Chulalongkorn Institute of Asian Studies Welcomes Indian Studies Center and Unveils “Gautama Buddha”  

Chulalongkorn University, by the Institute of Asian Studies, Faculty of Political Science, and the Indian Studies Center, in collaboration with the Embassy of India, Thailand, organized an event to welcome the Indian Studies Center to the Institute of Asian Studies on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at CU Social Innovation Hub, Visid Prachuabmoh Building. The event commemorates the 39^th anniversary of the establishment of the Institute of Asian Studies and celebrates the occasion of the Indian Studies Center joining the Institute. The event also featured the launch of the book “Gautama Buddha: A Political Science Analysis of the Buddha’s Life in the Context of the Economic, Political, and Cultural Conditions of India During the Buddhist Era.” 

The event began with lantern lighting and Buddhist slokas chanting ceremony, followed by an opening speech given by Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, Acting President of Chulalongkorn University, and a report by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pavika Sriratanaban, Director of the Institute of Asian Studies, followed by a speech delivered by H.E. Mr. Nagesh Singh, Ambassador of India to Thailand. Then came a discussion on “Why should we read Gautama Buddha?” to accompany the launch of the book “Gautama Buddha: A Political Science Analysis of the Buddha’s Life in the Context of the Economic, Political, and Cultural Conditions of India During the Buddhist Era.” The participants of the discussion included Dr. Peter Skilling, Buddhist scholar, Assoc. Prof. Vorasakdi Mahatdhanobol, former lecturer at the Department of International Relations, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, and Mr. Natha Vacharakirin, an independent scholar specializing in Indian studies in language and culture. The discussion was moderated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Natchapol Sirisawad, Head of the South Asian Languages Section, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University.  

“Gautama Buddha: A Political Science Analysis of the Buddha’s Life in the Context of the Economic, Political and Cultural Conditions of India During the Buddhist Era,” revised edition, is written by Assoc. Prof. Vorasakdi Mahatdhanobol. The first book in the Bharat Prateep Project of Chulalongkorn Indian Studies Center in 2012, the book is an invaluable academic work in terms of Buddhist studies, Indian studies, political science, history, social science, and humanities. This integrated text of knowledge and various perspectives won the 2014 7 Book Awards for Best Documentary Book.  

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Line