Known as “Seat of Saints” & World’s Oldest University
Jaulian, also known as the “Seat of Saints”, is an ancient Buddhist monastery which dates back to the 2nd century CE. It is located in Taxila, Pakistan, and is part of the spectacular Ruins of Taxila, which were officially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Along with Jaulian, visitors can also explore the nearby Mohra Muradu monastery.
Location of Jaulian
Jaulian sits atop a hill that towers 100 meters above the modern village of Jaulian. The cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are only 35 km and 45 km away from Jaulian, respectively. It is located near the Khanpur Taxila road, a popular picnic spot near Khanpur Dam. Close by is the Mohra Muradu monastery, the ancient city of Sirsukh, Piplan Remains, Badalpur Stupa, and Jinnah Wali Dheri Stupa.
Construction of Jaulian Site
Jaulian was constructed in the 2nd century CE, the same period in which the nearby Mohra Muradu was built. Unfortunately, Ancient Taxila, including Jaulian, suffered greatly during the invasion of the White Huns in the 450s CE and was eventually abandoned. To make matters worse, King Mihirakula of the Huns also persecuted the Buddhists in the region, leaving Jaulian in a state of disrepair that it never recovered from.
What Discovered in Jaulian
Situated atop a hill, the ruins at Jaulian offer a captivating glimpse of history. A large central stupa is accompanied by 27 smaller stupas, plus 59 small chapels that depict the life of Buddha. Two quadrangles are surrounded by monastic living quarters. The form and building of Jaulian is strikingly similar to that of Mohra Muradu.
Jaulian’s main stupa was much smaller than Mohra Muradu or the Dharmarajika Stupa, and sadly, has been heavily damaged. Though stucco plaster was used to decorate almost all the sculptures and architectural details, the quality of decoration isn’t quite as impressive as Mohra Muradu’s. However, the original plaster is still intact in some spots.
Votive Stupas
The main stupa has 21 smaller, “votive stupas” around it, some of which may have been tombs for important monks. The statues inside the votive stupas are in good condition, although a few of them have been taken to museums. The original structure of the main stupa, located in the center of the upper court, is still standing.
Healing Buddha
A captivating statue of Buddha located inside a votive stupa with a hole in the navel is known as the “Healing Buddha”. People make a visit to this icon to place their fingers in its navel and pray for cures of various illnesses. The inscription found preserved beneath the statue dates way back to the 5th century and was gifted by a friar.
28 Student Rooms
The monastery at Jaulian is just like the one at neighboring Mohra Muradu! There were two floors of this monastery, and each floor was made up of 28 student rooms. The two levels were connected through some stone stairs which are still there today. Some of the rooms even contain preserved statues of the Buddha!
Each room had a little area for their lamps, and a window that allowed a breeze to pass through as well as some natural light. The windows were planned to be more narrow outside and wider inside to prevent any wild animals from getting in. After that, they coated the walls with plaster and painted them with beautiful plasterwork and paintings.
It was typical for monasteries in the Gandhara region, such as Takht-i-Bahi and Dharmarajika, to dedicate a specific area of the monastery to producing Buddhist manuscripts, usually on birch bark – an easily-deteriorated material.
Big Pool
The monastery had a big pool which was utilized for bathing, and a kitchen. A stone used to grind spices is still intact in the area, plus two stone mills that were employed to grind grains.
Nearby Sites
If you’re looking for archaeological sites, you’ll want to check out Mohra Moradu, Jinna Wali Dheri, and the Bhamala stupa, which was recently re-excavated and is a special cruciform stupa. These places feature associated monasteries and additional structures that make for a uniform design, just like other spots in Gandhara.