martes, 26 de noviembre de 2013

NEW BOOK

The Return of the Buddha: Ancient Symbols for a New Nation,
 by H. P. Ray
Dear Colleagues:

I would like to announce the following publication that has just been
released in New Delhi:

Himanshu Prabha Ray, The Return of the Buddha: Ancient Symbols for a New
Nation, Routledge, New Delhi, 2014.

/The Return of the Buddha /traces the development of Buddhist
archaeology in colonial India, examines its impact on the reconstruction
of India’s Buddhist past, and the making of a public and academic
discourse around these archaeological discoveries.
//
The book//discusses the role of the state and modern Buddhist
institutions in the reconstitution of national heritage through
promulgation of laws for the protection of Buddhist monuments, acquiring
of land around the sites, restoration of edifices, and organization of
the display and dissemination of relics.It also highlights the
engagement of prominent Indian figures, such as Nehru, Gandhi, Ambedkar,
and Tagore,with Buddhist themes in their writings.
Stressing upon the lasting legacy of Buddhism in independent India, the
author explores the use of Buddhist symbols and imagery in
nation-building and the making of the constitution, as also the recent
efforts to resurrect Buddhist centers of learning such as Nalanda. With
rich archival sources, the book will immensely interest scholars,
researchers and students of modern Indian history, culture, archaeology,
Buddhist studies, and heritage management.

Himanshu Prabha Ray|
Chairperson, National Monuments Authority
New Delhi