A SAD DAY...... I read William Dalrymples article about his holidays in Bamiyan Valley. ( FT Jan 24-25). You will recollect that this the most beautiful valley in Afghanistan, described many past and present scholars as Heaven on Earth. The valley had the largest Buddha statues, dating back a couple of millenia. The spread of Buddhism around the world has been for me the most intriguing phenomenon in the history of the world.Though it originated in India, it lost its appeal to Indians, and soon was exported out, perhaps by the Hindu kings. Somehow, it fascinated the foreigners.Its strong contigents of pious monks, riding mules and horses, took the message of Buddhist piety to East upto Japan and west in the middle East.No wonder the Bamiyan valley, given its natural beauty, became the home of its largest monastery, larger than the one in Dunhuang on the silk route ii China. I do not know the history of Buddhism in Bamiyan.No doubt,Buddhists lived in peace with the followers of other religions for centuries.But something went wrong a couple of decades ago.In the year 2001, the Talebans destroyed both the statues. Motive? They did not bilieve in idolatry. What intrigues me most is that we are not aware of of any violent conflict between Buddhism and Islam anywhere in the world. So why this wanton destruction of the worlds most beautiful cultural monument? I must read more history of Bamiyan. I am Buddhidt at heart, but like Mr P of the Life of Mr P, I also love Hinduism, Islam and Christianty.I never ubderstand how, if, religion can incite violence and destruction. I feel sad....and suddenly the day has turned cloudy, dull and sad.......
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 11:55:50 +0000