The book launching
ceremony will be held tomorrow, a media release from the High
Commission of Pakistan said.
The author of the book, Ihsan Nadiem is a well-known Pakistani
archaeologist and museologist. Besides remaining the curator
and in charge of leading Pakistani museums, he also upgraded
the prestigious Pakistan Institute of Archaeological Training
and Research (PIATR) at Lahore. He has written nearly 20 books
on history, art, culture and heritage of all Pakistani provinces.
The Government of Pakistan has always given a great importance
to protect and preserve places of importance of any religion
in Pakistan.
Due to the spiritual, cultural, religious and historical
importance of Buddhist relics in Pakistan, the Government
of Pakistan is making efforts to preserve Gandhara culture
in Pakistan.
To promote awareness about Buddhist relics in Pakistan. the
Pakistan Government under the auspices of the Ministry of
Tourism organises a Gandhara week in Pakistan every year where
bhikkhus, clergy, scholars and worshippers are invited from
all over the world to participate.
Besides the Gandhara week, last year the Government of Pakistan
also invited the Most Ven. Mahanayakas from Sri Lanka for
pilgrimage to Buddhist worship places in Pakistan.
They included the Most Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Maha Thera,
Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter, Asgiri Maha Viharaya,
Kandy.
The Most Ven. Devuldena Gnanissara Maha Thera, Uttaritara
Mahanayaka Thera of the Amarapura Nikaya, Vidyavijayuaramaya,
Pagoda Road, Nugegoda, The Most Ven. Veveldeniye Medhalankara
Maha Thera, Mahanayaka of the Ramanna Nikaya, Sri Sasanawardhana
Pirivena, Mirigama and the Most Ven. Niyangoda Vijitasiri
Deputy Mahanayaka of Malwatta Chapter, Kandy.
Last year the Pakistan High Commission also launched the
Sinhala translation of famous book 'Gandhara Art in Pakistan'
written by Dr. A. H. Dani and translated by Prof. Emeritus
J. B. Dissanayake.
Pakistan will also host the World Buddhist Assembly in November.
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