Tag: tribes, nomad and settled societies

Excavation undertaken in the year 1870 at Bhattiprolu stupa unearthed three mounds while the one carried out in 1892 led to the discovery of three inscribed stone relic caskets containing crystal caskets, relics of Buddha and jewels. The diameter of the stupa measures around 40 m with an additional basement of 2.4 m wide running all around. The most important discovery is the crystal relic casket of sarira dhatu of the Buddha from the central mass of the stupas.

In Viharas, monks taught Buddhist scriptures to disciples. Apart from imparting education in Viharas, monks were also treating the physical ailments of people. We find many inscriptions from these Viharas which tell us that ordinary men and women farmers,traders, soldiers, and artisans made liberal donations for building and expenses of these Viharas.

Chaitya was a rectangular prayer hall with a stupa placed in the centre. The purpose of Chaityas was prayer. The Chaitya was divided into three parts, and had an apsidal ending, i.e, a semicircular rear end. The central part of the hall (also called the nave) was separated from the two aisles by two rows of pillars, The Chaityas also had polished interior walls, semicircular roofs and horse-shoe shaped windows called the Chaitya windows.

Nalanda, a large Buddhist monastery, now in ruins, was one of the most publicly acknowledged Mahaviharas of ancient India located in ancient Magadha kingdom (modern Bihar). It remained a learning centre from 7th century BCE through c. 1200 CE and is many a time categorised as one of the early universities of India along with other institutions like Vikramashila and Taxila. Pilgrims like Hu-en-Tsang, and others spent time studying in Nalanda (Bihar) the most famous Buddhist monastery of the period.

Amaravati Stupa in Guntur district is the most famous one in Andhra Pradesh. This was built during the rule of Satavahanas about 1900 years ago. The stupa was covered with panels of sculptures depicting the Buddha and his teachings. Today, the Amaravathi stupa is just a mound of rubble. 

Viharas were the monasteries or living places of Buddhist monks where religious education was imparted. A Vihara usually had small rooms around an open courtyard and had a small shrine containing a stupa or an image of the Buddha at one end.

Pilgrims were the people who took up journeys to holy places to offer worship. Buddhist holy places of learning had attracted the pilgrims from other countries. Chinese pilgrims Fa-hi-an, Itsing and Hu-en-Tsang came to visit places associated with the life of the Buddha as well as famous monasteries.

The Nagarjunakonda stupa was part of Vijayapuri, the capital city of Ikshvaku kings. It was on the banks of the Krishna River. Vijayapuri had a large number of stupas, viharas and palaces. It also had a beautifully designed amphi theatre and ghats leading to the river. Unfortunately, today the entire city lies under water submerged in the Nagarjunasagar dam. 

Vardhamana Mahavira was born in a Ganasangha. He left his family and home at the age of 30 years, and became a Parivrajaka. He was seeking an answer to the question, How can we get rid of the cycle of birth and death in this world? After years of meditation and hard penance, Mahavira finally found an answer to his question. Mahavira kept wandering for spreading his teachings among the people. A large number of people began to follow his preaching. Thus began Jainism.

According to Gautama Buddha, sorrow is caused by excessive craving and desire. We can attain freedom from sorrow if we control our desires. In order  to gain control over our desires, we need to live a balanced and controlled life, and should not cause pain to any living being. Buddha taught that one should avoid extremes -extreme penance or extreme pleasure, but instead follow a middle path. That is why Buddhism is also called the Great Middle Path.