Onward

By Arayawangso Bhikku 71

A Signal from the Sound of
Dhamma Peace… from Taxila, Pakistan

(Chapter 3)

Blessing to devout Buddhists,

My visit to the land of World Heritage Buddhist
civilisation in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan from 28th October
to 2nd November 2019 provided me, as a Buddhist monk, with
the most valuable spiritual experience. It can be seen clearly
that Buddhist civilisation continued to flourish even long after
the Lord Buddha had entered Parinibbana (passed away). This
was especially so during the time of the Kushan Empire in the
ancient Gandhara Kingdom - with its capital city Purushapura
or today’s Peshawar in Pakistan.

On 30th October 2019, the Bell of Peace Ringing Ceremony
was held at the Peshawar Museum, in the presence of the media.
This was broadcast worldwide, allowing people to witness my
prayer for the Dhamma power and peace for humanity: that it
was taking place on the World Heritage Buddhist civilisation
site in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan right there and then.
The Director of Archeology and Museums of KP (Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa) also took part in the ceremony.

On 31st October 2019, another Bell of Peace from Thailand
was beautifully installed in Taxila, ancient Gandhara Kingdom,

72 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

as a Dhamma chetiya, worthy of the World Heritage site of
Buddhist civilisation in Jambudvīpa. The ceremony to ring this
Bell of Peace took place on the ground of the ancient Taxila
University, in the presence of diplomatic representatives from
Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and
Brunei Darussalam. An atmosphere of peace could be felt as I,
together with Mr. Raj Taimoor Khan Bhatti, Provincial Minister
for Youth Affairs, Sports, Archaeology and Tourism of Punjab
and the diplomatic corps, took part in ringing it - to generate
the unified power of Dhamma Peace through the spiritual
connections of those who mutually seek peace and happiness.
This new dimension of diplomacy emerged from World Heritage
civilisation connections. H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, said “…Dhamma Diplomacy has
now taken place in the land of Pakistan through the initiative of
Thailand and in coordination with Pakistan and many countries.
This event is worth continuing - for the happiness of humankind
regardless of their different religious belief…”

Prior to ringing the Bell of Peace in front of the diplomatic
corps, media and Pakistani high-level authorities, I announced
the Declaration of Dhamma Power, the essence of which is as
follows:

“…Now is the auspicious time to send the signal from

the Bell of Peace to the mind and spirit of all beings from
different realms and to all humanity. Let’s unite our minds with
loving-kindness, right view and right intention in line with the
Ultimate Truth for the peace and happiness of all beings. I now

By Arayawangso Bhikku 73

declare that the signal from the sound of the Bell of Peace,
for peace and happiness of all humankind and for peace in

this world, be sent out forthwith…”. While ringing the Bell of

Peace five times, I was spreading loving-kindness, one of the
four noble abidings of the heart and mind (Brahmavihara)
which is also a universal quality, for the happiness of mankind
and all sentient beings.


With Metta,
Arayawangso Bhikku

74 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan
Visit to Taxila, ancient centre of learing in Gandhara, for the Second
Ringing Ceremony of the Bell of Peace at Taxila Museum
on 31st October 2019

Mr.Raj Taimoor Khan Bhakti Provincial
Minister of Punjab for Youth Affairs,
Sports, Archeology, and Tourism, wel-
coming MV Arayawangso accompanied
by the Ambassador of Thailand and Thai
delegation.

MV Arayawangso pronouncing the
Declaration of Dhamma Power and the
historicof the Peace Bell.

Photo taken by a cameraman from the
Punjabi Minister's Office.

By Arayawangso Bhikku 75

Ambassadors and representatives of ASEAN countries
in Pakistan and Mrs Sabina Mehtab, Director-General
of the Asia and Pacific Department of Pakistani MFA

76 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

By Arayawangso Bhikku 77

MV Arayawangso sending a strong concluding
message of encouragement to the government
and people of Pakistan in the presence of
ASEAN diplomatic representatives and the
media.

78 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

By Arayawangso Bhikku 79

A Signal from the Sound of
Dhamma Peace… from Taxila, Pakistan

(Chapter 4)

Blessing to devout Buddhists,

Laying the foundation for Buddhist practice on the Ten
Wholesome Course of Action is something very profound in
Buddhism. That one needs to have confidence in Kamma-
niyàma (Law of action and consequence) in order to acquire
deeper Dhamma knowledge of Dhammaniyàma (natural law)
is described in the four types of faith. These are: faith in action
(kamma) in accordance with the law of action; faith in the
consequence of action; faith in the individual ownership of
action; and faith in the Enlightenment of the Buddha.

Faith in the law of action leads to learning and practicing
– so that one can live a life endowed with morality, integrity and
ethics. This allows us freedom to bring peace to ourselves and
to those who seek peace. As mentioned earlier in my writing
after my return from Pakistan, “Freedom is the ultimate desire
of all beings in every realm. The loss of spiritual freedom leads
to the loss of conscience inherent in human beings. They should
take responsibility for their thinking, speech and action - in
accordance with morality, ethics and integrity …”

80 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

On 31st October 2019, following the ceremony to ring the
Bell of Peace at Taxila Museum, Buddhist World Heritage site in
Gandhara Kingdom (now in Punjab, Pakistan), I gave a message
from the hearts of Buddhists to the Government and people
of Pakistan. This was done in the presence of the media, the
diplomatic corps, the Provincial Minister of Punjab for Youth
Affairs, Sports,Archaeology andTourism and high-level Pakistani
authorities. The message was:

“My Dhamma mission and Dhamma practice, at the

ancient sites of Buddhist World Heritage, has been fully
accomplished, in every possible way. Photos, news, and words
that have been widely disseminated to the global community,
through social media, have wonderfully received a great deal of
interest and response, with questions and opinions, particularly
from Buddhists. Significantly, people have now been assured
that traveling to Pakistan for whatever purpose – study tour,
vacation, and religious pilgrimage, is completely safe. They will
face no danger nor harm in any way. I am confident that, from
now on, Buddhists around the world will be looking forward to
visiting this beautiful country of Pakistan.

The issue is how the Government of Pakistan and its people
will get their country ready to receive the influx of international
tourists and make the most of the potential benefits. India and
Nepal, for example, have generated large revenues each year,
so much so that they have made it a key national policy to promote
religious and cultural tourism. So, I leave this message to the
Pakistan Government and its peace- loving, friendly people to

By Arayawangso Bhikku 81

plan and coordinate this important task.
Finally, I have the following suggestions to my friends
in Pakistan:

1) Focus your mind on loving-kindness and send it to
all fellow humankind, your visitors.

2) Be ready with your words of loving-kindness, to give
to everyone who comes to your homeland; treat them as friends
and relatives.

3) Focus your mind on loving-kindness and compassion
and lend support to all mankind with sincerity,

4) Know how to give and to share what you have – think
of more than selling and making profit. By doing this you will
gain much more than you had hoped for.

5) Have respect for persons with morality who perform
good deeds and have the right thought, which is not opposed to
the TRUTH (saccadhamma), regardless of their religion.

I hope that you will accept these words which come from
true love within my heart and soul that I have for the people of
Pakistan and for all of mankind.

May every one of you be blessed with peace and

happiness …”


With Metta,

Arayawangso Bhikku

82 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

MV Arayawangso performed religious activities at Dhamma Rajika Stupa in
Taxila, ancient Gandhara Kingdom, on 31st October 2019, by paying homage to

the sacred site built by King Ashnoka the Great to house the Buddha’s Relics.

By Arayawangso Bhikku 83

84 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

The Sound of Dhamma Peace…
from Dr.Tetsu

Blessing to devout Buddhists,

I was writing about my visit to the land of World
Heritage Buddhist civilisation in the Islamic Republic of
Pakistan, both in Taxila and Peshawar or Purushapura of the
ancient Kushan Empire, to recount the ringing ceremonies of
the Bells of Peace. They were installed as Dhamma Chetiya in
the Museums of Taxila and Peshawar, witnessed by members
of the diplomatic corps, high ranking Pakistani government
representatives, and the mass media in Pakistan on 30th - 31st
October 2019.

When on 4th December 2019, a tragic news struck all the
world’s peace-loving people : unidentified terrorist gunmen
had assassinated Dr. Tetsu Nakamura and his aids. He died at
Jalalabad airport in Afghanistan next to Khyber Pass in Pakistan
territory, connecting to Peshawar in Pakistan.

I later learned that in 1984 Dr. Tetsu had traveled
from Japan to Peshawar in the north of Pakistan as a medical
volunteer to care for patients. At the time, Peshawar and Swat
were suffering from many hardships due to the lack of resources
and medical supplies. Peshawar had a small 16 bed hospital
to accommodate thousands of patients. Dr. Tetsu appealed for

By Arayawangso Bhikku 85

financial contributions from Japanese people and set up Peace
Japan Medical Service - to provide health services for Pakistan
and Afghanistan refugees who fled from the Soviet- Afghan War.
As the war became more intense, the help eventually extended
into Afgahistan. A hospital in Nangarhar Province in Jalalabad
was set up.

With his virtuous heart, Dr. Tetsu set up a project to provide
clean water by building wells and an irrigation canal to bring
adequate water supplies to the local people. The irrigation project
was completed in 2014. It provides irrigated water from Kunar
River covering water supplies for 60,000 acres of land. The strong
current of Kunar River which flows into the steep of the mountain
helped turn the dry, desert land into a lush, green and abundant
agricultural land with rice fields and fruit garden. Both the
government and the Taliban hailed Dr. Tetsu for his dedication
to improve the lives of Afghan people.

Dr. Tetsu also received much international recognition
for his dedicated work for the development and well-being of
the public which reflected his Tendai Buddhism philosophy,
“Ichigu Wo Terasu,” meaning “Light up your own corner and
radiate it to the world.”

Therefore, on this occasion, I wish to pay tribute to
Dr. Tetsu Nakamura for his virtuous deeds. May the power of
Dhamma accumulated from my good deeds - installing the Bell
of Peace, now a Dhamma Chetiya, in Peshawar and Taxila,
the land of Buddhist civilisation, on which is inscribed the heart

86 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

of the Dhamma - bring release to Dr. Tetsu’s patisandhi citta
(relinking consciousness) from this world forever.

As for me, I will have more opportunities to travel to
Peshawar again - to cooperate with the archeological unit of
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This has to do with the restoration
of the Gandharan art, a 15-meter-long Parinibbana Buddha
image - the longest ever discovered and excavated from a
Buddhist World Heritage site in Pakistan. I will also have to
liaise with the authorities in Taxila on matters concerning the
building of a meditation hall to welcome pilgrims from all over
the world.

These projects must continue with firm confidence in
the power of Dhamma Peace inscribed on the Bells of Peace
with the heart of the Buddhist teachings: to abstain from all evils,
to cultivate wholesomeness and to purify one’s mind. These are
the teachings of all Buddhas for peacefulness of humanity.
With confidence in the Truth that the “Dhamma will protect
those who practice it”, all the plans will certainly continue
whether in Pakistan or Afghanistan.


With Metta,

Arayawangso Bhikku

By Arayawangso Bhikku 87
On 1st November 2019, visit to Buddhist World Heritage Site

of Bhamala in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

With Dr.Abdul Samad, Director of
Acheologyand Museums of Khyber

Pakhtuankhwa

MV Arayawangso paid respect to the
15 metre Parinibbana Buddha statne

88 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

By Arayawangso Bhikku 89

90 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

By Arayawangso Bhikku 91

Capturing the historic moment on the occasion of
"Ringing the Bell of Peace", at Taxila, former Gandhara
Kingdom, Jambudvipa

The following experience is related by a news photogra-
pher who took pictures while standing among the large group
of Pakistan media related the story behind the historic moment
of taking the photos displaying the “Powerful Light of Peace”,
following the solemn Determination and the Declaration of
Dhamma Power for peace and happiness of humanity,
particularly the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“...I was taking photo with my regular professional
camera and saw nothing out of the ordinary through the lens.
But after a while, when M.V. Arayawangso began his
Declaration of Dhamma Peace, to spread the power of
Dhamma to humankind, I noticed a truly unusual phenomenon,
in the form of a white beam of light, appearing like a bright ray
streaming down from above, near the peace bell.

I did not give it much interest at first because my focus
was on M.V. Arayawangso, who was making the declaration
with his firm and strong voice, like a King giving command to
his grand army.

But then, the beam of light (see the first picture) continued
its presence, and became even clearer, slowly moving towards
the Bell of Peace and M.V. Arayawangso who is standing right
next to the bell, making his Declaration of Dhamma Peace.

92 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

I thought to myself: “What is going on here? Where does
the light come from? Is this any kind of Dhamma condition
appearing right before my eyes?

Meanwhile, the light beam kept on moving, slowly, until
it appeared as the white block of light, clearly and miraculously
enveloping the body of M.V. Arayawangso.

Afterward when I zoomed in/enlarged the photo, it did
indeed displayed the powerful and purified white light,
especially the moment when that white beam was covering the
body of M.V. Arayawangso.

Now I have no doubt in the power of Dhamma and fully
understand why the Pakistan Team is extremely keen on offering
their invitation specifically to M.V. Arayawangso of Thailand,
the Buddhist monk known as 'Guruji' among his Indian disciples
and 'Janglao' among the Chinese, both monks and his followers.

I pay my homage to the Dhamma Power as exist in the
world that today made its majestic appearance over Taxila,
former Gandhara Kingdom.


Taxila, Pakistan

31 October 2562 BE

By Arayawangso Bhikku 93

94 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

Impressions from my Trip to Pakistan
with Venerable Arayawangso

(Phra Kru Bhavanaviriyawatana)

When Phra Ajahn Arayawangso invited me to join him
and his party on a visit to Pakistan, I happily said “Yes”. I had
heard a lot about Taxila and the Gandharan Buddhist art, but
had been hesitating from taking a trip there due to negative
reports about security problems.
After 4 full days spent in the country, I came to real-
ise the true importance of Pakistan as a cradle of Buddhist
civilisation, a place where Buddhism once flourished until
a thousand years or so ago. Even today, one can still see
impressive ruins of Buddhist temples and stupas in many parts
of the country. To be able to see and actually feel the sacred
atmosphere in Buddhist World Heritage sites we visited on this
trip, has strengthened my faith in Lord Buddha that will forever
remain with me.
Phra Ajahn Arayawangso wrote in his column “Looking
at the World through Dhamma (Dhamma Song Loke)” in the
Bangkokbiznews dated 10th November 2019, that he had accepted
the invitation to visit Pakistan this time with the following
objective:

Phra Ajahn, Respected Teacher a reverential term to addness a monle who teacher
Dhamma

By Arayawangso Bhikku 95

“to create religious ties through Buddhist World
Heritage in Pakistan. Buddhist countries can be linked
constructively to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan as they
share the same objective of developing these World Heritage
sites for the common interest of mankind.”

It is most gratifying for me to say that this visit has
achieved its purpose of laying the foundation for inter-faith
cooperation based on spiritual understanding and respect as
well as of initiating joint efforts in restoring and reviving
Buddhist World Heritage, including the Parinibbana Buddha
statue of Bhamala.

Forging Spiritual Connection through Buddhist World
Heritage Sites

After official meetings in Islamabad, Phra Ajahn
Arayawangso and his party went on a tour to 3 impressive
Buddhist World Heritage sites. The first was the Takht-i-
Bahi monastery in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, located on
a small hill. The complex seemed to be well restored and
maintained in spite of its being nearly 2000 years old. This
shows that the Pakistani authorities and the local people
recognise and appreciate the precious heritage, left by their
ancestors some twenty centuries ago, at least as historical
development projects for their communities.

The monastery has areas where in the past monks used
for meditation practice, with 2 large quadrangles surrounded
by small cells. Phra Ajahn Arayawangso was quietly walking in
contemplation on one quadrangle before entering a small cell

96 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

nearby. I walked up the stairs on the opposite side while all
around were members of the Press and cameramen.Alot of them!

But…there was stillness everywhere…quiet and peaceful.
Every one’s attention seemed to be fixed on the lone Thai monk
sitting in his cell.

I felt spiritually blissful, overwhelmed with deep emotions
just by looking at the still figure. Many present could surely feel
a spiritual oneness with him. Photos and videos of him sitting
and walking were widely disseminated in the media (in the
aftermath) about this event. The Tourism authorities of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa later put the photo of his walking meditation
on the cover of its 2020 New Year Calendar.

We later visited the Dhamma Rajika Stupa in Punjab,
where Buddha’s relics were once placed. We were quite alone
there. PhraAjahnArayawangso went up to meditate on the second
level pathway while the rest of us scattered down below. The
atmosphere felt special and sacred as if each of us were sitting
in solitude. Hopefully I might have another opportunity to revisit
this holy place as the Punjabi authority had a plan to provide
a place for meditation to attract Buddhists to go there and
sought Venerable Arayawangso’s advice on this. I was glad
that he had agreed to assist in providing a concept drawing of
a meditaion hall for future discussions.

Since I referred to the Buddha’s relics, I should also
mention how blessed we were to have seen the relics brought
from Dhamma Rajika and kept on display at the Taxila Museum.
It was an unexpected occasion that brought much gratification

By Arayawangso Bhikku 97

to all. Phra Ajahn Arayawangso, the Thai and Myanmar
Ambassadors were invited into the Museum Director’s office.
We, of course, followed. The 2 small Tooth relics were brought
in on a tray and given to Phra Ajahn, and as he started to
chant in homage of Lord Buddha, I was overwhelmed with
untold bliss and tears of joy! Why this sudden and unprecedented
emotional experience? Was it because I had not been able to pay
respect to the Lord Buddha’s relics so closely before? Or was
it triggered by the chant that was uttered with such powerful
faith and devotion?

(As a footnote, allow me to comment that the relics were
placed in a small golden container and put on display in the
exhibition room together with other small treasures. In a way,
this is good and safe. But for me, a Buddhist, I felt a bit
saddened and wished they would have been displayed in a
more appropriate setting.)

The last Buddhist site we visited was a temple in Bhamala.
It was a bit difficult to access. Dr Abdul Samad, Director of
Archeology and Museums of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, escorted
the delegation there. Here the temple was tiny but beautiful
all the same. There was also a low hill where Dr Samad took
Phra Ajahn Arayawangso up to see the view of the stupa and
a covered hall, housing the Parinibbana Buddha statue which
was discovered and excavated by Dr Samad himself a few
years ago.

98 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

When I first went inside the hall and saw the reclining
Buddha statue, I was rather shocked and saddened to see only
a long brick structure. Actually, I should not have felt that way
as the statue was almost 2000 years old. It must have been a
beautiful and grand statue then, judging from graceful traces
of what remained of Lord Buddha’s robe. Although time has
eroded it on the outside, this ancient statue has always remained
sacred enough to be venerated by the faithful. For this reason,
I wish to say Anumodhana to Phra Ajahn forhaving accepted
the request from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, through
Dr.Abdul Samad, for his collaboration in the restoration of this
statue.

A few days ago, as I was looking at a photograph of
Phra Ajahn Arayawangso and Dr. Samad, taken on the hill, I saw
what we all want to see: Friendship and Peace. I saw a Muslim
man and a Buddhist monk having sincere, friendly and respectful
interactions as two human beings. Unfortunately, what could and
should happen easily and naturally like this, has become rare
and most difficult to achieve in the great divide of today’s world!

By Arayawangso Bhikku 99

Dhamma Diplomacy

It was gratifying for me, as a former diplomat, to observe
Phra Ajahn Arayawangso‘s diplomatic finesse during his 5 days
visit to Pakistan. His approach to this particular mission has
been accorded a new terminology by the Thai Foreign Minister,
Don Pramudwinai, as “Dhamma Diplomacy.” Phra Ajahn
Arayawangso used Dhamma as a means of forging bilateral ties
with Pakistan in order to attain the goal of his trip which is to
establish relationship and foster peaceful cooperation between
Buddhist and Muslim countries. He has, in fact, laid down a
new standard and procedure for developing bilateral relations
through spiritual connections or Dhamma; i.e. by forming ties
between Buddhism and Islam through Buddhist World
Heritage in this country. To show respect for the host country,
he purposely avoided using the word “religion” when discussing
the Buddhist World Heritage sites in Pakistan or when giving
interviews, focusing instead on the restoration initiatives and
other aspects of these Buddhist heritage sites.

Considering the various meetings scheduled with
important personalities in the Pakistani government, namely,
HE the President, the Minister for Religious and Inter-Faith
Harmony, the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, on behalf of
the Foreign Minister, and the Senior Minister for Tourism
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as the permission for the
installation and ringing of the Peace Bells, which is not a
tradition in Pakistan, this visit was surely taken seriously by
our hosts. In many instances, the Pakistani side expressed

100 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

confidence that PhraAjahn Arayawangso, as a Buddhist spiritual
leader, would be able to send out a Peace signal far and wide
opening the way for Buddhists from all over the world to visit
and meditate in ancient Buddhist sites with confidence. It is
something I am proud of, as a Thai and as Phra Ajahn’s
devotee, that his advice was sought, for example by the Senior
Minister of KP, in the restoration and development of these sites
in order to facilitate their use by Buddhist visitors. It shows that,
apart from having confidence in Phra Ajahn Arayawangso,
they are well meaning towards Buddhism and find Thai people
and Thailand trustworthy.

Ceremonies to ring the Bell of Peace

The installation of the Bells of Peace at the museums
in Peshawar and Taxila and their auspicious first ringing by
Phra Ajahn Arayawangso should be recorded in the annal of
Thai-Pakistani bilateral relations in that they symbolise a new
dimension of friendship, based on spiritual peace and harmony.

What impressed me the most about these historic events
were:

1. The inscriptions on the Peace Bells brought from
Thailand for this purpose are Dhamma words of fundamental
virtues of all mankind, sacred words of Universal Truth that can
bring about peace in this region of the world;

2. Prior to the ringing of the Bell in Taxila, amidst
diplomatic representatives, Punjabi Provincial Minister for
Youth, Sports, Archaeology and Tourism and members of the

By Arayawangso Bhikku 101

media, Phra Ajahn Arayawangso gave a moving speech on how
Dhamma Peace could be radiated from Pakistan to the rest of
the world. It was indeed a significantly courageous and sincere
act of a Buddhist monk in a Muslim country.

News coverage of the visit in Pakistan

It was interesting to note that the visit received a
significant amount of media coverage in Pakistan. Reports
in newspapers and social media of Phra Ajahn Arayawangso’s
daily activities and his interviews in both English and Urdu
were widely disseminated on television, national and local
newspapers as well as social media. This could be due to the
fact that, apart from being beneficial to Pakistan’s public image,
these activities were something novel for them! Moreover,
Phra Ajahn also gave a positive and encouraging outlook when
giving interviews, expressing his strong confidence that peace
would definitely return to Pakistan.

We were informed of the positive feedback on media
reports of our visit. The people of Pakistan seemed to be
particularly pleased that a delegation from Thailand, led by a
senior Buddhist monk, had visited their World Heritage sites.

Epilogue

I would like to end this article by expressing my gratitude
to Phra Ajahn Arayawangso for deciding to accept the invitation
to visit the land of ancient Buddhist civilisation at this time.
The visit has indeed achieved concrete results both in terms of

102 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

developing joint initiatives to restore Buddhist World Heritage
sites in Pakistan for visitors from all faiths to come and appreciate
and strengthening bilateral relations in general.
I firmly believe that the significance of the sound from
the Bells of Peace, as spelled out by Phra Ajahn Arayawangso,
will one day resonate throughout the world. His call for the
Universal Truth that exists naturally can and will surely be felt
spiritually by any human being who seeks peace.

Suchitra Hiranprueck
Former Ambassador of Thailand to the Netherlands

By Arayawangso Bhikku 103

104 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

By Arayawangso Bhikku 105

106 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

By Arayawangso Bhikku 107

108 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan