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India, Thailand Unite in Buddhist Heritage Exchange

India and Thailand share a deep historical and spiritual bond, rooted in centuries of cultural exchange, ancient trade, and the enduring influence of Buddhism. This sacred connection was recently reaffirmed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Thailand, where he highlighted the spiritual kinship between the two nations by visiting Bangkok’s revered Wat Pho Temple of the Reclining Buddha and gifting a replica of the Ashokan Lion Capital.

Prime Minister Modi further affirmed India’s dedication to this shared heritage by announcing that the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha, unearthed in 1960 at Devni Mori in Gujarat’s Aravalli district, would be sent to Thailand for public exposition—marking a renewed chapter of cultural diplomacy grounded in reverence and spiritual kinship.

A High-Level Buddhist Delegation Strengthens the Spiritual Continuum

As a significant follow-up to this visit, a distinguished delegation of Thai Buddhist monks, led by His Eminence Somdet Phra Therayanamuni—acting Supreme Patriarch of Thailand—arrived in India for a six-day visit. The delegation also included other eminent monastics such as H.E. Phra Kittisaramuni Kulphol, Deputy Abbot of Wat Debsirindravas, and senior members of the Thai Buddhist Sangha. The group was accorded “Guest of the State” status, reflecting the deep diplomatic and spiritual value India places on the Buddhist fraternity of Thailand.

On their arrival, the delegation visited the National Museum in New Delhi to offer prayers at the Holy Relics shrine of Lord Buddha, where a serene Pali chanting ceremony was held. The event was organized by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), reinforcing India’s role as the spiritual homeland of Buddhism and a custodian of its sacred legacy.

Bridging Nations Through Culture and Dharma

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, welcomed the delegation and highlighted the expansive spiritual and cultural interplay between India and Thailand. He emphasized that while Buddhism remains a foundational link, the historical relationship also encompasses shared traditions in Hinduism, Sanskrit literature, and epic lore.

“The Ramayana is not just an Indian epic; it is an integral part of Thai folklore,” the Minister said. “Ayutthaya once sent scholars to Nalanda, and today, we continue that legacy by fostering academic, cultural, and spiritual exchanges.”

Minister Rijiju also invited more Buddhist monks and lay followers from Thailand to visit India’s sacred Buddhist sites, and encouraged Indian pilgrims and tourists to explore Thailand’s rich Buddhist legacy.

Honoring the Shared Legacy of the Enlightened One

The delegation also met Minister of Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who fondly recalled the unprecedented spiritual response during the exposition of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha in Thailand last year. Over four million devotees paid their respects, a testament to the enduring devotion of the Thai people toward the Buddha and his teachings.

Minister Shekhawat pledged continued collaboration with Thai cultural and religious institutions and invited the acting Supreme Patriarch to visit Ayodhya, noting his keen interest in Hindu mythology and shared spiritual themes.

Profile of His Eminence Somdet Phra Therayanamuni

A towering figure in the global Buddhist community, Somdet Phra Therayanamuni, also known as Worachayo, currently serves as the Abbot of Wat Thepsgintharawat Ratchaworawihan. In his role, he presides over critical educational and spiritual functions of the Thai Sangha. As Chairman of the Pali Education Committee, he supervises four departments: the Pali Department, Dharma Department, General Education, and the Pali Supervising Department.

His Holiness is also known for his humanitarian efforts, including the restoration of sacred architecture and the founding of international temples, such as Wat Buddha Dallas in the United States. As Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Dallas Buddhist Temple, he has played a pivotal role in bringing Thai Buddhism to the Western world.

In 2010, he established a heart disease fund in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great’s 83rd birthday, aimed at helping underprivileged patients access life-saving medicines—a reflection of the Buddhist value of compassion in action.

A Sacred Future Ahead

This recent chapter in India-Thailand relations is a powerful reminder that cultural diplomacy, when intertwined with spiritual heritage, forms the strongest of bridges between nations. As India continues to emerge as a global center for Buddhist pilgrimage and education, the shared reverence for the Buddha’s teachings promises to deepen cooperation between these two countries—united not only by religion, but also by a vision of peace, compassion, and mutual respect.

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