'Knowledge should be transmitted to the new generation for peace and prosperity'

By TRN Online, Islamabad (Pakistan), May 30: Scholars of Buddhist heritage and Buddhist traditionalists have agreed that while protecting the common heritage related to Buddha, his knowledge should be transmitted to the new generation for peace and prosperity.

 The agreement was expressed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan at a two-day international conference on Tuesday and Wednesday under the title of Gandhara to the World.

According to the press release of the embassy of Nepal in Islamabad, Pakistan, Gandhara Buddhist tradition is considered to be the birthplace of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. The ancient University of Taxila, now known as Taxila, was also located in this area.

While developing the Buddhist tradition and looking for a new dimension of peace and prosperity, the expert has also emphasized on the operation of the integrated circuit of the ancient Buddhist heritage in South Asian and other countries. It is believed that the connection between Lumbini and Gandhara, the birthplace of Buddha in Nepal, will be a combination of other Buddhist heritages.

Gandhara's Buddhist heritage is also a gateway to establishing relations with Europe and China. Gandhara is characterized by Buddhist sculpture of the ancient Silk Road and Griselli tradition. It is believed that the first statue of Gaitam Buddha was carved in this area and the Buddhist idol tradition was also developed.

“That is why the world is interested in it. We should package all these things and give them to the world” said Nadim Omar Tarar, a senior researcher at the University of Texas, Austin.

Minister of Religious Affairs and Internal Harmony of Pakistan Chaudhary Salik Hussain, said that there is a problem of extremism in any religion or sect, and expressed the opinion that it should be reduced and worked on the basis of harmony and coexistence. He also said that Pakistan is ready to make an action plan for that.

Acting Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Mariam Madina Aftab said that Gandhara is a place of strategic civilization development for the establishment of inter-cultural relations and that the conference was organized with the aim of protecting and promoting it in the world community.

Sri Lanka's Minister of Buddhist Governance, Religious Affairs and Culture, Viduravikram Naike, called for an integrated work zone for the integrated development of Buddhist heritage and its transfer to future generations. He suggested that work should be done on the basis of past, present and future.

Senior monk of the Buddhist Association of Thailand. Anil Shakya suggested that in order to protect and promote the Buddhist tradition, the first thing to do is to end the politics involved in it. He said that the name of Pakistan is a holy place, and by reviving the Gandhara civilization, it can be given access to the world community through the Silk Road and Uttara Path.

Professor Sakirullah Khan, chairman of the Department of Archeology of Hazara University of Pakistan, said that not only Gandhara, but all the places of Pakistan have Buddhist heritage, but all of them have not been studied, researched, excavated and preserved.

Abhikrit Zahoor Durrani, chief executive officer of Youth Tourism Development Network, said that Pakistan Airlines, the national flag carrier, should take special initiatives for the development of this region by resuming direct air services to Buddhist countries.

Interaction at the Nepali Embassy

The Nepali Embassy in Islamabad organized an interaction with the delegation that came to the conference and the Nepali community in Pakistan. At the conference venue, the Nepali Embassy has also set up a stall to reflect Nepal's Buddhist heritage and Buddhist traditions.

On that occasion, Tapas Adhikari, Ambassador of Nepal to Pakistan, said that the respective countries can benefit through tourism if integrated development of Buddhist heritage sites is done. He said that it would be good if direct air service could be started between Nepal and Pakistan for that.

Former minister and head of the Nepali delegation Dr. Keshavman Shakya said that it is necessary to educate the new generation based on the important stages of Buddha's life and Buddhist thought.

In addition to Shakya, Omcharan Amatya, monk Dr. Sunandha Mahasthavir is among others.