Welcome back to ILF Radio! Today, we’re journeying into the Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled in the rugged Sahyadri hills of Maharashtra. Carved into a horseshoe-shaped gorge along the Waghora River, these rock-cut caves, dating back over two millennia, are a sanctuary of art, devotion, and storytelling. Within their stone-carved facades lie timeless murals, intricate sculptures, and monastic cells that once echoed with chants of Buddhist monks. Beyond their artistic grandeur, the caves embody a living archive of faith and imagination, where every wall still whispers the rhythm of meditation, ritual, and ancient creativity.
We are delighted to have Professor Seema Bawa, a renowned Art Historian who teaches at the University of Delhi. She has authored numerous books on Ancient Indian Art and religious art. Prof. Bawa brings to the table a wide array of experience in reading the ancient cave art and uncovering the beauty of these heritage sites. In this episode, she will guide us through the scenic landcsape of the Sahyadri hills and introduce us to the importance of this landscape for the Buddhist monks. Reading through the Pali cannon and understanding the majectic structures inside the cave, this episode will delve into the arrangement of the Buddhist monastic order which reflects in Ajanta.
Glossary:
1. Chaitya – A Buddhist prayer hall or shrine, often housing a stupa.
2. Vihara – A Buddhist monastery or dwelling place for monks.
3. Avadanas – Legendary or moral stories illustrating Buddhist teachings.
4. Jatakas – Tales of the previous lives of the Buddha, teaching moral lessons.
5. Vinaya – The regulatory framework or code of conduct for Buddhist monks and nuns.
6. Nirgranthikas – Ascetic sects in ancient India, often associated with Jainism.
7. Ajivikas – An ancient Indian religious sect emphasizing fatalism and strict asceticism.
8. Mahasanghikas – One of the early Buddhist schools, emphasizing the transcendental nature of the Buddha.
9. Theravadins – Followers of the Theravada school, emphasizing the earliest Buddhist teachings.
10. Sravastavadins – A Buddhist sect known for its detailed Abhidharma scholasticism.
11. Māra – The demon or personification of temptation and death in Buddhism.
12. Avalokiteshvara – The Bodhisattva of compassion in Mahayana Buddhism.
13. Manjushri – The Bodhisattva representing wisdom in Mahayana Buddhism.
14. Bodhisattva – An enlightened being who delays final nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment.
Explore visuals from today's episode- https://www.p4panorama.com/360-virtual-tour/ajanta-caves/
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Intro/Outro music credit: Dhaka by Kevin McLeod
