KEY POINTS
- The statues are installed at Bangkok National Museum and a cultural institution in Vietnam
- The gesture highlights Pakistan’s role in preserving Gandharan Buddhist legacy
ISLAMABAD: In a powerful gesture underscoring Pakistan’s role as a steward of the Gandharan Buddhist legacy, replicas of the renowned Fasting Buddha, gifted by Pakistan, have been installed in two key Southeast Asian venues: the Bangkok National Museum in Thailand and a cultural institution in Vietnam’s Ninh Binh province.
Presented through Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these gifts stand as powerful symbols of a shared spiritual legacy and reaffirm the enduring civilizational ties that go beyond national boundaries.
A moment of pride as replicas of the Fasting Buddha, gifted by Pakistan, find their place at the National Museum, Bangkok (Thailand) and in Vietnam’s Ninh Binh province. These timeless emblems of shared spiritual heritage reflect the enduring cultural and civilizational bonds… pic.twitter.com/T6ynJGZsnV
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 31, 2025
Gesture of heritage and friendship
The replicas were presented as diplomatic gifts in ceremonies attended by senior officials, diplomats, and cultural representatives, symbolising goodwill and mutual reverence for Buddhist heritage.
Honouring Gandhara Art and its global legacy
Modelled after Gandharan-era statues—famous for their austere portrayal of the Buddha in his period of fasting, these replicas embody a rich artistic tradition that originated in what is now northern Pakistan.
Bangkok National Museum welcomes the gift
In Thailand’s capital, the statue is displayed to highlight the historic flow of Buddhist art from Gandhara to Southeast Asia, emphasising narratives of spiritual exchange and cultural continuity.
Vietnam’s Ninh Binh Province embraces Gandharan symbolism
Meanwhile, in Vietnam’s world of ancient temples and Buddhist sites, the Fasting Buddha replica enhances local exhibitions, reinforcing Vietnam’s own Buddhist legacy and its connection to Gandharan cultural roots.
Bridging culture, education, and tourism
Pakistan has expressed hope that these diplomatic contributions will pave the way for collaborative exhibitions, academic exchanges, and faith-based tourism programmes—linking Taxila’s archaeological museums with museums in Vietnam and Thailand.
Cultural booms across borders
These statues are more than mere archaeological replicas—they are messages carved in stone that speak of a shared spiritual past.
In gifting the Fasting Buddha replicas, Pakistan extends both recognition and invitation: to reflect on common religious history and to explore avenues of joint exhibitions, scholar exchanges, and tourism between South and Southeast Asia.
In Bangkok and Ninh Binh today, visitors can encounter a quiet yet profound testament to Pakistan’s Gandharan legacy, an ancient art form that continues to resonate across cultures, decades, and corridors of diplomacy.
Fasting Buddha: A timeless symbol
The Fasting Buddha, an iconic masterpiece of Gandharan art, portrays Siddhartha Gautama in the midst of his deep ascetic journey before attaining enlightenment.
This powerful sculpture, originally unearthed in Sikri, Pakistan, dates back to the 2nd century CE and now resides in the Lahore Museum.
Revered for its emotional intensity and artistic detail, it stands as a timeless testament to Pakistan’s rich Buddhist heritage and the spiritual depth of the Gandharan era.
