It's a case of Meera-Krishna revisited. Perhaps the sole woman author who's dedicated her life to writing about the part-mystic, part-misunderstood faith of the Buddha, Sunita Dwivedi, in her forthcoming book In Quest of Buddha: A Journey Along The Silk Road goes back into history yet again, exploring the oldest and the greatest international trade road, the Silk Route
It's a case of Meera-Krishna revisited. Perhaps the sole woman author who's dedicated her life to writing about the part-mystic, part-misunderstood faith of the Buddha, Sunita Dwivedi, in her forthcoming book In Quest of Buddha: A Journey Along The Silk Road goes back into history yet again, exploring the oldest and the greatest international trade road, the Silk Route
What's the book about: Buddha or the Silk Route?
I must admit that this travelogue in the shadow of the Buddha has been aided and enriched by the accounts of all those who have traversed the Silk Road before me. I have been travelling to China since 1999. First, as a casual tourist in search of some scenic beauty, but later as a serious traveller on the Silk Road in search of the Buddha. It took five years of serious work to travel along the international road bit by bit, photograph the Buddhist sites, and compile the book.
Which places does it take the reader to?
The book takes the reader through the dreadful deserts of the Gobi and the Taklamakan, over the snowy ranges of the Pamir, meandering through innumerable oases dotting the foot of the Tienshan and Kunlun ranges, and traces beautiful river valleys. It takes a peep into the splendid grottoes and cliff theatres of the Silk Road where the Great Buddha still lives and breathes.
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How tough is it to explore Buddhism?
Honestly, the subject appeared difficult at first. But I was a lover of the Buddha and was curious to follow him everywhere. I am not certain when Buddha first walked into my life. Perhaps in my childhood when I used to run barefoot across the green fields to play at the giant mound of ancient bricks called the Ramabhar Stupa.
How much influence do the teachings of the Buddha have on your personal life?
I read about his teachings. But it is not easy for ordinary beings like me to follow him. I cannot call myself a Buddhist. I am only a lay follower.
In Quest of the Buddha A Journey on the Silk Road has been published by Rupa & Co and is available at leading bookstores for
Rs 1,000
What's the most misunderstood part of Buddhism?
Most people find it baffling that Buddhism does not acknowledge the identity of soul, and it also does not have a God. It envisages the supremacy ofu00a0 the human being vis-a vis an absolute God. It believes that man is responsible for his fate, he need not depend on anyone. He has to be on his own. Karma is crucial. Although the concept of Buddhism refutes the idea of a God, it believes in the existence of an Enlightened Being who vows to save all beings from their suffering.
What next?
I have shot a video film of my journey along the Silk Road through China, and plan to make a short film on it. Work on my third book on the Silk Road through Central Asia is on. For this, I had to travel along the International Highway M-39 through Uzbekistan, Kyrgyztan and Kazkhastan.
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