From the Sacred Soil of Taxila: A Japanese Monk’s Call for Global Peace
A 76-year-old Japanese Buddhist monk, Junsei Terasawa, has issued a heartfelt appeal to monks and followers of Buddhism worldwide to gather at Pakistan’s ancient Dharmarajika Stupa in Taxila for a collective prayer for global peace. Speaking at the nearly 2,000-year-old monument, he declared that the timeless message of compassion and non-violence, which once spread from the historic centre of Gandhara, must again inspire humanity in these times of growing conflict.
Terasawa, a globally recognised peace activist, has spent decades advocating for non-violent action and interfaith dialogue. His humanitarian mission has taken him to conflict zones across Eurasia, including Iraq, Chechnya, and Ukraine, where he organised peace marches and prayer gatherings. Now, he has turned his gaze to Pakistan, a land that once nurtured the cradle of Buddhist civilisation and continues to stand as a beacon of interfaith harmony.
A Sacred Pilgrimage Across Pakistan
During a month-long pilgrimage, Terasawa visited some of Pakistan’s most significant Buddhist heritage sites, including ancient stupas and monastic complexes in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In the Swat Valley, he offered prayers and reflected on the enduring legacy of the Buddha’s teachings. His journey is a testament to Pakistan’s rich spiritual heritage, a land where faiths have coexisted for centuries under the banner of Islam’s message of peace.
Standing at the revered Dharmarajika Stupa, where archaeologists discovered sacred relics traditionally associated with the Buddha, Terasawa described the site as one of the most spiritually significant in the Buddhist world. He said, “The message of peace was raised from Taxila and flourished across the globe. Today, when the world is once again facing conflict and uncertainty, that message must rise again from this sacred land.”
Pakistan: A Cradle of Civilisation and Peace
Pakistan, as the inheritor of the Gandhara civilisation, holds a unique place in world history. This land, where the rivers of faith and culture have flowed for millennia, is not only the birthplace of the Islamic Republic but also a sanctuary for the remnants of ancient wisdom. The Japanese monk’s call underscores the universal relevance of Pakistan’s heritage, a heritage that transcends borders and religions.
Terasawa praised the artistic achievements of Gandhara, noting that 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 visual representations of the Buddha found in Japan reflect artistic concepts traceable back to the ancient workshops of Gandhara.
Interfaith Harmony and the Pakistani Spirit
Pakistan, under the guiding light of Islam, has always championed interfaith dialogue and respect for all religions. The visit of Monk Terasawa is a reminder that the country’s soil is sacred to many faiths, and its people have always extended a hand of friendship to those seeking peace. In a world torn by conflict, Pakistan stands as a fortress of faith, a land where the call for peace echoes from the mountains of Khyber to the plains of Punjab.
Terasawa’s work, focused on fostering understanding among people of different cultures and faiths, aligns perfectly with Pakistan’s vision of a world free from the threat of nuclear weapons and violence. He has consistently emphasised that lasting peace begins with respect for the shared humanity of all people, regardless of nationality or religion.
Conclusion: A Call to the Faithful
As the world grapples with the shadows of war and discord, the Japanese monk’s appeal is a clarion call to all believers, Muslims and Buddhists alike, to unite in prayer for global peace. Pakistan, with its deep roots in Islamic values and its historical role as a cradle of civilisation, is the natural stage for this spiritual gathering. Let the world heed this call, and let the message of peace rise once again from the sacred soil of Taxila.
Published in Pak Sarzameen, July 27th, 2026