Ajina Tepe
Ajina tepe | |
 View of Ajina-Tepe | |
  Shown within West and Central Asia  Ajina Tepe (Bactria)  Ajina Tepe (South Asia)  Ajina Tepe (Tajikistan) | |
| Location | Tajikistan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 37°47′53″N 68°51′16″E / 37.7980°N 68.8544°ECoordinates: 37°47′53″N 68°51′16″E / 37.7980°N 68.8544°E |
| Type | Buddhist cloister |
Ajina tepe (Russian: Аджина-Тепе; Tajik: Аҷинатеппа) is an ancient ruined Buddhist monastery cluster 12 km east from the city of Bokhtar in Tajikistan. The site is being considered to be put on the World Heritage list of sites that have "outstanding universal value" to the world.[1]
Buddhism in Tokharistan is said to have enjoyed a revival under the Western Turks. Several monasteries dated to the 7th-8th centuries display beautiful Buddhist works of art, such as Kalai Kafirnigan, Ajina Tepe, Khisht Tepe or Kafyr Kala, around which Turkic nobility and populations followed Hinayana Buddhism.[2]
World Heritage Status
This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on September 11, 1999 in the Cultural category.
Mural from the Buddhist Monastery at Ajinateppe, National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan
Ajina-Tepe Buddhist mural, Tajikistan, 7th-8th century CE
13 meter-long sleeping Buddha (Buddha in Nirvana). National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan
Head of the monumental reclining Buddha
Buddha between two stupas, Ajina Tepe, Tajikistan, end of 7th century, early 8th century CE, National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan
![Figure of a Prince, Devata or Bodhisattva, Ajina Tepe, Tajikistan, end of 7th century, early 8th century CE, National Museum of Tajikistan.[3]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Figure_of_a_Prince%2C_Devata_or_Bodhisattva%2C_Ajina_Tepe%2C_Tajikistan%2C_end_of_7th_century%2C_early_8th_century_CE%2C_National_Museum_of_Tajikistan.jpg/77px-Figure_of_a_Prince%2C_Devata_or_Bodhisattva%2C_Ajina_Tepe%2C_Tajikistan%2C_end_of_7th_century%2C_early_8th_century_CE%2C_National_Museum_of_Tajikistan.jpg)
Figure of a Prince, Devata or Bodhisattva, Ajina Tepe, Tajikistan, end of 7th century, early 8th century CE, National Museum of Tajikistan.[3]
![Head of a female, Ajina Tepe, Tajikistan, end of 7th century, early 8th century CE, National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan.[4]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Head_of_a_female%2C_Ajina_Tepe%2C_Tajikistan%2C_end_of_7th_century%2C_early_8th_century_CE%2C_National_Museum_of_Antiquities_of_Tajikistan.jpg/90px-Head_of_a_female%2C_Ajina_Tepe%2C_Tajikistan%2C_end_of_7th_century%2C_early_8th_century_CE%2C_National_Museum_of_Antiquities_of_Tajikistan.jpg)
Head of a female, Ajina Tepe, Tajikistan, end of 7th century, early 8th century CE, National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan.[4]
Devotee wearing a caftan, Ajina Tepe, Tajikistan, end of 7th century, early 8th century CE, National Museum of Tajikistan
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![Figure of a Prince, Devata or Bodhisattva, Ajina Tepe, Tajikistan, end of 7th century, early 8th century CE, National Museum of Tajikistan.[3]](/wiki/File:Figure_of_a_Prince,_Devata_or_Bodhisattva,_Ajina_Tepe,_Tajikistan,_end_of_7th_century,_early_8th_century_CE,_National_Museum_of_Tajikistan.jpg)
![Head of a female, Ajina Tepe, Tajikistan, end of 7th century, early 8th century CE, National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan.[4]](/wiki/File:Head_of_a_female,_Ajina_Tepe,_Tajikistan,_end_of_7th_century,_early_8th_century_CE,_National_Museum_of_Antiquities_of_Tajikistan.jpg)
Notes
- ^ World Heritage Center: The Criteria for Selection
- ^ Baumer, Christoph. History of Central Asia, The: 4-volume set. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 203–204. ISBN 978-1-83860-868-2.
- ^ Harmatta, J.; Litvinsky, B. A. (1996). History of Civilizations of Central Asia (PDF). Unesco. p. 394, Fig.6.
- ^ Harmatta, J.; Litvinsky, B. A. (1996). History of Civilizations of Central Asia (PDF). Unesco. p. 397, Fig.9.
References
Buddhistic cloister of Ajina-Tepa - UNESCO World Heritage Centre Accessed 2009-3-3.