Monks seek better services at Buddhist religious sites
Say larger number of visitors expected in coming years
Thailand’s Chief Monk Arayawangs talks about the importance of the Bahmala Stuppa and also meditates at the site. PHOTOS EXPRESS
HARIPUR:
The Chief Monk of Thailand Arayawangso, currently in Pakistan with a nine-member delegation from Thailand visited Bhamalah Stuppa in Khanpur to perform their rituals and special prayers for the peace and prosperity of the region.
Led by chief monk, they also performed religious rituals at the Haripur district on Friday.
While talking to the media at the religious sites of Haripur district, chief monk said several Buddhist religious sites were located in the province.
They said that performing rituals at the oldest Buddhist sites gave them religious solace besides developing a connection with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The delegation chief has also appreciated the preservation of the various religious sites in the province, preserving relics at Peshawar Museum and Takht Bahi.
Performing rituals at Bahamala Stupa the delegation expressed gratitude for the Pakistani government for promoting religious tourism in the country especially in K-P.
They lauded the government measures supporting and allocating funds for the preservation of the Buddhist religious sites throughout the country, which was welcome and warming for the Buddhist followers around the world.
He said the Buddhist pilgrims were accorded warm welcome here which was an encouraging gesture for many countries, individuals and organisations to visit Pakistan in a friendly environment.
The Chief Monk said, "The visiting monks have great spiritual association with the holy sites, meditation touches their hearts and this tenderness and hospitality will surely force them to spread the good words about Pakistan across the globe."
He also asked the authorities concerned to improve public services at the site as it was an "attractive and forceful" venue for the future meditation which could host a large number of religious tourists from various countries.
Arayawangso said he would speak with the representatives of around 30 countries, having Buddhist population, about their sacred sites in Pakistan and believed that it would help increase monk influx to the country.
There were over 2,000 Buddhist holy places in the province. The federal and provincial governments provide ample funds for preserving these relics.
While interacting with The Express Tribune an official of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums Nawazuddin said: “We have unique religious sites. People have full freedom to practice their religion.”
The K-P government has taken special steps to promote interfaith harmony with tourism, which is clear evidence of the safety of 2,000 holy places, Nawazuddin said.
K-P Archeology Director Dr Abdul Samad told the delegation that there are more than 2,000 Buddhist holy sites in the province where research is being carried out. To preserve these archaeological sites in the province, the government has evolved a comprehensive policy and allocated a billion rupees.
“The followers of Buddhism will find a treasure trove of Buddhist statues and heritage sites after thorough research about and revival of these sites,” the official told the delegation.
Dr Samad said that the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) had declared the Takht Bhai ruins a world heritage site in 1980.
He added that it was a good thing that Buddhist leaders are visiting the province since it will promote religious harmony and religious tourism.
“By promoting religious tourism, we will send a message to the world that Pakistanis respect other religions and wish for peace,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 2nd, 2019.
The Chief Monk of Thailand Arayawangso, currently in Pakistan with a nine-member delegation from Thailand visited Bhamalah Stuppa in Khanpur to perform their rituals and special prayers for the peace and prosperity of the region.
Led by chief monk, they also performed religious rituals at the Haripur district on Friday.
While talking to the media at the religious sites of Haripur district, chief monk said several Buddhist religious sites were located in the province.
They said that performing rituals at the oldest Buddhist sites gave them religious solace besides developing a connection with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The delegation chief has also appreciated the preservation of the various religious sites in the province, preserving relics at Peshawar Museum and Takht Bahi.
Performing rituals at Bahamala Stupa the delegation expressed gratitude for the Pakistani government for promoting religious tourism in the country especially in K-P.
They lauded the government measures supporting and allocating funds for the preservation of the Buddhist religious sites throughout the country, which was welcome and warming for the Buddhist followers around the world.
He said the Buddhist pilgrims were accorded warm welcome here which was an encouraging gesture for many countries, individuals and organisations to visit Pakistan in a friendly environment.
The Chief Monk said, "The visiting monks have great spiritual association with the holy sites, meditation touches their hearts and this tenderness and hospitality will surely force them to spread the good words about Pakistan across the globe."
He also asked the authorities concerned to improve public services at the site as it was an "attractive and forceful" venue for the future meditation which could host a large number of religious tourists from various countries.
Arayawangso said he would speak with the representatives of around 30 countries, having Buddhist population, about their sacred sites in Pakistan and believed that it would help increase monk influx to the country.
There were over 2,000 Buddhist holy places in the province. The federal and provincial governments provide ample funds for preserving these relics.
While interacting with The Express Tribune an official of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums Nawazuddin said: “We have unique religious sites. People have full freedom to practice their religion.”
The K-P government has taken special steps to promote interfaith harmony with tourism, which is clear evidence of the safety of 2,000 holy places, Nawazuddin said.
K-P Archeology Director Dr Abdul Samad told the delegation that there are more than 2,000 Buddhist holy sites in the province where research is being carried out. To preserve these archaeological sites in the province, the government has evolved a comprehensive policy and allocated a billion rupees.
“The followers of Buddhism will find a treasure trove of Buddhist statues and heritage sites after thorough research about and revival of these sites,” the official told the delegation.
Dr Samad said that the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) had declared the Takht Bhai ruins a world heritage site in 1980.
He added that it was a good thing that Buddhist leaders are visiting the province since it will promote religious harmony and religious tourism.
“By promoting religious tourism, we will send a message to the world that Pakistanis respect other religions and wish for peace,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 2nd, 2019.