New Delhi [India], July 15: SPACE – India (Society for the Perpetuation of Art, Culture & Education – India) organized a grand ‘Lokarpan Samaroh’ (Book Release Ceremony) for the thought-provoking work “Uddiyana Guru Padmasambhava: The Second Buddha” authored by Shri Prabir Kumar Pattanaik, at the Gandhi Peace Foundation, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi.
The event witnessed the confluence of eminent scholars, diplomats, civil servants, Buddhist thinkers, and art historians, coming together to celebrate the life and teachings of Guru Padmasambhava—widely revered as the “Second Buddha” who played a pivotal role in the transmission of Buddhism to Tibet and beyond.
The evening began with a Welcome Address by Dr. Kuldeep Agarwal, setting the tone for the program that was rich in spiritual, academic, and cultural insights.
Key dignitaries and speakers included:
- Prof. Manvendra Kishore Das, former ICCR Chair and Visiting Professor in Sanskrit & Buddhist Studies at the National University of Mongolia
- Shri Prabir Kumar Pattanaik, author of the book
- Venerable Gyetul Jigme Rinpoche, President, Padmasambhava Mahavihara, Jeerang, Odisha
- Shri Niraj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Government of India
- Shri Sunil Kumar Singh, Director, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
- Dr. Praveen Prakash, Buddhist Art Historian
- Shri Uday Sahay, IPS, Former Director General, Prasar Bharati, and author of Bodhgaya: The Land of Enlightenment
- Prof. Ranjana Mukhopadhyay, Head, Department of East Asian Studies, Delhi University
- Dr. Satyendra Kumar Pandey, Department of Buddhist Studies, Delhi University
The discussion offered a deep dive into the teachings of Guru Padmasambhava and explored his lasting contributions to Buddhist philosophy and Himalayan culture. The release of the book marked a significant step in reviving awareness about the cultural and spiritual legacy of Uddiyana—believed by many to be linked to present-day Odisha.
Dr. Bhabani Dikshit, senior journalist, ably moderated the session, ensuring a seamless flow of insights and interactions.
The function was presided over by Shri Kumar Prashant, Chairperson of the Gandhi Peace Foundation, who praised the author’s scholarly dedication and underlined the importance of such cultural initiatives in promoting peace and harmony in today’s world.
The evening concluded with a vote of thanks and enthusiastic engagement from the audience, marking the occasion as a memorable milestone in the ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate India’s civilizational wisdom.
Issued by:
Amit deshmukh
www.mmjppr.com
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