Japanese monk asks Buddhists to visit Taxila for peace prayers

TAXILA: A 76-year-old Japanese Buddhist monk has appealed to monks and followers of Buddhism across the world to gather at Pakistan’s ancient Dharmarajika Stupa in Taxila for a collective prayer for global peace, saying the teachings of the Buddha that once spread from the historic centre of Gandhara should again inspire humanity at a time of growing global conflict. Speaking to journalists after offering prayers for peace at the nearly 2, 000-year-old Dharmarajika Stupa, Japanese monk Junsei Terasawa said the world was passing through a period marked by conflicts, violence and human suffering, making the Buddha’s timeless message of compassion, non-violence and reconciliation more relevant than ever. “The message of peace was raised from Taxila and flourished across the globe, and today, when the world is once again facing conflict and uncertainty, that message must rise again from this sacred land, ” Monk Terasawa expressed. Japanese Buddhist monk Junsei Terasawa San celebrated the enduring legacy of peace, harmony, and interfaith understanding on a month-long pilgrimage across Pakistan, visiting some of the country’s most significant Buddhist heritage sites. His spiritual journey has taken him to ancient stupas and monastic complexes in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the renowned archaeological remains in the Swat Valley, where he offered prayers and reflected on the enduring legacy of the Buddha’s teachings. For decades, Terasawa has been globally recognised for his dedication to peace-building through non-violent action and interfaith dialogue. His humanitarian mission has taken him to regions affected by armed conflict across Eurasia, where he has organised peace marches, led prayer gatherings and supported initiatives aimed at promoting reconciliation and human dignity. During periods of conflict in Iraq, Chechnya and, more recently, Ukraine, he continued advocating peaceful coexistence through spiritual outreach and public prayer. His work has focused on fostering understanding among people of different cultures and faiths, encouraging dialogue instead of confrontation, supporting the preservation of Buddhist cultural heritage, and advocating for a world free from the threat of nuclear weapons. Throughout his journeys, he has consistently emphasised that lasting peace begins with respect for the shared humanity of all people, regardless of nationality or religion. Standing at the revered Buddhist monument, where archaeologists discovered sacred relics traditionally associated with the Buddha during excavations, Terasawa described Dharmarajika as one of the most spiritually significant sites in the Buddhist world and an enduring symbol of peace. Japanese Buddhist monk Junsei Terasawa underscored the enduring historical and spiritual ties between the ancient Buddhist civilisation of Gandhara and Japan, describing the region as one of the principal sources of the religious and philosophical traditions that later shaped Japanese society. The monk also praised the artistic achievements of the Gandhara civilisation, saying its distinctive Buddhist sculptures and iconography, developed through a fusion of regional and classical influences, left a lasting impression on Buddhist art across East Asia. He observed that many of the visual representations of the Buddha found in Japan reflect artistic concepts that can be traced back to the ancient workshops of Gandhara. Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2026

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