Atisha- The Revered Monk Scholar

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Atisha: The Revered Monk Scholar is a journey into the history of cultural renaissance of Buddhism around a thousand years ago, when Atisha-a spiritually colossus monk-who held responsibilities of several monastic universities in India, crossed the Indian frontiers and undertook a challenging journey ready to sacrifice even his life.

The canvass covers his life and legacy in India, Indonesia and Tibet; his journey from India to Indonesia, back home and then to Tibet via Nepal; his activities reviving Buddhism in Tibet when it was almost destroyed and the monks were in a state of utter confusion. It showcases some rare photos of places from his birthplace, which is now in Bangladesh to Nyetang, where he entered into final nirvana; the monasteries which are associated with his visits, stays, activities and where he preached-where his divine presence can still be felt.

The book presents the distilled essence of his teachings and quotes from his texts that are perennial and pervasive.

Prof Shashi Bala, Dean, Centre for Indology, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Delhi Kendra, specialises in Buddhism as core of cross-cultural connection among Asian countries. Nineteen publications and seventy-five research papers are to her credit. She worked as a Research Professor at the International Academy of Indian Culture and taught "History of Japanese and Southeast Asian Art' at the National Museum Institute, a deemed University.

As a researcher and explorer, she has been travelling widely almost all over the world, invited for teaching assignments, conferences and special lectures. Her scientifically researched exhibitions, illustrated lectures, TV interviews and radio broadcasts are highly acclaimed. International conferences like 'Sanskrit on the Silk Route', 'Sanskrit in Southeast Asia', 'Kumarajiva', 'Atisha' and 'Sanskrit and Europe' add to her credentials. The exhibitions comprise of rare photos on Kumarajiva, Atisha, Sanskrit as Shared Heritage of Asia and Sanskrit, Abolition of Indentured Labour System, Roma-the forgotten children of India and Indian Culture: Voyages. The two courses drafted by her on 'Holistic Science in Sanskrit' and 'Essence of Indian Traditional Knowledge' are approved by the Aicte.