Thai Monk ends rain retreat with a message of ‘peace extended to world from the land of Pakistan’
Thailand’s Buddhists including businessmen, army officers, lawyers, teachers attend event
ISLAMABAD: Chief Monk of Thailand Arayawangso concluded on Wednesday his three-month (mid-July to mid-October) rainy season retreat or “Vassa” in Taxila with a message of “peace extended to the world from the land of Pakistan.”
A Kathina Ceremony or “offering of robes and other gifts” marked the end of the rain retreat.
A large number of Thailand’s Buddhists hailing from all walks of life such as businessmen, army officers, lawyers, teachers, former ambassadors and government officials participated in the Kathina Festival and presented robes and other gifts to the Sangha (Arayawangso and his disciples).
Besides, some staff members and the nationals of Sri Lanka, Nepal and ASEAN countries’ missions in Islamabad were also there attending the Kathina ceremony.
The gifts that were presented to the Sangha mostly included robes, flowers, everyday utensils, cups, goblets and small and big artifacts.
Pakistanis’ hospitality impresses Chief Monk
Interestingly, Pakistani guests also presented gifts to Arayawangso and expressed their belief that with the visit of the Chief Monk, the bond of friendship and religious (inter-faith) harmony would grow stronger between Pakistan and Thailand Buddhists.
In the Dhamma Discourse (sermon) that followed “Offering the Kathina robe and accompanying gifts to the Sangha,” Chief Monk expressed his gratitude to the Pakistani and the Thailand governments, ambassadors of the two countries, the Punjab government, Tourism department as well as local officials for making arrangements of his stay in Taxila and taking all care.
He particularly mentioned and appreciated the Pakistani people’s hospitality and gesture of good will as they too presented flowers and gifts to him. This shows the people here believe in doing good deeds and giving up bad things, he said, adding Pakistan is a land of peace and by hosting the rain retreat Sir John Marshall Ancient Building has extended this message of peace to all 32 Buddhist countries.
A new chapter in religious tourism
One of the facilitators and organisers of the Buddhists trip, Imran Shaukat said never in the past had such a large number of Buddhist tourists visited Pakistan all together. This is the beginning of a new era in religious tourism, he said, adding the Pakistan government can earn millions of revenue by providing adequate facilities to the Buddhist tourists.
This all is happening because of Arayawangso’s efforts to promote and project Pakistan as a land of peace as well as a repository of rich Buddhist heritage, he said.
Secretary Punjab Tourism Department Asiya Gul also welcomed the Buddhists’ holy leader and his delegation in Pakistan. “We welcome all those Budhhist tourists who have come to Pakistan and assure them every care will be taken to make their stay comfortable,” said Gul.
Ambassador of Thailand Chakkrid Krachaiwong, Myanmar Ambassador Win Myint, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam Abdul Mubdi Osman, Ambassador of Indonesia, Adam Tugio, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Vice Admiral (R) Mohan Wijewickrama and Ambassador of Vietnam Ambassador of Vietnam Nguyen Tien Phong were also present in the festival and termed it a landmark occasion in the history of Pakistan that for the first time in perhaps centuries, rain retreat is held in the land of Gandhara Civilization.