About the Book
The book titled Ratnāvalī (Precious Garland) is one of the six important works on Middle Path ascribed to Acārya Nāgārjuna containing five hundred four verses which are arranged in five chapters on the basis of corresponding subject matter, particularly the essential teachings of higher rebirth (Abhyudaya) and definite goodness (Nihśreyas). The author begins composing the text by using a term 'King' that directly indicates that the king (King Udayi Bhadra, also known as Sātavāhana King Gautamiputra) was the specific disciple whom he taught the virtuous Dharmas in the form of a letter. Though it was directly taught the king, yet it contains virtuous lessons for all other followers by faith and reasoning or for the ordained and laity.
About the Author
Born in a middle class family in West Bengal, Prof. (Dr.) Sanjih Kumar Das was educated at Chandpara Nimna Buniyadi Vidyalaya (Amtala) and then in Gobardanga Khantura High School. Meanwhile, due to some of his personal problems, he fled ascay from home and worked as a waiter in several hotels and sweet shops for about two years in Kolkata. Later, he went to Darjeeling and took shelter in a Buddhist Monastery where ! he abo worked as a helper of mason for about a year. There, an auspicious coincidence came upon in his life that also totally changed his life as well. On account of the kindness of the Thupten Sanga Choling Monastery, he was admitted in its branch school named Drukpa Kagyű Destitute Home' where he studied upto standard VIII. Subsequently, he was sent to Varanasi in 1989 in order to get admission in the then Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath for higher studies. Getting admission, he obtained MA, pursuing upon Tibetan Buddhism, Tibetan Language and other prescribed subjects. In 1998, he was awarded with the Kashi Naresh Gold Medal for being the best student of 1998. After completing M.A., he started doing his Ph.D. which he completed in 2002. In 1999, he was invited as a Translator from Tibetan into English to Taiwan where he stayed for about five months. In 2002, he got a temporary job in the Translation Department in the CIHTS, Sarnath and simultaneously a permanent job in Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh where he worked for about six years. In 2008, he got a new job in Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan where he has been working on the post of Professor in the Department of Indo-Tibetan Studies. Apart from his academic works, Prof. Das was also carried out the responsibility of HOD [Head of the Department), Department of Indo-Tibetan Studies twice, for about ten years, I/C Director, Centre for Buddhist Studies for three years and Vice-Principal, Bhasha-Bhavana, Visva-Bharati for two years. Prof. Das has also composed, translated, edited, restored and compiled several books which have been published by different universities, institutions and publishers in India. Similarly, he also undertook the four Tibetan-Bengali Translation Projects funded by ACLS, USA & FPMT, USA as well as English-Bengali Translation Project funded by Berzin Archives, Germany for two years during the Covid period. Apart from translation, compilation, restoration and editing work, Prof. Das attended number of Local, National and International seminars, and presented papers.
Introduction
'Saddharma' the Sanskrit term is simply translated to English as 'Holy Dharma' or 'Sacred Dharma' which generally refers to the Buddha Dharma or Buddhism. It is one of the major Dharmas of this globe that came into inception with the appearance of its founder Tathagata Buddha more than 2,550 years ago. This 'Saddharma', in other words, is called a science of mind because it particularly emphasizes to look into the movement of the mind as well as teaches how to control it from getting engaged in unwholesome deeds. Basing on examination, it is proved that this Dharma is virtuous at the beginning, virtuous in the middle and also virtuous at the end. It is just like rain which was and is still being received with respect, and is practised by his followers according to their own capacity and interest for achieving their spiritual goal.
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