Takht-e-Bahi

Re: # 14Sure! I have not had time to visit Chowk much in the past few months. Hope to post some new stuff sometime ... bukra inshallah! ;)

i enjoyed your writing and found myself quite intrigued by your subject. would enjoy reading more of your work and perhaps interacting as well.

Dear Inquirer,

The simple reason for not having responded was a lack of time. This certainly does not mean I think anyones comments here `shallow` or worthless.

I think anyone who writes is sharing some part of themselves with the outside world and so it means much to know that what one has shared was echoed in some others world.

I certainly appreciate all feedback.

I havent claimed to be an authority on the subject and I think most people are a sum of their experiences. My view of Buddhism is one that has grown over time. I do not know what you mean by `substantive` - after all we all assimiliate our thoughts in a million different ways. Mine may possibly be less defined than anothers, but valid nonetheless. Ive picked up parts from Buddhist friends, some from fiction, really lots of little things over the years.

I think particularly with faith there comes a point where one cannot talk in solid terms. I appreciate what I know of Buddhism - I was touched by what I observed on my visit just as much as I have been at Evensong service in the Kings College Chapel or a crumbling mosque with no roof in the middle of the desert.

I dont know if that means anything to you - just my ramblings in a spare moment!

Saima Khan:

You have not responded to your commenters. Is it due to the total disappointment with the shallowness of those who did?

You have written a lyrical prose piece and shown the incipient sensitivity to the subject but did you learn something more substantive - than just a tourist`s siteseeing; I think you probably did - about the Buddhistic culture that existed in Takht-e-Bahi? If you did it would be of interest to the serious people that you provide some references.

There is no doubt that Takht-e-Bahi`s kebabs are the best. I visited the historical site with my class in 1994 and was astounded by the presence of a magnificent Buddhist relic in that part of NWFP. But I was even more amazed and surprised 3 years later, when I visited the British Museum in London. I saw some great pieces of artwork carved on rocks, and these historical SOUVENIRS belonged to Takht-e-Bahi as the information plates said. Now what would you call this? Stealing heritage and culture, I would say!

Excellent attempt here at describing the historical threads that

weave into the the cloth of our cultural makeup.

I sure wish I could try those chappal kebabs....

Ras

Excellent attempt here By Saima Khan at describing the historical

threads that weave into the the cloth of our cultural makeup.

I sure wish I could try those chappal kebabs....

Ras

#6 by Tipu on May 11, 2003 4:18pm PT

Jay would fit the bill..

only who would belive him

#2 by Romair on May 10, 2003 1:45pm PT

at least for sampling the kababs I hope the India-Pak entente takes palce soon..

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Take two:
For a good picture of Takht-e-Bhai, visit:

http://www.st-ambrosecollege.trafford.sch.uk/takht-e-bhai.htm

The monastry was built during the second golden age of Buddhism (first being Ashoka`s) in northwest India under famous Buddhist king, Kanishk of Kushan dynasty with his capital nearby (near modern day Peshawar). It was on the old silk route, now called Malakand pass and Buddhist preachers used this route going back and forth to China and Central Asia.

The story of father Nansen, kitten and killing every thought is related to interdependent arising. It simply means that sorrows are due to attachment and everything from there on is interdependent. The Heart Sutra or Perfection of Wisdom deals with it. The interdependence leads to forms and forms in profound thoughts are empty or formless; the forms (visible reality) arise from this emptiness (profound reality). It is not nihilistic as it sounds without interpretation.

For a good picture of Takht-e-Bhai, visit:

http://www.st-ambrosecollege.trafford.sch.uk/takht-e-bhai.htm

The monastry was built by during the second golden age of Budhism in northwest India under famous Buddhist king, Kanishk of Kushan dynasty with their capital nearby(near modern day Peshawar). I was on the old silk route, now called Malakand pass and Buddhist preachers used this route going back and forth to China and Central Asia.

The story of father Nansen, kitten and killing every thought is related to what is known as interdependent arising. It simply means that sorows are due to attachment and everything from there on is interdependent. The Heart Sutra or Perfection of Wisdom deals is all about it. The interdependence leads to forms and form in profound thoughts is emptiness; the forms (visible reality) arises from this emptiness (profound reality). It is not nihilistic as it sounds without interpretation.

Takht-e-Bai definitely has the best chappal kababs in the world.

Nice article, Saima. Some beautiful passages there; particularly enjoyed this,

``The shaved heads of acolytes; a dangerous idea it seemed to me – to have your thoughts separated from the outer world only by an individual single, thin membrane.``

Aamir

PS. By the way, good to see a writer from the mulluk. (I`m an Alaini.)