Kuala Lumpur, 28 June 2022 (TDI): Pakistan High Commission in Malaysia is holding the Gandhara exhibition. This exhibition is a showcase of the rich heritage and history of the Gandhara civilization in Pakistan.

The main event will be at Fo Guang Shan temple in the city of Petaling Jaya. However, the exhibition will also take place in different cities in Malaysia and will continue till the 31st of August.

The temple of Fo Guang Shan is a Buddhist temple in Malaysia. It is a well-known local Chinese cultural and sacred Buddhist place. This temple is one of the many branches of the Fo Guang Shan organization around the world.

Gandhara Exhibition
Pakistan holds Gandhara Exhibition in Malaysia

Fo Guang Shan is a Chinese word that literally means, ‘the mountain of buddha’s light’.

Islamabad held an International Conference on Buddhism. Many Buddhist scholars, artists, and devotees around the globe attended the conference.

A delegation of 10 members from Fo Guang Shan Malaysia also participated. These Buddhist devotees visited the Buddhist heritage in Pakistan.

Significantly, this exhibition is a follow-up to that International Conference.

In relations with Malaysia, Pakistan promotes inter-faith harmony. This includes the promotion of Buddhist heritage and art.

Buddhist Heritage and Gandhara Civilization in Pakistan

Pakistan was once the home of the spectacular Gandhara civilization contributing to its rich history of multi-religious roots. Additionally, talking about Buddhist heritage alone, there are more than 100 Buddhist sites in Pakistan.

Gandhara Civilization (500B.C.-10A.D.) was located in modern-day northern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan. The heart of Gandhara was always the valley of Peshawar.

Above all, it was the third Buddhist Council of the Mauryan Empire.

In addition, Gandhara was distinctive for its Buddhist art developed from Persian, Syrian, Greek, and Indian artistic influence.

Moreover, the city of Taxila is the major Buddhist archeological spot having more than 50 Buddhist sites.

With the efforts of Pakistan’s national authorities and UNESCO, this heritage remains well preserved in Swat, Taxila, and Peshawar.