Pakistan Gifts Fasting Buddha Replica to Vietnam
News Desk
Islamabad: A finely crafted replica of the iconic Fasting Buddha—a revered Gandhara-era sculpture from the 2nd century—was formally handed over to Bai Dinh Pagoda, Vietnam’s largest Buddhist temple, in a ceremony marking a milestone in cultural diplomacy between Pakistan and Vietnam.
According to a press release from the Foreign Office, the symbolic gift was presented by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Kohdayar Marri, during an event underscoring spiritual and cultural solidarity between the two nations.
Ambassador Marri, while addressing the ceremony, highlighted Pakistan’s deep-rooted Buddhist heritage and its commitment to promoting intercultural dialogue.
“This gift reflects Pakistan’s rich cultural legacy, our respect for all religions, and our shared vision of peace. Tolerance and respect are the essence of Islam, and such exchanges strengthen diplomatic and spiritual ties,” he said.
The original Fasting Siddhartha statue, discovered in Sikri (now in Pakistan) and housed at the Lahore Museum, powerfully portrays Prince Siddhartha’s period of intense austerity in his quest for enlightenment. The replica gifted to Vietnam represents shared values of discipline, resilience, and interfaith harmony.
The event began with a sacred prayer ceremony led by the Secretary General of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, who offered blessings at the Pakistani Embassy in Hanoi before the statue’s journey to Ninh Binh province.
At Bai Dinh Pagoda, the replica was received in a traditional Buddhist ritual by Most Venerable Thich Minh Quang, in the presence of senior Vietnamese officials, religious leaders, and dignitaries.
Venerable Thich Minh Quang welcomed the gift as a symbol of inter-religious goodwill and a meaningful step toward deepening understanding and cooperation between the peoples of Pakistan and Vietnam.
The ceremony concluded with prayers for lasting friendship and peace between the two countries.
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