Bhaje Leni

Conversation 1:

"Why is it called Stupa?”

"Well, it looks like TOPI you see, CAP, you know CAP? that is why it’s called Stupa."

Conversation 2:

"Now look at this design on the walls , you will see all the gods painted here"

My first reflex was to run for cover! after all an ASI (Archeology Society Of India) guide had just spilled the beans that their knowledge of Indian history & heritage is no better than the tourist! Infact they were more than hilarious.

Well its needless to say, I  was consciously avoiding the guide for rest of the time we spent at Bhaje Leni. The classified story is my team mates and self had a hearty laugh.

Bhaje is very close to Bedse, my earlier blog on Bedse Leni, talks about 'Varsha Vihar', 'Trade Route', Buddhist Bhiku" and other relevant details on Buddhist caves so instead of repeating the same, I thought of writing few lines on Buddhist literature. Buddhist philosophy is a vast and deep subject even to attempt here.

BTW, 'Stupa ' in Sanskrit literally means a mound-like structure containing relics of Buddha and or saints and is the worship place for Buddhists. Most of the old stupas are simple structures devoid of any decorative work. Bedse Leni has importance in architectural design for its wooden arches which have survived the nature for more than 2000years. These are oldest caves as artists and the workers replicated wooden architectural forms since they had not completely mastered stone as building material. Bedse Leni is a beautiful mélange of wood and stone work.

The time 525 B.C to 480 B.C might be considered as the period of activity of Buddha. The Ganges region in north eastern India was the place of his activity, in kingdoms of Magadha (Bihar) and Kosala (Oudh). The Buddhist monks travelled across to propagate the philosophy and teachings of Buddha.

Being the oldest and largest religion (personally I would like to look at it as a way of life than a religion) spread across the world it is been written at different times by different people in different languages.

The 'Tipitaka'- means three pitakas (boxes) as the 'Pali Canon' is known. The oldest literary testimony for the existence of the trinity of Pitakas (pitakattayam) and of Nikayas is found only in ‘Milindapanha’ a work whose first part belongs to the beginning of the first century A.D.The canon of the sacred literature of the Buddhists was composed in Pali, Magadhi and other dialects. Of these the Pali version alone has survived in its entirety. A real canon of sacred texts is probably compiled during third council which took place at the time of King ‘Asoka’ the great patron and follower of the Buddhist community.

Will continue in next blog...