Q. 1221 Bhikshapatra Of Buddha

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Bhikshapatra given by Lord Buddha to Vaishali has been kept in Kabul in a Museum;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has sought information from Archaeological Survey of India about the historic and archaeological proof of the origin of Bhikshapatra of Lord Buddha; and

(d) if so, the action taken by the Government to find out about the origin of Bhikshapatra of Lord Buddha?

ANSWER: THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SMT. PRENEET KAUR)

(a) & (b) A large stone bowl, approximately 1 metre in height, 1 metre in diameter, with a thickness of about 18 cms at the top, and weighing around 200-300 kgs with verses from the Qoran in calligraphic script running horizontally along its rim in Arabic and Persian, is presently located at the entrance of the National Museum of Afghanistan in Kabul. It was originally located in Kandahar from where it was moved to Kabul during the regime of former Afghan President Dr. Najibullah. The bowl is purported to be the Bhikshapatra of Lord Buddha.

(c) & (d) Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has conveyed that they are getting the photograph of the bowl examined by experts. They have further conveyed that from preliminary observation the object does not appear to be Lord Buddha`s begging bowl. Embassy of India, is also making further enquiries in the matter so as to ascertain the provenance of the bowl from the Afghan authorities.

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