Vesak Day event highlights Gandhara heritage

Express Tribune

17-05-2025

Buddhists carry candles as they pray during Vesak Day, an annual celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon temple in Ayutthaya, Thailand. PHOTO: REUTERS
In celebration of Vesak Day 2025, a roundtable and book launching ceremony was held today at the Kohsar Block, Pak Secretariat on Friday.
Organised by the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) in collaboration with the Silk Road Centre and i-DOT COOL, the event brought together scholars, government officials, and cultural stakeholders.
The gathering marked a significant cultural milestone under the Gandhara Culture & Tourism Festival 2025, reflecting Pakistan's commitment to preserving its Buddhist heritage and strengthening historical ties with the Republic of Korea.
The highlight of the event was the official launch of the book titled "Tracing the Journey of the Ancient Korean Monk Hyecho", authored by Dr Kyosoon Park (Esther) with Dr Muhammad Iqbal Chawla. The book narrates the spiritual journey of Monk Hyecho, who travelled from Korea to the Gandhara region in the 8th century, revealing the shared Buddhist legacy between the two nations.
In his welcome remarks, Managing Director of PTDC, Aftabur Rehman Rana, appreciated the efforts of Dr Kyosoon Park and Dr Muhammad Iqbal Chawla for contributing this remarkable book which will be greatly helpful in the promotion of Buddhist heritage and religious tourism in Pakistan.
He added, "this initiative will play a vital role in promoting Gandhara heritage and culture globally. PTDC is already actively working on various projects to promote Gandhara's rich Buddhist heritage, and this book adds valuable depth to our collective efforts. Such initiatives strengthen Pakistan's position as a center of ancient Buddhist culture and foster stronger cultural diplomacy."
Speakers at the roundtable including author Dr Kyosoon Park, Dr Ijlal Hussain, Director of Silk Road Centre, Imran Masood, Chairman of Gandhara Art and Culture Association, and Muhammad Hassan, CEO i-DOT COOL, highlighted the immense economic and cultural potential of Gandhara.
Dr Ijlal Hussain said "By making Gandhara a national priority, we can unlock not only economic prosperity but also strengthen Pakistan's global ties. This is not a fantasy; it is a goal that can lead Pakistan to self-sufficiency. Let's embrace the tangible and intangible heritage of Gandhara, and work together, public and private sectors alike, towards a brighter, stronger, and more prosperous Pakistan."
Author Dr Kyosoon Park said "It was a deeply personal and professional journey for me to retrace Monk Hyecho's footsteps. People from Korea and other countries can come to Gandhara with an interest in following in the footsteps of Hyecho, and to help develop Gandhara as a pilgrimage land for Buddhists."
Muhammad Hassan added, "The Vesak Day roundtable and book launch mark the beginning of a series of events leading up to the Gandhara Culture & Tourism Festival (GCTF) scheduled for October this year. The GCTF is a key initiative aimed at establishing Pakistan as a custodian of Gandhara heritage and a premier pilgrimage destination for international visitors."