A Chinese Threat to Afghan Buddhas | Op-Docs | The New York Times
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- Опубликовано: 24 апр 2013
- In Afghanistan, a Chinese mining company threatens to destroy the remains of an ancient Buddhist city, which archaeologists are now racing to excavate.
Related article: nyti.ms/Y4Jv7U
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A Chinese Threat to Afghan Buddhas | Op-Docs | The New York Times
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As a Buddhist myself this is heartbreaking. I live in northern ireland and ancient structures here that have had to be moved due to roads etc have been wrapped and compressed in plaster and carefully removed. Certainly not all of this temple could be moved but some structures and larger Buddha statues could. However, this is not China's fault really. China supplies the world with technology, my laptop I'm using here is made in china, and the copper components make it work. If we don't want more ancient sites around the world to be destroyed, then our need for more and more stuff needs to decrease. However, given that China is responsible for preserving most of the sutras that exist today, with their technical knowledge, they could have perhaps helped moved all or some of this temple elsewhere.
Well, western media tends to guilt China for everything...
Heart broken?
Its only a statue.
You are Buddha, I am buddha.
The Enlightened.
Understandable. Buddha said everything is impermanent.
@@ssmaw123
Why did you copy my comment Buddha say everything is important including your hole it’s all man property 💯 I think what buddha really mean you have to be at public train
@Hina Ahmed we don't pray to buddha statues which is a common misconception in Islam. We pay respect to our teacher the Buddha by bowing and use the image to help create peace and mindfulness in our minds. We don't think the statues are alive or by bowing to them they will grant favours. It's similar to how you guys use the Ka'ba in mecca to connect and ratify your faith. However in the Buddha's time he didn't want statues made of him, they were made centuries later as the dhamma spread and people who did not read struggled to understand what a buddha was, what's the best way to communicate with people who don't read? Art. Peace.
that was not the end of the Buddha
that was the end of the Taliban
2017- taliban have re-taken control of more than 2/3 of afghanistan and have defeated the "mightiest" military on the planet.............so what? end of the taliban?? please google up the word "taliban" and then look at the current news
AfghanHearts but look at ur country its destroyed now no peace n u r supporting taliban
Yes your are right brother
@T T You may say what you want about a statue but it still is apart of their culture. Most people think of Afghanistan as a Muslim nation and not know that it was once Buddhist.
I’m very sad the Taliban destroyed the ancient Buddha statue. Maybe the government can finally defeat them with the money from the copper mine?
It was a bad investment, tough luck! Better one company lose money than the world lose a treasure!
heh the chinese miners are flourishing
Bamiyan is destroyed .. at least now save these sites. Otherwise future generations will have left nothing to witness about Afghan history
ravishekhar83 I think Taliban must be defeated first? They destroyed the ancient Buddha’s in March 2001.
That's exactly what they want. They don't want younger generations to know about they're Buddhist history.
@@rishab5293 Buddhist history is better than constant War history
They don't want any proof of the past history/heritage; destroying intentionally, like in many other places in the world. What ultimately happens ahead can well be imagined.
It’s sad that every country just wants a piece of Afghanistan. 3 billion for something that could be over 100 billion dollars??? What a joke. This must be stopped.
I feel sorry for my homeland, my beautiful country and culture.🥀😞
i pray the chinese mining company will never find anything...
wash brain hate Chinese media again, but still many people believe western media lie
As a buddhist i feel very bad that why buddha whose msg is to enlighten people to give knowledge to spread compassion is destroying badly...once afgan pakistan india is buddhist mejority country but not its been totally destroyed
That's amazing about these ancient sites in Afghanistan. Something needs to be done to save them.
People on here blaming the Chinese-- you should look past the actions of one selfish company that could have come from any other country just as easily (Not just the Chinese are doing things like this, I promise.). Blame instead the terrorist groups who have tormented Afghanistan's people, and drove them to be desperate enough to sell their own heritage, or watch on helplessly as it's destroyed.
12abirato I agrrr
Dig deeper into the incident before putting all the blame to one chinese company.. Buddha reached Afghanistan thousands of years ago and build a very strong Buddhism city, and yet, this country is nominated by muslim, can anyone dig in to find out the reason? There must be many strong Buddhist followers during that period, otherwise who will help buiild and crafted all these shrines and statues. Hope someone can break the hidden code. Thanks
MICHAEL LOONG They were force to build the idols when the Muslim came they were liberated.
@KMY_YUDAH KING well is the afghan govt. themselves whom asked to mine doesnt it?
MCC has put the project on hold because of the monastery. We are now in 2021.
Lucky is the land harbouring such a divine civilization! in its womb!
Destroyers never destroy thinking. What taught by buddha is in the mind of people
Yes, but why need to destroy the statues? The statues are the first step for people understanding buddhism..
I'm very concerned and feel sorrow to see this situation of our Lord Buddha
(cont), since Logar province was a major base for them back in the day and Mes Aynak itself even hosted an Al-Qaeda training camp. The only reason these buddhas at Mes Aynak has survived is because neither the Taliban nor AQ discovered them - they were only discovered after the Chinese company (MCC) got the rights and start surveys. MCC did not know that they bought a site containing an ancient archaeological site. It is also ridiculous that the archaeologists are dragging their feet (cont)
the reality is Chinese company discovered the place,and postponed construction project for protection
Not true - you are spreading Chinese government propaganda.
Destroyed Bamiyan Buddhist Statue Recovered by Chinese with Lighting Technology
ruclips.net/video/JDEk9rjM39c/видео.html
唐金德 ♥
@T T they have religion
@T T true.
Getting proud thinking of the past, and starving at precent facing many issues won,t do any progress or development to any country in the world. Be sensible as human beings.
I love you Buddhism
Afghan Government do not let that happen, your story is worth more than all diamonds. What will you say to your children and to the next generations of Afghans?That they destroyed your millennial culture because of greed?This is a treasure that will bring wealth for all eternity, the next generations and your ancestors will be grateful that you have protected your history.Tourism will bring wealth to your economy and to the Afghan people throughout all eternity.
Paulo Cortes I know but who is willing to travel there? You? It's scary. At least the money from China will give the government the ability to spend on facilities for the Afghan public.
Paulo Cortes ,,, this is muslim country ,,,not worry about buddhist heritage
@@Anant84257 yes, what is the importance of protecting Dharmic ancestral culture instead of ԁеѕtrоуіng іt? There is no importance at all in it.
The place where the first Buddha statue making art started in around 1AD. The whole of the Central and Indian subcontinent was Buddhist for about 1500 years since the passing of historical Buddha.
The region around Afganistan and Pakistan is historically important as it from where the Mind only school of Mahayana by two brothers Asanga and Vasu Bandu in 4AD.
Padma Sambhava the founder of Tibetan Buddhism also came from Swat Valley, Pakistan in AD. Following the Islamic conquest, Buddhists were either converted or escape to further east. Padma Sambhava traveled east to India, Nepal, and Tibet. In Tibet he along with Nalanda University Abbot Shanta Rakshita established Buddhism in Tibet. Padma Sambhava taught Tantra while Shanta Rakshita taught sutra and first 7 Tibetan boys were initiated as monk in 8AD.
This is so sad, something has to be done before they blow it up!
I wonder if maybe the Buddhist site was placed there due to the large copper deposit? Maybe they knew a lot of things we don't know. Interesting regardless
Agree I'm not buddhist but hindu, i think hindu and buddha are quite similar. They didn't build randomly but have calculations that are difficult to understand in modern times Yes because people nowadays will find it unrealistic or imaginary, in old time temple are often built because of spiritual dreams, The land has good energy, or even this land has bad energy so it is necessary to build a temple
The final act of ISAF before it withdraws next year should be to provide funding, technology/know-how, and equipment to the archaeologists and mandate that they dig out the entire site and move it en masse ASAP. This is not because the Chinese will demolish it when they start mining - MCC has not even done the feasibility study yet, nor has it built much infrastructure due to the uncertain security. This is to protect the artifacts in case the Taliban reclaim Mes Aynak and Logar province (cont)
Very sad to know this 😔
Poor countries get exploited by Rich countries,just like in this case.Whether saving Forest areas or archeological sites.These Companies are simply looting,making money at the cost environment.
Funny how this Chinese company is ready to destroy something that's part of their own religion (majorly) and then the Chinese government is trying to convert Ugyurs
Anamika Roy Chinese is atheist they don’t care about idol at all.
@@chickkye7009 China's government is an atheist institution. But they do have some mixed religion based on principles of Taoism/ Confucianism etc ( been part of their civilization). The percentage of people Buddhism is higher than people following Islam in India l believe.
@@chickkye7009 are you from China?
The MCC has put the project on hold while archaeological work is being done. Year 2021.
Have the Chinese never heard of directional mining? Seems very silly to blow up an ancient structure more than 2000 years old.
Congratulations to Brent E Hufffman for ending this beautiful documentary with the sad notes of music which fills my heart with sorrow!
why american media always try to blame china on any subject?
MCC has put the project on hold because of the monastery. We are now in 2021.
(cont) they had since 2007/2008 (when MCC found the site) to excavate and preserve everything. They already had 5-6 years, and given how fluid the situation in Afghanistan is (this being especially true in insurgent infested Logar), one would be forgiven to think that they would have worked faster and with more urgency given how important this site is to understanding the history of Afghanistan and the region as a whole.
The vandalism continues in the PRC today with over 800 Buddhas destroyed to date in 2020. The disregard for religion and culture continues.
Abdul Qadeer Temore is right the money will vanish and the ancient history the art is more valuable. Wish there was some way to make people realize this and it will be sad to see this gone. I think its outrageous to tell them they have by June.
how sad such gorgeous and captivating ancient buddhist site have to be sacrificed for human vanity and greed!
I feel so sorry for the Afghan Archaeologist guy who trying so hard to protect this ancient heritage. Even with people mostly practice Buddhism, China still want to destroy the area for profits. SMH
You have done a great job. First the Talibans destroyed the Bamyan/Bamiyan Buddha now a Chinese Company is about to destroy an heritage city in Afganistan - just by paying $3billion and they plan to take away $100 billion worth of Copper and this $3 billion will also be lost(eaten way). Thanks for showsing the destruction of Bamyan Buddha.! But where are the Americans (busy making friends with the Talibans?) and UNESCO?
China company and afhan government signed the agreement earlier than it discovered.the their discovered the place when the project was undergoing and postponed their work for protection.
+唐金德 china is a thiefcountry they can't feed there own people all over the world their destroying all
Americans created Taliban and Taliban destroyed Bamiyan . Is history erased from your memory ??
@@tingiboloe7380 and TALIBAN is your lover..dang foolish mentality
Don't accuse before seeing the destruction..
Now china is top preserver of buddhist art. This looks like some propaganda.
Yep, they don't want there Buddhist roots coming from Afghanistan... looks bad on their history.
China is taking over Africa for mining. China also doesn’t acknowledge patent secrets. I would think a mining company from China in another country could care less about another Buddha
China will always care about money first before art/people. Mao destroyed many Chinese culture art, research it
@@lanefair2950 this is so true. they worship money!
In 1950san ASI officer called Rakhal das Sengupta went to Afghanistan as restorer of this world heritage.it took more than 10yrs after accomplished his duty he was that he did a great duty for coming generation.after listening this plundering by Taliban's he died in calcutta .It is shame now what is going on be it Chinese or western Arms dealer .In the name of research, restoration, or road building everyone is doing plundering, looitng.
Sad to see this . Its history there .
EXACTLY.
Always fun to hear fortune 500 company's talk.
We got the best equipment, expierence and payed 3 billion to make sure we can dig straight into this archeological site.
It will cost like 10 milion or so to just dig arround it ?
It seems as a humanity we are failing to create a thinking supporting environment where our past is cherished.
So sad, but nothing we can do right?
Of course you're absolutely right. The distinction is very necessary. But part of this problem is cultural.
Why is the world allowing this ! This would be devastating
such a tragedy.. I really hope Afghans Will remember their buddhist history
Why Choose Islam when Islam is an Arabs Religion? Converting back to Buddhism is the best thing
Domestic Chihuahua because they were liberated by Muslim.
@@guyp9596 Рӏеаѕе аnѕԝеr mе, Ӏ аm frоm Κаѕһmіr, Ӏ ԝаnt tо аѕk, what is the importance of protecting Dharmic ancestral culture instead of ԁеѕtrоуіng іt?
ทุกศาสนาสอนให้ทุกคนเป็นคนที่ดี ศาสนาสอนให้รักสันติภาพและไม่ทำร้ายกัน อย่าทำลายพระพุทธรูปเลย ได้โปรด
ພຣະພດຸ ສອນໄວ້ວ່າ ກັມ ສະນອງກັມ ພວກທີ່ທຳລາຍ ພະພຸດທະຮູບ ກໍ່ໄດ້ສະຫລາຍໄປແລວ້ “
FYI they are the ones that sold the land?
Important to save it if not damaged to learn something about Earth history that is why archealogist are important.
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼😔
Such is life, nothing is permanent - Buddha.
Even the Buddhism, Buddha predicted that Buddhism would disappear from this world 5,000 years after his passing and be rediscovered by the next Buddha.
Is there anything us Buddhists can help to do about this .....????? Email me please
This video shows who were the people looting the relic which ended up the western countries' museums instead in Afghanistan.
Why did your country agree to do business on this site?
This title is very good.Why is there no specific video that Chinese company to destroy the remains.
Please save those bhuddhist sites
I'm probably gonna get bullied and thumbs-downed for asking, but is there anything we can do to prevent this from happening?
Yesterday Guardian with a video of Chinese gold rush in Ghana and today this. Way to go China.
MCC has put the project on hold because of the monastery. We are now in 2021.
For more information, please check out "Saving Mes Aynak" on Facebook.
What a blunt piece of propaganda! As of 2021, the China Metallurgical Group still hasn't commence the project while archaeological work is being done. Someone just can't wait to point finger at others while things were being discussed and sorted out, don't they?
Save the past....
To give up
The Chinese accountability and also it is not just about 100 billion pounds of copper mining it's much more than that it's all about conducting if you can recall the terracotta army and burning of ancient books and accounts beneficiaries
If the Buddha’s or Mes Aynek treasure belonged to the ancestors of the ruling ethnic group (pashtuns) in Afghanistan then Obviously we wouldn’t see this happening but unfortunanty theres treasures belongs to the ancestors of the Tajiks
Don't tell false story, even if it is owned by Pashtuns, we would have dеstrоуеd it from the very beginning
bad title with no intention to solve the problem. There are many ways to make it a win-win situation. The site can be largely perserved if you give the Chinese company enough incentives instead of just blaming.
Coppers more important then history apparently.. why here... of all places one could find copper and other such things... the planets huge and vastly un charted
Even if there is a road that is blocked by a mosque, then that mosque have to be relocated somewhere else, either it is historical or not. Let alone these nonsensical statues. History is history, let they be a past.
Chinese Government doesn't have institutions that help people to explore there spiritual journeys. Every such Government will vanish as soon as they have corrupt leader. History is example.
This is the reason and begining of the end of China.
If Buddha needs saving then he is not worth to be worshipped
@@projectmajestic9531 idiots who worship stones
Since the people abandon Buddha their country and the people has been in war and destruction
Why not talk to the afghan government. it's not fair to ask a company to give a project which will bring them billions of profit, while without any compensation for their earlier investment.
That to shameful...... In india we have Buddhists structure and not single structure been harm during hindu rajas ..and...now untill today.... expect Mughals and khiljis
hopefully save this site not only for the Buddhism but also for the historic point of view, even I am a Buddhist from Myanmar.
Greed will destroy everything including nature and us. Please save the site and invaluable artefacts. They will bring billions of dollars in the long run. In short run, the money that the Afghanistan government gets from this mine company now may last just a few years. Save the sites not just for Afghanistan, also for the world.
Afganisthan is top Buddhist country at the past .when Buddhist was there this country is top lucky n famous many wealth nothing is less in this country.peaceful land.it was even better than india once.all the inhabitants was buddhist.after then so many warriors came then make to change religion.christain n Muslim etc.n became u peaceful n war country. U can't change your past in past u r buddhist.that is nice n peaceful n good. Even u can't change ur present n future still don't broke n distroyed that thing.because that is ur wealth past n that is everything. Buddha bless u all n save u all n world.
@USMAN GAMINGERA don't do Buddhist ok but don't distroyed that afganisthan past history.who distroyed that things their past blood is from another bad country.latter they come their n distroyed all good things.
@USMAN GAMINGERA that's nice . best of luck u all people n God help ur country to make peace.full of tourist.wealthy.happy.
@USMAN GAMINGERA is buddha God?? No. So why will anyone worship him. D statue is only d representation.
There is no one who are proud of Buddhist past. I am Pashtun, this preservation just shows that our ancestor were brainless, because they worship stone, meditate for nothing and this is big shame if our next generation know that our ancestors were like that. I am Pashtun and this is not pride for us, but shame, BIG SHAME. That's why some Pashtuns want to be called as Israelite, they don't want to be linked with kinds like those
This 8 year ago but omg it still hurt to see , Isn't China also Buddhist? Aren't they an Asia country that is thick with culture and belief. Aren't they afraid of karma from destroying the holy place. And how is it now?? Was it destroyed meaninglessly because well the war happened at that time right? Is there really a company investing there?
Chinese are mostly atheists since the cultural revolution.
This is indeed heritage site Of Afghanistan treasure among Afghan people some dont value it like the taliban but what the most important here still How people keep all these from their heart and never forgotten it take measures in return what our actions only God knows where and when be good everyday and night we are all Judge How we live in this world.
Holy crap no one wants an Acura!!!!!! Stop advertising so much Acura!
Oh afgani what remember that who were ancestors in past age 2500 years ago
After Buddha leave Afghanistan and now is what there have is nothing.
Waqein rast mega hma madan ha ra Bordan wei bahalat Afghanistan 😪
What a terrible translation job. The subtitles are deliberately false.
Anchient history will always be more important then what we currently need copper for. Honest. Truth. It’s clear much took place in our past that needs to be answered for. And could indicate important changes or something we may not want to repeat for our future. I refuse to believe that every advanced ancient sight simply vanished over night from wars.some maybe in later years like centuries after sure. Many countries covering up ancient history it seems with lame excuses as the why.
Very Cruel Truth
There goes one day Afghanistan could have earned tourism income. Which could be much more than 2 billion dollars. They lose their copper and their heritage.
Just like most Asians countries where politicians become rich and the country gets poorer.
जो विश्वरत्न जो दुनियामे विश्वशांती जाने वाले भगवान गौतम बुद्ध देशो ने भगवान गौतम बुद्ध की शांति को नकारा उनका आज दुनिया मे नामोनिशान चुका है
Please please save them , it's not afghan history but the world history, don't let those Chines people to take away our world history...
the company first discovered the place and postponed the. projection for three years
Not true.
this tell the truth .In acient time , afghan is a buddaist coutry and culture as well.
OR Gabriel shalom Islam destroyed Buddhism
OR Gabriel shalom
The Budda staue in Bamyan is the oldest of the world.
The arya in Afghanistan teaches the chinese people the Buddhism.
Your past n Buddhist heritage n history is important than copper mine.dont give Chinese to distroyed it.because Chinese already distroyed Tibet Buddhism n take gold etc.they just give u little.if ur country is peaceful many tourist will come to visit n you will get more money than this copper mine without destroying things.
Chinna has many historical sitesw, bet they know about conservation.
What is more scary now is what the taliban will do to this site
It is okay, that statue can't give anything to the locals.
The New York Times! LMAO
These is karma... what happening now in Afghanistan...
i think china is not the problem.Afgun government have to protect this for future Afghanistan and all over the world young generation.
One thing the Taliban chief mullah died of tuberculosis TV he have not good dead because of doing bad thing as killing innocent people n distroyed that big statue.same as India nalanda University n bikramashila Buddhist University distroyed by khilji.he also go to dead by illness and his own man killed him for to chose new kings.bad dead. By bad work.people who do bad work die bad n also not go to heaven.all religions said.
I love bhuddism culture and heritage afghani people should proud of it
I am, we should protect our history regardless of religion
Save the Lord Buddha stechu for peace
So why you come here? Also for your own profit, right?
FOR Satisfy your curiosity!
oh my god China what are u doing plz save them china
the heritage was discovered by the Chinese company and their postponed the project for three year under a agreement with afhan government.
Not true. This site was discovered in the 1960s by French archaeologists.
唐金德 the heritage was Infact Indian once... Mauryan empire ruled entire south Asian peninsula for 600 years from 300 BC... Present day Afghanistan was ancient Indian Kandhar.. where Hindusim, Buddhism flourished Untill Islamic conquest of India when hundreds and millions of Hindus, Buddhist were slaughtered, mostly Hindus and they made mount of hindu skulls called as Hindu Kush and Afganistan mountains are currently named as Hindu Kush mountain (hindu killer) in just one invasion entire non Muslim population of Kandhar was wiped off and Kandhar became Afghanistan.
0
Hope the this Chinese Mine may go into Bankruptcy.
This Chinese mine will bring prosperity to Afghans. That statue can't give any instead. Stop thinking about statue.
@@__Man__ no it won't only exploitation. Afghan themselves cannot benefit from it. Only those greedy Chinese.
They were built by buddiest afghans of time before that Buddha were not built in human faces
Nobody demolishes things like the chinese do.
true
If they can destroy Bamiyan, there's no assurance that they will not destroy the other historical sites by these religious zealots. Those sites mean nothing to them and the only history they want is the history of their religion and the wars they had been fighting. As long as there are money to be made from under the ground, these Talibans will not stop fighting. There will be many other investors beside the Chinese who will invest there.
Taliban Islamist, Chinese Communist, both don't like Buddhism