Book released to celebrate Buddha’s 2600 centenary of Enlightment

PATNA: Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) on Tuesday brought out a 40-page designer pictorial book -” Awakening in Bodh Gaya” on the occasion of 2600 years of Buddha’s enlightenment.

The 40-page book deals about the entire story on the journey and enlightenment of Buddha. Bihar governor on Tuesday released the book at a function held at Bodh Gaya temple. On the same day, this book was handed over to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and his cabinet colleagues at a Buddha Purnima function held here at Buddha Smriti Park.

In the year 2002, Mahabodhi temple complex was declared a world heritage site. The book was sponsored by the monks of Thailand.

Bodh Gaya down the ages has attracted inspired pilgrims from all over the world. “On such family of pilgrims, Somchal Pornsuksawang and his family member made the production of this publication possible,” said editor of the book Mahasweta Maharathi.

The book mentions that last year Dalai Lama was at the Mahabodhi temple to inaugurate the twenty-one panels of sandstone sculptures on the life story of the Buddha within the Mahavihara. The panel is based on the Buddhist artist the late Upendra Maharathi. It is sculpted by Indramani Mahayana.

“In the year of celebration we aim to work together with all the monasteries in Bodh Gaya to create a platform from which the entire world can be reached out to in affirmation of the Buddha’s message of peace and togetherness,” said Mahasweta Maharathi a member of the BTMC.

BTMC had brought out a first ever coffee table book on Gaya – “Awakening in Bodh Gaya”. Elaborately produced, the 252 page book strives to present a complete journey of the Mahabodhi temple since Gautam Buddha’s arrival in Bodh Gaya.