Pakistan gifts replica of Fasting Buddha to Thailand to strengthen cultural ties
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: In a gesture to celebrate shared heritage and deepen bilateral relations, Pakistan presented a meticulously crafted replica of the Fasting Buddha sculpture to Thailand on July 31, 2025, at the National Museum in Bangkok.
The ceremony, titled “A Spiritual Journey from Gandhara to ASEAN: Celebrating Shared Heritage and Religious Tourism,” highlighted the centuries-old connection between Pakistan’s Gandhara civilization and the ASEAN region, where Buddhism thrived.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Thailand, Rukhsana Afzaal, presented the replica to Director General of Thailand’s Fine Arts Department, Phanomboot Chantrachoti. Attendees included Thai officials, diplomats, UN representatives, civil society, academics, and media.
Director General Chantrachoti expressed gratitude, noting the gift as a symbol of enduring diplomatic and cultural ties, reflecting shared Gandharan and Buddhist heritage. He emphasized its potential to foster collaboration through exhibitions and cultural initiatives.
Ambassador Afzaal highlighted the replica, crafted by Pakistani artist Jamil Kakar, as a testament to Pakistan’s Gandhara legacy, centered in ancient Taxila, and its role in Buddhist civilization. She underscored its significance in strengthening Pakistan-Thailand friendship and promoting cultural exchanges under Pakistan’s long-standing ASEAN partnership.
Most Venerable Anil Sakya described the event as a spiritual reconnection, with the Fasting Buddha symbolizing wisdom and balance. Executive Director at the Centre for Cultural Development, Islamabad, Dr. Nadeem Omar Tarrar, emphasized the sculpture’s spiritual and artistic significance, blending Greco-Roman and Gandharan styles, and its potential to enhance Pakistan-Southeast Asia ties.
The ceremony featured a photographic exhibition of Gandhara artifacts and Buddhist sites in Pakistan by renowned photographer David Chi Lau. Pakistan, a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN for over three decades, continues to strengthen political, economic, and cultural ties, with this gesture reinforcing cultural connections and people-to-people exchanges.
