The translation in Bhutanese language ‘Zonghka’ of book ‘Padmasambhava of Uddiyana –Odisha’ by former Vice-Chancellor of Utkal University of Culture Dr Bimalendu Mohanty was released at a function at Thimpu, Bhutan recently. The book was released by Bhutan’s Economic Affairs Minister Lyonpo Loknath Sharma in presence of Director General, Royal Research Council, Lyonpo Sonam Togbay, Chief Justice of Bhutan Lyonpo Wangchuk, former Speaker Dasho Passang Dorji and Indian Ambassador in Bhutan Jaideep sarkar.
The book was translated by eminent scholar of Royal Research Council, Bhutan, Kenzang Wangdi. The translation was sponsored by the India-Bhutan Foundation and Nehru Wangchuk Cultural Centre of Indian Embassy. While on behalf of Dr Mohanty, Dr Sourendra Kumar Mohapatra spoke about the book, many dignitaries from India, Bhutan and other countries attended. After the publication of the book, the birth place of Guru Padmasambhava has been accepted as Sambala of Uddiyana-Odisha.
Meanwhile, Dr Mohanty has been conferred with the ‘Mahabodhi International Award for Buddhist Literature’ in a conference at Buddhagaya on January 30 in recognition of his contribution for promotion and propagation of Buddhist studies through his translation and writing. Mahabodhi Society of India general secretary P Sewalee Thero presided over the felicitation ceremony which was attended by about 300 delegated from all over the globe, including India, Sri Lanka, the US, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.