Pakistan’s rich Gandhara heritage dates back to more than 2000 years and reflects the ancient cultural civilization, religion and art. Located in the North Western part of Pakistan, particularly in Taxila, Gandhara became the center of Buddhist learning and the spread of Lord Buddha’s message thus playing a pivotal role in the history of Buddhist faith, art and architecture.

The Government of Pakistan invited Most Venerable Dr. Anil Sakya (Phra Brahmashakyavamsavisuddhi) along with a distinguished multi-ministerial delegation from the Ministry of Culture and the Department of Religious Affairs of Thailand to visit the Gandhara heritage sites, as a preparatory step for organizing Gandhara exhibition in the Kingdom of Thailand.

The delegation led by the Most Venerable visited Pakistan on 2-8 September 2024. It selected rare Gandhara artifacts from the renowned museums in Taxila, Swat, Peshawar, Islamabad and Lahore for special exhibition in Thailand. Most Venerable Dr. Anil Sakya, during his lectures and interaction in Pakistan with senior officials, researchers, students and followers of Buddhism highlighted the significance of Gandhara as center of Buddhist learning and cradle of a great civilization. He also mentioned about the rare treasures of statutes, carvings, and inscriptions received by nontkri in the past which is a great heritage for the people of Taxila.