Newmedia on 16 Apr 2001 19:07:23 -0000


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[Nettime-bold] Re: <nettime> disposal of surplus buddhas


Steve:

Yup, that's the story, all right . . . at least the one given in a television
interview that I saw with a Taliban spokes-fellow.

Apparently the rule is "no *worshipping* of idols," not "no idols" . . . so
there are many, many Buddhas in Afghanistan (among other artifacts) that no
one pays much attention to and so no one needs to blow them up . . .

The "cultural mission" was offering substantial sums for "restoration" of
these particular Buddhas -- which constitutes "worship," it would seem -- and
that's what set the whole exposive matter into motion.

Best,

Mark Stahlman