Remembering the Ancient Buddhas of Bamiyan   

• Nestled within the valleys of Afghanistan, the Buddhas of Bamiyan once stood as magnificent marvels along the ancient Silk Road. For centuries, these towering statues welcomed Buddhist pilgrims traveling across Asia. At the time of their construction, Buddhism was the dominant religion in the region, which had also long been influenced by the legacy of Indo-Greek rulers who admired Greek culture. From this cultural exchange emerged Gandharan art, a unique blend of Greek artistic traditions and Indian philosophical ideas. Although historians do not know who commissioned the statues, researchers have learned much about how they were built. The main bodies of the Buddhas were carved directly into sandstone cliffs. Skilled artisans then added layers of mud-straw plaster to create details such as the flowing folds of the robes. To support these features, workers drilled holes into the stone and inserted wooden pegs. Ropes were attached to the pegs and covered with plaster to help the drapery maintain its shape. Scientists also believe the statues were once painted in bright colors before the Islamic conquests of the region. After surviving centuries of weathering and political change, the Bamiyan Buddhas met a tragic fate in March 2001. Despite widespread international appeals, the Taliban government ordered their destruction. The Afghan Foreign Minister at the time argued that the world showed more concern for the statues than for the hardships faced by the Afghan people. Although the Buddhas themselves were reduced to rubble, efforts to preserve their remains and document their history continue. Today, the site stands as a powerful reminder of a rich cultural heritage and the importance of protecting humanity’s shared history. Hyundong Lee Staff Reporter teen/1782706765/1613367716