Ancient Buddhist Monastery found in Jharkhand/Nagri script

Subject: Art and Culture

Context: The monastery was found near Burhani village near JuljulPahar of Sitagarhi Hills (12 kms from Hazaribagh) in Jharkhand by ASI team.

Concept:

It is believed to be at least 900 years old, buried under a mound in a village.
It is significant for it comes two months after discovery of an ancient Buddhist shrine (three rooms with Central shrine having statue of Tara, and other two subsidiary shrine of Buddha), buried under a similar mound, barely 100 metres away.
On the site ASI team excavated 10 stone statues of deity Tara and the Buddha. Though the scientific findings have yet not confirmed it, possibility is it belonged to Pala empire.
It also found sculpture which appears to be that of Shaivite deity Maheswari – with a coiled crown and chakra – indicating cultural assimilation in the area.
The presence of statues of deity Tara shows possible proliferation of Vajrayana form of Buddhism in this region.
Four statues of deity Tara in Varad Mudra (gesture of hand showing dispensing of boons) and six statues of the Buddha in Bhumisparsa Mudra (gesture of hand showing five fingers of right hand towards the earth symbolising the Buddha’s enlightenment).
It also falls on the old path to Varanasi (Sarnath), where Buddha gave first sermon.
Last year a script was found of 3-4 words as well and was believed to be Nagri script and was dated between 10th century AD to 12th century AD.
Nagri is a previous version of Devnagri script and the words indicate Buddhist religious affiliation.
This time also ASI got Nagri script on a Tara statue.

Vajrayana

Vajrayana is a form of Tantric Buddhism, which flourished in India from 6th to 11th century.

About Tara

Also called Arya Tara, or Shayama Tara or Jetsun Dolma.
Tara is an important figure in Buddhism with particularly reverence in Tibetan Buddhism.
She is the feminine counterpart of the bodhisattva (“buddha-to-be”) Avalokiteshvara.
Popular believe is she came into existence from a tear of Avalokiteshvara, which fell to the ground and formed a lake.
Considered Female bodhisattva in Tibetan Buddhism. She represents the virtues of success in work and achievements