Information
- Location
- Almaty District, Tekeli city
- Period
- 1670 – 0
- Type
- Stele
- Kind
- Buildings of monumental art
Sources
- Қазақстанның киелі орындарының географиясы: Табиғат, археология, этнография және діни сәулет өнері нысандарының тізілімі / Жалпы редакциясын басқарған ҚР ҰҒА академигі Байтанаев Б.Ә. – Алматы: Ә.Х. Марғұлан атындағы Археология институты, 2017. – 1-шығарылым. – 904 б.
Description
Located in the eastern part of the city of Tekeli on the right bank of the Kora River at its exit from the gorge, 35 km from Taldykorgan. The monument is erected on the platform. Its diameter is 8 m and its height is 1.5 m.
The Tekelian stele is valuable as a source of history and culture of the Oirat peoples and as a sacred monument connected with the history of Buddhism in the late Middle Ages. For the first time the Tekelian stele became known in 1898. It was reported by N.N. Pantusov. In 2008 the monument was examined by I.E. Erofeyeva and A.E. Rogozhinsky.
On a plane of 73×60×51 cm facing the river, the symbol "wheel of history" and prayer inscriptions in Tibetan are carved. The symbol depicted is a symbol of the Buddhist tantric teaching of Kalachakra ("the wheel of time"), reflecting three levels of transformation of human nature and surrounding being. Inside the stupa there is a niche in which the Buddha Shakyamuni sits. He is the main character of the Buddhist pantheon. The Shakyamuni Buddha is dressed in a monastic garment. His right hand is depicted in the position of touching the ground, in the left is the bowl for the collection of a gift. He is in a state of nirvana. This is a typical Buddha pose in a seated and standing position full of symbols meaning his deeds. Below the stupa is a lion supporting the stupa.
Construction of a stupa is connected with advancement of Dzungar tribes on territory of Kazakhstan. In the 70's - 80's of the XVII century Dzungar tribes in the period of their close contacts with Tibet during the reign of Galdan Huntaiji built Buddhist monasteries on the right bank of the Ile River. One of the first monasteries was built in the area of the modern city of Tekeli on the bank of the river Kora in the interfluve of the rivers Kora and Karatal. The monastery has not been preserved.
Late Buddhism - Tantrism is distinctly different from Buddhism, known in India, so the names of some Bodhisatt saints have double names - they are written in Tibetan and Oirat languages.
The object of domestic and international tourism.