About the Book

"Across perilous journeys along the Silk Route, Buddhist masters carried the message of the Buddha across mountains, deserts, and kingdoms, leaving behind remarkable travelogues that illuminate sacred geographies, flourishing centres of learning, pilgrimages, and the transmission of Buddhist texts. The Silk Route of Dharma traces two millennia of enduring Indo-Chinese Buddhist dialogue through a rich multidisciplinary lens. Drawing upon extensive research, visits to China, and archival work at the International Academy of Indian Culture founded by Dr Raghuvira, the author uncovers fascinating layers of shared cultural and spiritual history. Legendary figures such as Kumārajīva—the son of a Kashmiri Brahmana and a princess of Kucha—and Hsuan-tsang, the prince among Chinese pilgrims, emerge as central figures whose lifelong dedication transformed not only religious thought but also imperial patronage, inspiring the creation of magnificent temples, monasteries, caves, and stupas across China. From sanctified imperial capitals to the enduring resonance of Ch’an Buddhism, this coffee table book reveals how Buddhist traditions shaped Chinese civilisation over centuries "

About the Author

"Dr Shashibala is a renowned Indologist, cultural diplomacy expert, and Dean of the Centre for Indology at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. A recipient of Mongolia’s highest civilian honour, the Order of the Polar Star, she specialises in India’s cultural relations with the world, Buddhism across political boundaries, Sanskrit studies, and the history of art. She serves as President of the International Council of Cultural Studies and Executive Member of the International Academy of Indian Culture. An accomplished author and editor, she has published 26 books, co-edited the nine-volume English–Sanskrit Dictionary with Prof. Lokesh Chandra, and authored over 110 research papers."