Pakistan has recently presented Thailand with a replica of the Fasting Buddha, a rare depiction of the Buddha, as part of “Buddhist diplomacy” aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.
The original Fasting Buddha statue, housed in the Lahore Museum since 1898, is a masterpiece created about 2,000 years ago during the ancient Gandhara civilisation, a former centre of Buddhist culture.
A Bridge of Friendship
Pakistan's Ambassador to Thailand, Rukhsana Afzaal, stressed that the statue is not just a beautiful artifact, but a symbol of goodwill.
This year, Pakistan produced two replicas, one presented to UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris and the other to Thailand.
The replica serves as a gesture of "Buddhist diplomacy", aimed at strengthening relations with Thailand and other ASEAN countries.
The ambassador expressed hope that the statue’s installation at the National Museum in Bangkok would draw both Thai and ASEAN devotees, serving as a cultural connection.
“The government of Pakistan wants to promote its relationships with the ASEAN countries and ASEAN is predominantly Buddhist. So, it will not only serve as a bridge of friendship between Pakistan and Thailand, it will also help to develop friendship with ASEAN countries as well,” according to the ambassador.
Pakistan's Ambassador to Thailand, Rukhsana Afzaal
Future project to forge a connection
As Thailand and Pakistan are close friends, and will celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026, the ambassador revealed that, for this occasion, there will be another project, the Gandhara Exhibition, which has been in preparation since 2012, working with Thailand’s Ministry of Culture.
In September 2024, a multi-ministerial delegation from Thailand visited museums in Pakistan to select relics for the exhibition.
“They selected and identified about 92 relics from five museums in Pakistan,” she said.
These artefacts will be exhibited at the National Museum in Bangkok next year.
She added that, since Pakistan is a centre of Buddhist learning, civilisation and culture, visitors to Pakistan will be impressed by how the government has preserved its heritage sites.
Other projects are also underway, including inviting senior monks from Thailand to undertake the rains retreat in Pakistan, enabling them to experience this beautiful tradition near the seat of Gandhara, which was Taxila.
The ambassador believes that Pakistan could certainly become a well-known destination for Buddhist pilgrims in the future.
Gandhara civilisation
The Most Venerable Anil Sakya highlighted the historical connection between Thailand and Gandharan art, which may date back to the early Rattanakosin era, during the reign of King Rama I.
This connection deepened in 1891 when Prince Damrong Rajanubhab visited India and expressed interest in viewing the finest examples of Indian Buddha images. In response, he received a replica of the ‘Fasting Buddha’ from the Lahore Museum, then part of British India.
Phra Ajarn Anil Sakya explained that, while the statue’s physical form may not align with traditional Thai aesthetics, Western scholars have long admired its anatomical accuracy and realism.
“It makes them question how people from that era could have such a deep understanding of the human body. For them, this anatomical realism is what makes it so beautiful and perfect,” said Phra Ajarn Anil Sakya.
Success takes time
Beyond its artistic and historical significance, the statue serves as a profound reminder for modern society.
In a world that values instant success and quick results, the journey of the ‘Fasting Buddha’ in search and experimentation teaches us that success takes time.
Phra Ajarn suggests that when reading the Buddha’s biography, try putting yourself in his shoes.
Suppose you were Prince Siddhartha. Whatever he went through in his time were the very same experiences we’re facing today.
It is crucial to remember that he spent six years searching and trying every method available at the time, similar to how we experiment nowadays.
While our own trials might fall short, he kept experimenting until he realised that none of the existing methods were the answer. It was only then that he began to find his own truth.
A spiritual lesson one can learn from Prince Siddhartha is that lasting achievements often arise from patience, resilience and walking the Middle Way, rather than from extremes.
The presentation ceremony for the replica of the Fasting Buddha was held at Issarawinitchai Throne Hall, National Museum, Bangkok, last month.
By Att Boonyatus
