Assam Governor and former Odisha Chief Minister Janaki Ballabh Patnaik has called for more research on Buddhism, the third largest religion in the world in terms of numbers of believers.
Speaking after releasing an Odia book Odishare Bouddha Dharma ‘O’ Bouddha Kirti (Buddhism and Buddhist heritage in Odisha) authored by Dr Bimalendu Mohanty, former Vice-Chancellor of Utkal University of Culture here on Monday, Patnaik said it has been historically proved that Buddhism existed in Odisha even before the Kalinga War.
“It is as yet unknown who were responsible for the spread of Buddhism in Odisha and, thus, the State would benefit from more research on Buddhism,” he said.
Patnaik said colleges and universities should add Buddhism in their curriculums providing teachings on the Buddhist culture and follow the principle of lord Buddha for a change in individual’s life. He was happy that there is a School of Buddhist studies in the KIIT University, Bhubaneswar and MA course in Buddhist Studies in the Utkal University of Culture here, Mahabodhi Society of India general secretary P Seoli
Thero talked about the importance of the Buddhism and urged writer Dr Mohanty to translate his book into English and Hindi so that it reaches every part of the country and abroad.
The book throws light the origin of the religion in Odisha and conversion of King Chandashoka to Dharmashoka. It also includes 10 colour photographed pages on Udaygiri, lalitgiri Ratnagiri and other related monuments and rock sculptures of lord Buddha.
Among others, Sambad editor Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, KIIT and KISS founder Dr Achyuta Samanta and former Odisha Sahitya Akademi Secretary Prof Raj Kishore Mishra also spoke on the occasion.