buddhist tourist hub just like Indonesia, Who despite being the largest Muslim nation the world, safeguarded and promoted their Buddhist heritage attracting millions of people from around the world to places like Borobudur, Not just by East Asians but by Western tourists as well

Given the very close bilateral relationship enjoyed by Sri Lanka and Pakistan the SL authorities should collaborate with the Pakistani counterparts in advancing and developing these heritage sites for the benefit of both it's people

 

[B+ Dracula]

I think Pakistan has done a tremendous job against the odds to safeguard their heritage, Especially with what was happening in Afghanistan right next door, Who could forget the utter destruction of world heritage sites like Bamiyan Buddha's by the hands of the Taliban

Pakistani people have a great culture and heritage that goes back thousands of years even before the arrival of Islam, It was a hub of Buddhist philosophy in Gandhara which is unique in the world, Gandhara art depicts Lord Buddha in Caucasian features due to it's proximity to Asia minor and due to Greek and Macedonian influence and Taxila one of the greatest educational institutions of the ancient world

Pakistan has a massive opportunity to be a Buddhist tourist hub just like Indonesia, Who despite being the largest Muslim nation the world, safeguarded and promoted their Buddhist heritage attracting millions of people from around the world to places like Borobudur, Not just by East Asians but by Western tourists as well

Given the very close bilateral relationship enjoyed by Sri Lanka and Pakistan the SL authorities should collaborate with the Pakistani counterparts in advancing and developing these heritage sites for the benefit of both it's people

For last many decades, we're unable to take heed of our heritage, that above news will act as a catalyst in coming days, frankly speaking, Buddhist sites of Taxila truly belongs to you people because of your ongoing Buddhist heritage.
I am floating an Idea of opening a small Buddhist museum in each Buddhist Country like Srilanka, China, and Japan by exporting little relics that are found in abundance in our area. Instead of letting smugglers earn by smuggling these precious items why not give the right to export to above countries.
That will not only build the positive image of ours but it'll shed light on the Ancient heritage of Gandhara Civilisation.

Pakistan Right now is epic Center place of 4 Religious sites
a) Buddhist Heritage
b) Sikhism
c) Hinduism
d) Islamic heritage
and Buddhism is the most ancient site among them all....contemporary to Pyramids of Egypt, this is our strength and it makes me feel proud of it

 

[Kambojaric]

@Gibbs , Thanks for sharing this. Buddhism has a long history in Pakistan and to the best of our capability we have protected our Buddhist heritage. Recently a provincial archaeology department has decided to explore the Tribal Areas to uncover its heritage. Given that this area too was part of the Gandhara civilization, one can expect more significant Buddhist findings in the months to come.

https://defence.pk/threads/archaeology-directorate-to-explore-tribal-areas-for-first-time.435663/

I started a thread a while back on Buddhist tourists who are already visiting Pakistan. You are right, this is an area we should focus on, and I believe once the security situation stablizes even more (already we have witnessed a sharp decline in terrorist attacks in 2015/16 and with border security with Afghanistan being taken more seriously this rate is certain to drop even more) Buddhist tourism will boom. Looking forward to seeing more Sri Lankan tourists in the years to come

https://defence.pk/threads/bhutan’s-monks-worship-at-mingora-monastery.430997/

 

[khanz]

We need to build a world class main country museum to house and protect all our ancient heritage as well as attract tourists.We should copy UK in this regard London gets so many tourists and major part of the attraction is the museums.We need a pakistani version of british museum.