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The Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society has expressed its profound gratitude to UNESCO and the Government of India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the recognition of the Dhamek Stupa at the sacred Buddhist site of Sarnath as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
President of the Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society, Chief Sanghanayaka of Japan, and Chief Incumbent of the Sanchi Chethiyagiri Vihara, Most Venerable Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thera, said the recognition is a significant milestone for the global Buddhist community.
The Thera noted that following the Enlightenment of the Buddha, Sarnath became the sacred site where the Buddha delivered His first sermon to the five ascetics, making it one of the holiest places in Buddhism.
He recalled that it was Anagarika Dharmapala who revived the importance of Sarnath for the Buddhist world by constructing the Mulagandhakuti Vihara in 1931, restoring the sacred site after centuries of neglect. The Thera further pointed out that Anagarika Dharmapala both received higher ordination and spent the final days of his life at Sarnath.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Ven. Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thera said he received his early education at the Mahabodhi School in Varanasi while residing at Sarnath. He recalled observing archaeological excavations at the site conducted by an archaeologist named Mani, whose work inspired him to pursue studies in archaeology later in life.
The Thera also noted that the Dhamek Stupa, which had long remained buried, was rediscovered during excavations carried out in 1835–1836 under the direction of Sir Alexander Cunningham.
Emphasizing Anagarika Dharmapala’s immense contribution to reviving Buddhism in India and safeguarding the country’s sacred Buddhist sites, Ven. Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thera said Sarnath represented the final and most spiritually significant chapter of Dharmapala’s mission.
In recognition of the efforts made to secure World Heritage status for Sarnath, the Thera conveyed the Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society’s sincere appreciation to the Government of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as to UNESCO Director-General-designate Khaled El-Enany, on behalf of Buddhists in Sri Lanka and around the world.
