Benimadhab Barua’s Role in Revitalizing Buddhist Studies

Abstract

According to a Buddhist tradition, the ‘Dharmacakrapravariana’ - the turning of the wheel of law - is said to have taken place three times. Historically, the reference is first to the one which took place at Sarnath, the second to the resurgence of Mahayana and the third to the rise of the Yogacara school of Vijnanavada. To these a fourth awakening can be added which may be reckoned as co­-existent with the period of intensive research on Buddhism in the East and West in the nineteenth century. The awakening was sudden and inspired and it brought about a renaissance in Buddhist studies. This new wave spread through the three continents of Europe, Asia and America, touching almost all branches of the Arts and Humanities, thereby leading to a revival of cultural life in Asian countries and making the world ‘Buddhasamjni’ or Buddha conscious.