Tabo monastery in Himachal gets Rs 45 crore institute of Bodh darshan SHIMLA: Tabo, also known as The Ajanta of Himalayas is all set to get Indian Institute of Bodh Drashan which would emerge as innovative centre of Buddhist learning. Located in Spiti sub division of Lahaul-Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh, Tabo monastery has been a centre for study of Buddhists philosophy and tribal culture since its inception in 996 AD. Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh on Monday said that to preserve the ancient seat of Buddhist studies at Tabo, the Union Ministry of Culture has agreed in principle for establishing the Indian Institute Bodh Darshan (IIBD) at Tabo. The Rs 45 crore project will be fully funded by the union government. Declared as protected monument by Archaeological Survey of India, Tabo monastery has some of the oldest and most exquisite Buddhist murals and antique paintings of almost 11th century, in the world. Tabo has evolved as an important centre of learning and setting up of IIBD will further bring the state on the International map, which will help the scholars and the academicians to pursue higher studies on Buddhist literature, he said. Chief minister had made the suggestion for establishing the institute at Tabo during the previous UPA regime to the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. The proposed centre will be a landmark as it will preserve and publicize the ancient seat of Buddhists studies. Virbhadra Singh said that land measuring around 30 acres at Mohal Dhaang Chummi had been cleared by union government and necessary clearances from Forest department were underway and the land would be soon transferred in the name of Union Ministry of Culture for setting up the institute. State government has conveyed its approval to the proposed Institute. The case was held up since 2011 due to site related issue. The union government has finally accepted the recommendation of the state government. It will serve the monks and students, not only from remote areas of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur but also learned scholars from far and wide and help preserving the ancient seat of Buddhist Studies and blend it with the contemporary, said the chief minister. Once completed, the project will bring Tabo and Himachal on the International Map for pursuing Buddhist Studies. -Anand Bodh,TNN
Posted on: Wed, 03 Sep 2014 08:57:41 +0000