Shashi Bala

Atisha: The Revered Monk Scholar Shashi Bala

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.