The Ancient Buddhist World of Pakistan – Interesting!
A few weeks ago, I had CNN playing in the background and overheard that there were plans for oil pipelines to run through Pakistan. According to the newscaster, doing so would potentially damage a few Buddhist sites…
Buddhism has had a long standing history in Pakistan. The geographical borders of countries are now different from the past, but when Buddhism was at its height, there were many major regions that practiced Buddhism. For example, a region that was previously called Gandhara, had its center at present-day Peshawar, and encompassed Bamiyan in Afghanistan, Bactria, the Hindu Kush and the Punjab region in northwest India.
Another region that was famously “Buddhist” was Uddiyana. Uddiyana, where the town Chakdara is currently located at, was where Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) was born. It was Guru Rinpoche who introduced Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet. How interesting…
I am told that archaeologists are uncovering more ancient Buddhist sites and artifacts everyday! I asked one of my student, Pastor Jean Ai to do some research on Buddhism in Pakistan. She replied with a short update on Buddhist sites in modern day Pakistan and I thought that I’d share this with everyone to read.
Do take a look!
Tsem Rinpoche
Pakistan’s Ancient Treasure
by Khong Jean Ai
That the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has a strong Buddhist past may come as a surprise to many who forget Pakistan’s proximity to India and Nepal, where Buddhism played a significant role in their histories at a time when there were very different geopolitical boundaries.
After Shakyamuni’s death, practitioners took Buddha’s teachings to East Asia, where the religion still exists today in countries like Mongolia, Korea, China and Japan. In order to reach East Asia however, these teachers followed the Silk Route, leaving through northern India and traveling into Central Asia, a region of the world which includes countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Sangha members from different countries travel to this holy ancient site
Thus as Buddhism migrated eastwards, its practitioners established monasteries and gave teachings in Central Asia. As a result of these teachers, there now many Buddhist sites throughout Pakistan which archaeologists are uncovering every day. For example, a large Buddhist site near the city of Peshawar in northwestern Pakistan1 was rediscovered just a few years ago, one century after its original excavation. During their work, archaeologists found evidence of a 13-storey stupa which a well-known Chinese pilgrim Hieun Tsang visited and wrote about. As excavation works continued, the archaeologists found more and more priceless statues and relics which are now on display around the world2.
The site in Peshawar is not the only one currently being excavated. In Taxila, another monastery is being excavated3 by 200 students who are taking turns to uncover the site. Their work is especially commendable because politics in the region and lack of resources makes further conservation of these sites very difficult sometimes.
Unfortunately, it is not just politics and regional poverty that creates a lot of challenges for the preservation of Pakistan’s Buddhist sites. Although the Pakistani authorities do their best to protect whatever artifacts are uncovered, a lucrative international trade for antiquities means that sometimes these priceless relics are smuggled out of the country – Christie’s of New York auctioned off a fasting Buddha4 for nearly US$4.5 million and recently, many Buddhist relics worth millions were seized in Karachi5, a major port city in Pakistan’s south.
It is not just antiquities collectors who are encouraging the destruction of Pakistan’s Buddhist sites, but preserving these locations is becoming increasingly difficult because of many Asian nations’ economic interests. The majority of Pakistan’s Buddhists sites lie along the routes of pipelines to carrying oil through Central Asia. As these pipelines expand, many of these Buddhist sites are now in danger of being destroyed.
Most recently, Pakistan decided to offer Chinese companies the opportunity to lay a pipeline from Gwadar port to China6, so that China can safeguard their crude oil import routes. Although this scheme will provide economic benefits to both Pakistan and China, what concerns Buddhist conservationists is that this pipeline will cut through the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa region.
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa region was the base of Gandhara, an ancient and predominantly Buddhist kingdom that existed from 1000BC to the 7th century. Gandhara’s primary cities of Peshawar, Taxila and Pushkalavati have been the focus of excavation works to uncover Pakistan’s Buddhist past – major Buddhist sites have been discovered in Peshawar7 and Taxila8, and Pushkalavati is the site of one of King Ashoka’s stupas. As Pakistan pushes for economic development, there is a danger that many of their Buddhist treasures will be lost forever.
Even though these sites are in danger of being destroyed, there are some encouraging signs that the government is willing to protect them. The local Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government is hoping to promote religious tourism and attract tourists from East Asia who are interested in visiting these Buddhist sites9. When a flow of tourists provide a much needed source of income to this region, the government will be more likely to invest in and protect these sites of attraction.
There are also organisations that are dedicated to this conservation work, like The Buddhist Forum which has begun efforts to save and protect these ancient sites10. With so many encouraging signs, we can dare to hope that Pakistan will continue to do more to preserve its unique past. It is always interesting to learn when Buddhism has played a part in a nation’s history, although its role and significance may be long forgotten.
One of the ancient Buddhist sites in Pakistan
Such spectacular ancient site, until today, archaeologists are still uncovering undiscovered parts of what once to be a grand and beautiful Buddhist monastery.
Retainers are placed in certain parts of the ancient site to prevent the walls from collapsing
Spectacular view from the top
The proposed oil pipeline from Gwadar port to China which threatens the demolition of this ancient Buddhist site
How Buddhism spread across Asia from India
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/PakistanBuddhism.mp4
Footnotes:
- http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Pakistan/Vanished-Buddhist-site-rediscovered-in-Pakistan/Article1-738477.aspx
- http://edition.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/08/21/pakistan.gandhara.art/index.html
- http://buddhistartnews.wordpress.com/2013/03/31/mystery-unfolds-monastery-unearthed-in-taxila-valley/
- http://bigstory.ap.org/article/pakistan-struggles-smuggled-buddhist-relics
- http://www.dnaindia.com/world/1712169/report-articlpak-police-seize-2000-year-old-buddhist-relics-worth-millions-e
- http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-23889-Chinese-firms-ready-to-invest-billions-of-dollars-in-Pakistan
- http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Pakistan/Vanished-Buddhist-site-rediscovered-in-Pakistan/Article1-738477.aspx
- http://buddhistartnews.wordpress.com/2013/03/31/mystery-unfolds-monastery-unearthed-in-taxila-valley/
- http://beta.dawn.com/news/796713/pakistan-hopes-for-buddhist-tourism-boost
- http://www.deccanherald.com/content/310843/ngo-ventures-revive-buddhist-sites.html
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Pakistan is indeed a treasure grove for ancient holy sites. With its location next to India and close to Nepal, it is easy to understand that many holy places exist there and it would be wonderful to visit them and pay homage.
This post is also a teaching on impermanence. We easily tend to take things for granted but history teaches us how fast things can change. We need to remember that we can only be safe if we get out of Samsara as soon as possible.
Amazing! Yes I was totally one of those who completely surprised by the fact Buddhism had indeed reached Pakistan. The Buddhism teachings and practice was so powerful and manifesting during the ancient time that left behind with many ancient Buddhism sites, stupas and statues for us to continue to receive the blessings until today. Hopefully Pakistan government will continue to preserve their precious and valuable ancient Buddhism sites and artifacts as part of their tourism industry to create more income for their citizens. Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Jean Ai for sharing this interesting post.???
Thank you, Rinpoche and Pastor Jean Ai for sharing this interesting post.Interesting to know that the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has a strong Buddhist connection.It show that Buddhism spread across Asia from India. Archaeologists in Pakistan uncovering a large Buddhist site near the city of Peshawar. They found more priceless statues and relics in area where they are laying a pipeline from Gwadar port to China.
Pakistan Government is trying to preserve the ancient Buddhist site to promote religious tourism a as source of income.
Thank you Rinpochey for sharing this story. Huan-tsang wrote about Taxila university, saying: upon seeing the gates and monastery in Taxila, Huan-Tsang wrote: this wonderful architecture would be the wonders of the world, but sadly everything was destroyed by the Muslim invaders upon Buddhist kingdom in old Pakistan, and people are forcefully converted into Islam. Interestingly once I met a Afghani cab driver in NY, he told me that their ancestors were Buddhist, during the golden age of Buddhism in Afghanistan and Pakistan, he mentioned that both countries were like paradise on earth, but at present bloodshed never stops, says cab driver who is Muslim himself! Very tragic and sad to know about.
Amazing! Yes I was totally one of those who completely surprised by the fact Buddhism had indeed reached Pakistan. The ruins of the Buddhist site in Pakistan is amazing! Such a huge structure. Would be a really interesting place to visit one day. I think it would be more beneficial if the government turns the place into a tourist destination as compared to demolishing it to make way for an oil pipeline. I look forward to more Buddhist sites/artifacts being discovered in the future. Thank you for sharing this article with us Rinpoche and thank you Pastor Jean Ai for publishing it.
佛教在两千五百年里面不知道已经曾经在多少地方扎根。
万物无常， 也许今天我们可以修习佛法，不代表我们可以永远都转世在有佛法的地方。
我也曾经在马来西亚的历史书上看过绿度母的佛像， 也许佛教在马来西亚这片土地扎根过。
所以我们要珍惜现在我们有的一切， 把握时机修习佛法。
WOW!!! Out of all the places I never expected that Pakistan would have Buddhist sites until I read the post above!
I am really surprised and it great that archaeologists are working hard to dig out more and more of such Holy Sites!
I really hope that they don’t destroy such Holy Sites just to install a oil pipeline to China!
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing!
Love
Jutika
Seng Piow had once said that these great monasteries and institutions although in ruins now had served their purpose. It is because of them that the Buddhadharma was propagated far and wide and has been preserved to this day. Hence, even when it is in ruins, it was not in vain. Likewise, when we build Kechara Forest Retreat, we must remember that its purpose is promote and preserve are sacred spiritual heritage. Otherwise, it would not have served its purpose and I am sure this is exactly what Rinpoche wanted for Kechara. He often spoke about this and said he does not want any premise of Kechara to be like a big empty temple. Hence, its important that more people come and join hands to built a lasting legacy.
I like what you said David that a temple or sacred place will only be empty if there was no people practising the Dharma. And in the end it will become nothing but just ruins!
Thanks Rinpoche and Jean Ai sharing…
This is a shock article that prove that Buddhist is every way.
May Rinpoche long life, good health and continue turn the wheel of Dharma hence all students may help Rinpoche to spread teaching and holy Dharma to ten directions and flourish every way continuously…
I hope the Pakistan Government will continue to preserve the country’s ancient Buddhist sites and encourage the discovery of more ancient Buddhist monuments and statues. They are part of Pakistan’s history and heritage. With religious tourism, there will be more revenue and jobs for local people.
Thank you, Rinpoche and Pastor Jean Ai for this erudite post. Lord Buddha spoke the words of universal truth and the winds will carry them to all four corners of the world. Although buried, with time, they will surface again like in Pakistan. Even if it was for what we call a reason of greed, the discovery was enough to create an impact to change our minds.
Thank you Rinpoche and Jean Ai for sharing on this beautiful ancient Buddhism artifacts found in Pakistan. The Buddhism teachings and practice was so powerful and manifesting during the ancient time that left behind with many ancient Buddhism sites, stupas and statues for us to continue to receive the blessings until today. Hopefully Pakistan government will continue to preserve their precious and valuable ancient Buddhism sites and artifacts as part of their tourism industry to create more income for their citizens.
It is just so amazing that ancient Buddhist sites like this are still being discovered daily. It would be very sad if these places would be destroyed, in order to promote economic growth.
It would be like losing a huge history of Buddhism itself. I think the Pakistan government should try to preserve these holy places and find another way to promote economic growth.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Jean Ai for this post. It is amazing to know that in ancient times, Buddhism seemed to have spread to what are now Muslim countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan. The sites of such famed places, like Gandhara and Uddiyana, are actually in Pakistan, as archaeological excavations have uncovered. Going further afield, Buddhism appears to have spread as far as modern-day Iran.
I have also read of how Buddha’s Jataka tales were carried along the Silk Route to Europe and influenced the creation of the Aesop’s fables. So Buddhist influence did go very far.
Then again in Indonesia, the Borobodur , an ancient Buddhist site , is now a tourist attraction.
How about Malaysia? Lord Setrap’s cudgel came from the forests of Malaya!
May all these sites be preserved.
dear i m very surprised to read about this article.Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Jean Ai for the information.
Many thanks to Pastor Jean Ai’s research that we are able to know that it may be due to the close proximity that India has with Nepal that The Islamic Republic of Pakistan has a strong Buddhist past with India. The famous Silk route also help to play an eminent role in promoting this long buddhist history, where along the way, when Buddhism was migrating Eastward through this Silk route, monastries were established to give teachings in Central Asia. It was a very well-done piece of research, supported beautifully with photos to back up. Thank you Rinpoche, for the sharing too!
Didn’t know the spreading of Buddhism can reach places like Pakistan and even towards Middle East (map shown above) All along, I thought was from India to Nepal and Bhutan towards China and eastern Asia. Surprisingly enough, it even took roots in an unexpected Islamic country like Pakistan. It’s quite remarkable actually. With so many ancient monastaries and artifacts re-discovered, it would be pretty unfortunate not to preserve these holy Buddhist sites and priceless relics as it will remind future generations of what Buddhism has played significantly within this region in the history of mankind.
This is an interesting find. Thank you Rinpoche and Jean Ai for sharing this information. Let’s hope Pakistan will preserve these precious sites to bring in tourism revenue. One day we all might be able to go to Pakistan for pilgrimage and see the historical sites ourselves.
Thank you for the sharing, it was expected since Guru Rinpoche was born in Pakistan region but i never know that Pakistan has so many ancient Buddhist site. Glad to know that there is group trying to preserve these site.
Thank you Rinpoche and Jean Ai for the sharing.We certainly hope that the Pakistan government would consider to reroute the pipeline to preserve those valuable historical site. In doing this they will certainly benefit from tourism to those holy site at the same time.
Hope for the best.
成、住、坏、空指的是四劫。此系佛教对于世界生灭变化之基本观点。所以早期中东至亚洲一带国家，佛教发展都很旺盛。只是因为某种因素和历史的改变，佛教发展渐渐沦落。但我相信佛法在我们这一世纪又会兴起而发扬光大，所以传法就要从我们这一世纪开始。谢谢仁波切和 Pastor Jean Ai 给我们宝贵的分享。
Thank you, Rinpoche and Pastor Jean Ai for this information. I hope this holy sites will be not destroyed for the sake of development.
Let’s they hope they dont destroy it!!!!
Hope the pakistan people will learn to cherish their rich history and preserve these sites. In the long run there will be tourist dollars for Pakistan.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Jean Ai for researching and compiling the information for us to learn about the historical background of Buddhism in Pakistan. I was surprised Pakistan in the past hold such importance and presence for Buddhism to grow and spread to other part of the world. In one way without Pakistan one can say that Buddhism would not have spread so far to the East. Regardless of present time, in the past, the kingdom including the king himself has accepted Buddhism and heavily promoted and maintain it from the building they have constructed. One can conclude that Buddhism has been beneficial to the people in the past.
Good informative factual researches by pastor Jean Ai, thank you. And thank you, Rinpoche, for sharing.
Nice article, beautiful photo’s. Buddhism was practised as far west as present day Iran. Even the Greeks came in contact with it. Some Greek and Iranian concepts and practices even found their way into Tibetan Medicine.
I did not know that Pakistan had so many Buddhist sites. I normally associate Pakistan with the Islamic faith. It would be very fun to visit these sites as I get older. I think that they should find a way to build the oil pipes without damaging the Buddhist sites as the Buddhist sites hold many years of cultural history.
Thank you Pastor Jean Ai for this interesting article on Buddhism in Pakistan. I really do not know that Buddhism was really big in that area until now. The teachings of Buddha really spread far and wide during those times and reached our shores. The great masters really believed in the teachings and brought it to others. Let’s hope that the discovery of more relics will bring Buddhism to another level.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Jean Ai for the information. I hope that these sites can be preserved so that pilgrims can visit and pay homage.
Let’s hope that our materialistic needs for fuel will not destroy our spiritual need which is far more important to progress in this times and world of degeneration.
It is empowering to know so many great teachers and masters had travelled far and wide to spread the Dharma. It is much easier now if we put our mind to spread the Dharma and benefit others.
In the ancient world, Buddhism as a philosophy and a way of life had already spread far and wide and even before invaders came into those countries by way of trade and war destroyed the belief. I think most of us may have been reborn into those times and we are connected back to our ancient roots.
There are many treasures or ancient sites that are still buried beneath the ground either now found or waiting to be discovered at a suitable later time to the fortunate.
Thank Rinpoche for sharing.It was such surprise to have known Pakistan Buddhist past as they’re Muslim predominant today. The discovery of Buddhist relic due to seemingly destructive pipe could be the causes for future revive of Buddhism in these affected regions. Just as the ongoing war that blocked Lord Atisha return route to India be the cause to his composition of The Stages of the Path!
I didn’t know that Pakistan practised Buddhism during the past, i’m very surprised to read about this. It’s actually quite sad to know that some holy places might be affected by the oil pipes, I personally do think that these architectures are very historical and deserve to be protected and maintained. I hope that they will consider deeper into that… Thank You for sharing Rinpoche and Pastor Jean Ai.
I had no idea that Pakistan had so many Ancient Buddhist sites. I would be so happy to go and visit them someday. And as for the news report on CNN. Its such a shame that these Buddhist places will be affecting by the oil pipes. I hope that they are not badly affected. Thank you for sharing this with us RInpoche, and thank you to Jean Ai for getting all this information for us.