Reading Time: 4 minutes Since the inception of Pakistan in 1947, Buddhism has been wielded to separate the region from India, grant validation by tying the country to an ancient civilization, consolidate ties with other Asian Buddhist countries, and relate to the western world. Political reasonings aside, Pakistan is considered to be the land of Buddhism due to the various sites and relics and the Gandhara civilization.
Since the inception of Pakistan in 1947, Buddhism has been wielded to separate the region from India, grant validation by tying the country to an ancient civilization, consolidate ties with other Asian Buddhist countries, and relate to the western world. Political reasonings aside, Pakistan is considered to be the land of Buddhism due to the various sites and relics and the Gandhara civilization.
The landscape of the country is dotted with remnants of Buddist sites. The provinces of Sindh and Balochistan have a few Buddhist religious sites and relics like the stupa at Mohenjo Daro, Sirah-ji-takri, Kahu-Jo-Daro at Mirpur Khas, Gondrani caves, and more. The northern regions of Pakistan are the shining jewels in the crown of the Buddhist heritage. Takht-i-Bahi, Jahanabad Buddha, remains of Sahr-i-Bahlol, Bhir Mound, Dharmarajika Stupa, Sikap, and Sirsukh cities, Shrine of double-headed Eagle, Jandial Temple, and Jaulian Buddhist Monastery are just a few examples. The Taxila Museum even houses bone fragments and teeth of Siddhārtha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism.
Many Buddhist sites and their relics were excavated and preserved owing to UNESCO declaring them heritage sites and international archaeological teams stepping in to help the local archaeologists in the endeavor.
One such example is a 7th-century Buddha statue located in Jahanabad, Swat. It is said to be one of the largest statues of Buddha in the region, after the Buddhas of Bamiyan. Luca Maria Olivieri, an Italian archaeologist with the International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies (ISMEO), recreated the pilgrimage scenario of the past, “The pilgrims were welcomed by these protective images, sculptures, and inscriptions, arranged along the last kilometers (miles) before arriving.” Talking about the significance of the sculpture, Fabio Colombo, a restorer, and member of the Italian Archaeological Mission, said, “It is one of the biggest rock sculptures in the region and different traces showed that it was once a central Buddhist location in the past. The surrounding of Buddha statue is peaceful, picturesque and serene.”
The excavations in Haripur District have unearthed unique statues and stupas that shed further light on the Buddhism history of the region. The Bhamala Buddhist Archaeology Complex is home to a most unique 2nd-century cross-like stupa that resembles the Aztec pyramids. One other such stupa is located in Kashmir and such stupas are said to be built on spiritual planes where Buddhist relics can be found. Two distinctive findings in the area were the 1,700 years old ‘Maha Pari Nirvana’ statue, the oldest statue depicting the death of Buddha, and a Buddha statue with a double halo on the head. In 2017, the district was once again pulled into focus when the world’s oldest 48 feet long sleeping Buddha statue dating back to the 3rd century was unearthed near the Bhamala stupa.
In 2021, an excavation led by local and Italian archaeological teams discovered the country’s oldest Buddhist apsidal temple in Swat Valley. The team started excavating after finding trenches left by illegal diggers. Olivieri explained, “The discovery of a great religious monument created at the time of the Indo-Greek kingdom testifies that this was an important and ancient center for cult and pilgrimage.” Regarding the relics found during the excavation, Dr. Michele Minardi, an Italian archaeologist, said, “We have found coins, among which a silver specimen issued by King Menander, an onyx-made seal decorated with a Hellenistic intaglio depicting the image of a youth in Greek attire with a Kharosthi inscription, a monumental Kharosthi epigraph, many other Kharosthi inscriptions on pots, and potsherds belonging to the Indo-Greek cultural horizon such as fish plates and polished black pottery that imitates Attic models.”
The northwestern region of Pakistan is packed with relics from the Buddhist past. One example would be the Buddha relics from 1,800 years ago excavated from the Swabi district located over 83 kilometers away from Peshawar. Abdul Samad, the provincial director of the Archaeology Department, outlined, “We have found around 400 new antiquities belonging to the Gandhara Civilization during an ongoing excavation at the Baho Dheri village of Swabi over the past six months.” About the importance of the stupa and other findings, he added, “These antiquities are not mere art pieces but they were used for worship purposes.”
Unfortunately, many of the sites and artifacts have seen complete or partial destruction at the hands of illegal diggers, Muslim extremists, negligence of authorities, and urbanization. The Jahanabad Buddha statue’s face and shoulders were destroyed through explosives in 2007 by the Taliban, though it was later restored. In 2020, a rare Buddha statue fell to the blows of a sledgehammer swung by construction workers being egged on by a religious cleric. Four men were arrested under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Antiquities Act for smashing the 1,700 years old statue to pieces.
Each and every finding adds another chapter to the history of Buddhism in Pakistan. Moreover, it serves as a pathway to create and maintain relations with other countries. Regarding the importance of northwestern areas of Pakistan, Fawad Khan, a member of the archaeological team involved in the excavation near Peshawar, said, “The region comprising Swabi and Mardan is so important for Buddhists in general and for the Korean peninsula in particular, as Buddhism was introduced to that region (Korea) by a monk from Swabi some 1,600 years ago.”
Through the loaning of artifacts, exhibitions, and joint excavation projects, Pakistan is slowly cementing its position in the world of antiquity. Italian Ambassador to Pakistan Andreas Ferrarese, expressed, “It is so impressive to find something common between the archaeology of Pakistan and that of Italy. It is something that shows that even in antiquity we have a kind of globalization where people had exchange of certain techniques and ideas of culture and religions which is astonishing. The more we search for the past, the more we find that we have future together.”
With further investment in the discovery and preservation of Buddhist sites, Pakistan can become a center for religious tourism. Talking about Buddhists coming to perform pilgrimage in the country, Dr. Zakirullah Jan, an archaeologist at the University of Peshawar, said, “The way Muslims visit sacred sites in Saudi Arabia, Palestine and other places, followers of other religions come to Pakistan to explore and visit their sacred temples and shrines… I think we have unprecedented tourism potential that needs to be promoted.”
The authorities publicize Pakistan’s ties to Buddhism but do not seem to do much for the Buddhist minority present in the country. Lala Rajoo Raam, one of the Baori Buddhists, bemoaned, “Most of the people in our community do not have CNICs [computerized national identity cards]—how could you expect any citizens’ rights? Our population is exceeding 16,000 persons but in papers it is far less than that figure.”
When visiting the Gandhara exhibition “Roots or Routes: Exploring Pakistan’s Buddhist and Jain Histories”, Lala Muneer, head of a Buddhist group, expressed, “We are pleased to visit this place thanks to the organisers of the exhibition. Although we enjoy complete religious freedom and there are no bars on performing our religious rituals, the religion in Pakistan is on the verge of extinction due to different reasons.”
Renewable energy has emerged as a game-changer in the global energy landscape, offering sustainable and… Read More