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On the Footsteps of a Buddhist Monk: Interpretation and Reinterpretation of the Cultural Landscape of Tarmita(Termez)

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On the Footsteps of a Buddhist Monk: Interpretation and Reinterpretation of the Cultural Landscape of Tarmita(Termez) Dr. D. K. Sahi, International Journal of Research in Engineering, IT and Social Sciences, ISSN 2250-0588, Impact Factor: 6.565, Volume 09, Issue 5, May 2019, Page 48-55 On the Footsteps of a Buddhist Monk: Interpretation and Reinterpretation of the Cultural Landscape of Tarmita(Termez) Dr. D. K. Shahi (Associate Professor, Deptt. of Geography, D.A.V. P.G. College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India) Abstract: A philosophy, a religion, a belief system, a spiritual practice or a way of life, known as Buddhism has a history of more than 2500 year. During the course of time, it spread and diversified to become a ‘world religion’. Over the years, it has changed the cultures and civilizations without any conflicts or conquests and shaped the course of history in India and in other Asian countries. The Classical diffusion-based models are of foundational importance in theories of spread of Ideas and Ideologies. The present study provides a theoretical framework for understanding and conceptualizing the spatial dimension of spread of Buddhism. Termez was a major oasis city, with several cultural layers, dating from the ancient Greeks. The ancient town of Termez was established around the 3rd century B.C. and reached its most prosperous period in the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D. It was destroyed by Ghenghis Khan's army; afterwards the site got ruined and gradually got buried in the sands of Kyzyl-Kum Desert. The historical urban landscape of this area expresses the long history of transition and transformation. It has a unique identity shaped by its distinctive historical development (spatial and socio-cultural continuity). Being connected to three regions in three continents, different cultures met and coexisted here, thus each contributed their own culture to the identity of the city. The present study aims to focus on the diffusion of Buddhism along silk route. Besides the diffusion of religion, the present study explores the cultural history of Termez to create the cultural geography on the basis of the cultural landscape of Buddhist stupas and monasteries. In this research the cultural landscape of Termez has been interpreted and reinterpreted and thus, the impacts of Buddhism on land (landscape) of Central Asia has been evaluated. The aim of this research is also to bridge interdisciplinary boundaries. Keywords: Buddhism, Diffusion of Buddhism, Termez, Oasis City, Urban Landscape I. INTRODUCTION Termez was a major oasis city dating from the ancient Greeks. The ancient town of Termez was established around the 3rd century B.C. and reached its most prosperous period in the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D. The present study aims to focus on the diffusion of Buddhism. Besides, it explores the cultural history of Termez to create the cultural geography on the basis of the cultural landscape of Buddhist stupas and monasteries. In this research the cultural landscape of Termez has been interpreted and reinterpreted and thus, the impacts of Buddhism on land (landscape) of Central Asia has been evaluated. The aim of this research is also to bridge interdisciplinary boundaries. Geography of Religion and Religion in Geography; Religion rarely appears in books on geography and Geography rarely appears in books on religion. Most people interested in the study of religion have little interest in the study of geography and the vice versa. But the sacred sites or places of worship that dominate many landscapes defines and redefines the place or space. Thus, the geography of sacred places and sacred spaces are part and parcel of geographical inquiry. (Park, C. 2004) On the other hand, if geography is defined as ‘the study of the spatial interaction’, the spread of religion becomes the subject matter of geography. Thus, the key questions ‘how do the religions spread across the space and how do they change the landscape through space and time, are concerns of geography. Thus, the Geography of Religion and Religion in Geography may be conceived as a new ‘Paradigm’ in Cultural Geography’. Spread of Buddhism beyond the Hindu Kush Mountains; A philosophy, a religion, a belief system, a spiritual practice or a way of life, known as Buddhism has a history of more than 2500 year. The history and geography of this religion has evolved over the centuries. During the course of time, it spread and diversified to become a ‘world religion’. Over the years, it has changed the cultures and civilizations without any conflicts or conquests and shaped the course of history in India and in other Asian countries. From its place of origin, the doctrine of Buddhism got spread in to the other Asian countries. As a natural spread it moved northwards and expanded in to Pakistan and Afghanistan. In due course, it crossed the Hindu Kush Mountains and reached up to Central Asia, all along the ‘Silk road’ and eventually reached into China and later http://indusedu.org Page 48 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License Dr. D. K. Sahi, International Journal of Research in Engineering, IT and Social Sciences, ISSN 2250-0588, Impact Factor: 6.565, Volume 09, Issue 5, May 2019, Page 48-55 on Mongolia, Korea and Japan. With the great spread of Buddhism, its traditional practices and philosophy got transformed or became redefined. But wherever it existed and whatever form it assumed, the ethical values of shantipurnasahstitva (peaceful coexistence), sahishnutaa(tolerance) and ahimsa (nonviolence) was embraced by all. It had and will have a profound influence on the Humanity. (Gamage, H. R. and Wickramasinghe, A. 2012) On the Footsteps of a Buddhist Monk, Xuanzang; Long ago, Buddhism was known in Central Asia. During the 7th century A.D., a Buddhist monk, Xuanzang, visited Central Asia on his way from China to India. Later on, he reported that Buddhism appeared to be thriving in the region. One place in particular stood out in Xuanzang's recollections; that was the ancient city of Termez, located on the banks of the Amu Darya in what is now Uzbekistan. According to him, there were more than ten monasteries with more than 1,000 monks, in Termez. (Rhie M. Martin, 2007) Imprints of Buddhism on the Ancient City of Termitra (Termez) The city of Termitra (Termez) is one of the ancient flourishing cities of Uzbekistan. Even today, it is one of the most important cultural center of Surkhan Darya Region (Uzbekistan). The city of Termez is situated near the Afghan border, in the southernmost part of Uzbekistan, on the right bank of Amu Darya River, near the mouth of its tributary, the Surkhan Darya. (Esparraguera, and others, 2015, Ulmasov Akmal, 2018) During the historical past, it was the main transit connecting Uzbekistan with neighboring countries Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Narrative of the Historical City and the Urban Landscape; The city had various names such as Tarmiz, Tarmiz or Termez. The current name is derived from Tirmiz or Tarmiz. (Ulmasov Akmal, 2018, Esparraguera, Josep M. Gurt and others, 2015) In Sogdian it is pronounced as Tarmio and in Iranian tara-maiqa, which means ‘a place of transition’ (tara-crossing; maiqa-place). Some schollars link the name to Sanskrit taramato that means ‘situated on the river bank’. In ancient times it was an important crossing point or transit point on the Amu Darya. Some geographers trace its name back to Alexander the Great. In the seventh century AD the Chinese traveler Hsuan Tsang identified the city with the name Ta mi. (Esparraguera, Josep M. Gurt and others, 2015) The ancient town of Termez was established around the 3rd century B.C. and reached its most prosperous period in the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D. It was destroyed by Ghenghis Khan's army; afterwards the site got ruined and gradually got buried in the sands of Kyzyl-Kum Desert. (Rhie M. Martin, 2007) II. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The present study aims to focus on the diffusion of Buddhism along silk route. Besides the diffusion of religion,the present study explores the cultural history of Termez to create the cultural geography on the basis of the cultural landscape of Buddhist stupas and monasteries. In this research the cultural landscape of Termez has been interpreted and reinterpreted and thus, the impacts of Buddhism on land (landscape) of Central Asia has been evaluated. The aim of this research is also to bridge interdisciplinary boundaries. The present study focuses on the Geography of Buddhism; To trace the spread of Buddhism beyond the Hindu Kush Mountains and recreate the Cultural Geography of the Termez, Uzbekistan, Central Asia. The basic objectives of the study are to analyze diffusion of Buddhism; To study the exchange along the silk route, spread of culture and transmission of beliefs; To inquire into the impact of Buddhism on the civilizational history of Termez, Uzbekistan, Central Asia. Building on the concept of Cultural Diffusion, this research attempt to understand how culture travels to new places and get accepted. It explains the spatial aspects of diffusion of thoughts, ideas and beliefs and spread of culture.The interpretation involves the spatial patterns and the processes of diffusion of religion (Buddhism).This research may help in understanding the Buddhist impact on the cultures, outside of its historical milieus or cultural boundaries. III. METHODOLOGY OR THE APPROACH OF THE STUDY In the backdrop of Cultural Diffusion, the time and space of this research is the ancient city of Termitra (Termez), during 1st century A.D. to 7th century A.D. that is the timelines of major changes in the cultural landscape of the region. Besides the interpretation of the cultural landscape, the general processes involved in spread of religious ideas between places and people (spatially) has also been interpreted.
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