The Largest Thanka on its way to India

“The world’s largest Mandala (Thanka), portraying the Buddha’s life, will be displayed in India for the first time in December as a grand finale to the 50th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic ties between India and Japan…The President of the Indian Culture Study Association of Japan, Rev. D.S Uchida, met Defense Minister George Fernandez and human resources development minister Murli Manohar Joshi here on Monday, seeking permission to display it as a prominent location in the national capital-either next to India Gate or inside Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.”

The Asian Age, New Delhi, October 13, 2003.

‘World’s largest ‘ Thanka to be displayed

“…in the programme organized by Nepal Bouddha Dharma Samrakshan Samiti (NBDSS) and Mandala 21st Century, a counterpart organization based in Japan, Chairman of the NBDSS Surya Bahadur Thakali expressed his happiness to display the world’s largest thanka…The NBDSS has already signed an agreement in 1998 AD with Lumbini Development Trust for a piece of land of 80 meters by 80 meters in Lumbini to build a display parapet for the thanka.

Addressing the function Yasutada Katagiri, President of Mandala 21st Century said that the thanka is not only made of cloths and threads but also stitched by commitment towards peace, harmony to all human beings. ‘And prayer for World Peace,’ he added.”

 The Kathmandu Post, Kathmandu, October 15, 2003.

For peace & tourism

"As an effort to spread the message of peace globally and make this Himalayan Kingdom known to the rest of the world as the birth place of Lord Gautam Buddha, the world’s largets thanka depicting the life of the harbinger of peace and non-violence –Lord Buddha-will be on display in March next year in Nepal… ‘Besides generating interest in the life and teachings of Lord Buddha, the objective of the exhibition of the thanka will also be to raise funds to support schools and conservation efforts of historical and archaeological sites globally’…'in the production of this unique piece, there is the commitment towards world peace, harmony and humanity. We are trying to involve more and more people and countries to involve in such work and express their firm commitments for world peace', says Yasutada Katagiri, President of Mandala 21st Century, who has been involved in the project for last nine years."

 The Rising Nepal, Kathmandu, October 16, 2003