A book on a historical consideration of the succession of Zhabdrung and a book on the leading Nyingma philosopher Mipham’s interpretation of the concept of emptiness were launched at the Mountain Echoes literary festival, yesterday.
‘The Successors of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel: Hereditary Heirs and Reincarnation’ was written by Dr. Yoshiro Imaeda. The book is based on research carried out by the author for his PhD thesis published in French in 1987. According to the publisher, Riyang books, Dr. Imeada’s book is compelling and holistic portrayal of highly accomplished religious master and shrewd political leader. It also offers the rarely explored aspect of the most important historical figure in Bhutan.
The book was launched by the Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay.
The second book, ‘Mipham’s Dialectics and the Debates on Emptiness (To be, not to be or neither) was written Dr. Karma Phuntsho. It was launched by a Buddhist Nun, Ani Choying Drolma, also a participant at the literary festival.
The publisher, Riyang books says the book is a comprehensive introduction to the concept of emptiness, a highly technical but very central topic in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. It also examines the analysis of the Gelukpa interpretation of the leading Nyingma Philospher Mipham.
Also at the event, a revised version of Dr. Imaeda’s memoir “Enchanted by Bhutan” was launched. The book is the personal account of the author’s experiences spanning a period of 30 years beginning from 1978.
After the launch, the two authors sat down for a session at the literary festival. Dr. Imaeda talked about his writings, his journey as a scholar and state of future historical research and scholarship in Bhutan.
The three-day, Bhutan Festival of Literature, arts and cultures, Mountain Echoes ended yesterday.
