Tracing Pakistan’s Buddhist heritage
Chandana Wijekoon launched his fifth publication, “The Glory that was Gandhara; Journey in Search of Buddhist Ruins of Pakistan” on January 29 at the National Library and Documentation Services Board.
The distinguished invitees included Ven. Batapola Nanda Thero, Dr. Praneeth Abeysundera of the Department of Social Studies, Sri Jayewardenepura University and Pakistani High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Major General (retd) Qasim Qureshi.
Pakistani High Comminioner Major General (retd) Qasim Qureshi greets Ven. Batapola Nanda Thera at the book launch. Author Chandana Wijekoon is in the background. Pic by Susantha Liyanawatte
A journalist, anthropologist and author, Mr. Wijekoon in this book takes the reader on an expedition of the Buddhist statues and civilisations of Gandhara, Pakistan.
In his address, Ven. Batapola Nanda Thero said the book is an education on the origin and evolution of Buddha statues in particular the ‘Gandhara’, ‘Mathura’ and ‘Amarawathie’ archaeological cultures. He praised the author for his dedication in compiling sayings, paper articles and publications of well known archaeologists to present the reader a better idea of historical and ancient arts and culture vis-à-vis 
Buddhism.
Mr. Abeysundara in his short speech spoke about the Buddhist heritage in Gandhara and invited readers to “learn lessons from its legacy and the need to preserve these places and cultures.”
Mr. Qureshi said he was “honoured to speak at the launch of a book written in Sinhala about a Pakistani city”. He viewed this publication as an attempt to “bring to Sri Lankans the knowledge about Buddhist traditions and heritage in Pakistan” and said it will soon be translated to English and Urdu.
The author said he was grateful to the Embassy of Pakistan for allowing him visit these places in order to get a first hand experience of the splendour of the Buddha traditions which helped him produce the book.
| Book facts
“The Glory that was Gandhara; Journey in Search of Buddhist Ruins of Pakistan”-by Chandana Wijekoon. |