http://www.hindustantimes.com/nonfram/300502/dLNAT19.asp
AFP
Patna, May 30
Archaeologists in India have discovered the remains of an ancient
temple where the Buddha used to preach.
The discovery of the 2,000-year-old shrine at Shravasti, the capital
of the ancient Koshal kingdom in what is now Uttar Pradesh state,
was reported by a team from the state Archaeological Survey of India
(ASI).
The find has shed light on life at the time of the Buddha two millennia
ago, Birendra Nath, the superintending archaeologist of the ASI
branch here, said Thursday.
He said the Buddha stayed for four months at Shravasti and delivered
most of his sermons there.
"The excavation sites have unveiled one of the most important cities
of ancient India called Shravasti, which was the capital of the
Koshal kingdom of King Premjit -- a contemporary of Lord Buddha,"
Nath said.
He said the Shravasti site was first identified by Sir Alexander
Cunningham, a British archaeologist, in 1861.
A large number of terracotta earthenware, human figurines, beads,
plaques, seals, copper and silver coins and objects of bone and
ivory were discovered, Nath said.
The excavations also unearthed a large number of polished pottery
and wares dating back to the sixth century BC.
The temple hints at the existence of a well-planned town with good
drainage and brick-layered wells, Nath said.
The Buddha -- an Indian prince born as Gautama Siddharta -- is believed
to have lived from about 563 BC to 483 BC.
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