DOCSLIB.ORG

Religion, Philosophy, Beliefs, Culture and Art

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Religion, Philosophy, Beliefs, Culture and Art \ Academy of Sciences of Afghanistan Social Sciences International Center for Koshan Studies Topic's Brief International Seminar for Koshan Studies Editor: Seminar Publishing Committee Under the Control of: President ofKoshaies Nazar Mohammad "Azizi" The Massage of the President of Academy of sciences of Afghanistan, in related to the eight international Seminar about Koshanies Dear Presents. Professors, Researchers, Learned, Historians and esteemed guests. I have the honor to offer my heartily respects for all sisters and brothers participated in the eight international seminar of Koshanies, which started by international center of Koshan studies. Our be love country Afghanistan is the witness and place of meeting the great humanitarian civilization, which composed and mixed in our ancient history. The every leaf of our history is full of bloody struggle between patriotic and aggressors, which in the end our proud nation has defended from their history civilization and territory. Koshanies civilization in the first AD century until second AD century which involved oral, Khuten, Kashgar, Brahma, Potra, Skit, eastern Flat of Iran. The above said places are one the golden pages of our civilize history and makes greatness of Afghanistan. The out standing researchers of the world engaged in this field. Joining international Center for Koshan studies in the frame of Academy of Sciences of Afghanistan by the help of UNESCO in 1361 was very necessary. A It provided the scientific research on this bright historical period that is part of fruitful history of civilization of this region. Afghanistan is the main place of this great civilization. International Center for Koshan studies from the beginning of the establishing after 1970 in continuation scientific seminar in London, Dushanbe seven times started. But some imposed war was the big obstacle of development of the country. After ending of the holy war, in the period of the Islamic transitional government. Afghanistan succeeded to organize the eight Seminars of Koshanies. We hope that the internal and external investigator that they prepared scientific articles and useful subjects would be very interesting and for better description of this great civilization, and a useful topic for the entire participant. Hoping success for all of you. Sincerely: Prof. Abdul Bari Rashed President of Academy of Sciences of Afghanistan. A A brief report of Activities of International Center For Kushan Studies International Center for the Kushan Studies from the beginning of its establishment invariably has made endeavor to study and elucidate the Ancient civilization of Central Asia in view of language, religion, philosophy, beliefs, culture and art. To this end, and share information with the foreign scholars this Center has organized grand international seminars every four years which the current international seminar is the eight one after a long interruption. Convening such significant seminars helping scholars in solving some controversial issues concerning Kashan Empire But most regretfully , as a result of more than one decade imposed war , civil conflict , chaos and instabilities in our system a long interruption came to our systematic studies and researches. This catastrophe not only allowed us to hold such a seminar but all the activities of this important Center hindered even its formation structure was made considerably decreased. This Center was established on the base of resolution of UNESCO but we did not receive any assistant from them since the beginning of disaster even after establishm~nt of new system in Afghanistan which was recognized by most countries of the world. However, we tried to win assistant and contribution from UNESCO but they turned down our proposal and told us we no more deal with Asia Studies and also we excluded such Centers from our framework. !.:. 1 After the administration< in Afgha:llistan. ' .. ' re;.lesnmn ..; ............... "' ....... of this Center and fortUnately Excellency Hamid Karzaibim self attends in a grand function was .•· -·· Academe of Sciences and by cutting ribbon re-open International ~~11ter for Kushan Studies and since then the scholars and researcher of this C~ter . ~ . .~:~,l~:-.~:;;;::·: spared no effort in the area of studies and research on Kushan dyn8St)r history and has reached to a desirable results. All the activities and achievement of International Center for Kushan Studies from the beginning of re-opening are as follows: The first issue of second term ofTaqiqat-e- Kusani Review containing the messages of His Excellency Hamed Karzai ,Dr S , M , Raheen minister of ministry of Information and Culture and Pro.A.B.Rashed president for Academy of Sciences as well as useful articles released in 2002.At1d the extraordinary issue ofTaqiqat-e-Kushani on the occasion of current · International Seminar came out Robatak inscription which was read by Nicholas Sims-William shed new light on the dynasty of Kusanids of Afghanistan and the Kusan Center for more lucidity of inscription and its relation with lord of Kushan Empire in the era of Kanishka Nicator published a dissertation entitled Robatac Inscription Next important discovery after Robatak Inscription was Safedak Bactrian Inscription from Y akolang district of Bamyan which shed new light on history of Buddhism in Afghanistan and it appeared from this Bactrian inscription that a certain famous kings ofBami (Zamangana) for respect of Buddha built a Stupa and curved this ihscription also the name of Khorzheek has mentioned. Tape shotere Hada book which was written by Mr Azizi recently published and is going to be put to the access of all interested people during the seminar 2 . ' . ~;,~;;:?~~;t:~,!~·t!·;t<\: . · ·{,~'\;.. ;,')::;.:) · ·,;~: .:.;'~1i<''t,.iJ:,;~~~.J~.•.. :~::·_ ·· . ':.'s·,{ .. -, ·' . ·.·~<}\:fi.l\no.ther vast,dis<;overies~e ariCi~1·W~ite~·gfpnr-country itfp~culatin •• q • • _5_-~·: · -. ... ::, ~ .. __ <-:~:'···:.l>~:'::1~~r .: · ·;',~~;-?;t;G~~r-:·;?:"··~~{:::;~~-:-·':·~>·'>::. .: <.-)7.·\_ and south of Parpamizad up to southern border of our country like Kharware .· Lagar. All these sites are the scope of dorirination of great and small Kushan dynasty. Following the studies of some pottery shreds discovered from the area by researcher of International Center for Kushan Studies dated back to fifth and sixth century AD also we can observe numerous stupas, temples and other structures in this area which are at the serious danger of clandestine digging and looting The member of International Center for Kushan Studies has maintained good relation with the Department of Archaeology of Faculty of Social Sciences · of Kabul University through giving lectures for different classes and exchanging views on particular Archaeological issues Taking into consideration the aforesaid matters I state my proposals as follows: • UNESCO is kindly requested to resume its contribution to the International Center for Kushan Studies as before • For the study and re-establishment of Silk Route, we ask World Bank, UNESCO and ICOMS to assist the International Center for Kushan Studies. • We kindly ask Islamic State of Afghanistan in particular the ministry of information and culture to pave the way for field works • Whenever Seminars ,symposium or conferences on Afghanistan's ancient history particularly, on 1st to ih century AD in foreign countries is holding ,scientific member of International Center for Kushan Studies will be invited 3 By. Prof. Sarwar Hamayon Pressed of the article Abstract of the article Religious During the kishans period In the period that Koshans formed an imperial only three regular government was in all over world: Rome in the weast land China in the farthest east and government of u Ashkany. Although the government of k~shans was a land locked government since commercial jugular veins of east, weast, north and south of these world authorited by koshans and the commercial road of silk passed from its territories was one of 400 years super power in the first AD period one of the out standing auditor of koshanies was freedom of religion and judgement in the area of their authority. The speciality that haven't had similarity in that area was their religious politics which not only reflection in Robatak and sorkh kotal inscription but even on famous coin such as Iranian Roman, Indian have been seen. In inscription of Robatak this specialization incarnated in special manner, in my opinion this religious of kanishka and others koshans kings was the reason of popularity and stability of their government. Greek writing besides national languages of koshans period which is read from inscription of Robatak Arei yes only itself can be their political and social wide vision, Although koshans oficially accepted Budhas religion for example kanishka got more success in propagation of Budha religion but other religion also appeared. One of the koshans kings vasodiva 'Jt.J--"'J as obvious from his name Indian religion. The author tried to put enough light on the religios politics of koshans period. c By. A. Hakim Safi Role of Koshanies in the Development of Aryan Culture in the conquered territories. From the studying of historical documents we can say that our beloved country from ancient time was a developed country. Having special geographical, geopolitical location was the confluence point of different civilization and important passage for conqueror of a country and door to reach to India. Having such location that has not any way to the sea and rivers gave a particular
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Ghazni of Afghanistan Issue: 2 Mohammad Towfiq Rahmani Month: October Miniature Department, Faculty of Fine Arts, Herat University, Herat, Afghanistan
    SHANLAX International Journal of Arts, Science and Humanities s han lax # S I N C E 1 9 9 0 OPEN ACCESS Artistic Characters and Applied Materials of Buddhist Temples in Kabul Volume: 7 and Tapa Sardar (Sardar Hill) Ghazni of Afghanistan Issue: 2 Mohammad Towfiq Rahmani Month: October Miniature Department, Faculty of Fine Arts, Herat University, Herat, Afghanistan Year: 2019 Abstract Kabul and Ghazni Buddhist Temple expresses Kushani Buddhist civilization in Afghanistan and also reflexes Buddhist religion’s thoughts at the era with acquisitive moves. The aim of this article P-ISSN: 2321-788X is introducing artistic characters of Kabul Buddhist temples and Tapa Sardar Hill of Ghazni Buddhist Temple in which shows abroad effects of Buddhist religion in Afghanistan history and the importance of this issue is to determine characters of temple style with applied materials. The E-ISSN: 2582-0397 results of this research can present character of Buddhist Temples in Afghanistan, thoughts of establishment and artificial difference with applied materials. Received: 12.09.2019 Buddhist religion in Afghanistan penetrated and developed based on Mahayana religious thoughts. Artistic work of Kabul and Tapa Sardar Hill of Ghazni Buddhist Temples are different from the point of artistic style and material applied; Bagram Artistic works are made in style of Garico Accepted: 19.09.2019 Buddhic and Garico Kushan but Tapa Narenj Hill artistic works are made based on Buddhist regulation and are seen as ethnical and Hellenistic style. There are similarities among Bagram Published: 01.10.2019 and Tapa Sardar Hill of Ghani Buddhist Temples but most differentiates are set on statues in which Tapa Sardar Hill of Ghazni statue is lied in which is different from sit and stand still statues of Bagram.
    [Show full text]
  • Cultural Heritage Vs. Mining on the New Silk Road? Finding Technical Solutions for Mes Aynak and Beyond
    Cultural Heritage vs. Mining on the New Silk Road? Finding Technical Solutions for Mes Aynak and Beyond Cheryl Benard Eli Sugarman Holly Rehm CONFERENCE REPORT December 2012 Cultural Heritage vs. Mining on the New Silk Road? Finding Technical Solutions for Mes Aynak and Beyond June 4-5, 2012 SAIS, Johns Hopkins University Washington, D.C. 20036 sponsored by Ludus and ARCH Virginia Conference Report Cheryl Benard Eli Sugarman Holly Rehm © Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program – A Joint Transatlantic Research and Policy Center Johns Hopkins University-SAIS, 1619 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036 Institute for Security and Development Policy, V. Finnbodav. 2, Stockholm-Nacka 13130, Sweden www.silkroadstudies.org “Cultural Heritage vs. Mining on the New Silk Road? Finding Technical Solutions for Mes Aynak and Beyond” is a Conference Report published by the Central Asia- Caucasus Institute and the Silk Road Studies Program. The Silk Road Papers Series is the Occasional Paper series of the Joint Center, and addresses topical and timely subjects. The Joint Center is a transatlantic independent and non-profit research and policy center. It has offices in Washington and Stockholm and is affiliated with the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies of Johns Hopkins University and the Stockholm-based Institute for Security and Development Policy. It is the first institution of its kind in Europe and North America, and is firmly established as a leading research and policy center, serving a large and diverse community of analysts, scholars, policy-watchers, business leaders, and journalists. The Joint Center is at the forefront of research on issues of conflict, security, and development in the region.
    [Show full text]
  • The Socioeconomics of State Formation in Medieval Afghanistan
    The Socioeconomics of State Formation in Medieval Afghanistan George Fiske Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 2012 © 2012 George Fiske All rights reserved ABSTRACT The Socioeconomics of State Formation in Medieval Afghanistan George Fiske This study examines the socioeconomics of state formation in medieval Afghanistan in historical and historiographic terms. It outlines the thousand year history of Ghaznavid historiography by treating primary and secondary sources as a continuum of perspectives, demonstrating the persistent problems of dynastic and political thinking across periods and cultures. It conceptualizes the geography of Ghaznavid origins by framing their rise within specific landscapes and histories of state formation, favoring time over space as much as possible and reintegrating their experience with the general histories of Iran, Central Asia, and India. Once the grand narrative is illustrated, the scope narrows to the dual process of monetization and urbanization in Samanid territory in order to approach Ghaznavid obstacles to state formation. The socioeconomic narrative then shifts to political and military specifics to demythologize the rise of the Ghaznavids in terms of the framing contexts described in the previous chapters. Finally, the study specifies the exact combination of culture and history which the Ghaznavids exemplified to show their particular and universal character and suggest future paths for research. The Socioeconomics of State Formation in Medieval Afghanistan I. General Introduction II. Perspectives on the Ghaznavid Age History of the literature Entrance into western European discourse Reevaluations of the last century Historiographic rethinking Synopsis III.
    [Show full text]
  • A Historical Study of Bamiyan Buddha Statues in Afghanistan: the Origins, Features and Preservation
    A HISTORICAL STUDY OF BAMIYAN BUDDHA STATUES IN AFGHANISTAN: THE ORIGINS, FEATURES AND PRESERVATION BY PAKIZA MAHBOOBI A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Human Sciences in History and Civilization Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed of Knowledge and Human Science International Islamic University Malaysia AUGUST 2020 ABSTRACT This research explores the historical and cultural significance of Bamiyan Buddha statues in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, their origins, features, and preservation. It mainly highlights the value of this unique heritage as a national asset of the country and the region of Bamiyan. The research examines the preservation of these statues throughout history in Afghanistan. It also aims at examining the cultural and archaeological legacy of Buddhism in Afghanistan and its preservation up to the present date on the example of two Bamiyan Buddha statues. To obtain these goals, this research utilized a qualitative method by textual analyses of primary and secondary sources. The first part of this research found that Afghanistan is a country of cultural crossroads that has been in constant contact through trade, immigration, imperialist structures, imitation, and ongoing conflict with the civilizations of Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and China. Therefore, all these various communications and periodic developments have led to the creation of unique historical and ancient treasures, architecture, art, and cultural heritage in Afghanistan, especially in the Bamiyan Valley. The second part of this research studied the spread of Buddhism in Afghanistan and particularly in Bamiyan region. The Buddhist artefacts and statues, their features, significance, and preservation were analysed as well.
    [Show full text]
  • C. MARGOTTINI Embassy of Italy in Egypt Scientific and Technological Attache’ Cairo (Egypt)
    RISCHI NATURALI E tutela e dei beni culturali per l’INTERNAZIONALIZZAZIONE DEL SISTEMA ITALIA ( diplomazia scientifica ) C. MARGOTTINI Embassy of Italy in Egypt Scientific and Technological Attache’ Cairo (Egypt) #ITALIASICURAITALIASICURA 1 INTRODUCTION Scientific and technological attachés in the Italian Embassies Scientific 25 attachés The promotion of Italian science and technology abroad: the role of science and technology experts and attachés. The role of Scientific and Technological Attaches is to showcase and capitalise on the sectors of excellence in scientific and technological research and support the advancement of Italian companies operating in advanced technology sectors. Most of these experts and attachés, who operate in 20 countries, are from Italian research bodies and universities.. #ITALIASICURA 2 Struttura della presentazione Coniugare la difesa del suolo con la tutela dei beni culturali DIFESA DEL SUOLO IMPRESE MERCATI IN ITALIA INNOVATIVE INTERNAZIONALI La Diplomazia Scientifica Per corrispondere alle crescenti necessità del mondo della ricerca scientifica e delle imprese innovative, la Farnesina promuove la cooperazione internazionale in campo scientifico e tecnologico come strumento di dialogo e crescita economica. La promozione della cooperazione scientifica e tecnologica è così parte integrante della diplomazia economica, uno dei pilastri della nostra politica estera. AFGHANISTAN COREA DEL NORD PETRA MACHU PICCHU ... ... ... #ITALIASICURA 3 Soluzioni innovative Civita di Bagnioregio CIVITA DI BAGNOREGIO (ITALIA) Civita di Bagnoregio, la Città che Muore, è un centro abitato medioevale arroccato sulla sommità di una rupe tufacea soggetta a fenomeni franosi e di erosione accelerata. Le frane che interessano il sistema rupe-pendio hanno determinato nei secoli un progressivo arretramento delle scarpate causando la perdita di edifici di importanza storica ed artistica.
    [Show full text]
  • Common Ground Between Islam and Buddhism
    Common Ground Between Islam and Buddhism Common Ground Between Islam and Buddhism By Reza Shah-Kazemi With an essay by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf Introduced by H. H. the Fourteenth Dalai Lama H. R. H. Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad Professor Mohammad Hashim Kamali First published in 2010 by Fons Vitae 49 Mockingbird Valley Drive Louisville, KY 40207 http://www.fonsvitae.com Email: [email protected] © Copyright The Royal Aal-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, Jordan 2010 Library of Congress Control Number: 2010925171 ISBN 978–1891785627 No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without prior permission of the publishers. All rights reserved. With gratitude to the Thesaurus Islamicus Foundation for the use of the fourteenth century Qur’ānic shamsiyya lotus image found in Splendours of Qur’ān Calligraphy and Illumination by Martin Lings. We also thank Justin Majzub for his artistic rendition of this beautiful motif. Printed in Canada iv Contents Foreword by H. H. the Fourteenth Dalai Lama vii Introduction by H. R. H. Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad ix Preface by Professor Mohammad Hashim Kamali xvii Acknowledgements xxii Common Ground Between Islam and Buddhism Part One — Setting the Scene 1 Beyond the Letter to the Spirit 1 A Glance at History 7 Qur’ānic Premises of Dialogue 12 The Buddha as Messenger 14 Revelation from on High or Within? 19 The Dalai Lama and the Dynamics of Dialogue 24 Part Two — Oneness: The Highest Common Denominator 29 Conceiving of the One 29 The Unborn 30 Buddhist Dialectics 33 Shūnya and Shahāda 40 Light of Transcendence
    [Show full text]
  • Buddhism After the Lord Buddha's Attainment
    www.kalyanamitra.org THE HISTORY OF BUDDHISM GB 405E Translated by Dr. Anunya Methmanus May 2555 B.E. www.kalyanamitra.org Kindly send your feedback or advice to: DOU Liaison Office P.O. Box 69 Khlong Luang Pathum Thani 12120 THAILAND Tel. : (66 2) 901-1013, (66 2) 831-1000 #2261 Fax : (66 2) 901-1014 Email : [email protected] www.kalyanamitra.org CONTENTS Foreword i Course Syllabus ii Method of Study iii Chapter 1 Introduction 1 1.1 What Is the Definition of History? 3 1.2 Why Must We Learn about History? 5 1.3 How to Learn about History 8 Chapter 2 Ancient Indian Society 11 2.1 The Geography and History of Ancient India 13 2.2 The Origin and Development of Brahmanism 17 Chapter 3 India during the Lord Buddha’s Time 31 3.1 Economy and Government 34 3.2 Masters of the Six Schools of Thought 37 3.3 The Lord Buddha’s History 42 3.4 The Happening of Buddhism and the Change in India’s Religious Beliefs 44 and Cultures Chapter 4 Buddhism after the Lord Buddha’s Attainment of Complete Nibbana 51 4.1 Buddhism, Five Hundred Years after the Lord Buddha’s Attainment of 54 Complete Nibbana 4.2 Buddhism between 500 and 1000 B.E. 61 4.3 The Decline of Buddhism in India 75 www.kalyanamitra.org Chapter 5 Buddhism in Asia 85 5.1 An Overview of Buddhism in Asia 87 5.2 The History of Buddhism in Asia 89 Chapter 6 Buddhism in the West 147 6.1 An Overview of Buddhism in the West 149 6.2 The History of Buddhism in the West 154 6.3 The Reason Some Westerners Convert to Buddhism 180 Chapter 7 Conclusion 183 7.1 Summary of the History of Buddhism 185 7.2 Summary of Important Events in the History of Buddhism 186 www.kalyanamitra.org FOREWORD The course “The History of Buddhism GB 405E” provides information about ancient India in terms of the different religious beliefs subscribed by the people of ancient India before the happening of Buddhism.
    [Show full text]
  • Charles Masson and the Buddhist Sites of Afghanistan Company to Explore the Ancient Sites in South-East Afghanistan
    From 1833–8, Charles Masson (1800–1853) was employed by the British East India Charles Masson and the Buddhist Sites of Afghanistan Company to explore the ancient sites in south-east Afghanistan. During this period, he surveyed over a hundred Buddhist sites around Kabul, Jalalabad and Wardak, making numerous drawings of the sites, together with maps, compass readings, sections of the stupas and sketches of some of the finds. Small illustrations of a selection of these key sites were published in Ariana Antiqua in 1841. However, this represents only a tiny proportion of his official and private correspondence held in the India Office Collection of the British Library which is studied in detail in this publication. It is supplemented online by The Charles Masson Archive: British Library and British Museum Documents Relating to the 1832–1838 Masson Collection from Afghanistan (British Museum Research Publication number 216). Together they provide the means for a comprehensive reconstitution of the archaeological record of the sites. In return for funding his exploration of the ancient sites of Afghanistan, the British East India Company received all of Masson’s finds. These were sent to the India Museum in London, and when it closed in 1878 the British Museum was the principal recipient of all the ‘archaeological’ artefacts and a proportion of the coins. This volume studies the British Museum’s collection of the Buddhist relic deposits, including reliquaries, beads and coins, and places them within a wider historical and archaeological context for the first time. Masson’s collection of coins and finds from Begram are the subject of a separate study.
    [Show full text]
  • THE ORIENTAL INSTITUTE PARTNERSHIP with the NATIONAL MUSEUM of AFGHANISTAN Gil J
    ORIENTAL INSTITUTE-NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFGHANISTAN PARTNERSHIP THE ORIENTAL INSTITUTE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFGHANISTAN Gil J. Stein Partnership and Its Goals In 2015–16 we completed the fourth full year of the partnership between the Oriental Institute (OI) and the National Museum of Afghanistan (NMA). This project, funded by the US Depart- ment of State and the US Embassy in Kabul, has been assisting the museum by working with its staff to develop a bilingual objects management database, conduct a full inventory of the NMA’s holdings, do conservation assessments for the objects, rehouse the objects in archival quality containers, and train the NMA staff in conservation, database management, and arti- fact curation procedures (fig. 1). We seek to complete the inventory database, stabilize objects, and train the staff of the National Museum to the point where they will be able manage the inventory database independently, while developing a fully functioning National Museum. The OI component of the partnership consists of two parts (fig. 2). The “Chicago team” consisted of Gil Stein (PI), Steve Camp (grant planning, administration and budgeting), and Laura D’Alessandro (conservation). Our “Kabul team” comprised Mike Fisher, Alejandro Gal- Figure 1. Unbaked clay sculpture from the rescue Figure 2. Oriental Institute team members Steve excavations at the Early Buddhist (second–eighth Camp, Alejandro Gallego Lopez, and Gil Stein at centuries CE) city of Mes Aynak in the National “OI House” in Kabul Museum of Afghanistan Conservation Laboratory 130 THE ORIENTAL INSTITUTE ORIENTAL INSTITUTE-NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFGHANISTAN PARTNERSHIP lego Lopez, and conservators Fabio Colombo and Reyhane Mirabootalebi.
    [Show full text]
  • Buddha's Forgotten Country : the History of Buddhism in Afghanistan
    POETRY ART&mOUGIIT PIKRUN WA FANN 41st cznd) .yeat~ no. 78 (no: 3) November 2003 - May 2004 , Publisher: Goethe-Institute Chief Editor: Stefan Weidner Editorial Board: Manutshehr Amirpur Brigitte Oleschinski Ahmad Hissou G2 Mission Impossible Stefan Weidner A Trip to the First International Poetry Festival in Indonesia Translations: Timothy Nevill Copy Editor: Charlotte Collins Ranjit Hoskote 68 Lool<ing for Anchorage, Assistance with photographic material: and Not in Alasl<a Alone Hella Roth Special thanks to Ratbil Ahang Sh<uriel and his reliable German-Afghan 11<:1.vvuu~-- REVIEWS Layout & Design: Stefan Weidner Graphieteam Köln Bonn 7 2 Saying the Unspeakahle Michael Krupp AGD A NewStory by Atiq Rahimi Printing: Köllen Druck+ Verlag Bettina Prato Publlsher's Address: 7 3 Earning the Right to Watch Goethe Institut Inter Nationes Susan Sonlag's Kennedyallee 91-10~_ "Regarding The Pain of Olhers" 53175 Bonn Germany Stefan Weidner 75 A Pinch of Afghano-Centrism Piease Editor's Address: Nicolas Bouvier's Travels in Afghanistan Art & Thought/Fikrun wa Fann Kasparstr. 41 Michael Thoss ·50670 Köln 77 Khaled Hosseini's Novel Germany "The l<ite Runner" e-mail: [email protected] Slefan Weidner 73 The Swallows of l<abul •: Intern~t: . .. Yasmina Khadra's New Novel www.goethe.de/in/d/pub/fikrun/fikrun.hUnl www.qantara.de Art & Thought is a cultural magazine_ published twice a year by the German Goethe Institute in English,, Arabic ("Fikrun wa Fann"), ·. and Farsi ("Andishe va Honar."), ßO Alighiero Boetti and Afghanistan ~ GOETH!·INSTITUT Jens-Utve Hartmann Buddha's Forgotten Country The History of Buddhism in Afghanistan /1 fghanistan was alw,1ys a completely Is­ Prices rase rapidly and considerable sums are ' lamic countty'.
    [Show full text]
  • News from Ancient Afghanistan.....5 Rather Than Attempt to Comment Part of an Elite but Non-Royal • Prof
    Volume 4 Number 2 Winter 2006-2007 “The Bridge between Eastern and Western Cultures” In This Issue From the Editor • News from ancient Afghanistan.....5 Rather than attempt to comment part of an elite but non-royal • Prof. Tarzi’s 2006 excavations at here on every article in this issue residence? What is depicted? Is Bamiyan ..............................10 of our journal, let me share with the whole iconography connected • A visit to the region of historic you some thoughts inspired by with celebration of Nauruz? Is it Balkh.................................. 27 reading two important new books abstract and symbolic or rather • A new interpretation of the Afrasiab which are closely related to certain related to a very specific political murals.................................32 of our contributions. In the first situation? Is the Chinese scene on • Mapping Buddhist sites in Western volume, Royal Nauruz in the north wall a specific depiction Tibet ...................................43 Samarkand, the eminent scholar of court culture in China or simply • Han lacquerware in Xiongnu Prof. Frantz Grenet begins his emblematic of a Chinese prin- graves..................................48 essay with the statement: ‘A cess’s having been sent off as a • Ming-Timurid relations as recorded positive side to the so-called bride to Central Asia? It is certainly in Chinese sources ................54 ‘Ambassador’s painting’ at interesting that at least one • Hunting hounds along the Silk Samarkand is that we shall never contributor (Markus Mode) Road....................................60 fully understand it…This means explicitly disagrees with the • An interview with Kyrgyz epic that research on this painting will premise about Nauruz which is singers.................................65 never stop and this is excellent embodied in the volume’s title.
    [Show full text]
  • THE NEW YEAR's FESTIVALS and the SHRINE OF'ali IIIN By
    THE NEW YEAR'S FESTIVALS AND THE SHRINE OF'ALI IIIN ABI TALIB AT MAZAR-I SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN by Jonathan Leonard Lee 0-- Submitted in accordancewith ilic requirementsfor the degreeof PliD The University of Leeds Department of Theology and Religious Studies September1999 The candidate confirms that the work,submitted is his osviiand that appropriate credit has been given where referencehas been made to the svork-of olhers. ii ABSTRACT This study examines the customs and origins of three spring festivals at the shrine of 'Ali b. Abi Talib, Mazar-i Sharif, Afghanistan; namely Nauroz, Janda Bala and Gul-i Surkh. Since these festivals are not part of the Islamic religious calendar, we seek to locate their origins in the pre-Islamic religions of Iran and record the contemporary traditions of these festivals. Since the festivals are assimilated to a shrine dedicated to the fourth Caliph of Sunni Islam, we examine the processes which gave rise to this juxtaposition and how it came about that this shrine came to be considered a rival to Najaf. The Sa1juq and Timurid discovery narratives are examined (Chapters 1-2) in their wider religious and cultural context, followed by an examination of Afghan folklore re- lated to Nauroz and the pre-Islamic religious traditions of Bactria (Chapters 3-4). We con- clude that an important impetus for the founding of this shrine is the fact that, until the arrival of Islam, Bactra had been the paramount pilgrimage and cult centre of the region. Over the millennia, whilst the dominant religious tradition had changed, Bactra adapted to such ideological fluctuations in order to maintain its dominance of the.
    [Show full text]