Posted on 05/25/2005 12:16:42 PM PDT by blam
Sixth century Buddhist statue discovered:-
Sirpur | May 24, 2005 7:26:11 PM IST
Indian archaeologists have discovered a rare statue of a Buddhist female monk dating back to the sixth century. The discovery was made during recent excavations in Sirpur, situated 84 kms. from Raipur, capital of central Chhattisgarh state.
The excavators unearthed the statue of Haritika, who as per legend abducted infants and later on killed them.
Arun Kumar Sharma, chief of the excavation project, said that it was for the first time they have discovered the image of Haritika, which proves that female deities were as popular as their male counterparts in that era.
"This is for the first time the image of Haritiki has been found in Sirpur. So far Jambal image was discovered but this Haritiki is first, which too inscribed in 6th century. It shows that female deities were as important as the male deities," Sharma said.
The archaeologists have also excavated a unique nine-room area with eight ladders leading to the rooms.
Rare emblems of Hindu lord Shiva have also been discovered for which the excavators are trying to trace the roots.
"So far I have excavated nearly seven mounds and this (includes) Shiva temples. This Buddha Vihar (residence) is unique. You have to climb eight steps to enter the Buddha Vihar and there are nine rooms and 12 pillared Mandapa (a columned hall) in the centre and in the south there is a sanctum sanctorum where Buddha statue must have been there, which is stolen," Sharma said.
Buddhism in India began with the life of Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 B.C.), also known as the "Buddha", a prince from a small kingdom located in the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal who sacrificed luxury and wandered as a beggar in search of meaningful life.
At the age of eighty, the Buddha achieved his final passing away and died, leaving a thriving monastic order and a community to carry forth his work.
Legend says that when Buddha came to know about it, he kidnapped the two-year-old child of Haritika which made her realise the sufferings of the mothers. Haritika then turned into a monk to remorse her past conduct.
Till 13th century, the monastery in eastern Nalanda in Bihar was a world centre for Buddhist philosophy and religion. Though Buddhism has its roots in India, the religion has all but vanished from the country but is widely followed in East and South East Asia. (ANI)
GGG Ping.
No Goaulds, I hope!
"it was for the first time they have discovered the image of Haritika, which proves that female deities were as popular as their male counterparts in that era."
Um, if this is the FIRST time - doens't that indicate female deities were NOT as popular as male dieties?
Actually, I think it would be more accurate to say it began in Tibet before the Chinese invaded and drove them out (1952.) FREE TIBET!
There are no deities in Buddhism. Is this a Hindu crossover?
Not only that, Dan Brown is coming out with a book that PROVES this...
Just Kidding...
The Patron Saint of Abortion?
Alot of liberals are into Eastern religions, but who knew?
Please FREEPMAIL me if you want on, off, or alter the "Gods, Graves, Glyphs" PING list --
Archaeology/Anthropology/Ancient Cultures/Artifacts/Antiquities, etc.
The GGG Digest -- Gods, Graves, Glyphs (alpha order)
Always more to learn. Ain't life grand.
Their is more than one school of Buddhism. I intended to limit my reference to the story of the current Dalai Lama, who is what number incarnate of Buddha, I forget?
It doesn't change history one iota..
"Siddhartha, do these robes make me look too fat?"
If you can answer this question, Grasshopper, you become a Zen master like the Buddha. This is the question that leads to either Nirvana or returns you to the life of a beetle.
This is a statue of a Buddhist "Saint" to be venerated, not a "Goddess" to be worshiped.
So is The Buddha, for that matter.
So9
That's my take on it also.
|
|
|||
Gods |
Just updating the GGG info, not sending a general distribution. |
||
|
· Discover · Nat Geographic · Texas AM Anthro News · Yahoo Anthro & Archaeo · Google · · The Archaeology Channel · Excerpt, or Link only? · cgk's list of ping lists · |
|||
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.