Pakistani government handed over the Holy Relics of LORD BUDDHA to Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Religious and Political Leaders hail arrival of Holy Relics from Pakistan’s Gandhara Region Holy Relics of LORD BUDDHA would be exhibited on the occasion of Vesakh Festival from 21st May to 30th June, all over Sri Lanka
By.Asghar Ali Mubarak
Islamabad /Colombo–The Pakistani government handed over the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka, where they would be exhibited on the occasion of Vesakh Festival from 21st May to 30th June, all over Sri Lanka. Mean while the 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. Earlier on other day the Advisor to Pakistani Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddiqui on behalf of Pakistan government handed over the Holy Relics to Sri Lankan Minister for Sustainable Development and Wildlife, Mr. Gamini Jayawickrama Perera here at Taxila Museum.The most sacred relics include two holy bone relics of Lord Buddha, a golden Casket which contains the holy relics and a stone reliquary in stupa shape. 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 ancient 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. Earlier on other day the Advisor to Pakistani Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddiqui on behalf of Pakistan government handed over the Holy Relics to Sri Lankan Minister for Sustainable Development and Wildlife, Mr. Gamini Jayawickrama Perera here at Taxila Museum.Chief Incumbent Nalandramaya, Nugegoda Ven ThiniWala Palitha Thero, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Pakistan Maj. Gen (R) C.P. Lokuketagodage, Secretary Ministry of Buddhasasana Wasanatha Ekanayae, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Gen. (R) Shakeel and Secretary National History and Literary Heritage S. Mohsin Haqqani, Joint Secretary NH&LH Mashood Mirza and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.Speaking on the occasion Advisor to Prime Minister said that “today we are here to renew our deep rooted cultural relations by sending an exhibition of the Holy relics of Lord Budha to Siri Lanka coinciding with the upcoming Vesak festival from May 19 to June 30 at different venues in Sri Lanka for the devotees,”. He said that the exhibition is the outcome of the visit of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to Sri Lanka from January 4 to 6, 2016, wherein he offered to send the Holy relics of Lord Budha to Siri Lanka on regular basis.He said that there has been an active and persistent cooperation between the government of Pakistan and the Government of Sri Lanka in the field of Art and Culture. Mr.Irfan Siddiqui said that the government of Pakistan has sent a number of such exhibitions of Ghandhara objects to Sri Lanka in the past. He said that “We are sending three Holy relics of Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka, which includes a stone reliquary in stupa shape, golden casket and two fragments of bones from the collection of the Taxila Museum.”He said that government of Pakistan has specially invited a 50 member’s delegation comprising of Buddhist Monks and pilgrims from Sri Lanka to Pakistan from May 29 to June 1, 2016, for celebrating the Vesakh Festival in Pakistan.Culture Minister Sri Lanka Gamini Jayawickrama Perera thanked the government of Pakistan for sending the Holy relics. He said that the thousands of people from across Sri Lanka would pay homage to the relics during religious rituals. He said that Sri Lanka gives high importance to its relation with Pakistan. He said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka are enjoying very friendly and cordial relations.In order to be part of the most important annual Vesakh Buddhist Festival falling on May 21, the government of Pakistan is providing the most sacred bone relics of Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka for exposition throughout the country. The exposition is being organized on the request of the Sri Lankan government under the bilateral cooperation agreement in the field of Culture.The relics will be arriving in Sri Lanka for an extended period on the auspicious day of Vesak on May 21, 2016 and will be exhibited until Full Moon Poson Poya Day.The exhibition will further strengthen the already existing deep rooted cultural relations between the two friendly nations.
