The oldest, dateable depiction of the Buddha in human form I Curator's Corner S4 Ep7

[@britishmuseum]

A fair amount of footage from this video ended up on the cutting room floor as this video was getting quite long. In particular, a whole section on Charles Masson, how he discovered the Bimaran Casket, and how it ended up at the British Museum. Let us know if you'd like us to make a Curator's Corner + episode on its discovery. WARNING: there won't be all that many images involved as Charles Masson was in hiding from the East India company and so there are no known drawings or images of the man.

[@WardancerHB]

Yes please! Longer video = more knowledge :-)

[@IanBurns]

Yes Please

[@annettefournier9655]

Please and thank you!

[@lahirusenananda94]

Yes please.. :-)

[@Joel_Inosin]

Not one to deny knowledge when it is laid before me P.S. i don't think it was mentioned, but I was wondering what those black crimson stone nobs on the reliquary are.

[@tribequest9]

I loved this curator, please have more of her.

[@PankajDoharey]

She is talking without evidence.

[@tribequest9]

@@PankajDoharey what do you mean? did we not watch the same video?

[@stephenbachmann1171]

@@PankajDoharey You are a Hindu Extremist talking without evidence.

[@christianeduardo1]

She’s , perhaps, the happiest doctor that ever was.

[@jiayilim1986]

I absolutely adore these Curator's Corner videos. Thank you for sharing the fascinating history behind these lovely artifacts!

[@Yahweh312]

Buddah was an Aryan white man,King/ Holy man of the Royal Scythian tribe.. ie the Irish,Scots,Britons,Europeans the true Christ bloodlines .. The true Israelites .. Not those imposter parasites infesting and controlling Palestine and all nations in these end of days ...

[@rymdalkis]

@@Yahweh312 Nobody: Absolutely nobody: ross g manley888: Jesus and Buddha were white and there is a white genocide going on Get help, mate

[@Livy_lives]

Such an amazing channel. I don’t understand why more people don’t watch!

[@britishmuseum]

Neither do we 😢 spread the word!

[@richardd1350]

@@britishmuseum Keep doing what you're doing! Sadly on youtube you're competing against a lot of vapid and mindless content which for some reason is incredibly popular.

[@ptonpc]

@@britishmuseum Even though I am subscribed and have the bell icon activate. I do not get notifications from your channel. KZbin seems to be pushing the educational channels aside in favour of pap.

[@johnsmith1474]

They don't watch because this is commercial space where profit seeking entities have overrun the ecosystem, polluting the minds of viewership so they do not value what is valuable, and enforced feedback system of a satisfaction ethic based on cheap sensory stimulation - violence, horror, anger, laughs, or envy etc.

[@yao-hsuansharonlin4274]

I watch videos from you almost every day! Shared it with the RISD Museum in the USA already

[@trinelangohr6661]

What an absolutely lovely voice! I love this channel, you learn so much.

[@spudpud-T67]

Very good presentation.

[@franciscouderq1100]

Trine Langohr: she has an Excellent diction as well.

[@asdbowers]

You can see she loves her job and has a passion for it. Wonderful watch!

[@ОлегОленев-я3о]

It's amazing how similar this looks to something that you'd find in a medieval monastery. Really beautiful.

[@stephenkunst7550]

YES, I wondered that too. Would I be correct in thinking the west got its metal working skills from the middle east? The use of arches, in art, was common in Europe, though I think the curator said they were 10th or 11 th century, which may account for artistic cross influence.

[@malakaragua702]

@@stephenkunst7550 Roman artisans were hired by Gandharans and were later in fact highly influential on a lot of later Asian art. "Europe" at that point didn't really exist in the sense that we think of it today, though later European artists would build on and elaborate Roman styles.

[@GoodBaleadaMusic]

@@stephenkunst7550 From numbers to architecture and basic hygiene, the west learned absolutely everything from the places it colonized. This should be common knowledge by now. Europe couldn't even read until relatively recently.

[@abnormallyfunny]

@@GoodBaleadaMusic Not quite.

[@GoodBaleadaMusic]

@@abnormallyfunny more than quite quite accurately. 500 years ago the English were shitting in the streets and couldn't read.

[@jhb1493]

Third time this has come up in my feed since it was initially posted, and third time I've watched it. Amazing stuff. The Curator is a wonderful presenter, and her enthusiasm and joy in the object and its history and significance shine through. I am glad that such precious objects are protected, cared for and valued for their artistic, historic and religious qualities, rather than as mere treasure. I hope that this beautiful work will continue to be cared for and appreciated for many, many generations yet to come.

[@artobelekdanian6657]

I love this series! All extremely interesting, very well produced, and very well explained! I would like to make one suggestion though, if I may: I think it would be helpful if certain words, like personal/place names, names of cultures and languages, and specialist terms could be written out on the screen in case someone wants to look it up to do some extra reading.

[@kenc2257]

You can toggle "on" the Subtitles/Closed Captions (bottom, right hand corner of the video window); I usually have Closed Captions "on" for these Curator Corner videos.

[@NickVenture1]

"By the 11th century Buddhism had vanished from the region"... Very diplomatic way to describe the reckless uprooting of decent philosophy by those who "incorporated" the left over Stupas into their villages... (Not to say ransacking the Buddhist monuments).

[@colinshaw9923]

@@kickpublishing Like WW2 you mean? Yes, I agree.

[@douglasparkinson4123]

thecuse of the term "the left" here is damaging. the left that did this is far removed from left wing politicians of today, and linking to two is damaging to legitimate politicians.

[@colinshaw9923]

@@Mrpersonman0 You are 100% correct Mrpersonman0. I suspect that "Douglas Parkinson" is not an English speaker, it is such a peculiar mistake.

[@carolinesroadhouse]

I say to embrace history, as we are all products of the past and take these lessons into our future.

[@boozecruiser]

How the hell do buildings relate to a philosophy? Christianity would still exist without churches

[@BMerker]

Buddhism did not just "vanish" from the land of its birth in the 11th and 12th centuries, it was destroyed as part of the Muslim conquest of India, to which it was more susceptible than Hinduism on account of it more centralized institutional structures. The sacking of the Buddhist monastery and great library of Nalanda by Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1193 was one of the many tragic incidents in this final phase of Indian Buddhism.

[@layla8830]

Yeah its a rather well known fact that it's bc Islam appeared?

[@amrishasingh1998]

Wrong. Fact.. Buddha Dhamma invasion by sunga dynasty ( Brahmanical culture )

[@iam239090]

@@amrishasingh1998 i am ambedkarite Buddhist. I don't think so.

[@gusdagher5968]

please, your knowledge of history needs some review

[@CoachEgg]

Correct. Islam destroys everything it touches.

[@robertcochran7103]

Thank you so much for posting this. I work with someone from Bengali, and have several friends from India and China. Watching this video is most helpful for me.

[@markstewart4501]

I absolutely enjoy how Curator Sushma Jansari parses her information. Beautiful.

[@humanearthling1484]

Sushma Jansari has such a beautiful, calm manner of teaching. I love the way she explains these objects. Thank you.

[@npgibson69]

She should narrate mindfulness exercises. Her voice is so soothing. I might actually become a better person.

[@snoot_mcgoot]

I'm so single I saw the word 'dateable' and was immediately like "wait how do I go on a date with an image of the Buddha"

[@YogijiClamzananda]

try meditation... sigh

[@jamesmaxdavissands]

@@YogijiClamzananda YES! (possibly on The Buddha) : )

[@BradyPostma]

I'm married, but I had the same thought. "Wait, was Buddha a hottie?"

[@Lolibeth]

CYOA dating sim

[@liannemorgan5797]

Carbon dating etc

[@JamesEscobar]

What a lovely curator! Please let her do more, love listening to her!!!

[@NickVenture1]

Maybe these decorated containers were made to preserve a relic such as bone fragments of a Buddha? If the lid was already lost by the excavators we may feel sorry for the loss of the main relic itself.. which hopefully was not discarded as " only dirt" by these 19th century smart grave diggers getting excited by a piece of shiny gold... but having no idea that in our modern times the "dust" inside the reliquary could be inspected for remaining DNA and other clues leading to more knowledge about the origins of all this.

[@aniket385]

I think the casket contained it . They were only able to read and translate what was written much later

[@Stratplayer05]

I was just reading about Indo-Greeks and the author seemed to suggest that some of the earlier depictions of the Buddha in human form were done by Greek-descended artists, who gave him characteristics reminiscent of Greek gods. Does this depiction seem to show any evidence of that, or is it just from the same general region and time period?

[@j0nnyism]

Absolutely the figures are very much in the Greek style. This was created during the rule of the Macedonian generals from Alexander’s army

[@rustomkanishka]

The Indo Greeks (Yavana) were the first people to sculpt the Buddha. Before the Yavana you'd only have 2D representations. The style that they created is called The Gandhara school of art. The sculpture definitely looks very much like the other Gandhara stuff I've seen. There are other depictions of the Buddha, from the Gandhara school, where the Buddha's tunic looks like water flowing down his front. Very pretty. Oh, and sometimes the Buddha gets Greek friends too, like Athena or Heracles. Because why not?

[@pyewackett5]

Absolutely beautiful. I love Buddhist & Hindu art

[@galerivs]

this cup is greek art, at that time/area was state bactria founded by greeks, and with greek population

[@searchingforfoodonyoutube2500]

@ranjan lakshith sorry, nobody needs caste system and discrimination like india does , it's india that needs to copy other sports

[@searchingforfoodonyoutube2500]

@@galerivs buddha is from nepal though

[@akapbhan]

@@searchingforfoodonyoutube2500 Sakas are from the lowlands of Nepals which are bordering Kosala kingdom and was even came under their rule during the life of Buddha and was heavily influenced by Indian culture. Though Siddhārtha Gautama was born in Kapilavastu he renounced his kingdom and was settled in the Kingdom of Magadha and gotten enlightenment as well as was served in advisory role to King Bimbisara.

[@lovingmayberry2000]

I positively love this Curator! Fascinating piece!

[@squamish4244]

This is Greco-Buddhist art. The earliest Buddhist imagery and the tradition of building statues was influenced by Alexander's conquests, which brought Greek culture to the borders of India in the 320s BC. The casket is dated to the time of the Indo-Greek kingdom that ruled the area where the casket was found in the early 1st Century AD, or to a few decades after its fall.

[@YogijiClamzananda]

Maybe... but India had great traditions of sculpture before the Greeks misnamed them and simplified their teachings and took them back to Greece which infused doubt in their belief system of imperfect gods. They eventually became Christians. It is not like the greeks were carting around statues of marble to show the Indians how to tool their sacred objects. A bag full of coins doesn't necessarily necessitate a revolution in aesthetics. This is about as valid a presumption as Hinduism being purely Aryan in origin despite the evidence of Dravidian artifacts from the Indus Civ. Oh sure, this could have only originated because of white people. Buddha had no wish to be deified. However, it was just a matter of time before he became just another Idol. I challenge you to cite your sources that Hindu and Buddhist sculpture originated because of Greek Influence. They may have learned a thing or two from techniques used, but this is also debateable.

[@squamish4244]

Oh good lord! I am not attacking Indian culture! I didn't say that Hindu and Buddhist sculpture originated because of Greek influence, I said that *the first imagery and sculptures of the Buddha resulted from Greek influence.* If I worded things slightly wrong, it would still be absurd to think I mean that ALL Indian statue-building only began because of Greek influence! Why would I ever make such a ludicrous claim? Please refrain from snap judgments that 'dumb, misinformed Westerners' go around saying stupid things like that. www.antique-buddhas.com/antique-buddhas/the-oldest-buddhas-in-the-world/ "These statues can be said as the starting point of the anthropomorphic representations of the Buddha." (1st or 2nd Century CE) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Buddhist_art "... circa 115 BC, it is known that architectural decorations such as decorative reliefs started to be introduced at nearby Sanchi, 6 km away from Vidisha, by craftsmen from the area of Gandhara, a central Indo-Greek region." The Buddha did not live in a vacuum, and neither did India. The Achaemenids conquered the Indus Valley in about the time that he lived, bringing Zoroastrianism with them, and it is possible that some ideas in Buddhism developed in response/reaction to that religion. Alexander reached India in 326 BC, only about 75 years after most scholars believe the Buddha died. It should not be a huge shock to think that the first statuary of the Buddha would come from Greek influence. Also, the exchange went both ways. Besides broader cultural influences from India, many scholars now speculate that Buddhist ideas influenced the Stoics and early Christianity. For instance, how some of Jesus' sayings are essentially koans ("If a man is to gain his life, he must first lose it." etc.), and how his teachings in general resemble the Buddha's in key aspects. There is also the legend that Jesus went to the Himalayas for training before he began teaching, which...who knows?

[@johnsamu]

That was indeed the first thing I thought when I saw the images: the figures look very GREEK.

[@squamish4244]

Yes, and I'm not attacking Indian culture by saying that. It's just...a fact. India still has claim to the actual man himself, which is why the statues even exist in the first place.

@@squamish4244 Yogiji views everything that anyone posts through an anti-colonialist perspective. You can't really get through to him, because he is so obsessed with his agenda and his preconceptions.

[@tigdogsbody]

Miss, I love your passion for these beautiful works of art. Thank you.

[@giantred]

Thank you for this interesting video ^_^ I love seeing people passionate about their work :)

[@ldbarthel]

Only discovered this series recently and am very grateful for it. Thanks to COVID and advancing years, I may never get a chance to see these artifacts in person. Let alone with commentary from an expert!

[@patavinity1262]

Would've been interesting to have discussed the clear Greek influence displayed in the design of this artifact.

[@grandmastersreaction1267]

Mate, we can’t have people knowing about whiteys connection to Central Asia

[@tagorewithlyric4394]

Yeah... I was kinda surprised by that too... But then again, I think that fact is so well known that they didn't bother to discuss it

[@pelayo341]

Lemon McGee based. Buddha was an Aryan and Indra a literal white supremacist

[@tagorewithlyric4394]

@@pelayo341 you're kinda stretching the definition of Aryan there...by your definition all Indians are Aryans too. And the Indra is a white supremacist theory is not the present historical consensus, the arya vs dasa thingy can be interpreted as a conflict between different ways of life. For example, the idea of blackness is used metaphorically so many times in the Vedas. The description of dasas as anasa is dubious. Similarly, mridhra vaccha (uncouth speech) is an accusation various Aryan tribes get too, along with the Dasas.

[@tagorewithlyric4394]

Plus, various Aryan chiefs had non-aryan names (U Singh, 2009). These indicate cultural cross-fertilization.

[@nimkeylondon7155]

This is beautiful ... Thank you Dr Jansari! I was really looking forward to Tantra Exhibition in 2020.. ..hope it will go ahead.

[@friedoysterskins2942]

I saw this in the museum today. I was freaking out and ppl probably thought I was being stupid. But fr they were stupid not knowing how bloody incredible this casket is and nobody knows about it. It’s in the South Asian section on the second floor it’s in the section of the floor with 3 Indo Greek Bodiswatta statues

[@wagonwitch]

I sit here guilty enjoying this beautiful historic item. I enjoy your presence and knowledge about your work. I have such guilt and conflict about the looting of items by museums and no timeline of giving cultural items back to the country or Family descendants. ( who might still allow public viewing).

[@Mara999]

It's interesting how the sculptures on the reliquary look very similar to medieval European art. The figures look very alike to depictions of saints.

[@rajatuploader]

True, even I noticed that. The region at that time was ruled by Indo Greek Kingdoms like the Kushans, who fused European art and sculpture with Indian religions. Their presence in those regions can be traced back to Alexander's invasion in 323BC and some greeks were also exiled there by the Persian Empire. Fun fact: The last independent Greek state in ancient world existed in east Punjab in modern day India only a few hundred kilometers from where this artifact was found.

[@cezar211091]

I was thinking the same..looks churchy

[@CanalTremocos]

@Gela A You're projecting modern concepts into someone that just loved conquest. In fact greek exiles arrived in Punjab before Alexander was even born.

[@jmedlin81]

@Gela A Gela is correct, here and elsewhere in the comments section on this video. Indian nationalists at present (with the help of other professional subversives) are hopelessly muddying the waters and creating an extremely deceptive picture of the ancient history of the region, to glorify themselves and aid in nationalistic fervor.

[@jmedlin81]

@Gela A couldn't agree more. Its an uphill battle, if you look at these comments sections.. especially as anti-Whitey mentality is spreading like wildfire, and the world seems to be being taught to hate/reject/mistrust accordingly. It's extremely depressing. History is being rewritten by subversives, and most of us can only look on sadly as it happens

[@WolfeTone66]

Thank you Sushma, beautiful, interesting subject & your voice is so soothing..😊

[@ssjan72697]

Haha, thanks! Sushma

[@FlatlandMando]

Interesting stuff. I like the analysis of the piece.

[@lindadaniel5403]

Just discovered the channel. Excellent content. Especially when I am living in South Africa. A definite place to visit if ever I am in your country

[@wesgalvin1554]

Loving all of the Curator's Corners. Thank you for giving us interesting information in a snap shot, very easy to follow. I'm guessing the red stones around the top and base are garnets? And the white crosses, ivory? They looked a bit like pearl. Looking forward to more Curator's Corners.

[@ssjan72697]

Thanks for your comment! The red stones are garnets, and the crosses are most likely turquoise. Sushma

[@feldschlange]

what a delightful person - i simply love it when the passion for their work shows in these videos!

[@rhijulbec1]

There are no words to describe my adoration of this channel! If only I'd lived my life differently. 'sigh' I've always wanted to visit the UK and the museums. Too old and sick now, so these mean I can still visit, if not in person.

[@rhijulbec1]

@e causey I did not know that! I'm old(ish) 63 as well. But like you I continue to learn. Thank you! Jenn 💖 in Canada 🍁

[@davidclayton4842]

@@rhijulbec1 Age is simply a part of the illusion of time.

[@rhijulbec1]

@@davidclayton4842 that's a lovely thought. Thank you. I just wish the illusion would stay steady, even, and not seem to accelerate as that illusion ages. Yesterday I was a busy mom, nurse, wife. Now I'm disabled, my children and grands live a long way away and hubby and I are both feeling the weight of how very quickly times flies when you aren't having fun. (😂I hope that made sense. Today is a red level migraine day, so clear thought is yet another illusion)

[@BPantherPink]

I feel with you about your comment. Very well put Jenn. Am the same age and 'twas only yesterday that I too was frolicking away my time in glee... but... now, pain. Sad...

[@rhijulbec1]

@@BPantherPink I hear you. 💖 I cannot, for the life of me, figure out where the last 23 or so years went. From 40 on the years just burned by. And yet, here we are~My oldest is 40. That's not right. I'm 40! But, my judas body betrays my mental state. I'm still that mom, nurse and wife in my brain. Yet this time worn, pain lined, aged face confronts me in the mirror every time I look. David Clayton is right. To a point. But my illusion doesn't find me in bed 20 hours a day. It has hubby and I doing what we planned after retirement Long drives, lazy lunches, a quickie in the bushes somewhere (☺), holding hands, walking, exploring. That's the illusion. Reality is just the worst betrayal of that illusion. 'sigh'

[@jakemoeller7850]

Thank you, Sushma, for the descriptions. An amazing piece of art.

[@ChrisPeck-niganma]

I was amazed when I saw Buddha statues from Gandhāra with their Hellenistic garb at the Smithsonian in Washington DC. I was once in Peshawar in 1970 and was pleased with the warmth after the cold of Afghanistan. I had no inkling of its connection with the transmission of Buddhism or the Greco-Indian kingdom that once graced the valley.

[@chuck275]

Man, you sound like you've had some interesting times

[@IK-wc4od]

yeah, the same can be said if this video and successive museums displays, there is nowhere political correctness doesn’t touch anymore.

[@rare5964]

@@IK-wc4od Political corectness? I am really concerned now. Did they touch european history? Can you give some examples?

[@gnarshread]

What a beautiful piece of history.

[@philipfry9436]

It's pre Islamic and will therefore be destroyed when the Muslims take over. Like everything else they destroyed in the middle-East.

[@searchingforfoodonyoutube2500]

@@philipfry9436 true , lucky some stuff was preserved

[@PLuMUK54]

Sushma Jansari is an excellent presenter. I would like to see more videos and longer videos. The world of education lost a brilliant teacher when she became a curator.

[@rlund651]

Absolutely amazing. Great post

[@danielmcelroy4505]

I LOVE the energy and fervor of Mr Finkle ❤ That's how I feel about museums and he makes it real

[@mikaelc1597]

Very fascinating peice

[@paymaandinavari2485]

'Piece' 😊

[@inessamaria2428]

Amazing explanation! Sushma Jansari is very good. Thanks for posting abd creating this serie.

[@ЗолотойКонь-х6ж]

The gold artist was very good for the 1st century.

[@poojan423]

Gold jewellery making was well know knowledge in India and South East region well before Buddha

[@davidclayton4842]

Why do you say that. Have to evidence to prove otherwise?

[@liamwinter4512]

Artisans in general were. Look at some of the art and artifacts collected from pompei

[@jakob6792]

Thank you sooo much! And: more would be highly appreciated.

[@jozefbania]

Greek style buddha. A stoic one.

[@galerivs]

that was greek country, Bacrtia , alexander founded cities there

[@ম্যাক]

Greeky roman architecture originally came from the persian empire,so its not greeko-roman architect but one that is native and originated in afghanistan or iran

[@RohenBlackwolf]

That is false. The greek style for statues and other depictions of people predate the persian attemeted conquest of greek and later was brought with Alexanders conquest to modern Afganistan

[@ম্যাক]

@@RohenBlackwolf the greek temples were built in resemblence to the halls of the apadana in persepolis,and also to the temples of egypt and babylon,the greeks learnt the art of making bust and standing statues from egypt and phoenicia,asia minor and mesopotamia.gandharan art is as old as the indus valley civilization,and later become infused with the art of the persian empire.Greek hypostyle halls are just a replica of egyptian temples and the apadana of persepolis.

[@RohenBlackwolf]

@@ম্যাক Sorry to correct you there but the greek archaic and classical temple style is based upon the mycenaean megaron, witch can be dated as early as the 15th to the 13th century BCE. The apadana in persepolis is far younger at 515 BC. A cultural exchange between the minoans and the mycenaens with egyptians hittites and assyrians is proven. The consistant cultural contract with the indian subcontinent is only definitely proven since the expeditions and conquest of Alexander II (the great).

[@novicepilotaviator5868]

Thank you for sharing this treasured historical lecture. An interesting point to share - Lord Sakra Devanam Indra (Chief among Devas) is the Lord Almighty (the Creator) who resides on the second level of Heavens - the Trayastrimsa Heaven; he is just like a small-time village chief in the grand scheme of things and doesn't even get a seat in Lord Sakyamuni Buddha's Dharma Assembly. Lord Sakra (Indra) has to stand at the back of the assembly to listen when the Dharma teachings are being expounded by the historical Sakyamuni Buddha.

[@Taylor_in_Southern_Oregon]

Why is it in Britain?

[@mtemple5778]

Taylor Ginther because it would have been destroyed or appropriated by a local war lord.

[@Taylor_in_Southern_Oregon]

@@mtemple5778 thank you that is a reasonable point

[@Taylor_in_Southern_Oregon]

@Lunar Viking india was conquered and colonized by Britain? no shit Sherlock. And the rest of your reply is absolutely unrelated to my comment...go take a nap, maybe you'll feel better

[@eugene188]

cuz they jacked it. Why did the dude even open up the Stupa in the first place?

[@tansisa7180]

Better question Why is she in Britain?

[@KaterinaDeAnnika]

I love Jushma’s presentation style!! More of her corner and historical expertise would be amazing!!

[@ssjan72697]

That's very kind, thank you! Sushma

[@cholulahotsauce6166]

You'd make a killing doing ASMR videos. You have a lovely voice.

[@rokuthedog]

dude asmr about the artifacts in the british museum! make it happen!

[@rokuthedog]

@@dpvonicecream1886 hey i wouldnt object to her stripping down naked and climbing a pole but that was your suggestion lol.

[@cholulahotsauce6166]

@@dpvonicecream1886 I'm confused. You seem upset. Why?

[@rokuthedog]

@@dpvonicecream1886 but being a dickhead on the internet isnt. we were complimenting her on her voice. you were the one who painted the picture of her being a stripper. i hope you deal with that anger mang. it will eat you alive.

[@matthewmuehleck8580]

@@dpvonicecream1886 Saying someone has a nice voice is the same as asking about twerking?

[@bobiboulon]

What I like about this channel, is learning from people who are obviously passionate about what they're talking about.

[@YogijiClamzananda]

I wish they were as passionate about pulling off big heists to steal this stolen stuff and return it to where it belongs. Ah. but what the hell, she has a good job with benefits. Reeks of Imperialism. God Save The Queen !

[@baasmans]

Good video and impressive art piece! I've heard it stated in several recent videos of different history KZbin channels, that the first depictions of the Buddha in human form may have been crafted by Greco-Bactrians who had converted to Buddhism. This is the same region this object was found in. Could you comment on this?

[@Cleisthenes2]

Great stuff! I wonder what Dr. Jansari thinks of the idea that the first images of the Buddha in human form arose in Gandhara because of interaction with Greeks, with their statues of anthropomorphic deities

[@bozolito108]

As a Buddhist of 25 years I just learned so much! I’d love to spend an afternoon just prodding her for more!

[@vickilindberg6336]

Really enjoyed the presentation. Lots of various artifacts in area.

[@tgsflowa807]

Thank you.

[@franciscouderq1100]

This gold piece is outstanding

[@yaddahyaddahyaddah2709]

When the curator strokes her hair at 4:40 and then touches the object how much hair care product residue did she transfer to the object? Just wonderin'

[@ssjan72697]

You'll be glad to know that I wasn't wearing any hair product!

[@sshep86]

It really wouldn't matter anyway. It's gold.

[@layla8830]

How everyone thinks they are the expert lol

[@yaddahyaddahyaddah2709]

lighten up a little, I think it will do you some good LOL

[@peterdavy6110]

It's gold. Anything that would chemically affect gold would probably kill a human being if they came into contact with it.

[@feralbluee]

i love Dr Jansari. she's so enthusiastic and knows so much of the history. the jar is so beautifully made - so perfect in its roundness. looks like it's made of some sort of stone? doesn't look like clay. love to see more videos with her. :) ✨

[@humanearthling1484]

I was wondering if the British Museum also has the beads and gold medallions found in this reliquary

[@kevingilchrist1684]

Yes, but what of the ashes/bone fragments of the Buddha himself?

[@nathanbruce1992]

@@kevingilchrist1684 they have bone fragments? Would be ironic considering his followers asked him how to honor his body and he said 'throw me in the forest and let the dogs eat me so I can give my body back to nature'

[@khp7425]

Greetings and blessings from sri lanka.thank you for uploading.

[@rokeeffe91]

I need more South Asian relics!

I would say that this is a NW Asian relic.

[@rokeeffe91]

@ I'm mainly just interested in Ancient Indian history lately... I suppose the thing that draws my wonder the MOST are the old, lovely artisanal works representing folklore or the Gods... I love learning about this land and time! :)

[@rokeeffe91]

@Gela A @Anuk Fernando ...why are we arguing about what to call the political geography of a kingdom from thousands of years ago? The museum has tagged this as a South Asian item to refer to a region that commonly comprises of modern day countries like India, Pakistan, Myanmar... if you guys want to be exact just call it Gandhara and leave it be.

[@EclecticWizard6]

Just found this channel thanks for sharing this beautiful history!

[@philipb2134]

The flowing robes suggest perhaps a Hellenic influence?

[@mrroberts7828]

Look up Greco-Buddhist art, you're more correct then you think

[@Yahweh312]

@@mrroberts7828 Buddah was an Aryan white man,King/ Holy man of the Royal Scythian tribe.. ie the Irish,Scots,Britons,Europeans the true Christ bloodlines .. The true Israelites .. Not those imposter parasites infesting and controlling Palestine and all nations in these end of days ...tic toc tic toc

[@galerivs]

search for Bactria, that was state founded by greeks in that area (alexander settled them there)

[@sugarnads]

@@Yahweh312 theres always one.

[@SkyeRangerNick]

It is indeed beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@iamthe12th]

Lovely artifact!

[@alanoken3097]

Thank you so very much for your shared knowledge and the love you have for what you do.

[@jackgraeme3557]

It would have been nice if it had been mentioned that images of the Buddha in human form come from the Greek and post-Greek followers of his teachings. There were none before because "the" Buddha, and probably all, did not want images of themselves to be made.

[@jmmt1968]

Well, now we know! Mission accomplished.😉

[@J-IFWBR]

Also the greeks started making such things after having contact with the assyrians and others, i think everything has its predacessor somethere that how the flow of ideas works. Its a constant everychanging ever conected network.

[@TheGrant65]

This Buddhist culture in Central Asia spoke an Iranian language, Bactrian. That or a similar language was probably the main language of the area when Alexander the Great conquered it, a few centuries earlier. The Kushan Empire, which followed the Greek states in that region, was influenced by their culture, including art and Buddhism, but in Bactria the Greek language was probably only ever spoken by the elite, and would have died out about 150 to 200 years before this object was made.

[@michaeldahmenART24]

i knew [it] was a bodhisattva before u even explained it.. wow!! i like how u included the prior depiction ~ of "only" the feet.. & also, explained the side by side info! **amazing!! 🙌⛩️🕉️☯️⚛️⛩️🙌.

[@annettefournier9655]

I absolutely adore "Curators Corner"! Though it leaves my grandchildren making many questions I cannot answer. And that is how it should be. Leave minds thirsting for More!💚💙😉

[@britishmuseum]

We answer questions when we can: throw them our way!

[@annettefournier9655]

@@britishmuseum Thanks. I don't think there is enough space on the internet to field the barrage of questions and flight of ideas that come from two intelligent boys with ADHD. I know I definitely can't type fast enough to keep up with them. LoL. I'll pass it on though.

[@bws5929]

Thank you for sharing! This was very enlightening! Would love to see more of this.

[@haperawehiwehi8661]

Always loved Hindu Buddhism :) Same kind of buddhism that spread down through Indonesia and Bali. Placing Buddha in the list of the many aspects of Vishnu. Now as for the other comments on this thread.. yes the Greeks and Indians interacted but Buddha was and always will be Siddartha, the prince who gave up all belongings to flee royalty and pursue spirituality. He was "Greek" for all the same purposes as Anubis, Isis and Horus were Greek" or "Roman" - it represented the invaders incorporating religions from their conquests into their own pantheon, just like modern christian missionaries are trying to edit and push for Christian messages in the Mahabaratta and Bhagavad Gita. Do not try to latinise a legend that was never made to for other religions.

[@jigggro]

Jasper Force well said sir.

[@BradyPostma]

The only mentions of Greco-Buddhism I saw in the comments was about the Greek influences on the art style, absent any implications of alternative origins ascribed to the Budda. Did I miss some offensive comment or comments?

[@robertkinkaid4732]

Catching this 3 years from original posting yet still find it all still fascinating as well

[@PPandaPete]

I heard the Bactrians (Greeks) build the first Buddha, is this bactrian? Region is about right, but I don't know the date the bactrians lived in there.

[@ian_b]

Really loved this video, great content and a very engaging presentation!

[@YogijiClamzananda]

Well Well... The British Museum was so Gracious to preserve this "Aquisition"! Notwithstanding the fact that a lot of these type of artifacts were discovered after the Indus Civilization only after they used the bricks of the Indus civilization as railroad fodder, this is still a stolen relic. While it may be a bad idea to return relics like this to a failed state like Afghanistan, this Item should be returned to India for safe keeping instead of some storeroom in the British Museum. This lady is doing a good job, I certainly don't fault her for this... but, the British museum is little more than a repository of Booty. Furthermore, it is forbidden to prostrate, pray to, or ritualize any of the sacred objects in the British Museum for fears I presume over terrorism and confrontation. These objects and thousands of others like them, large and small should be kept in the sacred confines to which they belong. The British are bar none the most notorious looters of antiquities in world history, and one would think that under the current obsession with political correctness that seems to dictate so much of domestic policy in the UK, they would at the very least attempt to return more of these stolen items to the sacredness of their cultural origins.

Fanatical Muslims might well have destroyed this sacred object if it were left where they could get access to it, so Yogizi, you are very wrong.

[@YogijiClamzananda]

@ had you read all of my post instead of posting your agenda straight away you would have read this, "While it may be a bad idea to return relics like this to a failed state like Afghanistan or Pakistan, this Item should be returned to India for safe keeping instead of some storeroom in the British Museum."

[@hoosierhiver]

If you pray to a Buddhist statue, you are doing it wrong. That is why a lot of times Buddha is not portrayed as a man, but as a footprint, stupa, etc. You are supposed to be inspired and meditate on the teachings, not venerate an image.

[@YogijiClamzananda]

@@hoosierhiver Oh thank you great enlightened one... but in essence, the Buddha doesn't exist having achieved para Nirvana, so what you are praying to is the teaching , Dharma... that is what the image represents... and you are correct, he was not interested in being deified, but his latter followers wanted to honor him and in so doing made him a diety. In theory, however, a Bodhisattva has put off Nirvana in order to help all sentient beings achieve liberation, so there is some essence of their manifestation present in the statue. I just can't stand the historical arrogance of the smug overlords who hailed from Britain thinking they were better equipped to understand Indian culture than Indians... The Aryan migration theory started by them gave a certain group of Germans erroneous perceptions. It was by design intended to marginalize the importance of Indigenous Indian cultural influence on history.

[@hoosierhiver]

Take it easy Greasy

[@peterdavy6110]

One of the best videos in this series (which, given the overall quality, is saying something). Let's see the stuff off the cutting room floor!

[@jkay606]

Thank you so much for sharing! What an amazing job you must have, it's SO incredibly interesting!! love love love it! ps: could the "unknown" be the man they modeled "Jesus" on in the bible? It is rumored he went to the East to learn and the pictures looks very similar to some of the earliest deceptions on carvings of him (he was only young with curly hair)? The time period is hard to match but my book on the timeline of the writing of the "bible" is packaged away in boxes. From vague memory, it was a long time AD that it switched from little group meetings to a written word. And the respect is concurrent with the emotion one would bestow upon a "teacher". It may be worth comparing the little unknown man with the earliest statues of Jesus pre Justinian before the Emperor made his image more Zeus like for the troops? hope it helps a little (even if you've probably already explored that path). Thank you again for sharing

[@jkay606]

2 hours later ; had an epiphany. You called it "one of the most important objects in the entire British Museum" and if That little unknown figure does match the Jesus figures Before Justinian butchered the image to be more Zeus like...you just might have one of THE most important objects this century! Imagine if there was corroborating evidence of Jesus rumored Pilgrimage, also wasn't the very first version of the bible written in Greek? ...ha so many other reasons but already written a story ;)

[@ricecoffee3968]

Fascinating history. Thank you. More more more... please

[@funkyfiss]

No mention that it was the Greeks who first depicted Buddha in his human form.

[@swesleyc7]

Maybe they have a fear of "cultural appropriation"? (SJW)

[@Yahweh312]

Buddah was an Aryan white man,King/ Holy man of the Royal Scythian tribe.. ie the Irish,Scots,Britons,Europeans the true Christ bloodlines .. The true Israelites .. Not those imposter parasites infesting and controlling Palestine and all nations in these end of days ...

[@funkyfiss]

ross g manley888 Not exactly sure what your talking about but I know the ancient greek cult of Orphism which predates Buddhism by centuries. Is basically the same thing with the same beliefs.

[@yourhuckleberry6757]

@@Yahweh312 Find your individual self.. Find pride in yourself, Don't hide behind a group identity wasting your life feeling false pride or anger.

[@ichi_san]

I enjoyed the passion in this, this was very interesting

[@nicholaspo5743]

No mention of heavy Greco-Bactrian influence which are very visible from the artwork?

[@swesleyc7]

Please elaborate

[@nicholaspo5743]

@@swesleyc7 The imagery that you see of Buddha and other individuals are made in Greco-Bactrian style due to the influence and impact of Greco-Bactrian empire that existed in modern day Afghanistan/Pakistan. And that is why Buddha and other individuals have a lot of Greek characteristics, such as their face, hair, clothes, etc.

[@Yahweh312]

@@nicholaspo5743 Buddah was an Aryan white man,King/ Holy man of the Royal Scythian tribe.. ie the Irish,Scots,Britons,Europeans the true Christ bloodlines .. The true Israelites .. Not those imposter parasites infesting and controlling Palestine and all nations in these end of days ...tic toc tic toc

[@mushypeasplease8872]

@@Yahweh312 - bunkum

[@ম্যাক]

Greeks got their artwork from the persian empire,therefore gandharan art is not a derivation of greek art but of native origins

[@93pljohnson]

Intricate and beautifully crafted before mass production. No wonder so many of us are in awe and wonder of the antiquities.

[@Daradajee]

Strange how she didn't mention the Greco-Roman influence on Gandharan Art.

[@ম্যাক]

Greeks and romans got their architect from the persian empire,gandhran art is actually native or may have originated in persia,that buddha and brahma definately have its origins that gave rise to the arts and architect of the acheamenid empire.

[@MarvelDcImage]

@@ম্যাক False

[@JEEDUHCHRI]

Another banger relic. Appreciate it ya’ll.

[@jarnMod]

So, people has been losing the lid first since the time of Buddha 😂

[@Squarepeg57]

Wonderful presentation

[@prabhuthomas8770]

Buddhism needs to be revived in Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan.

[@blade5896]

Won’t be, Muslims are fanatical, they would never let that happen

[@psgower72]

What... Like a pack of peadophile worshippers, would turn away from their religion???

[@Jubafree]

How u gonna revive it? Bring Buddhist from somewhere and locate them their?

[@Yahweh312]

Buddah was an Aryan white man,King/ Holy man of the Royal Scythian tribe.. ie the Irish,Scots,Britons,Europeans the true Christ bloodlines .. The true Israelites .. Not those imposter parasites infesting and controlling Palestine and all nations in these end of days ...tic toc tic toc

[@swapnilchaudhari9545]

@@Yahweh312 sounds like white supramacy

[@TheMuseumGuide]

Thank you! Amazing video.

[@lephilistin]

It belongs in a MUSEUM! - Indiana Jones

[@YogijiClamzananda]

It is in a museum... the largest repository of stolen goods in the world... the Bloody British Museum Mate !

[@davidclayton4842]

Perhaps that is why it is in the British Museum, don't you agree.

[@__seeker__]

Wow that’s a really good idea. You should tell the British Museum that.

[@scottjustscott3730]

blah blah blah...TOP...........MEN!

[@ahhdavy]

Her voice is so soothing

[@bc2578]

The Greeks took Pancratia to India, didn't they? And, like Alan Watts said, "Buddhism is just Hinduism stripped down for export." So Pancratia and, basically, Hiduism was spread throughout Asia and evolved into martial arts and Buddhism. Monks robes are Greek togas. Gautama Buddha was known amongst Asians as having red hair, blue or green eyes, and a nasty temper..... Because the Asians are as guilty of ethnic chauvinism as the rest of us, they depict Buddha currently as a fat happy Chinese fellow. You can read about the hundreds of red haired mummies found in China over the years and hidden by authorities who don't like the implications of 10,000 year old mummified evidence of European influence in what they want to believe is ancient Chinese innovations. These mummies were decapitated and stacked up like firewood in a storage closet of a museum in an effort to hide the truth.

[@believer1465]

B Calvert 2600 years ago there was no hinduism people at that time practiced brahmanisim who workshiped nature gods for good harvest and did animal sacrifice to please gods... And brahma and indra were brahmin gods..That's why these deities are not much workshiped today.. Hindu is a very new word coined by islamic invaders for indian subcontinent and is a cultural and geographical identity... Current hindu thoughts only started developing in 4th -7th century ad.. Because of this reason followers of brahmanisim did eat beef and did animal sacrifice...but hinduism does not eat beef neither sacrifice animal... Also there is no mention of the word hindu in any buddhist scriptures... There is a mention of jains but not of hindus...

[@believer1465]

B Calvert Infact there are more differences between buddhism and hinduism than similarities. . 1)hinduism beleives in aatma (self ) while buddhism beleives in anatma (non self) 2)buddhism beleives in the concept of Rebirth and not Reincarnation…both are different if you study deeply 3)buddhism doesn't believe in creator god while hinduism does beleive in creator god 4)buddhists don't beleive in caste system while hinduism does. . 5)Buddhism have 31 planes of existence and hinduism have 7 planes of existence 6)In Hinduism there is devotion to god while in buddhism it's all about practice based on logic and reasoning and not on faith or devotion to god. ..buddha himself stated that his teachings should be tested and not to be taken on mere faith. . 7)In buddhism there is no sin for unintentional actions while in hinduism there is a sin for unintentional actions as well 8)Buddhism core concept is emptiness(dependent origination or everything is interdependent ) where nothing is absolute not even gods ..while hinduism beleives in the concept of brahman 9)buddhists don't beleive in mahabharat,Ramayan and other hindu mythology.. 10)buddhist don't beleive that bathing in ganga will clear your sins and also buddhist don't beleive in fasting.. These are major differences and there are may other differences as well.. The only concept of karma which is similar is also intrepreted diffrently…Majority of hindu school of thoughts believe in god as being the dispenser of fruits of karma and so there is room for 'shraddha' or intent while buddhism believes in a stricter & absolute karmic law...which depends on oneself and not on outside force like gods..

[@ooiamsamoo]

Wow. I can't wait to go see this! How awesome is it! I'm not even Buddhist but I find this amazing!!!!!!!♥️

[@jainck4]

Yes, I would like to know more about this Charles Masson and how he discovered the Bimaran Casket. So that would add to this video and give it even more 'weight'. I agree that this is an amazing find and a bit about Masson himself would be interesting. Why was he hiding from The British East India Company? Does anyone know?

[@ssjan72697]

It's a fascinating story - he was a deserter from the EIC army. Sushma

[@jainck4]

Ahh. There's the rub. Thank you! I guess i was thinking of something more romantic? Although (from what I've seen) the EIC as well was weaselling in anywhere it could anyway. Are the reasons for Masson's desertion known? How did he become involved in archeology? Do you have any suggestions as to books that might be available for me to read? I guess I really think a video about his story would be a worthwhile thing.I've done a little reading that makes me think that any kind of overture to the peoples of India; leaning toward learning the language; and/or supporting persons rather than loyalty to the East India Company would be frowned upon as it went against the empire building concept of divide and conquer. It's probably not that simple. Jain

[@kitthearty]

www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/term_details.aspx?bioId=138885

[@jainck4]

Thank you Kit Heart. Now I've got the thing from the museum and also a book to look for. Excellent.

[@ghostspero]

Really enjoy these videos 😊

[@flamencoprof]

So, how long will it be before we see an object depicting Brahma, Buddha and Jesus adoring some future spiritual entity?

[@rahilvig8185]

Hindus consider buddhism as a sect of itself. Not to mention that Buddha was born a hindu...

[@nancywysemen7196]

Lovely presentation. Good information for my oldish mind. Important. Thank-you.

[@worldtraveler930]

As I watch this video I could sense professor Irving's anger boiling up in the background over your statement. 😁

[@Finn959]

What would make him angry

[@alanharwood1636]

Excellent item and presentation.