Onward

By Arayawangso Bhikku 21

disagreements. Traditional Buddhism was then regarded with
contempt as Hinayana (The Lesser Vehicle) at the time and
ultimately led to the end of Theravada Buddhism or Hinayana
in Jambudvīpa. After the 5th - 6th Century BE, Mahayana
Buddhism (The Greater Vehicle) continued to flourish. It
branched out into various sects, undergoing a reformation
in accordance with the political, religious and governmental
administration of the times. Many Buddhist philosophers and
sages of the era played a role in reforming Buddhism, resulting
in a reformed Dhamma or a Doctrine with a tumor. The story
of Asvaghosa was one such example. He came from the town
of Sakate, born to a Brahmin family and well-versed in the
Veda. In tradition with the learned class in those days, he went
around challenging various monks, priests, and hermits to
debates and questions on dhamma. He finally lost to a Buddhist
monk, Venerable Parasavathera. The condition of the debate
was that if Asvaghosa lost, he would agree to have his tongue
cut. Venerable Parasavathera mercifully advised Asvaghosa to
be ordained instead, so that he would not have to cut his tongue
off. Asvaghosa agreed.

Having entered monkhood, as a natural thinker, writer,
and researcher, he mastered the Dhamma Vinaya thoroughly.
Compared to religious study in Thailand today, he would,
no doubt, have attained the ninth level of Buddhist theology.
He would have masterful experiences in teaching, preaching,
and composing textbooks, adding his own thoughts and
understanding along the way, in the manner of worldly scholars.

22 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

Once ordained, Venerable Asvaghosa gained fame through his
preaching, with words cleverly coined into beautiful mantra,
delivered with his soft, tonal voice, attractively impressing upon
all who listened.

Asvaghosa’s life as a monk started in a rather peculiar
circumstance and carried on in a rather peculiar manner. One
could not call it “magical,” nor quite “so admirable.” Here is
the story of how he became associated with and respected by
King Kanishka the Great:

Once Asvaghosa entered monkhood, he stationed in
Pataliputra, Magadha Region, which was the centre of
Buddhism at the time. Magadha flourished to its zenith during
the reign of King Ashoka the Great. However, during the Sunga
Empire, Brahminism reasserted its influence over Buddhism
in this region once again. When King Kanishka the Great
ascended to the throne in 621 BE, the Kushan Kingdom
expanded from Gandhara Region down to the Ganges River
Valley into Magadha Kingdom. The war between the two
kingdoms thus began, ending in victory for King Kanishka the
Great of the Kushan Kingdom to rule over Magadha. The city of
Pataliputra had to pay war reparation with a tribute of up to three
‘kotas’ of gold. King Pataliputra offered many of the kingdom’s
precious treasures instead of gold, including the Lord Buddha’s
alms bowl and many other valuables. Yet, they were not enough
to be worth three kotas of gold. In the end, Venerable Asvaghosa
had to be included to satisfy King Kanishka.

By Arayawangso Bhikku 23

Asvaghosa or Venerable Asvaghosa was so much
admired by King Kanishka the Great that the latter accepted
the former as a war reparation tribute - on top of the invaluable
alms bowl of the Lord Buddha. This may seem far fetch and
unreasonable today, bordering on being incredible. But any
reasonable person, who study philosophy and the social context
of Jambudvīpa at that time, will be able to easily understand
that a person with great paramitas was worth more than any
sacred objects. Royal sages or those well versed in theology
were worth even more than all the jewels in the world.

There was a related story of deep dissatisfaction among
the courtiers on the acceptance of Venerable Asvaghosa as tribute
in lieu of a lot of gold. Venerable Asvaghosa had to prove his
worth by preaching the Dhamma. Seven horses were starved for
six days and, on the seventh day, brought to the gathering of the
courtiers and the large public. The King then invited Venerable
Asvaghosa to give a sermon to the gathering crowd, listening
also were the seven horses. While Venerable Asvaghosa was
delivering his sermon, King Kanishka had the grass brought to
the horses that had been starved for seven days. It happened
that those seven horses showed no interest in the grass but
gratefully stood there tearfully listening to the sermon. Venerable
Asvaghosa’s fame spread far and wide; even beastly creature
could deeply appreciate his Dhamma preaching.

Yet, what attracts me greatly is not the story of Venerable
Asvaghosa, but Lord Buddha’s alms bowl. The Chinese monk,
Fa Hien, recorded thus ...

24 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

“Lord Buddha’s alms bowl was kept in a stupa in
a temple in Purushpura. There were more than 700 monks in
this temple. Nearing noontime, the monks would bring the
Buddha’s alms bowl out. All monks and lay devotees would
wait in order to worship with various offerings. And in the
evening, Lord Buddha’s alms bowl would be brought out again
for fragrance offerings.

This alms bowl could contain just over two tonas. It had
many colours, but basically black, with seam which showed that
there were four overlays inside. It was bright, shiny, and clean
looking. When the poor put a few flowers into the bowl,
it became full immediately but regardless of hundreds and
thousands of flowers the rich put into the bowl, they could
never fill it ...”

Having made his offerings to the alms bowl, the Chinese
monk, Fa-Hien, travelled to Helo (now Hitta) - the place where
the ashes of Lord Buddha’s head were kept, in the west of
Peshawar (Purushpura of the Kushan Kingdom)…(to be
continued)

With Metta
Arayawangso Bhikku

By Arayawangso Bhikku 25

Official call on the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
on 29th October 2019

President Dr. Arif Alvi warmly welcomed MV Arayawangso
and his party for an exchange of views at the Presidential Office.

26 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

By Arayawangso Bhikku 27

The Long-Awaited Day…
Onwards to Gandhara

(Chapter 4)

Blessing to devout Buddhists,

Following from the last chapter, we had now reached
Peshawar (Purushapura) or Pesawur - as the Chinese monks
would call it. It was, in the reign of King Kanishka the Great,
capital of the Kushan Empire, encompassing vast areas including
Gandhara Kingdom and some other territories. Around the
6th century BE, Kanishka became Emperor of all Jambudvīpa.
He professed himself a Buddhist King, attended to the Sangha
and gave his support to the Fourth Buddhist Council in the
town of Chalandhorn (Kashmira), Gandhara Kingdom, as
mentioned earlier in this book.

My journey to Peshawar with my delegation, at the
invitation of the Pakistani Embassy in Thailand and the local
authorities in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is deemed highly
significant. We brought a Peace Bell to Peshawar, inscribed with
words of the True Dhamma, expressing the Heart of Dhamma
Peace that will lead to freedom by Dhamma. The Archaeology
and Museums Bureau of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has installed
the Bell of Peace on the front lawn of the Peshawar Museum.

28 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

On 30th October 2019 at 14.53 hrs, we were ready to
launch the Bell of Peace Ringing ceremony in the Land of
Buddhist civilisation of the past - to send a signal from the
sound of Dhamma Peace to mankind all over the world.
The inscriptions on the Bell are as follows:

First Inscription: Santi-Dhamma Sadda Saññā - A Signal
from the Sound of Dhamma Peace

Second Inscription: The Heart of Dhamma Peace
according to the natural law
1) Abstain from all evils
2) Cultivate wholesomeness
3) Purify one’s mind

Third Inscription: “May the power of Dhamma open
the peace door for all humanity now!!”

M.V. ARAYAWANGSO (Thailand)
30 October 2062 BE

The above inscriptions are engraved on the brass bell -
about half a metre in diameter and about one metre in height,
now installed as a Dhamma Chetiya at Peshawar Museum in
Pakistan. These words are the priceless Truth that Lord Buddha
gave to mankind, irrespective of nationalities or faiths. They

By Arayawangso Bhikku 29

reveal the natural law of all things – the sacred rules that
human kind needs to accept “ ….the way to peace is to follow
the Truth of the way things are. The suchness of things as they
are is the foundation of the Truth that brings peace and
happiness to the world.”

The Dhamma Chetiya therefore deserves to be returned
to the World Heritage site - for peace and happiness of mankind,
especially the peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan - so they
can be safeguarded from danger by unethical acts of some
groups of people.

On 30th October 2019, the front of Peshawar Museum
was crowded with mass media representatives. The Director of
Archeology and Museums who oversees the Buddhist World
Heritage sites in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (with artefacts from the
era of Gandhara Kingdom of the Kushan Empire) was in charge
of the Bell of Peace Ringing Ceremony, in the presence of
dignitaries and high-ranking officials of the Government of
Pakistan. It should be noted that this was the first time that such a
ceremony took place there. I was the first to ring the Bell - to
pray for the power of Dhamma which was well expounded
by Lord Buddha, to bring peace and harmony to people of all
races and faiths. May the light of Dhamma guide them to the
true Dhamma peace.

The ringing ritual of the Bell of Peace was performed
on two consecutive days.

30 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

On 31st October 2019, it was performed at Taxila
Museum, in the presence of members of the diplomatic corps
from 6 countries: Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Brunei,
Indonesia, and the Philippines. The representative from the
Pakistani side was the Provincial Minister of Punjab for Youth
Affairs, Sports, Archaeology and Tourism, whose jurisdiction
covers Taxila. A considerable number of members of the media
were also present to offer full coverage of the event - with
photos, audios, videos, and special interviews - and broadcast
it to Pakistan nationwide. The atmosphere of the Bell of Peace
Ringing Ceremony for peace of humanity was sacred and
solemn. Everybody, especially the members of the diplomatic
corps, showed full respect in unison.

The reverberation of the sound of the Bell of Peace is of
utmost importance, rarely happening in modern times - as it has
transmitted a signal for peace by means of Dhamma to people
worldwide. The purpose was to bring mankind back to the
boundary of peace by doing good deeds, refraining from all evils,
and developing the mind to attain wisdom. It was most gratifying
that the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and
the peace-loving Pakistani people have opened their country
to foster diplomatic relations with other countries through the
voice of Dhamma for peace. This reflects the bonds of nations
that share the same goal – to build peace and happiness for
humankind, the principle of all religions.

By Arayawangso Bhikku 31

Uncontradictory Dhamma principles —the Dhamma
principles that guide people of different faiths to harmony has
led to diplomacy through religions, as Foreign Minister, Don
Pramudwinai, coined it “Dhamma Diplomacy”. The smiles
and happiness were evident among members of the diplomatic
corps who attended the Ringing Ceremony of the Bell of Peace.
They attentively listened to the Dhamma Peace Declaration
that I announced as follows:

“…This is the sound of natural truth for the real peace of

humanity, that used to reverberate throughout this motherland
of spiritual connection for several thousand years, and is now
being revived.

The purpose of this journey from Suvarnabhumi to the
Islamic Republic of Pakistan is to continue the noble intention
of inviting Dhamma power to be enshrined once again on the
land of former Gandhara Kingdom.

This will create welfare and happiness to beings in all
planes of existence, particularly mankind, who should be
conscious of the signal from the sound of Dhamma for true
peace, by the power of spreading loving-kindness dhamma,
with love and support for real benefits and happiness of each
other.

Everyone here and every being in all the worlds now set
the mind to have loving-kindness for each other, to transform
into the signal of peace that extends to every plane of existence,

32 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

by contemplating loving-kindness dhamma at the centre of our
mind, and make a determination that:
May all beings be happy. May they be free from trouble
and oppression, suffering, disease and danger, and always
maintain themselves in happiness.
First ringing of the bell: sabbe satta avera hontu
May all beings be free from enmity
Second ringing of the bell: sabbe satta abyapajjha
hontu
May all beings be free from ill-treatment
Third ringing of the bell: sabbe satta anigha hontu
May all beings be free from trouble
Fourth ringing of the bell: sabbe satta sukhi attanam
pariharantu
May all beings look after themselves with ease
Fifth ringing of the bell: sabbe satta sada hontu avera
sukha-jivino
May all beings have be free from enmity and maintain
themselves in happiness
Katam punna-phalam mayham, sabbe bhagi bhavantu te
May all beings share in the blessings from the good deeds
I have done.

By Arayawangso Bhikku 33

Now is the auspicious moment to send the signal from the
Bell of Peace to the consciousness of living beings in all planes
of existence, particular to all of mankind.
We are now ready to gather our minds which are perfect
with loving-kindness dhamma, Right View and Right thought,
as proper with saccadhamma, for peace and happiness of all
beings, large and small.
The time has come to send a signal from the sound of the
bell of peace, for peace and welfare of all humanity, and true

peace for all the world. May it happen right now.”

With Metta,
Arayawangso Bhikku

34 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

Visit to World Bank Campus, Islamabad, on 29th October, 2019
At the Invitation of World Bank Pakistan, MV Arayawangso addressed
a meeting of senior officials of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistani government
and World Bank officers on his vision of future development of Buddhist World

Heritage sites.

Mr Illango Pachamuthu, World Bank Country MV Arayawangso with Mr Atif Khan, Senior
Director, gave a warm welcoming remark. Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Minister
of Tourism, Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs.

By Arayawangso Bhikku 35

36 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

The Long-awaited Day…
Onward to Gandhara

(Chapter 5)

Blessing to devout Buddhists,

It was my pleasure in the last Chapter to give an account
of the historic launching of the Bell of Peace at Peshawar
Museum in Peshawar or Purushapura of the ancient Kushan
Empire, now situated in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Notable for its extensive Buddhist archeological collection
dating back from the 4th – 7th centuries BE, Peshawar Museum
houses many thousands of Buddhist archeological objects
from the cradles of ancient civilisation, especially the items
related to the Fourth Buddhist Council convened in this Kushan
Empire, which Emperor Kanishka expanded to encompass the
whole of Gandhara together with Kashmir, Indus Valley, part
or present day Indian subcontinent from the Ganges Plain to
Pataliputra city, Magadha Kingdom.

In the year 643 BE, with his strong faith in Buddhism,
Kanishka invited Buddhist monks to his palace to deliver
sermons. However, Bhikkhus during that particular period
belonged to as many as 18 sects. The preached sermons, inevitably,
varied according to the concepts and styles of each sect, covering
both Buddhist principles professed by Lord Buddha himself,

By Arayawangso Bhikku 37

or Buddha’s words to be exact, and views on Buddhism, i.e.
different interpretations of exegetes or masters of respective
sects on Lord Buddha’s words, which caused confusion among
the audience, thus the chaos in the Buddhist circle during that
period. This, in fact, resembled the problematic situation leading
to the Third Buddhist Council during the reign of Emperor
Ashoka the Great of Magadha Kingdom. The Sangha at the
time was infiltrated by monks with heretical views, especially
brahmanic individuals who were attracted to the Sangha only
because of the offerings of food, clothing, shelter and medicine
by the Emperor and the Buddhist faithful.

With the infiltration into the Buddhist circle of non-
conformists as monks, the Sangha was tarnished by the
accompanying heretical philosophy or belief together with
different practices, resulting in the convening of the Third
Buddhist Council so as to rid the Sangha of the adulterated
individuals and doctrines. Consequently, the Kathāvatthu was
composed to identify what accounts were Buddha’s actual words
and those that were not.

As for the Fourth Buddhist Council in the reign of
Emperor Kanishka the Great, it was identified by the Theravada
School as a meeting of various Buddhist sects including
the Mahāsāṃghika school and the Theravada school, convened
in the Sarvastivada tradition – the reformed Theravada –
transforming itself somehow from the original Theravada
Buddhism for survival, as evident in the events occurred in the

38 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

reign of King Pushyamitra of Shunga Dynasty, a follower of
Hinduism.

The Fourth Buddhist Council was thus formed by the
Mahayana Buddhist monks with the participation of the
reformed Buddhist Theravadins, i.e. the Sarvāstivādin school,
at the initiation of Emperor Kanishka out of his concern as was
recorded as follows:

“Following the confusion caused after his encounters
with different versions of sermons on Buddhism offered by
Buddhist monks of various sects, Emperor Kanishka received
advice from Pārśva, a prominent Buddhist scholar monk of
the Sarvāstivādin school, that the Dhamma-Vinaya be sorted
out and put in order by learned and knowledgeable Bhikkhus.
Consequently, invitations were extended by Emperor Kanishka
the Great to learned Buddhist monks for this mission to maintain
Buddhism by means of preserving the actual and correct words
of Lord Buddha’s teachings.”

Eventually, 500 knowledgeable Bhikkhus were invited
to this conference at Kundalban in Kashmir of Kushan Empire
under the leadership of Venerable Pārśva (or perhaps Bhikkhu
Vasumitra according to some sources) aiming to prevent the
disappearance of the Dhamma-Vinaya and to eradicate the
disputes among the 18 sects of Buddhist monks. Venerable
Aśvaghoṣa was appointed deputy president of the Council of
500 arahants. (Somehow similar to the First Buddhist Council
also with the presence of 500 arahants)

By Arayawangso Bhikku 39

A notable important outcome arising from the Fourth
Buddhist Council was the use of the language of Sanskrit in
inscribing the Dhamma-Vinaya into the Abhidhamma Piṭaka.
As a matter of fact, Emperor Kanishka ordered that the
inscriptions be engraved onto copper plates placed in stone
trunks to be securely housed in large stupas. Some time
afterwards following the Muslim forces’ expansion and
occupation of this territory, all the afore-mentioned Buddhist
treasures were totally destroyed. Consequently and unfortunately,
no trace of the said historical glory is now visible to be admired.

Apart from the systemization of Lord Buddha’s teachings,
Buddhist missionary monks were also dispatched to spread
Buddhism in Central Asia, thus the rapid flourishing of
Buddhism in the reign of Emperor Kanishka the Great. With
his great faith in Buddhism, Kanishka is also called the second
Ashoka.

The accounts of the prosperity of Buddhism under the
rule of Kanishka the Great of Kushan dynasty are indeed
extensive. This remains true even with subsequent emperors
of the said dynasty who continued the intention to faithfully and
forcefully uphold Buddhism, as apparent in the restoration of
the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodh Gaya in the reign of
Emperor Huvishka to become so great and graceful up to present.

The past glory days of Buddhism as evident in the
territories under the rule of Kushan dynasty, and the Gandhara
Kingdom, in particular, with the trails of civilisation so great

40 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

that, in 1980, it was named World Heritage by UNESCO,
have produced vast collection of Gandharan Buddhist art in
Pakistan, much greater than those existing in any other
countries. Buddhist archeological objects belonging to this
cradle of ancient civilisation are well preserved in Peshawar
Museum, where the Bell of Peace is now installed. And as
mentioned earlier, the Bell Ringing Ceremony transmitting
the sound of peace to the world community was performed
on 30th October 2019 amidst a considerable number of
mass media members interested in the ceremony taking place
in world heritage land of Buddhist civilisation.

The ceremony to ring the Bell of Peace at Peshawar
Museum of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province on that particular
day was most impressive to all parties, well acknowledged
by the Pakistani people in the social media with a great number
of positive comments and sentiments. This was coupled with
the second ceremony carried out in the presence of members
of the diplomatic corps from several countries at Taxila of the
ancient Gandhara Kingdom, now situated in the province
of Punjab, Pakistan, and forged into the power of Dhamma
resonating the sound of the Bell of Peace all around. The above
event attracted much attention of the mass media of all forms,
who continuously followed and gave coverage of the event,
especially my remarks addressed to the people and the
Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan delivered in
the company of members of the diplomatic corps and the

By Arayawangso Bhikku 41

Provincial Minister of Punjab for Youth Affairs, Sports,
Archeology and Tourism as follows:

“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 many 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 and harm in any way. I am confident
that from now on, Buddhists from around the world will be
looking forward to visiting this beautiful country of Pakistan.

The next issue then is: HOW the Government of Pakistan
and its people will take the next step, and get their country ready
to receive the influx of international tourists, How to make sure
of the various dimensions of benefits that will be generated,
just as India and Nepal, which have gained immense amount
of revenue each year. Encouraging educational, religious, and
cultural dimension of tourism, should become a key national
policy of this government. So, I leave this message to the
Pakistan Government and its peace-loving, friendly people,
to plan, and coordinate this important task.

Finally, I have the following suggestions to my friends
in Pakistan:

42 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

1) Set your mind with loving-kindness, send it to all
fellow humankind who are your visitors.
2) Be ready with words of loving-kindness, to give to
everyone who come to your homeland, treat them as friends
and relatives.
3) Set your mind with loving-kindness and compassion,
to lend support to all mankind, with sincerity.
4) Know how to give, and to share what you have –
more than to think of selling, making profit. AND you will gain
much more than you hope for.
5) Have respect for persons with morality, who perform
good deeds, who have the right thought, which is not opposed
to the TRUTH (saccadhamma) – regardless of their religions.
I hope 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

By Arayawangso Bhikku 43
Official Meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan

on 29th October 2019

MVArayawangso was welcomed by
H.E. Sohail Mahmood, Foreign
Secretary of Pakistan, on behalf of
H.E. the Foreign Minbister.

Exchanging views on bilateral col-
laboration to promote academic
researches on Buddhist civilisation
and Buddhist World Heritage tourism
in Gandhara

44 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

By Arayawangso Bhikku 45

A long-awaited Day…
Onwards to Gandhara

(Chapter 6)

Blessing to devout Buddhists,

Several chapters have been written, giving a detailed
account of my Dhamma mission to Pakistan at the invitation of
the Pakistani Government through its Embassy in Bangkok.
In so doing, I was able to share the merits with all beings
everywhere.

In hindsight, I have to say that it was not simple to travel
to the Buddhist World Heritage sites of Gandhara, the main area
of which is presently in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Due to
safety advice from our diplomats, the planning and coordination
took almost five years. The auspicious moment finally arrived
for the journey to commence.

The period from 28th October to 2nd November 2019
was the most suitable to visit the northwestern part of the
ancient Jambudvīpa, where Gandhara, Kamboja, Matsya,
Kuru, and Panchala were located.

Today, these areas are divided into national borders of
Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.The heart of the Buddhist
civilisation was located in these northern territories of
Jambudvīpa. Most of the sites registered as World Heritage

46 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

are in Pakistan, be they: Taxila of the Gandhara kingdom ...or
Purushapura of the Kushan Empire, ruled by King Kanishka
the Great, which encompassed the entire Jampudvīpa during
the 5th 6th and 7th centuries BE.

The programme and reception in Pakistan were well
coordinated by Mr. Imran Shauket and Dr. Nitinant Wisaweisuan,
Dean of Pridi Banomyong International College, Thammasat
University – with a small condition that I was invited as a ‘
religious scholar.’ This was to prevent any problems that
might arise due to misunderstandings concerning the issues
of faith. I felt a bit uncomfortable but not too troubled - as I do
have a good understanding of other faiths, particularly the
history of mankind and the relationship with religion that can
be both positive and negative – depending on whether religion
is applied in the right or wrong way.

The experience of being a Guruji to Buddhists in India
and a spiritual leader who had taken part in quite a few
international conferences of Buddhist leaders, (those convened
by the International Buddhist Conference, with the support
of the Government of India, attended by Buddhist religious
leaders, well known spiritual leaders, and academics - religious
scholars from all over the world), meant I was prepared to face
all kinds of situations with knowledge, understanding and a
positive mindset. This can be attributed to my regular, unfailing
practice of mindfulness throughout my monastic life. I continue
to focus on my practice to attain the highest goal of Buddhism:
the realisation of the Truth, of things as they are - to extinguish
ignorance.

By Arayawangso Bhikku 47

As the nature of my visit became official, there were
invitations to call on the President of the Islamic Republic of
Pakistan as well as other ministers. I was prepared to discuss
and share my vision along the line of Buddhism that brings
peace to humanity, paying special importance to the restoration
of Buddhist World Heritage sites in Pakistan.

I was invited to share my opinion at the meeting at World
Bank Campus with Pakistan’s senior government officials and
other concerned agencies. I received a warm welcome from
World Bank Country Director, Senior Minister from Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa – Pakistan, Director of Archaeology and Museums
of KP, as well as other senior officials.

Of all the meetings I have had with the leaders, ministers,
and high-ranking officials this time, I was most impressed with
the Minister of Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony who
was accompanied by the Director-General and senior officials.
They personally came to give me a very warm welcome and
participated in the meeting. I was the only Buddhist monk,
leading the working group of lay Buddhist devotees from
Thailand. H.E. Pornpop Uamwithya, Ambassador of Thailand
to Pakistan, accompanied our delegation and played an important
role in fostering close relationship between the 2 countries,
2 religions…so much so that Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai
coined a new terminology for this kind of diplomatic approach
as “Dhamma Diplomacy”.

48 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

As for our trip to the actual sites in Peshawar (Purushapura
of the Kushan Empire) which borders Afghanistan, everything
went according to plan, even though only in the previous March,
a bomb went out in this city, killing a number of government
officials and local people. This did not present any obstacle to
our journey, contrary to what many people had feared. The visit
went smoothly. We were well taken care of, especially with
regards to security. I even forgot we were in a country deemed
dangerous due to terrorist activities. We received a warm and
friendly welcome from Dr Abdul Samad, Director of Archeology
and Museums of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Prince Adnan
Aurangzeb of Swat. An excellent coordination was provided
by Mr Imran Shauket, who continues his father’s vision for
developing Pakistan.

The signal of peace from the brass bell, sent directly
from Thailand, presently installed in Pakistan on the ground of
Buddhist civilisation, now World Cultural Heritage (in the city of
Purushapura-Peshawar, of ancient Gandhara), reverberated
loud and clear all over the Kushan Empire. It reached the
hearts and minds of people in Pakistan and Afghanistan through
all kinds of media reports. It signalled to the world that…
“Pakistan has now opened its gateway of peace to welcome
friends from all over the world to visit the World Heritage sites.”
The opening ceremony to ring the Bell of Peace which I
performed in the presence of senior officials from the government
of Pakistan and amidst a troop of the media signified the might
of Dhamma power, illustrated in concrete form for the first

By Arayawangso Bhikku 49

time to humanity. This is a historical moment, worth recording.
The overwhelming response in social media from the people of
Pakistan and those who live nearby revealed the truth from the
heart – the natural truth that, regardless of race, nationality or
religion, our ultimate desire is to have peace.

In the same vein, when visiting important World Heritage
sites, whether at Takht-i-Bahi or Bhamala, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
we were warmly welcomed by high level officials and the people
of Pakistan - as if we were relatives returning home after a long
absence. The words “religious differences” never arose in our hearts.
Whenever I conducted religious activities to pay homage to the
Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha, I received full cooperation
from Pakistani officials from all sectors. I was able to conduct
Dhamma practice as I wished. My practice at Takht-i-Bahi was
one such example. Takht-i-Bahi was the centre of Buddhist
civilisation during the Kushan Empire, when Buddhism was at
its peak - the northern Buddhist schools began spreading into
the northern regions of China, Tibet, Japan and Korea...as can
be seen today.

With Metta,
Arayawangso Bhikku.

50 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

Last official duty on 29th October 2019 : Meeting at Ministry of
Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony of Pakistan

MV Arayawangso held lively exchanges of views with
H.E. Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, Minister of Religious Af-
fairs and Inter-faith Harmony of Pakistan, and senior
Ministry officials on future bilateral cooperation to promote
tourismto Buddhist World Heritage sites in Pakistan.

By Arayawangso Bhikku 51

52 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

The Long-awaited Day…
Onwards to Gandhara

(Conclusion)

Blessing to devout Buddhists,

I shall now conclude writing about my Dhamma mission
to the land of World Heritage Buddhist civilisation in Pakistan.
This region was once ruled by Gandhara, Kamboja and Matsya,
which were powerful Mahajanapadas in the Northwest of
Jumbudvīpa during the Buddha’s time.

We normally would refer to the Gandhara Kingdom,
especially Taxila, which is a familiar name to Buddhists - as
it is mentioned in numerous Jataka stories before the rise of
Buddhism in Jambudvīpa.

Taxila aside, Purushapura, the capital of Kushan Empire
(currently Peshawar, Pakistan) is also rich in history and worthy
of studying. Kanishka the Great was crowned king in 621 BE.
During his reign, the Kushan Empire expanded its territory
encompassing most of Jambudvīpa. As already mentioned,
King Kanishka the Great was a devout Buddhist, important
historical events related to Buddhism during his reign were
recorded – like those of King Ashoka the Great of Magadha in
the 2nd and 3rd centuries BE.

By Arayawangso Bhikku 53

Both cities were once the capitals of the most powerful
Empire in Jambudvīpa, where I wanted to visit - to learn and
conduct Dhamma practice in the land of Buddhist civilisation,
focusing on the period after the passing away of Lord Buddha
and the disappearance of Buddhism from Jambudvīpa in the
17th Century BE due to the invasions of Muslim armies.

It is highly interesting to study the development of
Buddhism during the Gandhara- Gupta period as evidenced
from the remains of their cultures and history. During this time,
Northern Buddhism, or Mahayana was at its apex, spreading
northward across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, southern
Nagaland, Kachin in Myanmar, Bhutan, the Tibet Autonomous
Region, China, Korea, and Japan. Mahayana Buddhism
also spread southward from China into South East Asia:
Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, during the 6th Century BE. It was
subsequently replaced by Theravada Buddhism from Sri Lanka.

We can trace the development of Buddhism as it
intertwined with the progress of civilisation in each period.
As Mahayana Buddhism originated from Gandhara, we need
to return to the land of its root - to investigate and study the
earliest Gandharan Buddhist art. Buddha images in various
postures serve as evidence of its lasting aesthetic value. Tens of
thousand pieces of these artefacts are preserved and displayed
at Taxila and Peshawar museums.

According to the Director of Archeology and Museums
in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, “... There are still countless

54 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

Buddhist antique art works buried throughout the Buddhist
heritage sites in Pakistan waiting to be discovered and
excavated, and it is believed that the Lord Buddha’s relics
and other equally sacred artefacts are among them… ”

Recently, a Parinibbana Buddha statue dating back to
the Gandharan period was discovered in Bhamala housed in an
ancient Mahavihara (big hall) that is over 1000 or nearer to
2000 years old. The statue itself boasted the greatest length,
compared to other statues that have been found, spanning over
15 meters long. My party and I were invited to look at the statue
and give advice. We agreed that a team of Buddhist sculpture
specialists from Thailand would be brought over to do the
restoration work on the statue, under the joint initiative in the
restoration of Buddhist World Heritage sites in Pakistan.

This matter is proceeding well. The Director of
Archeology and Museums of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will visit
Thailand during 21st-23rd December 2019 for discussion with me
and the Thai team. We will lay out a plan for the restoration of
the Buddha statue. While the work is in progress, I will visit
Gandhara again to follow up on the project as well as to prepare
for the upcoming important event in Taxila in early 2020.

Let me get back to recounting the story to conclude this
final part. The visit to the Buddhist site in Bhamala, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, took place on 1st November 2019.
It is a new site where the Buddha's statue from Kushan dynasty,
Gandharan Buddhist art, was recently discovered.The Mahavihara
where the statue was found is located near the Bhamala lagoon

By Arayawangso Bhikku 55

which spans over 6 to 7 kilometres and is approximately a
kilometre in width.

Yesterday, on 31st October 2019, a number of diplomatic
representatives, including the Ambassador of Thailand and
I traveled to Taxila to ring the Bell of Peace for the second time.
The event was hosted by the Punjab Minister of Youth Affairs,
Sports, Archeology and Tourism. Photos, videos of the
ceremony and my remarks were disseminated widely in
Pakistan, much like what happened in Peshawar.

Looking at the Buddhist artefacts, especially the exquisite
Gandharan Buddha statues, displayed at Taxila Museum
created a deep impression on me that is hard to describe. These
statues are considered the forerunners of Buddhist sculptures –
prevalent in other Buddhist countries, including the Theravada
branch of Buddhism in Thailand.

I was able to circumambulate and meditate at Dhamma
Rajika Stupa, constructed during the reign of King Ashoka the
Great. The place itself revealed the grandeur of the Magadha
armies which expanded throughout Jambudvīpa, and into Taxila
and Gandhara. The expansion of Magadha meant that
Theravada Buddhism also spread all over the continent. The
Maha Stupa, Dhamma Rajika, is one such evidence worthy of
worship even now.

Our trip to Dhamma Rajika on 31st October 2019 led to
a proposal to construct a meditation hall that can accommodate
those who come to Taxila. They will be able to pay homage

56 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

to the Dhamma Rajika Stupa, relax and meditate. I have since
conveyed this proposal to the Punjabi authorities.

My journey through Gandhara, Taxila and Purushapura
of the Kushan Empire was very fruitful in every way, especially
in its spiritual dimension. It is a rare opportunity to meditate at
the sacred Buddhist sites, which are now World Heritage. The
fact that these sites are in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan did
not present any obstacle. On the contrary, the people welcomed
me with open arms and friendly smiles in their eyes – as if they
were welcoming a brother or a cousin into their home,
regardless of our different religious backgrounds.

My visit to the land of World Heritage Buddhist
civilisation was truly successful and beneficial for both sides.
Future benefits will come from projects, built on spiritual
connection, that require working closely together - as already
mentioned. All of these accomplishments have been made
possible, thanks to H.E. Mr. Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Ambassador
of Pakistan to Thailand. His name deserves mentioning in this
article of Thai Post Newspaper.

With Metta,
Arayawangso Bhikku

By Arayawangso Bhikku 57

A Signal from the sound of Dhamma Peace...Taxila, Pakistan

Articles published in Bangkokbizews

58 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

By Arayawangso Bhikku 59

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

(Chapter 1)

Blessing to devout Buddhists,

I returned safely from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
on 2nd November 2019, feeling gratified that I have fulfilled
my Dhamma mission in the land of Buddhist civilisation, now
designated as World Heritage by UNESCO.

Most people may not have heard much about the Gandhara
region which was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas in
Jambudvipa. But many may have heard about Taxila, the
renowned ancient multidisciplinary University and centre of
learning where great teachers taught students who came from
all walks of life and everywhere. Historical records have shown
that many important personalities such as King Pasenadi of
Kosala, Chancellor Bandhula of Malla, Phra Maha Nam of
Vrijji, Ahimsaka orAngulimala of Kosala and Jivaka of Magadha
went to study there.

As a wandering Dhamma practitioner who spent several
rains retreats in many countries, including Nepal, India and Sri
Lanka, having an opportunity to travel to Taxila, on the North
Eastern part of Punjab, in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,
was something I had been looking forward to. However, due

60 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

to political, religious and social conditions as well as terrorism
in Pakistan - as reported in the news, I could only imagine what
Taxila in Gandhara would be like. Therefore, I was very pleased
to receive an invitation from the Ambassador of Pakistan to visit
his country. This was made possible through the liaison between
political and social figures in Pakistan and Assistant Professor,
Dr.Nitinant Wisaweisuan (Vice President of Thammasat
University at the time).

During the past five years, there were several meetings
with people involved in this matter, including 3 previous
Ambassadors of Pakistan to Thailand. I accepted the invitation
to travel to Pakistan during the time of the current Ambassador,
H.E. Mr. Asim Iftikhar Ahmad. Prior to my agreement to visit
the land of World Heritage Buddhist civilisation, I also consulted
H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Foreign Minister of Thailand.

The nature of the visit could be deemed official - as was
evident in the programme and reception accorded to me after
my arrival. On 29th October 2019, I was officially invited to
meet with the President of Pakistan in the presence of important
dignitaries including the Ambassador of Thailand to Islamabad.
Our discussion covered various issues, especially Pakistan’s
readiness to welcome Buddhists from over 30 countries around
the world. I am delighted that we can further pursue a constructive
religious connection between Buddhist countries and the Islamic
Republic through the Buddhist World Heritage sites in Pakistan.
Such progress has been made possible because we share the

By Arayawangso Bhikku 61

same objective of developing the Buddhist World Heritage
sites for the benefit of mankind.

On that same day (29th October 2019), I was invited to an
official meeting with the World Bank which provides financial
support for the development of the Buddhist World Heritage
sites. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Atif Khan, Senior
Minister of Tourism of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dr. Abdul Samad,
Director of Archaeology and Museums, Mr. Kiran Afzal, Senior
Private Sector Specialist, and some other high- ranking officials
from the Pakistani Government. I had the pleasure of sharing my
vision regarding the development of Buddhist World Heritage
sites to the meeting. This allowed me to give recommendations
on the matter along the line of Dhamma in Buddhism...(to be
continued)


With Metta

Arayawangso Bhikku

62 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

Visit Takht-i- Bahi Monastery, Centre of Buddhist
Civilisation during the Kushan Empire, on 30th October 2019

MV Arayawangso and his party being welcomed
by Dr.Abdul Samad, Director of Archeology and
Museum, Khyber Pakhtunkwa

Prince Adnan Aurangzeb of Swat welcoming
MV Arayawangso at the site

By Arayawangso Bhikku 63

MV Arayawangso spreading loving kindness
(Metta) around the sacred site

64 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan
Contemplation for Peacefulness

An unexpected, pleasant encounter with young local school children

By Arayawangso Bhikku 65

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

(Chapter 2)

Blessing to devout Buddhists,

In the previous Chapter, I mentioned my Dhamma
mission to visit the Gandhara ancient region. During the
Buddha’s time, it was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas in
Jumpudvīpa. Taxila, in particular, is known to be the most ancient
university of mankind and the centre of multidisciplinary learning
where a great number of people from all walks of life: Kings,
Brahmins, Viasyas and Sudras or even the Untouchables, went
to seek knowledge from great teachers.

During the Buddhist Era of 4th – 5th – 6th Century, Gandhara
became the centre of Buddhism in Jambudvīpa, replacing
Magadha. People revered King Kanishka of the Kushan Empire
in the same way they revered King Ashoka the Great as the
patron of Buddhist faith. It was King Kanishka who convened
the Fourth Buddhist Council in what is now Kashmir although
some stories and legends said that this was held in Purushapura
or today’s Peshawar in Pakistan.

My visit to the land of the great Buddhist civilisation
(registered as the World Heritage site and supported by the
World Bank) was an extraordinary and invaluable experience.

66 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan

On 29thNovember 2019 at 11.30 am, I was invited to give an
opinion at the World Bank Campus in Pakistan in the presence
of Pakistani ministers and high-ranking officers. I expressed
my appreciation to all parties concerned who helped preserve
and maintain the World Heritage site - also a Dhamma heritage
for Buddhists. A brief summary of my remarks is as follows:

“…….. Any religion or teaching that teaches one to

understand the law of nature and can be used to better one’s
lives, but prevent the mind from succumbing to the power of
nature should be considered the true religion for all mankind.
It should be called a universal religion, for it recognises the
truth of nature, known as Dhamma power, or the Truth (sacca-
dhamma).

It is essential that people in every organisation, society
and country should be awakened to the true law of nature that
holds power over mankind and all things in this world.

For this reason, any arts and sciences related to civilisation
and cultural traditions, demonstrating the spiritual growth and
prosperity of mankind - complete with wisdom, leading to right
view, right thought, and right action should be preserved for
future generations. We need to promote them as educational
treasures for humanity. For, they can be used as educational
evidence, showing the development of civilisation and they are
of great spiritual values. The ancient sites in Pakistan, whether
in Taxila or Peshawar in Gandhara, are such examples.

By Arayawangso Bhikku 67

I very much hope that the World Bank, UNESCO, the
United Nations, and more importantly, the Islamic Republic
of Pakistan will join forces in the preservation of this cultural
heritage - evidence of a great civilisation. Let its spiritual value
continue and be open to the world community. People can come
and learn from it - to raise the consciousness of humanity so
that they will have the wisdom to become noble sentient

beings…”

With Metta
Arayawangso Bhikku

68 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan
Visit to Purushapura, capital of Kushan empire, for historic
Ringing of the First Bell of Peace at Peshawar Museum
on 31st October 2019

Dr. Samad Ahmedm Director of Archeology and Museum
of Khyber Pakhtukhwa

By Arayawangso Bhikku 69

70 Onwards to Gandhara : Revealing the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan