Issued by India

Issued on Jan 25, 2018

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of two Commemorative Postage Stamps between India and Viet Nam on the theme Ancient Architecture featuring ‘Sanchi Stupa’ of India and ‘Pho Minh Pagoda’ of Viet Nam.

Credits :
Stamp/Miniature Sheet/First Day Cover/Brochure : Shri Brahm Prakash
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500 & 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.5 million each

Miniature Sheet Printed : 103500

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The civilizational relationship between India and Viet Nam spans over 2000 years. Monks, traders and people from both countries have interacted over centuries. The intense cultural exchanges have enriched the cultural diversity of the region. India and Viet Nam enjoy good relations and have established bilateral cooperation mechanisms. The relations between the two countries are marked by strong trust, mutual understanding and convergence of views on various international issues and the regional security situation in Asia.
• In recent times, political contacts have strengthened as reflected in several high-level visits by leaders from both sides. Trade and economic linkages continue to grow. Viet Nam is an important regional partner in South East Asia. India and Viet Nam closely cooperate in various regional forums such as ASEAN, East Asia Summit, Mekong Ganga Cooperation, Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) besides UN and WTO.
• India and Viet Nam have emphasized that enhancing bilateral economic engagement is a strategic objective. The bilateral trade is growing at a healthy pace.
• In 2017, the two countries have celebrated the 45^th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 10^th Anniversary of Strategic Partnership. The theme for the joint issue is “Ancient Architecture”, depicting “Sanchi Stupa” in the Indian stamp and “Pho Minh Pagoda” in the Viet Nam stamp. The Sanchi Stupa and the Pho Minh Pagoda are architectural landmarks of their respective countries and are tied by the common thread of Buddhism.
• Sanchi Stupa:
  • The Great Stupa at Sanchi is one of the most important Buddhist monuments. Located at Sanchi town, Madhya Pradesh, India, this Stupa is the oldest stone structure in India that was built during the Mauryan period. Originally commissioned in the third century B.C. by Emperor Ashok, this huge hemispherical dome with a height of 54.0 ft consists of a central chamber where the relics of Lord Buddha are placed. Four ornamental gateways facing four directions and a balustrade surrounding the Stupa were later added in the first century B.C. Enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989, it is counted among the best conserved ancient Stupas of central India.
  • The present hemispherical edifice is double in diameter of the original brick structure built by Ashoka, consisting of the relics of Lord Buddha. A chatra that is an umbrella like structure made of stone crowned the hemispherical brick structure that was surrounded by a wooden railing. A sandstone pillar, inscribed with Edict by Ashoka as also with ornate spiral Brahmi characters from the Gupta period resembling conch shells referred as ‘Shankhalipi’ or ‘shell-script’ by scholars, was erected in the site. While the lower portion of it is still grounded, the upper portions are kept under a canopy. During the Shunga dynasty, expansion of the Stupa, nearly double its original size with a more flattened dome was undertaken using stone slabs that entirely covered the actual brick Stupa. Three superimposed umbrella-like structures were built to crown the dome. It symbolized the Wheel of Law or ‘dharma’. A high rounded drum that can be reached through a double staircase became the seat of the dome enabling one to circumambulate the sacred dome.
• Pho Minh Pagoda:
  • Pho Minh Pagoda is located 4 km north of Nam Dinh City and 94 km south of Hanoi, the Capital city. The pagoda was originally built during the Ly Dynasty of Viet Nam and later expanded in 1262 during the Tran Dynasty. It was a place for high-ranking mandarins and the aristocracy of the Tran Royal Court to worship and lead their religious life.
  • The architecture and decorations of the pagoda are characteristics of the Tran Dynasty’s times: lotus flower pond, lotus-flower decorations at the foot of the pillars, the Tran-styled dragon sculptures, the stone candle holders. Specially, a 13 story-tower named Pho Minh Tower in the shape of a lotus, 19 meters high, was built just in front yard of the pagoda in 1305. The base and the tower’s first floor were constructed with flagstones and the upper floors were built with bricks. On top of the tower, there is a gourd-shaped decoration which is kind of talisman to catch the elite energy from the universe. The tower is believed to connect the Earth and the Universe. Pho Minh Pagoda is mostly visited by the Vietnamese Buddhist Pilgrims and tourists, especially in festival times.
• Text : Based on the information received from Ministry of External Affairs and Viet Nam Post.

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Issued by India

Issued on Apr 14, 2017

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of two Commemorative Postage Stamps on Deekshabhoomi.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Se–tenant set of 2 Stamps, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise each

Stamps Printed : 3.10 lakh each

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Deekshabhoomi is regarded as one of the most revered monuments of Buddhism. It is at this place, the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, embraced Buddhism with nearly 4 lakhs of his followers on 14 October 1956.
• Deekshabhoomi is spread across 22 acres of land in the heart of Nagpur. Deekshabhoomi Stupa is the largest hollow stupa among all Buddhist stupas in India. The diameter is 36 meters and has a height of 22 meters. Height from ground level is 30 meters. Based on the theme of Ashok Chakra, the stupa rests on 24 pillars resembling 24 spokes. The stupa dome is constructed with concrete blocks and stands on a self-supporting concrete umbrella as a capstone. The dome is surrounded by a four meter wide veranda. Beneath the dome there is a 64 x 64 meter Prayer hall (Vihara). At the centre of stupa, Relics of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and an idol of Buddha is placed.
• The stupa has four doors opening in four directions. The doors lead to the large gates, which are replicas of Sanchi gate with Ashok Chakras, and statues of horses, elephants, and lions. Around the stupa, there is a garden and statues of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Gautam Buddha on the south-east side of the stupa. On the east side of the stupa are built, a monastery (Bhikkhu Niwas) and two pillars depicting 22 vows and preamble of Indian constitution. The historical Bodhi Tree (Bodhi vriksha) is also planted alongside.
• The ‘Bodhi Vriksha’ at Deekshabhoomi of Bodh Gaya is a sacred fig (Pipal) tree. This Bodhi Tree is a sapling of the same Bodhi tree under which Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. This sapling of the Bodhi Tree was brought from Anuradhapuram in Sri Lanka. The Bodhi tree at Anuradhapuram is said to be planted from the sapling of original Bodhi Tree by Sanghmitra, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka.
• Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar selected Nagpur for his conversion ceremony, as he explained in his speech that Nagpur was homeland of “Nag” people who embraced Buddhism, supported it with great efforts in its early period and propagated it throughout India.
• The emperor Ashoka the Great embraced Buddhism on the Ashwin Shukla Vijaya Dashmi, then known as Ashok Vijaya Dashmi. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar also chose this day for embracing Buddhism. The year 1956 also coincided with 2,550^th Birth Anniversary of Bhagavan Gautam Buddha.
• On Ashoka Vijaya Dashmi, 14 October 1956, Ambedkar and his wife took the oath of three Jewels “Trisaran” and five Precepts ‘Panchsheel’ from the Burmese monk Mahasthavir Chandramani from Kushinagar. Ambedkar then gave the oath of three Jewels, five precepts, and 22 Vows ‘Pratigya’ to his thousands of followers. It was after this day, Nagpur became the birthplace of Neo Buddhist movement.
• Deekshabhoomi has gained the status of a pilgrimage center of Buddhism in India. On the Ashoka Vijaya Dashmi day, called as Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din, millions of pilgrims visit Deekshabhoomi.
• The Government of Maharashtra has declared Deekshabhoomi a status of ‘Grade-A’ pilgrimage center. Millions of people, architects and researchers visit Deekshabhoomi every year.
• Deekshabhoomi stupa was inaugurated by the then President of India Honorable Shri K. R. Narayanan on 18^th December 2001.
• Text : Based on the material received from proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Aug 24, 2015

Issued for : The Department of Posts is please to release a commemorative postage stamp on Samrat Ashoka.

Credits :
Stamp : Kamleshwar Singh
FDC/Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 500 Paise

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Ashoka Maurya

Born on 304 BCE at Pataliputra, Magadha, India [now in Patna, Bihar]

Died on 232 BCE at Pataliputra, Magadha, India [now in Patna, Bihar]

About : 

• Ashoka the Great (304 B.C.E. – 232 B.C.E.), also known as Asoka, was the third ruler of the Maurya Empire who ruled from 273 B.C.E. to 232 B.C.E. He was the grandson of Chandra Gupta Maurya and son of Bindusara. After a number of military conquests, Ashoka reigned over most of South Asia and beyond, from present day Afghanistan in the north to Bengal in the east, and as far south as Mysore. An early supporter of Buddhism, Ashoka established monuments marking several significant sites in the life of Shakyamuni Buddha, and according to Buddhist tradition was closely involved in the preservation and transmission of Buddhism.
  
• King Ashoka has come to be regarded as one of the most exemplary rulers in world history. The British historian H.G. Wells has written; “Amidst the tens of thousands of names of monarchs that crowd the columns of history ….. the name of Asoka shines, and shines almost alone, a star.” Although there were references in Buddhist literature to Ashoka, definitive historical records of his reign were lacking till the nineteenth century when there came to light a large number of edicts, in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan. These edicts, inscribed on rocks and pillars, proclaim Ashoka’s reforms and policies and promulgate his advice to his subjects. Ashoka was the first ruler who inscribed his messages to his subjects and officials on stone surfaces – natural rocks as well as polished pillars. He used the inscriptions to proclaim what he understood to be dhamma.
  
• In the beginning, Ashoka is believed to have used military strength to expand his empire. During his expansion of the Mauryan Empire, Ashoka led a war against a state named Kalinga (present day Orissa) with the goal of annexing its territory, something that his grandfather had already attempted to do. The conflict took place around 261 BCE and it is considered one of the most brutal and bloodiest wars in history. Even though the people from Kalinga defended themselves courageously, Ashoka’s military strength was far beyond Kalinga’s.
  
• On witnessing the extent of destruction in Kalinga after the war, Ashoka issued an edict expressing his regret for the suffering inflicted in Kalinga. He assured that he would renounce war and embrace the propagation of dhamma.
  
• For Ashoka, dhamma was an ancient tradition which was essentially a code of ethical behaviour and the benefits thereof, which appeared to be his attempt to universalize a code focused on social ethics and on the accommodation of diverse views. His formulations of dhamma were intended to influence the conduct of his people in relation to each other, and included practice of respect for elders, treating slaves and servants kindly and respect for religions and traditions other than one’s own. The empire included a spectrum of societies where different categories were variously organized. The emphasis on harmonious social relations between the different people was repeated on many occasions. Besides, general values such as not injuring humans and animals, being forgiving, treating all creatures with compassion, observing piety and adhering to the truth were also emphasized.
  
• Ashoka was a statesman in the context of inheriting and sustaining an empire in a particular historical period, as well as a person with a strong commitment to changing society through the propagation of social ethics. He advocated tolerance, and non-violence as official policy and this makes him an unusual ruler. He built roads, dug wells and built rest houses. Besides, he also arranged for medical treatment for both human beings and animals.
  
• Ashoka sought the advancement of the essentials of all sects and believed that this was only possible if each treated the other with respect. He believed that in honouring the views of others one is honouring one’s own sect. He instituted a body of dhamma–mahamattas concerned with the general welfare of his subjects. The dhamma-mahamattas went from place to place spreading the message of dhamma. Ashoka also sent messengers to spread these ideas to other lands.
  
• Ashoka’s edicts are to be found scattered in more than thirty places throughout India, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Most of these edicts are written in Brahmi script. Ashoka’s edicts, which comprise the earliest decipherable corpus of written documents from India, have survived throughout the centuries because they are written on rocks and stone pillars with animal capitals. These pillars in particular are testimony to the technological and artistic genius of ancient Indian civilization. Averaging between forty and fifty feet in height, and weighing up to fifty tons each, the few capitals that survive are widely recognized as masterpieces of Indian art. Both the pillars and the capitals exhibit a remarkable mirror-like polish that have survived despite centuries of exposure to the elements. Some, like the Lumbini pillar, mark the Buddha’s birthplace, while its inscriptions commemorate Ashoka’s pilgrimage to that place. Others are to be found in or near important population centres so that their edicts could be read by as many people as possible.
  
• Text : Based on the material available on internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on Oct 25, 2014

Issued for : Department of Posts is happy to release a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Anagarika Dharmapala.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC : Sankha Samanta
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.6 Million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : David Hewavitame [Anagarika Dharmapala]

Born on Sep 17, 1864 at Colombo, Sri Lanka 

Died on Apr 29, 1933 at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India

About : 

• Anagarika Dharmapala, who played a leading role in the revival of Buddhism in his native place Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and other parts of the world, was born on 17^th September, 1864 in the Pettah district of Colombo. His childhood name was David Hewavitame. He grew up in an atmosphere of traditional Sinhala piety. From a young age, he took refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, and promised to observe the Five Precepts.
  
• At the age of 9, young David was initiated into the vow of Brahmacharya by his father, and, was advised to be content with whatever he got to eat, and to sleep less. Anagarika’s temperament was ascetic in nature and he loved solitude, meditation and study. He came in contact with Madame Blavatsky and the Theosophical Society and became a follower. He left his home at the age of twenty to dedicate his life in the service of humanity. He renounced his English name and called himself ‘Anagarika’ or ‘homeless one’, ‘Dharmapala’ or ‘the protector of Dharma’. He helped in establishing schools, and propagated Buddhist ideals.
  
• Dharmapala’s visit to Bodh Gaya, India in January, 1891 changed his life, and the course of modern Buddhist history. When he visited the temple at Bodh Gaya, the place was in shambles. He decided to take on the task of taking care and protecting the holy place. He travelled to various parts of the world to mobilize funds for renovation of the Buddhist temple and founded the Mahabodhi Society in Colombo on 31^st May, 1891. The office of the Mahabodhi Society was shifted to Calcutta in early 1892. Dharmapala also started the Maha Bodhi Journal to facilitate interchange of news between the Buddhist countries.
  
• Anagarika Dharmapala attended the World’s Parliament on Religion in Chicago in 1893. He was one of the most popular speakers at the Parliament. All his life, Anagarika continued to lecture and write about Buddhist principles. He set up Sri Dharmarajika Chaitya Vihara at Calcutta and the London Buddhist Vihara.
  
• Anagarika Dharmapala died on 29^th April, 1933 at Sarnath.
  
• Text : Based on the material furnished by the Mahabodhi Society of India and internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on May 14, 2014

Issued for : Department of Posts is happy to release a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Drukpa Lineage of Buddhism.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC : Brahm Prakash
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.62 Million (0.12 Million for proponent)

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The Drukpa Lineage is a prominent Buddhist lineage in India. “Druk” in Tibetan means “Dragon” and it also refers to the sound of thunder. Tsangpa Gyare Yeshe Dorje, the founder of the lineage, named it “Drukpa” or “lineage of the Dragons” in 1206. He was known as the First Gyalwang Drukpa. At present, the 12^th Gyalwang Drukpa Jigme Pema Wangchen, is the spiritual head of the lineage.
  
• This lineage is based in the Himalayas. Its followers are in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, the North East states, as well as in Nepal and across the Himalayan region. It has many followers across the globe, including USA, UK, France, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Switzerland and the South East Asian countries of Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and Taiwan.
  
• The stamp depicts Hemis Monastery, which is a part of the Drukpa Lineage, and is one of the main Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh. It is situated around 45 kms in the south of Leh on the west banks of the Indus river. This biggest and very richly endowed monastery of Ladakh was built in 1630. The monastery is decorated on all the four sides by the colourful prayer flags, which flutter in the breeze and send the prayers to Lord Buddha. The guardian deities and the Wheel of Life can be seen here and are in good condition. It also has an important library of Tibetan style books and a very impressive and valuable collection of Thangkas, gold statues and Stupas embedded with precious stones. One of the largest Thangkas is also displayed every 11^th year during the festival time.
  
• The annual festival is held for two days in June-July, enlivening the courtyard of the monastery. During the festival time, various rituals and mask dances are performed in this courtyard. The festival of dances, where good triumphs over evil, is a colourful pageant.
  
• Text : Based on the material furnished by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jul 11, 2008

Issued for : The Department of Posts commemorates the bilateral relations between India and China with the release of this set of two stamps depicting the Mahabodhi Temple and the White Horse Temple. Of added philatelic value is the miniature sheet the background of which depicts leaves of the Pipal tree. The Pipal tree (Asvattha, Ficus religiosa) is a significant epitome of Buddhist tradition as it was at the foot of this tree that Gautama Buddha obtained his Bodhi or enlightenment.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Bharati Mirchandani
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 1500p, 1500p

Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million, 0.8 Million

Miniature Sheet : 0.2 Million

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nasik

About : 

• India and China are two ancient civilizations endowed with rich histories and cultural heritages, which have had centuries long intellectual exchanges. Buddhism played a central role in initiating the movement of people and ideas between the two countries. Many Chinese scholars visited India in the first millennium to study Buddhism and other subjects and also to collect Sanskrit documents with many of them spending a decade or more in India. Many Indian scholars went to China and worked there between the first century and the eleventh century. They were engaged in a variety of pursuits including Indians in China translating Sanskrit documents into Chinese (mostly Buddhist writings), as well as other activities, like the pursuit of mathematics and science. Several Indian mathematicians and astronomers held high positions in China‘s scientific establishment.
• The first firm record of the arrival of Indian monks in China goes back to the first century, when Dharmaraksha and Kasyapa Matanga went at the invitation of Emperor Ming of the Han dynasty. It is said that in A.D. 64, the Seventh year of Yong Ping, Emperor Ming dreamed of a gold deity, flying over the place. The White Horse Temple, established in A.D. 68 is located 12 kms east of the ancient capital city of Luoyang, Henan Province. The next day, he asked his ministers to interpret his dream. Zhong Hu, one of the ministers, explained to him that the deity he dreamed of was probably the Buddha in India. Upon hearing that, the emperor sent a delegation of eighteen ministers headed by Cai Yin, Qin Jing and Wang Zun to seek Buddhism in India. The team crossed mountains and hills before finally arriving in what is now Afghanistan, where they studied Buddhist codes, got a portrait of Sakyamuni, and the Forty-two Sutras. While returning, they invited two eminent Indian monks, Kasyapa Matanga and Dharmaraksha (known in China by the names She Moteng and Zhu Falan) to come with them. They brought with them a white horse carrying Buddhist sutras and Buddhist figures on its back. This was the first time that Buddhism appeared in China. The two monks were highly respected by Emperor Ming. In A.D. 68, a temple was ordered to be built to the west of the Luoyang City, which was named the White Horse Temple in memory of the white horse which carried back the Buddhist sutras.
• It was in this temple that the first version of the Chinese Forty-two Sutras was produced, which was a work of translation done by the first Indian monks there. The monastery became a centre of Buddhist studies. Ever since, Buddhism exerted more and more influence on the life of the Chinese and spread as far as Japan, Korea and Vietnam. That is why the White Horse Temple is referred to as “the Founder’s Home” and “the cradle of Buddhism“. The two Indian monks She Moteng and Zhu Falan worked in the monastery till death and were buried to the east and west of the temple. The temple boasts of great antique architecture including the Hall of Heavenly Kings, Hall of the Great Buddha, Hall of Mahavira, Hall of Guidance and the Cool and Clear Terrace that are different parts of the temple housing different incarnations of Buddha amid magnificent decoration and architectural splendour.
• The Mahabodhi Temple is built in a place where Siddharth or Gautama obtained enlightenment or Bodhi, and became the Buddha…the Enlightened One. The temple is in Bodhgaya, District Gaya, in the state of Bihar in Eastern India. Bodhgaya has grown on the banks of the Lilajan (ancient Nairanjana) river near the ancient village of Uruvela. The Mahabodhi Temple has soaring pyramidal spire, 54 meters (177 feet) high, is carved in tiers and capped by an umbrella like finial. The gateway to the temple is made of granite and is covered with inscriptions from Buddha‘s teaching. The temple is enclosed on three sides by a 1^st century B.C. stone railing carved with lotus medallions and scenes from Buddha‘s life.
• Legend has it that the Buddha sat under the Mahabodhi Tree facing the rising sun. He stayed in Bodhgaya for seven weeks after his enlightenment. Each week was spent in a different part of the temple complex. The first week was spent under the Bodhi Tree. One of the earliest constructions at the foot of the Bodhi tree was a polished sandstone throne, Vajrasana which marks Buddha‘s seat of meditation. It is ascribed to Asoka, who as one of his edicts proclaims, undertook pilgrimage to Sambodhi. Other remnants include a covered promenade i.e. the chankama of Buddha. The chankama marks the sacred spot where Buddha spent the third week after his Enlightenment, meditatively walking up and down. It is now a brick platform with representation of lotuses, which are believed to have blossomed forth under the footsteps of Buddha.
• Inside the temple sits a large glided statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in earth touching mudra and is facing east exactly at the place where the Buddha, sitting in meditation with his back to the Bodhi Tree, was enlightened. The Temple (Vajrasana-brihadha-gandha-kuti) underwent several stages of repair and renovation but utmost care has been taken to maintain the original pattern.

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Issued by Nepal

Issued on Jul 1, 2007

Issued by :
Government of Nepal
Postal Services Department
Nepal Philatelic Bureau, Kathmandu

Designer : Mohan N. Rana

Type : Stamp, Postal Used

Denomination : Rs. 5.00

Color : Four colors with Phosphor Print

Size : 40 x 30 mm

Format : Horizontal

Paper : High Quality Stamp paper

Quantity : 0.5 Million

Sheet Composition : 20 Stamps per sheet

Process : Offset Lithography

Printer : Cartor Security Printing, France

About : 

• Nepal and Sri Lanka have been enjoying excellent relations for centuries. This traditional friendly relationship was formalized with the establishment of diplomatic relations on 1^st July, 1957. In the years subsequent, the two countries have been working closely at all levels – bilateral, regional and global. Bilateral visits made at various levels from both sides, including at the levels of Heads of States and Government have immensely contributed to strengthen these relations.
• Nepal and Sri Lanka joined the United Nations together in 1955. They are founding members of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). They are also members of regional economic organization like BIMSTC and have common position on many regional, international as well as global issues.
• In 1975 Government of Nepal established office of Honorary Consulate General in Sri Lanka. In July 1995 the residential Embassy of Nepal was established in Colombo. The Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka established its residential Embassy in Kathmandu in 1993.
• The foundation of Nepal–Sri Lanka relations lies on religious and cultural similarities. Lumbini being the birthplace of Lord Buddha is one of the holiest places for the Sri Lankan Buddhists’ pilgrimage and every year more than ten thousand Sri Lankan visit Lumbini. Similarly, there are many other religiously and culturally important sites in both countries including Janakpurdham in Nepal and sites of Ramayana era including Nuwara Elyia in Sri Lanka where people of both countries harbor deep desire to visit. The year 2007 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Sri Lanka. To celebrate this occasion Government of Nepal is organizing different programs including bilateral visits and cultural troupes exchange programs. Government of Nepal, Postal Services Department has brought out this Postage Stamp to commemorate this event, depicting the tooth relic of Buddha being preserved in Kandy, Sri Lanka and the birth place of Buddha, Lumbini, Nepal. Postal Services Department also hopes that, this will contribute to further strengthen the cordial relationship between these two countries in the years to come.

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Issued by India

Issued on May 2, 2007

Issued for : The Department of Posts is proud to release a set of six postage stamps on the ‘Buddha‘ to commemorate the occasion.

Design : The first stamp depicts a statue from the Gandhara period of Siddhartha when he was still a prince. The second stamp shows a sculpture from Myanmar where Buddha is an ascetic having renounced royal luxuries to meditate on the essential Truth. The third stamp depicts the blissful head of the meditating Buddha (Dharmachakrapravartan or Turning-the-wheel-of-law Buddha) from Sarnath, India, also done in the Gandhara style. The fourth stamp depicts the Bhumisparsha Buddha holding the nectar of immortality in a jar. Some of the numerous incarnations of Buddha, past and future as well as pert of the cycle of creation and dissolution of the many worlds feature in the fifth stamp. Hinayana symbols such as the Lotus indicating the blossoming of inner harmony which is the basis of all existence, and the dharma chakra with the various stages of development is shown in the sixth stamp. Also seen in one corner is the bhumisparsha mudra which proclaims ‘the earth is my witness’.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Bharati Mirchandani
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multicolour

Denomination : 500 Paise each

Stamps Printed : 0.6 Million each

Miniature Sheet : 0.4 Million

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nasik

About : 

• “The kind of seed sown, will produce that kind of fruit. Those who will do good, will reap good results.
  Those who will do evil, will reap evil results.
  If you carefully plant a good seed, you will joyfully gather good fruit.”
  — Dhammapada
• A spiritual teacher and the historical founder of ‘Buddhism’, Siddhartha Gautama is universally recognized by Buddhists as the ‘Supreme Buddha’ of our age. Any person, who has awakened from the ‘sleep of ignorance’, is called a Buddha. Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, is thus only one among many other Buddhas before and after him. His teachings are oriented towards attainment of this kind of awakening, also called enlightenment, bodhi, liberation or nirvana. Any person achieving this state through the teachings of a Buddha becomes an arahant.
• The personal name of Buddha, ‘the Enlightened’, was Siddhartha, but he was better known by his gotra name Gautama. He was also called Sakyasimha, the Lion of the Sakya, and Sakyamuni, ‘the Sakyan sage’, as he was born in the Kshatriya clan of the Sakyas, of which his father Suddhodana was the chief. The latter’s capital was at Kapilavastu (variously identified with Piprahwa, District Basti, Uttar Pradesh and Tilaurakot, District Taulihawa, Nepalese Terai, both near Rummindei). Before his birth, his mother, Mahamaya or Maya, of the family of the Koliyas, had a dream in which a white elephant entered her body. Brahmin priests interpreted this to indicate the conception of a son who would either rule the world or renounce everything and become a great spiritual leader.
• Buddha was born in Lumbini (in present day Nepal) and died around 80 years later in Kushinagar (India). While the date of his birth has been variously reckoned, it is now generally accepted that he was born in 563 or 566 B.C. In the five centuries following the Buddha’s passing, Buddhism spread like a wave throughout the Indian subcontinent, and in Asia where it has flourished for over two millennia. Today Buddhism continues to attract followers around the globe, and is one of the major world religions.
• At the age of 80, Buddha announced that he would enter ‘Parinirvana‘ or the final deathless state, abandoning the earthly body and attaining freedom from the cycles of birth and rebirth. Ever since, Kushinagar in India has been turned into a glorious memorial site of the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha with stupas, caityas, and viharas like the Mahaparinirvana-vihara and Makutabandhana-vihara, built by devout Kings and followers.
• In fact, the purnima or full-moon in the month of Vaisakha is connected with three important events in the life of the Buddha, his janana or birth, his attainment of jnana or enlightenment, and his mahaparinirvana or achievement of the unconditioned state. It is, therefore, the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar. According to Theravada Buddhism, the Buddha‘s parinirvana occurred on the full moon of Vaisakha 544 B.C., and the full moon on May the 13^th, 2006, marked beginning of the 2550^th year of the Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha, the one who attained bodhi or supreme knowledge.
• Text : Based on material provided by the Ministry of Culture.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jan 21, 2002

Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to issue a set of four stamps on the Bauddha Mahotsav.

Design : The first day cover carries a picture of the imposing statue of Lord Buddha at Bodhgaya. The four stamps depict important landmarks of the ‘Buddhist Circuit‘ along with illustrations of festivities.

The first stamp shows the Mahabodhi temple located adjacent to the Mahabodhi tree at Bodhgaya. This magnificent temple dating back to the second century A.D. is an amalgamation of architectural features representing many cultures. The second stamp shows the Gridhakuta hills of Rajgir, from where the Lord had delivered many of his sermons. The third stamp depicts the Dhamek Stupa of Sarnath from where Lord Buddha is believed to have given his first sermon and the fourth, the Mahaparinirvana temple of Kushinagar where he is stated to have attained release from the endless cycle of birth and rebirth. The four stamps also carry pictures of prayers and festivities, in an attempt to capture the spirit of the Bauddha Mahotsav.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Sankha Samanta
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : First Day Cover

Colour : Four Colour

Denomination : 1500, 400, 400 & 800 Paise

Overall size : 2.90 x 3.91 Cms.

Printing size : 2.50 x 3.55 Cms.

Perforation : 13.5 x 13.5 mm with elliptical hole on each 3.91 cm sides

Paper : Matt Chromo

Stamps Printed : 1.5 million each

Number per issue sheet : 40

Printing Process : Photo Offset

Printer : Calcutta Security Printers Ltd.

About :

• Buddhism taught humanity the middle path, the virtue of observing moderation in life and staying clear of the extremes of both self-indulgence and self-mortification. It rejected ritualistic practices and emphasised the need to eliminate desire in order to attain salvation from suffering. It also advocated peace, non-violence and respect for all forms of life. Having originated in India, Buddhism spread far and wide, to different corners of the world.
• India, the ‘cradle of Buddhism‘, has a past rich with Buddhist history and traditions. The places connected with the four principal events of Lord Buddha‘s life, viz. his birth, enlightenment, first sermon and nirvana, which took place respectively at Lumbini (Nepal), Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar, are looked upon with great veneration. Sravasti, Sankisa, Rajgir and Vaishali, together with the first four are regarded as the eight holy places (Ashtamahasthanas) and are well known pilgrimage destinations.
• The annual Bauddha Mahotsav festival aims to propagate the message of Lord Buddha and to create awareness about India‘s rich Buddhist heritage. Promoting pilgrimages and tourism as well as increasing the travel facilities are integral to this festival. The Bauddha Mahotsav also aims to strengthen the cultural links provided by Buddhism between different countries and their peoples.
• Text : Based on material received from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 31, 1999

Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to issue this se-tenant on unity in diversity on the eve of the new millennium.

Design : This millennium issue symbolizes the unity in diversity of Indian culture and civilization with its respect for all religions. The stamp design portrays the 1000 year old Tabo monastery, and the FDC design portrays the Baha’i temple, Delhi.

Credits :
Stamp Design : R. N. Pasricha
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Se–tenant pair of 2 Stamps, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 & 1000 Paise

Overall size : 8.12 x 2.73 Cms.

Printing size : 7.77 x 2.38 Cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Imported un w/m Adhesive Gravure Coated Stamp Paper in Sheets 50.8 x 53.5 cms.

Stamps Printed : 0.7 Million

Number per issue sheet : 16 Setenant

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

About : 

• India is an ancient land with a civilization and culture, which date back thousands of years. Indian culture has always had a deep-rooted respect for the diverse cultural and religious identities which together created this civilization of ours. The concept of Indian nationhood is based on the existence in diversity of multiplicity of religion, languages, customs and beliefs – a composite culture.
• India has always welcomed people from all religions and all religions of the world have flourished in India. This se-tenant of two stamps symbolizes, the Indian tradition of unity in diversity and the concept of one people, one world – “वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्” integral to Indian civilization. The se-tenant depicts the Tabo Monastery situated in the picturesque Lahul and Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh. This monastery is more than 1000 years old. This monastery has nine halls where besides stucco images of The Buddha, there are wall paintings depicting Buddha‘s life and stories from the Jataka Tales. The first stamp depicts the monastery as it stands in Spiti over-shadowed by snow-clad mountains while the second is reconstruction of a painting from the southern wall of the main hall which forms part of the continuous painted frieze. The frieze consists of complex narrative units structured by the steps taken by the hero, Sudhana, on the path towards his goal of ultimate realization, and mostly relates Sudhana‘s visits to various spiritual friends (Kalyanamitra) in the pursuit of his quest. These units combine both paintings, some of which are identified by small insets, and adjacent frame inscriptional panels which contain the appropriate portions of the sutra text. In the painting depicted on the second part of the se-tenant, the hero of the story Sudhana stands before a lady in white who refers him to the brahmin Sivaragra seated on the elaborate seat in the centre of the painting. There Sudhana kneels before Sivaragra seeking his guidance. The paintings use various pictorial techniques in order to depict the movement which is an essential feature of the narrative: division of paintings into separate scenes, multiplying the hero, etc. In order to allude to more abstract content, various mudras have been employed which, however, often cannot be seen very clearly, and when clearly seen, are difficult to understand.
• The first day cover depicts the famous Baha’i temple rising to the sky in the form of a giant marble lotus, at New Delhi. The Millennium Issue pays tribute to the unity in diversity of Indian culture and civilization, with its respect for all religions.
• Text : A Short Guide To The Sudhana Frieze (published on the occasion of the Monastery’s Millennium) – Ernst Stein Kellnee.

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