Search Buddhist Channel
Stupa crack: Commission summons ASI official
by Vidisha Mp, WebIndia123.com, October 2, 2005
Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh (India) -- The Madhya Pradesh State Minorities Commission has summoned ASI Superintending Archaeologist (Bhopal Circle) K K Muhammed in connection with an alleged crack in the Great Stupa at the world heritage site Sanchi in neighbouring Raisen district.
<< The great Sanchi Stupa
''Religious sentiments ought not to be hurt. Sanchi is not only a centre of worship and faith for the world's Buddhist community but also an international tourist spot,'' Commission Member Indresh Gajbhiye told mediapersons here on Tuesday while inspecting the monuments. He said he would forward a report to the government after returning to Bhopal.
Admitting that such cases did occur in edifices that are thousands of years old, Mr Gajbhiye said it was certainly not a case of irregularity.
Meanwhile, Mr Muhammed assured that all the Stupas would be renovated by March, 2006.
The Indian Buddhist Religious Council had staged a demonstration over conservation of the monuments and a memorandum was submitted to Dr Gajbhiye.
''If the stupas at Sanchi, Satdhara and Sonari are not conserved, the Buddhist community will be compelled to launch an agitation in Bhopal,'' the council's state unit Chairman Suresh Jadhav said.
The ASI has drafted a Rs 5 lakh scheme for sealing the ''exposed joint'' between stones, plugging rainwater seepage and beautification of the 2,300-year-old Great Stupa.
''There is no chance whatsoever of the seepage damaging the monument. It's not a crack, only an exposed joint and that will be sealed using lime mortar. The joint was earlier repaired in 1964,'' Mr Muhammed told a media team at Sanchi on September 25.
The scheme also envisages creation of a garden at an estimated expense of Rs 2 lakh around the stupa. Bhimbhetka and Khajuraho are the other World Heritage sites in this state.
''As many as 214 weep holes aid in conveying rainwater out of the structure. The work of rendering the stupa watertight will begin soon after the monsoon and be completed by March, 2006. An additional drain is planned. The monument is cleaned only with water as a UNESCO directive forbids chemical treatment,'' the expert added.
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Omniscient Robotic-Being for Buddhist Understanding)
For Malaysians
who wants to donate in MYR, please use the following account:Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.
Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:
One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.
How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.
For Malaysians
who wants to donate in MYR, please use the following account:Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.
Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.
Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.
Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!
May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,
With deepest gratitude,
Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team
Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv