Pakistan has made a historic step. The government has declared to set up the first Buddhist Cultural and Information Center ever. It will be an intellectual city. It will relate Pakistan to its olden day. It will also open the fresh frontiers of international access. This center is not merely a construction. It is an intermediate between the past and the present.
Bringing Back the Lost History
Gandhara civilization is found in Pakistan. The remains of Buddhism still live in its earth. But long has this heritage been forgotten. This treasure will be revived in the new center. It will enable the world to reclaim Buddhist heritage of Pakistan. This revival is also a wake up call. Pakistan is not just what it is facing. It is equally the protector of civilizations.
Tourism and Soft Power
Cultural centers are not just heritage reconstruction. It is also a tourism magnet. Pakistan will now be more accessible to millions of Buddhists all over the world. Tourism means economy. Tourism means jobs. It also means soft power. Pakistan can sell itself as a pacifist, tolerant and historic land. It is the way countries create positive images. That is the way countries reformulate their histories.
Diplomacy Through Culture
The center is not a tourist center alone. It is also for diplomacy. Culture is more than politics. Through the presentation of Buddhist heritage, Pakistan develops confidence among the Buddhist majority nations. It enhances the relationship with other countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand and Japan. It also provides a better way in international relations. Political rhetoric is of frequent lesser strength than cultural diplomacy. This is a center that means friendship.
Education and Research
The center will not be just a museum. It will also be a learning centre. It will be a study material to researchers, students and monks. Knowledge creates bridges. There is common study that forms connections. This center will be able to bridge the Pakistani university with world Buddhism scholars. It may also motivate the young Pakistanis to investigate their history. Education is powerful. Knowledge is influenced.
A Symbol of Tolerance
This center is a symbol in a world that is split into intolerance. It depicts that Pakistan is a diverse nation. It demonstrates that Pakistan cannot be one dimensional. Rather, it glorifies each of its histories. Tolerance is not a motto. It is a way of life. That will be expressed in the Buddhist Cultural and Information Center. It will remind the world that the concept of pluralism can be embraced in Pakistan.
Buddhist Cultural and Information Center is a breakthrough. It rekindles heritage, enhances tourism, enhances diplomacy, fosters research and represents tolerance. It is a punchline for improvement. It is a headline of hope. And most importantly it is a new start in the history of Pakistan.
