The Vanished Buddha: A Sacred Relic at the Heart of an International Dispute. China and Netherlands
A 1,000-year-old Buddha statue containing the mummified remains of the monk Liuquan has become the focus of a complex saga involving theft, spiritual heritage, and international law. Originally enshrined in Puzhao Temple in Fujian, China, the statue—known as Zhanggong Zushi—was…
Fasting Buddha replica gifted to Bai Dinh Pagoda, Vietnam
ISLAMABAD : A meticulously crafted replica of the revered Fasting Buddha, an iconic Gandhara-era masterpiece dating back to the 2nd century, was formally handed over to Bai Dinh Pagoda, Vietnam’s largest Buddhist temple. The gift was given by Ambassador of…
Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum to be Inaugurated in Vaishali on July 29, 2025
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced the upcoming inauguration of the Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum-cum-Memorial Stupa in Vaishali, scheduled for July 29, 2025. The event will host Buddhist monks and followers from approximately 15 countries, marking a milestone moment of…
Textile worker-turned conservator cures UNESCO stone Buddha statues of 34 ‘diseases’. China
Chen Huili’s decades of dedication to cultural heritage have transformed her from a former textile technician into one of China’s leading figures in rock art conservation. Guided by a unique four-step diagnostic method—rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and enhanced by…
Gandhara, the epicentre of Buddhism
Gandhara, located in present-day Pakistan, holds profound historical and spiritual significance for Buddhism. Once a thriving hub of Buddhist thought, art and culture, Gandhara played a vital role in the dissemination of all three major schools of Buddhism—Theravada, Mahayana and…
‘Antiques Roadshow’ guest ‘had no idea’ his golden Buddha statue was worth a massive fortune
The expert revealed that the item dated as far as back as the 1650s. Most of the items that turn up on “Antiques Roadshow” are often family heirlooms, paintings, and vintage timepieces. But sometimes, items related to ancient civilizations are…
Vaishali’s Smriti Stupa to Open this Month with Monks from 15 Countries. India
Vaishali: The Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum-cum-Smriti Stupa, built in Vaishali, Bihar, is set to be inaugurated in the last week of July. The ceremony will see participation from Buddhist monks representing 15 countries, including China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal,…
Sacred Metalwork and Forgotten Histories: A Dvaravati Treasure Trove. Thailand
Archaeologists in northeastern Thailand have uncovered a spectacular cache of 1,300-year-old gold, silver, and bronze artifacts beneath Wat Dhammachak Semaram, a temple famous for its reclining Buddha statue. The discovery occurred during routine drainage work, revealing a ceramic container filled…
Ancient Buddha Statues Unearthed During Temple Renovation in Champasack, Laos
On 14 July, workers and local villagers unearthed a total of 70 ancient Buddha statues during restoration work at Muang Kang temple in Champasack district, Champasack Province, on 14 July. The discovery came while the residents were digging the ground…