Faiza Tehseen

The preservation and proper management of Buddhist heritage in Pakistan can contribute significantly to the national exchequer by attracting a large number of tourists, students and pilgrims from different countries of the world, WealthPK reports.

The followers of Buddhism live in different parts of the world including China, Singapore, Japan, Bhutan, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal and India. They have great respect for the archaeological sites of their religion in Pakistan.

Dr Mahmoodul Hasan, Deputy Director of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, told WealthPK that the north-western parts of present-day Pakistan were once the pivot of Buddhism. In 262 BCE, the Mauryan King Ashoka the great adopted Buddhism. Under his royal patronage, the religion flourished in the whole northwest region of India.

After the decline of the Mauryan empire, Bactrian Greeks, Scythians and Parthians ruled the region respectively from the 2^nd century BCE to the early 1^st century CE. They also patronised Buddhism due to political reasons. However, from the 1^st to 5^th century BCE, the equilibrium of power turned to Kushan kings, the true Buddhist patrons. In the Kushan period, Buddhism flourished as an estate religion. With the decline of Kushans in the 5^th century CE, Buddhism faded and eventually disappeared in the 7^th century CE.

The three most prominent Buddhist estates of that time were Gandhara (present Peshawar valley, Mardan, Bajaur and Buner); Uddiyana (present Swat); and Takshashila (present Taxila). These estates were great seats of learning. The whole region was thickly dotted with Buddhist monasteries and stupas to cater to the needs of Buddhist monks. The stupas of Ashokan period were rounded in shape while Kushans fashioned square and rectangular shapes. They improved the construction style by using semi-ashlar and diaper masonry.

From Gautama Buddha to Ashoka, the only sect was Hinayana or Theravada still dominating in Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand. In the 1^st century BCE, the Mahayana sect emerged and from Gandhara, it was introduced in China, Korea and Japan. Tantric Buddhism was founded by Padmasambhava in the 7^th century CE in Uddiyana (Swat). After Padmasambhava’s migration to Tibet, this sect received great admiration there as well.

Important Buddhist sites in present Swat are But Kara stupa and Shingardar stupa, built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, to enshrine body relics of the Buddha; Nimogram stupa and monastery, Gumbat stupa. Amluk-Dara stupa and Saidu stupa were built by Kushans.

Dr Mahmood said that the government should give due importance to the preservation of the Buddhist relics to benefit the country in many socio-economic ways. It will help Pakistan to cement ties with the countries following the Buddhist discipline. Modern international educational institutes can be established in the vicinities of Buddhist shrines and stupas. In these institutes, special attention can be given to archaeology, culture, society, world history, world geography, economics, political science, anthropology, law, criminology, psychology, mind science, humanities, education, Ayurveda and traditional medicines, etc.

It can be made mandatory for the institutes to have a department of history and conserve one or more relics in their respective territory. It will lead to saving a lot of funds being spent on the maintenance of these sites.

The government should facilitate the Buddhist pilgrims, historians and students on the pattern of Sikh pilgrims, who visit their sacred shrine in Kartarpur. The improvement of boarding facility, easy visa conditions and due respect to tourists can promote tourism in Pakistan.

People having knowledge of Buddhism can be appointed and trained as tourist guides to promote religious tourism in the country. It will improve coordination among minorities besides providing them with sustainable sources of livelihood. Pakistan map the multi-dimensional Buddhist heritage sites in coordination with the countries having followers of Buddhism. Pakistan can get economic as well as diplomatic benefits by devising and enforcing an effective plan for the preservation and proper management of Buddhist sites, according to WealthPK research.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk