


I belong to Orissa/ Odisha/ Uddiyana/ Oddiyana/ Udivisha/ Ud
Odisha has played a significant role in the development and propagation of Buddhism. Acharyas Nagarjuna, Dignaga, Indrabhuti, Santaraksh*ta, Queen Laksminkara, And Himalay's Mahaguru (the Rimpoche) Padmasambava; and many of the 84 Siddhacharyas like Saraha, Dombi, Virupa, Jalandhar, etc. were born in Orissa. Mahayana, Vajrayana, Tantrayana, Mantrayana, Sahajayana, etc. thrived in ancient Orissa. There are hundreds of Buddhist archeological ruins in Orissa. Orissa State Museum contains thousands of rare Buddhist palm-leaf manuscipts. Lord Buddha's first two disciples - Tapasu & Vallika - were traders from Orissa, who established monasteries. Emperor Ashoka invaded the democratic Kalinga, fought with & killed lakhs of people (no mention of any king is made), converted to Buddhism by taking DIksha from the Orissan Bhikshu Upagupta. I am particularly fascinated by the life & works of Padmasambhava, and frequently visit Tashiding (where the Guru is said to have meditated) in Sikkim (the land santified by Guru Rimpoche).
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