Buddha statue to be gifted from Thailand

EOI, Darjeeling, 22 Oct 2014: A 31-member delegation from Thailand will present a bronze Buddha statue to a monastery in Darjeeling on October 26 as part of a philanthropic endeavour.

The Thai delegation is scheduled to arrive in Darjeeling on October 25 accompanied by Indian ambassador to Thailand Harsha Vardhan Shringla.

Darjeeling Eastern Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association (DEHBCA) S.L.Palzor said on Wednesday:  “One of our members in Delhi was informed about some people from Thailand wanting to donate a

statue of Buddha in India. He referred the name of Dichen TashiCholing Gumba located at Gopal Dhura in Singtam Darjeeling which was then approved by the Indian Ambassador to Thailand”.

Besides the Buddha statue, the Thai delegation will also present two statues of revered monks to the Singtam tea estate monastery. “The presentation of the statues from Thailand to the Singtam monastery is being coordinated by the Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association,” said Palzor.

It is learnt that the monastery has Singtam did not have a proper statue. However when the proposal was made the monastery committee accepted it in the hope that it would benefit the devotees of the area who flock to offer prayer.