Dhamma in Calcutta

Dhamma in Calcutta
( A Dharmachakra Multi-media Presentation )
by
Ms Renuka Biswas & Dr.U.N.Biswas
Venue: Mahabodhi Society, 4A, Bankim Chatterjee Street, Calcutta-700073.
Date : 14 Asad, 2552 B.E.( The Buddha Era) : 29 June 2008 A.D.
Time: 16-30 Hours.
Synopsis
No one can accurately say when Dhmmatola/Dhurrumtola/ Dharmatola/ Dharmatala of Calcutta was built. Dhuurumtola/ Dhammatola was an indigenous locality predominantly lived by the people following Dhamma- the doctrine discovered and proclaimed by The Buddha.
The finds at Dum Dum Mound, have settled that Calcutta of yesterdays was an extension of the same zone dating 200B.C. (Excavation at Dum Dum Mound, 2001-2003, Archeological Survey of India.)
In the early days of Buddhism, the Buddha and his doctrine were symbolically represented. Therefore, it is a futile exercise to search statue of the Buddha in those times.
Symbolism in Buddhism
The Buddha is not depicted in sculpture at Sarnath, Sanchi, Barhut and other Buddhist sites in early period of Buddhism. That was the tradition. The Buddha was venerated through symbols. There were four important symbols to represent the Buddha e.g. Lotus, Tree, Wheel and Stupa. “The lotus represents the Buddha’s birth, the tree signifies his enlightenment, the wheel represents his first sermon and stupa represents his nirvana or salvation.” (Department of Tourism, Govt. of India: The Buddhist Sites of India.) The presence of the Buddha is also denoted by footprints and throne.
Triratna
Triratna, Three jewels in Buddhism are The Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. Taking refuse in Triratna is the initiation of a person in Buddhism:
Buddham saranam gacchami.
Dhammam saranam gacchami.
Sangham saranam gacchami.
Ratana-sutta has a number verses on the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.( Sutta Nipata, Oxford Pali Text Society, 1990, 39-42.)
Triratna in Art
Triratna is symbolized in art in various forms; the most prominent and universally used is a Lotus within a circle. There are forms viz. a combination, a trident on a lotus within a circle in North Gateway of Sanchi, Triratna, on Buddha footprint with a crowning wheel on three lotuses of a Gandhara Buddhist art (1st Century B.C.), Triratna symbol on the reverse of the coins of Indo-Scythian kings etc.( Circa 35-12 BCE).
The wheel always represents Dhammacchakkpabattana-(The Turning of the Wheel of Law) by the Buddha at the deer garden of Isipatana/Hrisipatana, modern Sarnath near Varanasi, UP,India.
A votive stupa at 45 Janbazar( Now S.N. Bannerjee Road) in Calcutta is a reliable evidence of the Dhamma. The Stupa is crowned and occupies highest position of the temple in which it is placed. The wife of the priest of the temple has no doubt in her mind that the entire area had taken its name from the Stupa which is worshipped as Dharmathakur. When Buddhism suffered severe persecution in Bengal, the remaining adherents of the Dhamma had to camouflage their practices. Dharmathakur is no doubt the Buddha, although some fundamentalist scholars think Dharmathakur is Shiva of Hinduism.
We cannot trace Dhamma in Calcutta in isolation from other Buddhist sites of Bengal. It is most likely that The Dhamma reached Bengal along the Ganges. Since Dacca appears to be the most Ancient Buddhist site in Bengal, the disciples of the Buddha or the Buddha himself had taken the river traffic of the Ganges/Padma to Dacca or its surrounding areas. In Ancient times, The Ganges flowed much above its present course. ( Rennell: 1799)
The finds at Wari- Bateswar, Mainamati, Mhasthangarh, , Paharpur, Rangamati, Chandraketugarh, Tamlulk, Dumdum and Dosha/ Lipi have strong similarities among them. The Buddhism is represented by symbols in Ancient times and like other Buddhist sites of India or abroad.
The masterpieces of terracotta art depicting the symbols of Buddhism are eloquent proof of the presence of Dhamma in Bengal including Calcutta. The excellence of the artists even surpassed the creations of artists of well known centers of Buddhist art. Most importantly, the artists, artisans and craftsmen came primarily from the so called lower classes/ castes of Bengali society.( Sen, D.C: Bangalar Silpa, Desh,21 March, 1936.)
Following diagram is an attempt to present the presence of Dhamma in an integrated perspective in Bengal.


* Mhasthangarh( Bogra)
400/300 B.C.

* Paharpur( 770-810 A.D.)
( Rajsahi)
*Wari-Bateswar
(Dacca) 450B.C.
* Raktamriittika(700/800 A.D.)
( Baharampur)
1015 A.D.
*Mainamati
( Tippera)

*Calcutta/ Dumdum( 200 B.C.)
*Chandraketugarh( North 24 Parganas)
300 B.C.


*Tilpi/Dosha( South 24 Parganas)
200BC.

*Tamralipti
(300 B.C.)