ravichaudhary
November 30th, 2002, 04:36 AM
A recent discussion on the Kushan list may be of interest to members
From: "Ravi Chaudhary" <Ravi9@h...>
Date: Wed Nov 27, 2002 2:47 pm
Subject: Re: Religious Tolerance of the Kushans?
ADVERTISEMENT
--- In kushan@y..., "minny94107" <ppotrero@p...> wrote:
The variety of gods on the coins of the Kushans has always struck me
as a sign of great religious tolerance.But it is sometimes argued
that the "pantheon" was a political move to keep conquered people in
line.Then again, even if it WAS a calculated move, its EFFECT could
have been a more tolerant society.As you can see, my mind keeps
spinning around these ideas.I welcome your ideas to help me find some
clarity. ---- Peter L.
Peter
To find an answer to your excellent question, you must first
understand who these people were and why you find so many gods
depicted.
The Kushans are not Kushans as a people.
This is itself an error that as got permanent –ized into historical
literature.
It is actually a clan name, and is still found today in North India
in the Jats, and is written as Kasvan, Kushvan.
The clan is part of Jats. This clan produced the rulers Kaniska
etc., whose coins you are running into.
To answer your question then you have to look for the way of life,
and the belief of the Jats in those days, circa 2nd century BC to 2nd
century AD the time of your coins.
The people are called the Saka, or depicted as the Yueh Chi by the
Chinese notices.The Yueh chi is pronounced simply as Gutia, with a J
sound.
This name as Guti can be found as far back 2200 BC.These people are
known as the Getae, or Massagetae, whom you will have run into.
The people evolve from the Vedic culture of the Indus Valley.They
worshiped the creator.
The creator is the God ` Shiva" who is the creator, and the cycle
of creation, destruction, creation ….. is his cosmic dance
.Also evolving from that worshiped the Sun, the moon, And most
especially fire (Agni), which is also a depiction of Shiva, who is
oft shown as a pillar of fire.Their clan or dynasties then became
either from the lineages of the sun or the moon. (The Kushans/ Yueh
chi are also known as the moon people)
The various gods and goddesses that you then see, become variants of
the creator.
This vedic culture was spread all across what is now Iran, and upto
Mesopotamia.
In this period since the 5th century BC anyway, Buddhism is also
spreading north.The culture was and still is inclusive and tolerant,
and would explain why their coins depicted various gods and goddesses.
I hope this helps.
Ravi
P>S>
I have formed a new list for the Jats.
You and any else interested are welcome to join, URL below
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JatHistory/
From: "Ravi Chaudhary" <Ravi9@h...>
Date: Wed Nov 27, 2002 2:47 pm
Subject: Re: Religious Tolerance of the Kushans?
ADVERTISEMENT
--- In kushan@y..., "minny94107" <ppotrero@p...> wrote:
The variety of gods on the coins of the Kushans has always struck me
as a sign of great religious tolerance.But it is sometimes argued
that the "pantheon" was a political move to keep conquered people in
line.Then again, even if it WAS a calculated move, its EFFECT could
have been a more tolerant society.As you can see, my mind keeps
spinning around these ideas.I welcome your ideas to help me find some
clarity. ---- Peter L.
Peter
To find an answer to your excellent question, you must first
understand who these people were and why you find so many gods
depicted.
The Kushans are not Kushans as a people.
This is itself an error that as got permanent –ized into historical
literature.
It is actually a clan name, and is still found today in North India
in the Jats, and is written as Kasvan, Kushvan.
The clan is part of Jats. This clan produced the rulers Kaniska
etc., whose coins you are running into.
To answer your question then you have to look for the way of life,
and the belief of the Jats in those days, circa 2nd century BC to 2nd
century AD the time of your coins.
The people are called the Saka, or depicted as the Yueh Chi by the
Chinese notices.The Yueh chi is pronounced simply as Gutia, with a J
sound.
This name as Guti can be found as far back 2200 BC.These people are
known as the Getae, or Massagetae, whom you will have run into.
The people evolve from the Vedic culture of the Indus Valley.They
worshiped the creator.
The creator is the God ` Shiva" who is the creator, and the cycle
of creation, destruction, creation ….. is his cosmic dance
.Also evolving from that worshiped the Sun, the moon, And most
especially fire (Agni), which is also a depiction of Shiva, who is
oft shown as a pillar of fire.Their clan or dynasties then became
either from the lineages of the sun or the moon. (The Kushans/ Yueh
chi are also known as the moon people)
The various gods and goddesses that you then see, become variants of
the creator.
This vedic culture was spread all across what is now Iran, and upto
Mesopotamia.
In this period since the 5th century BC anyway, Buddhism is also
spreading north.The culture was and still is inclusive and tolerant,
and would explain why their coins depicted various gods and goddesses.
I hope this helps.
Ravi
P>S>
I have formed a new list for the Jats.
You and any else interested are welcome to join, URL below
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JatHistory/