WHO IS DR. LOKESH CHANDRA ?????

                                                        

WHO IS DR. LOKESH CHANDRA ?????

Son of eminent Sanskrit scholar Raghu Vira , Dr Lokesh Chandra is a renowned scholar of Budhism. He has been awarded Padam Bhushan and remained vice president of Indian Council of Cultural Relations apart from being nominated to Rajya sabha . Author of more that 350 scholarly works on History and Budhism , Dr Chandra is considered an authority on Budhism and Indian Arts .I have lately read some of his articles and books. I find mention of Kashmir and kashmiris in some works of this scholar. He is conclusive with regard to immense  role played kashmiris in spreading knowledge and  Budhism in japan , China ,Korea ,Thailand and various other countries in 3rd and fourth century AD. I quote this eminent scholar

“. Ask any learned Korean and he shall say that Kashmir has been a land of scholars and highly learned men . Tyagabhadra, a Kashmiri is responsible for the choice of the present capital of south korea – Seol. Many learned kashmiris were present in korea spreading knowledge and Budhism. Kumarjiva ,Prajna and Munishri are still held in high esteem in entire south east Asia for spreading knowledge and Budhist Philosophy . Kumarajiva ,a kashmiri educated in Kashmir and Kashgar, was a scholar of great reputation. He reached Changan in 401 and worked till A.D. 412. He translated 106 works into Chinese. Most outstanding is his Chinese translation of the Sanskrit text entitled Saddharma-pundarika-sutra, known for short as the "Lotus Sutra". He is one of the most outstanding stylists of Chinese prose. He is the only Indian whose Chinese diction has been hailed over the centuries by Chinese men of letters.” Dr Lokesh Chandra.

About this scholar  ,  Dr S S Toshkhani  noted writer from kashmir  adds:

 “Dr. Lokesh Chandra is certainly one of the greatest scholars of Indian culture. It is my good fortune that I know the great scholar personally and have had the privilege of meeting him and seeking his guidance several times. I have benefited tremendously from his scholarly works many of which I have read. As a young boy I met his great father Dr. Raghuvira along with some friends at Harwan in Srinagar. I too bow before his profound knowledge.”

( Autar Mota )

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