Buddhist monks perform first rain retreat at Taxila Museum

A delegation of Thai monks offered first Kathina—a Buddhist festival that comes at the end of the three-month rainy season retreat—at Taxila Museum on Wednesday.

Chief Buddhist Monk of Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand Most Venerable Arayawangso performed the ceremony. Envoys of Thailand, Indonesia, Sir Lanka, Myanmar and diplomats of various ASEAN countries based in Islamabad besides Secretary Tourism Punjab Ayisa Gull were also present at the religious event.

Speaking on the occasion, the Thai ambassador said that Pakistan is a peaceful country where followers of all religions have complete freedom to perform their rituals.

Thailand's Chief Monk Somdet Phra Ariyavangsagatayana was staying at the Taxila Museum for the past three months as part of the rain retreat which is Buddhist religious ritual that begins in the rainy season. The closing ceremony of these rituals was held at Taxila Museum and the event was organised by Punjab Tourism Department.

Around 150 monks from Thailand, Nepal, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, ambassadors of Thailand, Nepal, Myanmar, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam posted in Islamabad and a large number of domestic and foreign guests participated in the ceremony.

The Ambassador of Thailand, while speaking to The Express Tribune, said that today's ceremony at Taxila Museum was not only for Buddhists, but it sent a message to the world on behalf of Pakistan that Pakistan is a peaceful country and religious rituals are open to people of all religions. Organising such events will not only promote tourism at the national level but also promote international tourism.

The Buddhist archeology in Taxila is not only very important for Buddhists but also attracts historians and tourists, he said, adding that the Thai chief monk spent three months here. Now we can tell the world how hospitable and friendly Pakistani people are."

Talking to The Express Tribune, the ambassador of Indonesia said that especially Taxila district is the centre of Buddhist places of worship, but Siddhartha, the founder of Buddhism, also made this area his abode. Therefore, there are still many sacred monasteries and remains of stupas here. He added it is encouraging to see that the government of Pakistan and the Department of Archeology not only took measures to protect and restore them." We will organise an event for Buddhists living in Indonesia to pay religious rites in Pakistan with the support of the Pakistani Embassy in Indonesia. Such events are not only important milestones in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, but also help improve trade between the two countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 13^th, 2022.