Religious Legends and Natural Wonders Near the Dead Sea – by Dr. Gamini Kariyawasam
Between the sky and the sea, the mountain range towards Jerusalem is golden in color from the distance as the sun sets. The area is covered by the vast sea and a quiet plain covered with fog, which makes the human mind drowsy. A closer inspection of the milky rock that rises from place to place in the sun shows that it is a water table made of salt.
Some time ago, when I was working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I had to go to Jordan for some official work. That’s how I pictured the Dead Sea, a wonderful creation of nature that I saw there.
This academic article was prepared using the wealth of knowledge extracted from the views that caught my eye, the information I heard, and the reference to academic documents.
The Dead Sea, renowned for its unique characteristics, historical significance, and religious legends, captivates visitors with its stunning landscapes and mystical allure. Situated at the lowest point on Earth, this remarkable body of water holds a prominent place in the hearts of believers from different religious backgrounds. This article delves into the religious legends associated with the Dead Sea and explores its natural wonders.
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The Dead Sea is so named because it is devoid of aquatic life and plants. The Dead Sea is located km from Amman, the capital of Jordan. In the Masada area, which is about 70 km away. Considered to be the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea was formed 400 meters below mean sea level. This vast pool of water extends to the Judean Mountains in the west and Mount Moab in the east.
AD Herod the Great, ruler of ancient Judea (modern day Palestine) in the 3rd century BC, built his mountain fortress on the high ground of Masada beyond the Dead Sea. It was in the ancient Nebula Mountains that the Old Testament was written down by future generations. It is also reported that Cleopatra regularly visited this place in the past to polish her golden body from the hot springs located near the Dead Sea and to enjoy the beauty and frenzy of the Dead Sea.
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During my trip to Jordan, I had the opportunity to see the huge mountains stretching across the Dead Sea from afar. My colleague who was with me at that time told me that there is a group of caves in which documents of historical and archeological importance have been preserved. It was K. who was working as Sri Lankan ambassador in Jordan at that time who participated with me in this trip. Mr. Marimuthu. In order to learn more about the ancient cave, I later studied books and internet articles about the Dead Sea.
In investigating those facts, a scholar,. research article presented by Mr. W. A. S Perera on the internet caught my attention. He makes a credible effort to confirm the conclusion that Buddhism was prevalent in the land of Sunaparanta near the Dead Sea and that the Blessed One was there at the invitation of Punna Bhikkhu.
He further emphasizes that it is mentioned in the Punnovada Sutra of the Majjhima Nikaya , that Punna Bhikkhu took permission from the Buddha and went to Sunaparanta to spread the Dharma.
At his invitation, later the Blessed One visited the Makulakarama in the land of Sunaparanta, which was built near the Dead Sea in what is now known as Mecca. B.C. It is mentioned in the book Papanchasudaniya written by Rev. Buddhaghosa Maha Sthavira in the 5th century.
It is important to pay special attention to the fact that Re. Buddhaghosa wrote the Papanchasudaniya about one and a half centuries before Muhammad was born in the world and that Muhammad was born in Mecca 1100 years after the Blessed One was raised to Makulakaram. The article also highlights that the meaning of the term Mahammat is Mahamati or the one endowed with wisdom and intelligence in the Pali texts.
It is appropriate to compare the Buddhist scriptures ‘Suna’ Sunaparanta with the ancient biblical place name ‘Sanai’. In the hills of the village of Qumran, about 20 miles from Jerusalem, northwest of the Dead Sea, there were hidden some unnoticed rock caves.
Due to a certain coincidence, that cave came to the attention of the world. A desert-dwelling Bedouin herdsman was following a stray sheep along the mountain slopes when he threw a stone at the entrance of one of these caves. The boy heard some echoing sound from that direction. Intrigued, he was tempted to enter the cave. Inside, he was amazed to see earthen pots sealed with lids. Thinking that there were treasures in the clay pots, the shepherd broke the seals of one of the clay pots and opened the lid. He saw thick animal skins, rolled up and placed in clay pots. Although there were none of the treasures Shepherd expected, the find helped confirm the century’s biggest archaeological sensation.
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Word of mouth brought historians to this place. In 1947, Dr. John Trevor, an archaeologist, started research here for the first time. He observed that these pottery vessels contained a type of archaic writing, the tanned standard scrolls of animals. Archaeologists managed to find nearly a thousand fragments of documents in eleven caves near the Dead Sea.
According to archaeologist Mr. William Albright, this writing extends back to the 1st century BC. These tracts are considered to be a collection of Jewish Old Testament writings written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.
. Mr. Perera has emphasized in his research academic article that Buddhism was widespread in the countries around the Dead Sea at that time. Information about certain Buddhist teachings, customs, and values mentioned in the papers found in the caves on the shores of the Dead Sea seem to confirm that opinion. One such text mentioned in a paper found in the Dead Sea Stone Cave is said to have the following meaning.
‘Avoid all evil deeds – engage in all good deeds’
Two thousand years ago, desert trekkers flocked to the Dead Sea to rest. Famous religious monasteries were born here at that time. The holy pond where Jesus was baptized was also located here. Archaeologists have shown that the sands of time have covered the valley around the Dead Sea with extremely intriguing, ancient information. All the ancient scrolls found in the caves on the edge of the Dead Sea have not yet been translated and published.
After all, these are published, more information will be revealed about the spread of Buddhism in the area around the Dead Sea, as well as the origin of Christianity and Islam. From that information, religious harmony will be revealed to the world at that time, which will be firmly established in the believers of the three religions.
Geologists who have observed the creation of the Dead Sea have stated that the Dead Sea was born at the point where the Earth’s surface sank when the Asian continent moved eastward and the African continent moved westward during the Miocene period.
The bottom of the Dead Sea is constantly sinking. Scientists have calculated that this subsidence is continuing at 13 inches per year.
Magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulfur, chlorine, iodine, calcium, etc., many minerals that are very important for humans are mixed in the Dead Sea water.
A type of mud with a highly volatile Dead Sea chemical composition can be found on the sea floor.
Scientific research has revealed that this mud contains a special power to cure diseases.
Dead Sea mud is also important as an excellent natural medicine that can be found in the growth of decaying cells in the human skin, preserving the color of the body and curing various skin diseases.
Dead sea water and mud are used as well-known prophylactic to boost immunity and relieve muscle pain.
Sea breezes contain large amounts of Bromium.
This bromium-infused sea breeze is extremely helpful in relieving stress and invigorating the nervous system.
We also got to see several factories that produce various cosmetics from the mud of the Dead Sea. Tourists flock to this area in large numbers to experience the healing power of the Dead Sea mud, it is a common sight to see the dark black mud spread all over their bodies and sunbathe.
Some bathe in the Dead Sea, while others float on the Dead Sea and read a book. Here you can see more tourists riding camels and enjoying the sea breeze.
. The effects of ultraviolet rays that are harmful to the body are thinning in this area, the factors that improve the environment with oxygen gas that is beneficial for human existence will undoubtedly cause this area to become a major tourist beach in the near future.
The Dead Sea’s religious legends, archaeological discoveries, and natural wonders make it a captivating and enchanting destination. The legends associated with Cleopatra and Buddhism add layers of historical and cultural significance to the area. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls provides valuable insights
Dr. Gamini Kariyawasam.
