Buddha Day was observed for the first time officially across Pakistan on Monday to pay homage to the contribution of Siddhartha Gautama as the founder of Buddhism in South Asia.
According to Radio Pakistan, it is said that the day was commemorated for the first time at the official level in Pakistan.
The Ministry of National History and Literary Heritage Division put great emphasis on the significance of Buddha in history during a special function and highlighted that Pakistan had a great number of Buddhist places and museums in Khyber Pakhtunkha, Wah Cantt in Punjab and in Islamabad.
A Sri Lankan delegation of 25 Buddhist monks also attended the event at the ministry.
Buddhism was founded in the late 6th century BCE by Buddha in Asia. It took root in Pakistan some 2300 years ago under the Mauryan King Ashoka and the Pala Empire.
In 2012, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) indicated that the contemporary Buddhist population of Pakistan was 1,492.
Buddha taught unique religious beliefs and explained how to attain full enlightenment for the sake of others. Buddhism had its followers in South Asia including Nepal, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and in many western countries.
Source: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/
