Published: 25th Jan, 2023
Context
Recent excavations at Bharatpur in West Bengal’s Paschim Bardhaman district have revealed the presence of a Buddhist monastery.
About the site:
- The last excavation at the site was taken place about fifty yearsback in the 1970s.
- At that time black and red ware pottery belonging to the Chalcolithic Agewas recovered with a Buddhist stupa.
- The recent excavations have revealed the presence of an extended monastery complex at the site.
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A Buddhist Stupa is a commemorative monument usually housing sacred relics associated with the Buddha or other saints or priests, whereas votive stupas have similar significance but are smaller structures originating in eight cylindrical structures. |
Key findings:
- Recent excavations have revealed the presence of a Buddhist monastery.
- According to experts, the Buddhist sites in the State are the presence of a large stupa along with a monastery complex and black and red ware pottery from the Chalcolithic or Copper Age.
- In the 1970s, five beautiful seated sculpturesof the Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra.
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Bhumisparsa Mudra is the gesture of hand showing five fingers of the right hand towards the earth symbolising the Buddha’s enlightenment. |
- These miniature sculptures, each about 30 cm in height, were most likely used for worship in the monastery.
Significance:
The site was important for two main reasons:
- It is an early village settlement on the bank of the River Damodarwhich could date to around 2000 BCE; and
- The Buddhist monastery complex found symbolises the site is secular and is an early village with Buddhist followers.
Importance of stupas:
- Religious importance –
- Relic repository: In the beginning stupas were built to venerate and safeguard relics and remains of Buddha.
- Sacred place: Along with monasteries (viharas) later, stupas were included in chaityas, which is a prayer hall.
- Circumambulation path: an important Buddhist ritual around the path surrounding it.
- The object of veneration– it is believed that relics of buddhas body were buried within the stupas
- Philosophical–
- Meditation: It is an important place for meditation.
- Commemorative: In the Tibetan tradition, stupas were built to celebrate the life events of the Buddha.
- Symbolic: The stupas encapsulate the teachings and ideology of Buddha
- Dhamek stupa at Sarnath marks the spot where the Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, revealing his Eightfold Path leading to nirvana.
- Historical: Provide information about the various dynasties who ruled India. Eg :
- Mauryas: Bairat stupa , Sanchi stupa , Bharhut stupa etc
- Sathavahanas: Amaravati stupa etc.
- Architectural –
- Oldest stone structures: The stupas at Sanchi and Bharhut are one of the oldest stone structures in India.
- Inclusion of text in narrative panels– at Bharhut (Queen Maya’s dream)
- Use of marble– at Amravati stupa
- Taxila excavations reveal stupas with Boddhisatva images, Gandhara influence and patronage of Kanishka.
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