A VOICE OF PEACE FOR GLOBAL INTEGRATION Why a sign campaign is needed today? The basic ideology behind this sign campaign is to protect the which represent Buddha and creation of an international body for the conservation of ancient Buddhist monuments and relics like stupas, monasteries, sculptures, paintings and many more. These stupas have guided the world and humanity towards peace through ages and are needed even today in order to propagate the Dharma as laid by Buddha himself. After his death he was symbolized by Stupas and was worshiped. It was king who strengthened and spread by building a large number of Stupas, Buddhist monasteries and other Buddhist art works in order to keep lighted the flame of humanity, spirituality and philosophy. King Ashoka took special care that stupas be built at the places which Buddha has visited during his life time. Later these stupas played the crucial role in teaching the path of enlightenment shown by Buddha. People used to pay homage to Stupas in which relics of Buddha used to be kept and they became the place of meditation, discussion and prayers.

With the passage of time these stupas have suffered several atrocities both from the natural calamities and different dynastic rulers or kings. Many stupas lost their existence but it was the immortal presence of these stupas that Buddha's teachings kept growing from to the rest of the world. Hence today if we look back it is only these stupas which have saved Buddha and his Dharma from being lost in the sands of time. Approximately after 2500 years of Buddhism we are left only with few stupas in India and handful of stupas in , India which are in a neglected and miserable condition. In order to keep the existence of Buddha's life in the state Haryana and non-availability of an international organization related to Buddhist monuments this campaign is being launched. Today if we don't protect them we shall be neglecting our heritage and symbol of Great Master. It will be a disgrace for all of us. OBJECTIVE In past several organizations, individuals were shocked on seeing the isolated and wretched conditions of the stupas in Haryana. They constantly appealed to Archaeological Survey of India and Department of Archaeology and Museums, Haryana and other concerned authorities to take suitable effective steps to protect these valuable sites and their relics. After observing the non-cooperative attitude from their side there was a need to seek support and intervention from international community. Therefore this international sign campaign is being launched with two major objectives: 1.To preserve and create awareness among the people about the ancient Buddhist stupas in State Haryana of India.

2.The signatures will be submitted to Honorable Prime Minister of Japan and Honorable President of India as a global appeal to form an international body which will collaborate with the Government of Asian countries for promotion, preservation, research and w w w. t h e b u d d h i s h t f o r u m . c o m 1 exploration of ancient Buddhist sites and monuments in Asia.This sign campaign has been planned to reach the countries like Japan,Thai Land, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Burma and many more countries to create a global awareness.

BUDDHA VISITED HARYANA The foothills of Shiwaliks and Aravalis, at present included in Haryana have the marks of the first tool making man. The foundation of settled life was laid at Mehargarh (near Bolan pass in Pakistan) around 7000 BC during the Neolithic era. Later on the Bronze Age Culture developed with successive advancement in socio-economic life. Since then, Haryana has continued to act as window for cultures across the world and through the ages to enter and merge into Indian culture. The age-old and most profitable 'great road' leading to the west and central Asia and encompassing all important trade routes catering to China, Europe and Africa converged and passed through present day Haryana.

The Mahavastu attributes sixty thousand cities to the Kuru Kingdom, but the specific names of places mentioned in the Buddhist literature, besides Indapatta and Hatthinipura, are only a few- Thullakotthita, Kammasadamma, Kundi and Varanavata. During the time of Buddha, though the Kuru kingdom may not have been very important politically, yet culturally it seems to have been a prominent state. The Jatakas mention the Kuru kings and princes named Dhananjaya Koravya, Koravya and Sutasoma whose historicity remains to be confirmed by further evidence. The reigning dynasty belonged to Yudhitthila gotta, i.e. the family of Yudhisthira. Kuru chief Koravya (son of a Kuru magnate) is said to have paid a visit to Ratthapala, who had become a disciple of the Sakhya Sage.

During the long span of slightly less than half a century after his enlightenment, Buddha himself had taken strenuous journeys from state to state , town to town and village to village to propagate the Faith. Though the heart of Madhyadesa remained the main scene of his activities, yet he is said to have traveled even to distant lands. According to Buddhist texts , it may be said that Buddhism reached Haryana through Buddha himself. The Mahavastu and Digha-Nikaya state that Buddha himself converted the people of the Kuru tribe.The Vinaya of the Mulasarvastivadins refers to Buddha's long journey along with Ananda from Hastinapura to Rohitaka via Mahanagara. Srughna, Brahmanagrama and Kalanagara and from there to Gandhara and Uddiyana and back with Yaksa Vajrapani. Rohitaka is doubtlessly modern Rohtak and Srughna was rightly identified by Cunningham with Sugh near Jagadhri. Dipavamsa refer to Buddha's visit to a city in the Kuru country where he received alms on the banks of the Anotatta lake which he crossed. The city may have been if

w w w. t h e b u d d h i s h t f o r u m . c o m 2 the Anotatta lake is Anyatahplaksa of the Satapatha Brahmana (IX 5.1, 4)Thullakotthita and Kammasadamma find repeated references in the Buddhist literature as the places where Buddha used to stay during his sojourns to the Kuru country. Buddha delivered numerous discourses at these places. During his visits to the Kuru country, Buddha usually stayed at Kammasadamma which was a celebrated trade centre.

According to the Buddhist texts, ten stupas were erected at different places following Buddha's parinibbana. Ashoka is said to have collected relics from of these Saririka stupas and redistributed them into 84,000 stupas which he built subsequently throughout the length and breadth of his empire. There is, however, no doubt that Ashoka may have erected a large number of stupas. Fahien, who visited India during the Gupta period, refers to the existence of Buddhist establishments on both sides of the river . Some of these many have been of Ashoka period.It is generally believed perhaps erroneously, that Buddhism disappeared from the land of its birth because of the hostility of the Hindus. Post-Harsa Buddhist relics are rather rare. The discovery of an eighth century bronze image of Buddha in Bhumi-sparsa-mudra amongst a large hoard of Jaina images found from Hansi some years back, sandstone head of Buddha from Sanghi in district Rohtak ascribable to the same period, a broken Buddha head from Rohtak and another from Adi Badri datable to circa 9th-10th centuries, indicate that Buddhism did not disappear altogether from this part of the country. That it continued to exist in Haryana as late as about the fourteenth century is proved by an image recovered from a temple at in district Karnal showing Buddha seated on a lotus pedestal in bhumi-sparsa- mudra.

We thus see that though efforts were made during the very lifetime of Buddha yet Buddhism could flourish in Haryana only during the reign of Ashoka. It continued to be an important religion during the Sunga, Indo-Greek and Sakhya rule and touched its all time height in the region during the Kusana period. Thereafter, though it received good impetus by Harsa during the seventh century A.D. yet it could not retain its old glory and importance. It, however, continued to be a living religion during the medieval period and did not disappear completely. Rohtak,Agroha,Sugh and Thanesar have been the most important centres of Buddhism in Haryana during the ancient period.

w w w. t h e b u d d h i s h t f o r u m . c o m 3 BUDDHIST AT AGROHA

Location : Village Agroha, Tehsil-Adampur,District Hissar. Situation : Situated on the National Highway No. 10, 22km. from Hissar towards Fatehabad. Under the Protection of : Archaeological Survey of India Period : Circa 4th Century BC to 14th Century AD

HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION

The city of Agroha was situated on the ancient trade route between Taxila and Mathura. And, therefore, it remained an important center of commerce and political activities till a new township of Hisar-e-Firoza (Hissar) of Firoz Shah Tughluq came into existence. A hoard of 4 Indo Greek, one punch marked coins and fifty one coins of Agodaka were found from the site. The discovery of the coins of Agreya Janpada (Republic) during excavations and its ancient name Agodaka in Literature are sufficient to prove its being the headquarters of republic. This site was excavated by C. J. Rodgers in 1888-89 and re- excavated by H. L Srivastava in 1938-39 of Archaeological at survey of India to a depth of about 3.65m. This site was further excavated by Shri P.K. Sharan and Shri J.S. Khatri of the Department of Archaeology & Museums, Government of Haryana in 1978-84.

Archaeological excavation of this site revealed a fortified township and continuous habitation from 4th century BC to 14th century A.D. and the antiquities of these bygone periods. Apart from the residential and community houses, made of baked bricks, the remains of a Buddhist stupa and a existing side by side indicated co- existence and respect of communal harmony.

w w w. t h e b u d d h i s h t f o r u m . c o m 4 PRESENT SITUATION i) The ancient site of stupa does not have complete security fencing for the historical monuments. ii) There is no security check for the tress passers. iii) Bushes and unwanted huge grass are growing casually around the site. iv) The monuments are disgraced by the illicit slogans written by the visitors. v) No proper security system is available on the site. Generally the children from villages play around this site. vi) No proper renovation work has been done for preservation of the site. vii) Antiquities are collected and pilfered from the site even now.

w w w. t h e b u d d h i s h t f o r u m . c o m 5 BUDDHIST STUPA AT CHANETI

Location : Village Chaneti District Yamuna Nagar. Situation : Outside the village Under Protection of : Department of Archaeological and Museums, Haryana Period : Circa 3rd Century BC

HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION

During the reign of Mauryan king Ashok, the ancient city of Shrughna (modern Sugh) became an important center of Buddhism. As mentioned in the travel account of the Chinese pilgrim Yuan Chwang this place was adorned by tens of stupas and a monastery. The village Chaneti is about 3 kms. North-west of Sugh. This Stupa at Chaneti must have been one of the tens of stupas referred by Yuan Chwang. To construct this baked brick stupa, concentric layers were put one over the other, each time leaving some space on the underlying layer, so that the whole structure should give a hemispherical look. Thus, this stupa corresponds to the Shahpur and Dharmarajika stupas at Taxila. No traces of stone railing surrounding this stupa were found. Probably, it might have been wooden railings. At the top of the stupa square space about 1.5 meter was found filled with earth. This was place for the harmika which bore the chhatravali (umbrella). Four shrines in four directions near the old circumambulatory path (Pradakshina Path) were added to the stupa during Kushana Period and new pathway was built below to walk around.

w w w. t h e b u d d h i s h t f o r u m . c o m 6 PRESENT SITUATION i) The ancient site of stupa acquired does not have complete security fencing for the historical monument. ii) There is no proper security system available on the site. Children from the village generally play and run over this stupa. iii) According to the villagers of Chaneti the excavation and renovation of stupa started in the year 2005 but from 2008 onwards no work has been done on this site. There were several press reports in various newspapers about inefficient working of the Govt. undertaking employees involved in renovation. iv) The bricks used in renovation on dome have started falling which indicate the lack of concern in handling out the renovation of the stupa. v) Due to the constant exposure of weather conditions the ancient bricks on the dome are under the process of erosion. vi) Due to improper care of stupa, grass and bushes have grown over it vii) The renovation and preservation of stupa has not been done as per archeological techniques.

w w w. t h e b u d d h i s h t f o r u m . c o m 7 BUDDHIST STUPA AT ADI BADRI

Location : Near Vill. Kathgarh, District Yamuna Nagar. Situation : Confluence of Saraswati-Somb river on foothills of Shiwalik ranges Under Protection of : Archaeological Survey of India Period : 3rd to 12th Century A.D.

HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION

It is, indeed, interesting to find out that just above the burial structure, there is an evidence of a mud stupa having relics comprising of a set of 13 teeth besides few fragments of bones. These were placed at a place made of a few small flat stones arranged in container shape. The exact shape and size of the mud stupa could not be ascertained, as it as covered from all sides by the superimposed casing of brick stupa. The other findings of this phase include a few bone fragments, cowries and shells, beside bowls of knife edged rim of dull Red Ware. This phase has been dated to 3rd -4th century A.D.

The Buddhist activities began at the site from (3rd-4th century A.D) onwards. The core of the early mud stupa was covered and enlarged later by a brick stupa. The diameter of this stupa is 22 meters (radius 11m) and about 22 courses of bricks have been traced out. The size of the bricks is 30 x 20 x 6 cm. The courses of bricks have been excavated in all the four sections of the central chamber. Below the bricks structure a base or foundation made of 6 alternate layers of pebbles and clay packing measuring 75cm. has been uncovered. The central chamber of the brick stupa measures 3x3m. It is 2.50 m deep. Three spokes radiate from this central chamber towards North West and one radiates towards south east. These spokes are made of

w w w. t h e b u d d h i s h t f o r u m . c o m 8 brickbats and pebbles. These are presently in a disturbed condition due to regular agricultural activities and large scale stone and brick robbing by the villagers. These bricks can still be seen in some of the nearby houses. However, on the basis of the distance between two spokes it can be presumed that originally there were twenty four spokes.

The Red Ware pottery belongs to the Gupta period and includes shapes such as bowls, vases, basins, small globular pots etc. A broken lower part of a terracotta human figure, a terracotta molded bull figure, four cowries shells, sixteen quartzite beads of round shape and one of teardrop shape are other noteworthy antiquities recovered from the site. PRESENT SITUATION i) The ancient site of stupa has been acquired but does not have any fencing for security of the historical monument. ii) No security system is available on the site. Generally the animals shit are found around this site. iii) Bushes and unwanted huge grass are growing casually around the site, which have covered the stupa also.

w w w. t h e b u d d h i s h t f o r u m . c o m 9 BUDDHIST STUPA AT KURUKSHETRA

Location : Kurukshetra University, District Kurukshetra. Situation : Between Brahamsarovar and Inside Kurukshetra University Opp. Arts Faculty Under Protection of : To be acquire by Department of Archaeological and Museums,Haryana Period : 7th century A.D

HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION

Buddhism, however, seemed to have received a fresh lease during the reign of the Puspabhutis. Rajyavardhana has been mentioned as Parama Saugata in Harsa;s Madhuvan and Banskhera inscriptions. It was however during the long rule of Harsavardhana that Buddhism received an impetus again in the region. The Chinese pilgrim Yuan Chawang, who visited India during his time describes three Buddhist monasteries with more than 700 Hinayanists at Thanesar. We have already referred to the Ashokan stupas seen by him at the site mentioned above. Though he does not specifically mention any stupas still in worship at the time of his visit, yet such stupas may have existed then. The remains of one such stupa may still be seen on an elevated ground between the Brahma Sarovara and the Kurukshetra University. It is lying in a neglected and dilapidated state now and seems to have been opened by someone as is indicated by a cleft in its solid brick core. When and by whom, nobody knows.

w w w. t h e b u d d h i s h t f o r u m . c o m 10 PRESENT SITUATION i) The ancient site of stupa is in the process of being acquisition by the Department of Archaeological and Museums, Haryana but does not have complete security fencing for the historical monument. ii) No security system is available and main gate is also broken at the site. Generally the students from university use this site in their free time. iii) Bushes and unwanted huge grass are growing casually around the site. iv) A publication of Department of Archaeological and Museums, Haryana in 1989 (Buddhist remains) showed the picture of stupa page 23, which showed an almost complete dome with a slit. The dome, however, has now been reduced almost to its half.

IMAGE OF STUPA IN 1965

w w w. t h e b u d d h i s h t f o r u m . c o m 11 BUDDHIST STUPA AT ASANDH

Location : Asandh, District Karnal Situation : Location Jhimaron Ka Mohalla at Asandh town Under Protection : Archaeological Survey of India Period : Circa 1st Century BC

HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION

The name Asandh is rooted in the ancient Asandhivat. The name Asandhivat (Asandh) has been mentioned in the ancient Indian scriptures Brahmanas, Sutras, Ashtadhyayi, etc. suggesting that in ancient past, it must have been an important town. It has a huge mound being constantly encroached upon by modern town. It has yielded Painted Grey Ware, ancient and historic pottery, Kushana coins and bricks, Yaudheya coins and medieval relics. The Kushan stupa located in this village has been transformed into a huge mound which is popularly known as Jarasandh Ka Qila. It is located at a distance of about 40 Km south west of Karnal. The stupa must have originally been a very gigantic structure as the mound still rises to a height of more than 25 meters. It indicates a circular drum with an elongated dome. The core was filled up with brick bats and earth between the walls that formed the spokes. In an exposed area, a circular wall made of baked bricks (as many as 44 courses of bricks) was noticed. The bricks used are approximately 34cm to 35.5cm.x21.5cm to 23cm x 5cm to 6cm in dimensions.

w w w. t h e b u d d h i s h t f o r u m . c o m 12 PRESENT SITUATION i) The ancient site of stupa has been acquired but does not have any complete security fencing for this historical monument. ii) Security system is inefficient at this site. Generally human excreta is found all over the holy dome. iii) Bushes and unwanted huge grass are growing casually around the site. iv) The area around the stupa has been constantly encroached by the local people residing around it. v) The valuable bricks are casually pilfered from the stupa and used by the local people in their houses. vi) Throughout the day children are found playing on this ancient stupa which damages it a lot.

w w w. t h e b u d d h i s h t f o r u m . c o m 13 A VOICE OF PEACE FOR GLOBAL INTEGRATION

Appeal To

The Enlightened citizens of world

Dear Friends, I, Sidhartha from 'The Buddhist Forum' established in India pay you regards. After reading and seeing the miserable condition of the above mentioned ancient stupas in Haryana, India, we seek your kind support and participation.

We have launched an International Sign Campaign “Save Stupas Save Buddha" a voice of peace for global integration to safeguard them and a global appeal to Honorable Prime Minister of Japan and Honorable President of India to take initiative to form an international body for preservation and promotion of the ancient Buddhist monuments and relics in Asia. If you are passionate and stand for the this cause, kindly send us your sign confirmation through Inlands, Postcards, Letters and other modes of your participation for this sign campaign.

All your valuable signatures will be collected and presented to the Hon'ble Prime Minister of Japan and Honorable President of India to create a global awareness.

Waiting for your valuable signatures, participation and suggestions.

Thanking You,

Sidhartha President

w w w. t h e b u d d h i s h t f o r u m . c o m 14 A VOICE OF PEACE FOR GLOBAL INTEGRATION

THE BUDDHIST FORUM V O I C E O F D H A M M A D-2, 2356, Raghunathpuri, Near Lal Dawara Mandir, Yamuna Nagar - 135 001 (HARYANA) INDIA Ph. : +91-98965-10806, Fax. : +91-1732-232319 website : www.thebuddhistforum.com