The proceedings of the National seminar Buddhism and Sectarian Religious faith in India or Buddha and Anti-caste Bhakti Saints held at Acharya Nagarjuna University on March 1st and 2nd 2023 (2)

The proceedings of the National seminar Buddhism and Sectarian Religious faith in India or Buddha and Anti-caste Bhakti Saints held at Acharya Nagarjuna University on March 1^st and 2^nd 2023 (2)

Objectives of the Seminar: There are serious studies available purely either on Buddhism or Bhakti movement and anti-caste traditions. But, it is noticed that deliberations on continuity of non- Vedic and anti-caste intellectual tradition, initiated by Buddha in another forms and their variations are absent. In view of absence of comparative studies on Buddha and other anti-caste philosophers during lhe subsequent period, present seminar is proposed. Present Two Day National Seminar is aimed at serious deliberations on the impact Buddhist egalitarianism on other sectarian religious faiths after the defeat of Buddhism in India. And it is also intended to identify the basic differences and resemblances of all anti-caste sectarian religious movements.

Sub- themes: The subthemes and others are also listed out for illustrative purpose:

1. Buddhism — Buddhist anti- caste Philosophy

2. Vajrayana/ Siddha cults in South India

3. Sectarianism — Medieval Bhakti movements and anti-casse philosophy

4. Virasaivism- Basaveswara, Akkamahadevi, Panditaradhya

5. Vaishnavism —Ramanuja, Brahmanaidu

6. Pothuluri Virabrahmam- Vemana

7. Nasarayya- Dunna Iddasu- Yadla Ramadasu

8. Sufi saints

9. Tukaram- Sant Ravidas- Chokkamela

10. Meerabai- Kabir- Bhima Boi

11. Any other relevant theme Submission of Papers

01-03-2023 (Wednesday): The seminar was inaugurated with a prayer to Buddha sung by the Buddhist students followed by the prayer song of the University invoking Acharya Nagarjuna. The seminar convener Ch. Swaroopa Rani invited the dignitaries, the guests and delegates, introducing the Mahayana Buddhist centre and explaining the theme of the seminar. Prof Rajasekar, VC, talked about the theme with examples. Then, P. D. Satya Paul delved upon the communal Hinduism criticizing P.V. Kane who carried on the Maxmueller’s project, Dr S. Radhakrishan for his opinion about Buddha (Buddha’s movement was a protestant type of reformative Hinduism) and Swami Vivekananda for perpetuating caste. He was suggesting about a “proto-sramanic” tradition before IVC, based on which, the Buddhism could have been evolved. Dr Ramabhadra Kumar pointed out delving upon some books that caste problem has been spread to all other countries, now working in 33 major countries. He emphasized the consolidation of caste, annihilation of caste and dissolution of caste. K. S. Chalam, the key-note speaker spoke about many issues and they have been printed in the “abstract” booklet. K. S. Chalam was sarcastically talking about “Brahminical virus” / brahmin diaspora virus spreading in the “Diaspora” countries throughout the world, it is more dangerous than Carona virus and so on.

Brahmin  diaspora virus – S.K. Chalam: First, Ramabadhrakumar was telling that caste has been there in 33 countries of the world and then, S. K. Chalam mentioned about “Brahmin diaspora virus,” affecting and it is more dangerous than Carona virus. Incidentally, such idea has been floated by the left-oriented media in the internet[1]. The Wire came out with a story[2] that “Communal Virus Injected into Diaspora, and the Culture is Growing” and claimed that it was published originally somewhere[3], giving a link. That link contains another story[4], “Supreme Court Pulls Up Union Govt & TV For Allowing Hate Speech; Communal Virus Injected Into Diaspora And The Culture Is Growing.” So they could find virus suddenly comparing it with caste. S. K. Chalam directly christened it as “Brahmin diaspora virus”! As usual, it is not known, why “Khastriya diaspora virus,” “Vaisyha diaspora virus,” and “Sudra  diaspora virus,” are not found or located in their narratives and discourses. Talking about “hate speech,” they are producing more “hate speech” and it is not known as to whether they understand or not.

“Abstracts” of papers: The “Abstracts” contain 35 papers and full papers of key-note and valedictory addresses.

Speaker / paper presenter	Title of the paper	Page no.
K. S. Chalam, Key-note address	Impact of Buddhism on Anti-caste Egalitarian movements in India[5] (Key note address)	1-19
M. Koteswara Rao	Buddhism:  a philosophy of social transformation.	25
Pannasami	Caste system in Theravada Buddhist perspective.	26
M.M. Vinodini	Akkammadevi’s literature that called for women’s emancipation
P. D. Satya Paul	Title – not known, not listed / included in the “Abstracts” He spoke twice for nearly two hours….
K. V. Ramakrishna Rao	The Sectarian encounters between the Buddhist and Jain faiths during the Medieval period for commercialization and communalization	34-35
Yadhava Raghu	Dasa movement and its impact on Telugu villages bordering Karnataka: a case of Pyalakurthy village, Kurnool district[6].	37-38 46
John Weasley	Siddha cults in South India.	57
Sugandha	The Buddhist perspective of social sratification	5 8
N. Kanakaratnam	Caste frevenge on adigas and Malas.	60
Eluri Harshavardhan	Egalitarian ideals of Buddhism: A repository of counter discourse in Andhradesa
E. Sudha Rani, Valedictory address	Women Bhakti saints’ voices: the radical anti-caste movements in medieval India.	20-24

Afternoon first session, the following papers  were presented:

Speaker / paper presenter	Title of the paper	Page no.
K. S. Chalam[7], Key-note address	Impact of Buddhism on Anti-caste Egalitarian movements in India[8] (Key note address)	1-19
M. Koteswara Rao[9]	Buddhism:  a philosophy of social transformation.	25
Pannasami[10]	Caste system in Theravada Buddhist perspective.	26
M.M. Vinodini[11]	Akkammadevi’s literature that called for women’s emancipation

M. Koteswara Rao was talking about caste, case system, Ambedkar etc., in a general manner and explaining the contemporary conditions. He was stressing that the process of thesis, anti-thesis and synthesis should take place.

Pannasami’s paper perplexed some audience because, he was explaining about, “Caste system in Theravada Buddhist perspective,” while the seminar was about how Buddhism could pave way for anti-caste movement. That is Buddhism could not have any type of social discrimination, when it was against caste system.

The last paper presenter was virtually speaking as if she was giving a literary discourse (like pattimanram in the Tamil context) and spoke for one hour explaining the poetic nuances in Telugu, repeating points again and again. Though, he was narrating other stories, she  did not mention that according to legends, she was a beautiful woman with long tresses and Kaushika, the Jain ruler of the region, fell in love with her. However, some accounts suggest that despite Kaushika’s proposal to marry Akka, the latter not only refused, but when forced, renounced her family, discarded her clothes and left the village covered only in her long tresses. Thus, here also, the Jaina-Saiva conflict is known. In other versions, it is claimed that the wedding did actually take place but on the conditions that the king would neither touch Akka without her permission nor hinder her worship. However, when Kaushika failed to honour the agreement, Akka left his palace leaving behind all his presents, including her clothes and acknowledged Lord Chennamallikarjuna as her sole husband.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

05-03-2023

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[1] The Wire, Communal Virus Injected into Diaspora, and the Culture is Growing, Sidharth Bhatia, 23-09-2022.

[2] https://thewire.in/communalism/communal-virus-leicester

[3] Pratik Kanjilal, Supreme Court Pulls Up Union Govt & TV For Allowing Hate Speech; Communal Virus Injected Into Diaspora And The Culture Is Growing, September 22, 2022

[4] https://www.theindiacable.com/p/supreme-court-pulls-up-union-govt?utm_source=email

[5]  Though his paper has been printed in about 20 pagers, it is not complete and of course, he accepted that it was only “abstract,” and he would send his full paper.

[6] His paper has been printed twice as shown – this shows the mechanical way of preparation of “Abstracts” without going into the details.

[7] Prof. Chalam held the position of –

• Vice- Chancellor, Dravidian University, Kuppam (AP) (2005);
• Member, Planning Board, Govt. of M.P., (2002-04);
• Founder Director, UGC Academic Staff College, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam (1987-2005);
•  Director, Swamy Ramananda Tirtha Rural Institute, Pochampally, Hyderabad (1997-98);
• Professor of Economics, Andhra University (1990-2005).
• He is on several Committees as Hon’ble Chairman, Member such as UGC, NCRI, A.U etc.
• He was Search Committee Member for selection of Vice- Chancellor for Telugu and Telangana Universities in Andhra Pradesh.

[8]  Though his paper has been printed in about 20 pagers, it is not complete and of course, he accepted that it was only “abstract,” and he would send his full paper.

[9] Associate Professor, Department of English – Krishna University, Andhra Pradesh.

[10]  Research scholar, Centre for Mahayana Buddhist Studies, ANU, AP.

[11] Associate Professor, Department of Telugu, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa-516005., Andhra Pradesh

Excavations continue at Valasai, Gudiyatham exposing interesting evidences to prove Neolithic Ashmound to Iron period

Excavations continue at Valasai, Gudiyatham exposing interesting evidences to prove Neolithic Ashmound to Iron period

The University bus ready for the students to visit the Valasai site

Archaeological field-training to the students: The first year students of  M.A., Ancient History and Archaeology of  the University of Madras were taken to Chenthur Malai, Valasai Village – 632601, near Modikuppam, Gudiyatham Taluk, Vellore District, for field-training in excavation. On 20-02-2021, morning, the University bus started from the University campus and proceeded to Gudiyatham via Vellore.

The students sitting inside the bus

In between, we had breakfast at a hotel and proceeded.

Valasai village, location and significance: Valasai is surrounded by K.V. Kuppam Block towards East, Anaicut Block towards South, Bangarupalem Block towards North , Yadamari Block towards North.  That is it is near to Karnataka and Andhra borders and therefore, the ashmound found here is reasonable, plausible and conforming the pattern and life-style of the Neolithic cultural sequences with iron technology. In 1980, 2006 and 2012, earlier excavations were carried on and the presence of Neolithic culture was proven and I have given those details in my earlier blog[1].

Valasai, Sendoormalai location

The students briefed about: The students were headed by Prof J. Soundararajan, HOD-In-Charge, P. Venkatesan, ASI retd.officer,  Jinu Koshi, the site-guide for excavation and others. We reached the site by 1.00 pm. The Valasai village has been calm and the people have engaged in agriculture.

Students getting down at the Valasai village

Students getting down at the Valasai village and looking at…..

Students getting down at the Valasai village…..HOD looking at

HOD gives instructions

Students getting down at the Valasai village and moving to the house, where students staying

Students just getting refreshed after 5 hours travelling from Chennai

The house, the kitchen and the place where the students have been staying…..

After having lunch, we proceeded to the ashmound area. The students were briefed about the “ashmound,” is significance and fin at the Valasai village.

Under this Banyan tree, the students had lunch.

The students started moving towards the ashmound cut portion by the side of Sendoormalai

The students started moving towards the ashmound cut portion by the side of Sendoormalai and reaching there

Slowly settling down to listen to briefing

P. Venkatesan started briefing as to how Sri Kumar discovered in 2006.

The ashmound cut portion can be seen at the backside

A thesis submitted in 2006 by Kumar, an alumni of our department, had said there was an extensive mound with multi-cultural phases near Sendoormalai in Vellore district.

The ash embedded can be seen in the cut portion

The ashmound etc: The hillside was cut to prevent the wild animals to enter the agricultural land and spoil and also affect the villagers with their sudden visits. Recently, elephants in group entered the village and damaged the banana trees and crop.

The above photo shows the ashmound presence in the straigraphical layers. The photo below shows the ashmound with the embedded pottery pieces in situ.

Jinu Koshi claimed,  “…….that the Ashmounds were formed by accumulation of burned dung in the pastoral settlements during the neolithic period. The earliest date and occurrence of these ashmounds dates back to 2,500BCE”, adding, “The site was visited by Arcahelogical survey of India in 2012 to understand the cultural sequences and importance of the site. Later in their study it was confirmed the site was occupied since neolithic period. Based on the thesis report and the study conducted by ASI, we decided to excavate the site…. The main aim of this excavation was to understand the antiquity and culture of ancient Valasai. Another purpose is to find out the extension of the settlement and its pattern. A systematic archaeological excavation of this mound will unfold the cultural importance and history of this region. Besides, the findings of the excavation would also help in reconstructing the history of south India.”

In Karnataka, the ashmounds are typically called as “Budhihal” (place of ash), “Budditippa” (mound of ash), “Budigunta” (pit of ash), “Budikanama” (abode of ash) etc., thus clearly pointing to ash.

The students engaged in excavation and waiting for the HOD instructions to get ready, as could be noted from the photograph.

How the area was marked for excavation was divided into squares and digging started for prospective findings. As the area has already proven for the archaeological potential, it has been chosen for field-study and excavation-training.

What is Step-trench excavation?: Here, Step-trench excavation method is adopted incorporating both vertical and horizontal excavations. Moreover, the mound contains soil, mud and earth are fund to be loosely packed.

In deep excavations the side of the trenches may be stepped at intervals in order to maintain the stability of the trench walls and reduce the risk of collapse. An inevitable consequence is that an excavation that starts relatively large will provide only a limited view of the deepest levels.

A trench is a type of excavation or depression in the ground that is generally deeper than it is wide (as opposed to a wider gully, or ditch), and narrow compared with its length (as opposed to a simple hole).

The different types of tools used in an excavation:  The different tools used in the excavations have been –

Spade Pick axe Shovel Rammer Crow bar Wedge

Spading fork Hoe Rake Basket Iron pan Brushes

Different tools used for excavation

The pottery, and other materials embedded can be seen on the LHS portion insitu (not yet excavated) and the RHS portion shows the just excavated position of the stratigraphy.

Interestingly, the students could find “Ash mound” with the stratigraphical layers embedded with broken pottery and skeleton pieces of the animals. The mound excavated evidently contains loose soil with the embedded materials. They could also note the unearthed potsherds and stone tools dating back to Neolithic, iron age and early historic periods, implying that the area had been perhaps, continuously engaged with human activities.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

23-02-2021

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[1]  K. V. Ramakrishna Rao, Valasai: Neolithic site, excavations carried on, evidences found including ash mound and their significance thereof!, February 11, 2021.

Valasai: Neolithic site, excavations carried on, evidences found including ash mound and their significance thereof!