Award-Winning Lecturer at Lumbini Buddhist University, recipient of the Nepal Vidhyābhușaņa award. Expert in Buddhist Art with numerous scholarly publications and chapters. Accomplished artist specializing in metal sculptures, currently pursuing PhD research on Nepalese Buddhist Art.
Sanjay Shakya, “Nepal Vidhyābhușaņa”, is a Lecturer at Lumbini Buddhist University. His academic writings include dozens of seminar papers, journal articles and book chapters, mainly related to Buddhist Art. His latest publication as a chapter writer is in a book entitled “Newar Art Traditions: Historical Reminiscences of Painting and Stone Art of Nepal Mandala” (2021). Others are “The Relevance of the Buddha and Buddhism Today: Reminiscences from Buddha Theatre Festival” (2021) and “Intangible Heritage of Patan: Rituals, Practices and Performances” (2018). He is an artist himself specializing in Metal sculptures. The legacy of art is inherited to him from his forefathers. He is a gold medalist in Buddhist Studies from Tribhuvan University in the 2009 AD for his master’s degree and is pursuing PhD research on Buddhist Art in Nepal. He is keen to explore and analyze the chronological development of artistic embellishment in images of Nepal.
“Yajñopavita and its Stylistic Chronology with Special Reference to Padmapāṇi Avalokiteśvara”.
Pp 241-257 In: DashovKarma Ura and et.al. (eds.), Modernity of Buddhism published by Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies, Thimpu. 2024. ISBN: 978-99980-35-22-5.
https://www.bhutanstudies.org.bt/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Fourth-Vajrayana-Conference-Proceedings-with-cover-2.pdf
“Saundarānanda: A Buddhist Tale to Tell”. Pp 3-18 In: Thapa Bal Bdr. (ed.) Performativity in
Buddhism: Reminiscences from Buddha Theatre Festival 2022, Kathmandu: DABALI Theatre, 2022.
“Artistic imprints of Ancient Buddhist Stone Images of Nepal”. Pp 91-122 In: Thapa Shanker (ed.) Newar Art Traditions: Historical Reminiscences of Painting and Stone Art of Nepal Mandala, Kathmandu: Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, 2021. ISBN No. 97789937935371
“Use of Dharmagaṇḍi in Buddhist Monasteries and Sudden Scenic Transformation with Special Reference to Hirṇyavarṇa Mahāvihāra”. Pp 9-24 In: Thapa Bal Bdr. (ed.) Relevance of the Buddha and Buddhism Today: Reminiscences from Buddha Theatre Festival 2021, Kathmandu:DABALI Theatre, 2021.
“Bunga Dya: The Karunamaya Aryavalokitesvara of Bungamati’. Pp 66-95 In: Bhatta Ganesh & Thapa Shanker (eds.) Intangible Heritage of Patan: Rituals, Practices and Performances, Lalitpur: Women Development and Environment Conservation Society, 2018. ISBN No.978-9937-0-3624-5
Shakya, Sanjay. ‘‘Adhunika Abhyāsma Bodhisattva Caryā ’’ (Eng: Bodhisattvas in Modern Buddhist Practices). Buddhayāna, Vol 12, No 1. 2024 AD.
Shakya, Sanjay. ‘‘The Vajrapāṇī images in Caturvyūha Caityas of Nepāl Maṇḍala ’’. Lumbinī Prabhā, Vol 9, No 1. 2024 AD. ISSN: 2616-0196 (Print), 2717-4603 (Online).
‘‘Jijñāsu manovṛti ra prājñika anusandhāna (Eng: Curious mind and academic research)’’. Mahāvīra Journal, Vol 1, No 1. 2024 AD. ISSN-3021-9698 (Print).
‘‘Vajra and Ghanta: Iconography and its Philosophy’’. Vajrayāna, Vol 1, No 1. 2023 AD. ISSN-2990-7985(Print).
‘‘Buddhist Hermeneutics and Apocryphal Sūtra ’’. Lumbinī Prabhā, Vol 8, No 8. 2023 AD. ISSN: 2616-0196 (Print), 2717-4603 (Online).
‘‘Śākyabhikṣuharu Ko hun?” [Eng: Who are the Śākyabhikṣus?], Buddhajayanti Souvenir. Mayūrvarṇa Mahāvihāra: 2567th Buddha Jayanti Organising Committee, Vol 1, No 1., 29th April 2023 AD.
“Ancient Buddhist Political History of Nepal and its peripheral Testimonies”, Universal Buddhism published by Zhong Ni Cultural Exchange and Research Center (Peer review Journal) ISSN: 2976-145X (Print)
Shakya, Sanjay. ‘‘Evidence, Conjectures and Enigmas on Historicity of Vihāra Tradition in Nepal’’. Lumbinī Prabhā, Vol 7, No 1. 2022 AD. ISSN-2717-4603
Shakya, Sanjay. ‘‘Buddhist Monasteries and Newar’s Sangha Tradition Practiced in Nepal Maṇḍala ’’. Lumbinī Prabhā, Vol 6, No 1. 2021 AD. ISSN: 2616-0196
Shakya, Sanjay. ‘‘The Dharmagandi and its practice in Buddhist Monasteries of Nepal Maṇḍala”.
In: Shakya Gyanendra (ed.), Buddhajayanti Souvenir. Guitole: 2565th Buddha Jayanti Organising Committee, Vol 1, No 1., 26th May 2021 AD.
Shakya, Sanjay. ‘‘Enquiry on Uninscribed Padmapāṇi Avalokitteśvara Image of Mayūrvarna Mahāvihāra of Pātan ’’. Lumbinī Prabhā, Vol 5, No 1. 2020 AD. ISSN: 2626-0196 (Print), 2717-4603 (Online).
Shakya, Sanjay. ‘‘Nepalese Buddhist Master Buddhabhadra, his Contributions, and Popular Contemporary’’, Sugata Bauddha Darpan, Vol 6, No 1. 2020 AD. ISSN 2738-9677
Shakya, Sanjay. ‘‘The stylistic cliché of Padmapāni Bodhisattva in Caturvyūha Caitya: a unique contribution by Nepalese Artists ’’. Up to date (Peer Reviewed Journal), Vol 4, No 1. 2019 AD.
Shakya, Sanjay. ‘‘The Metal Art in Nepal ’’. Lumbinī Prabhā, Vol 4, No 1. 2019 AD. ISSN: 2616-0196
Shakya, Sanjay. ‘‘The Bodhīsattva: an anticipatory step in Buddhism’’. Lumanti pau Smarika, Vol 1, No 1. 2019 AD.
Shakya, Sanjay. ‘‘The Historicity of Caitya’’. Sugata Bauddha Darpan, Vol 5, No 1. 2019 AD.
Shakya, Sanjay. ‘‘Caturvyuha Caitya: The distinct Typology in Nepalese Caitya’’. Lumbinī
Prabhā, Vol 3, No 1. 2018 AD. ISSN: 2616-0196
Shakya, Sanjay. ‘‘Development of Heterogeneous Buddhist Sects in India’’. Buddhayāna, Vol 1, No 1. 2017AD.
Shakya, Sanjay. ‘‘Buddhāyā Madhyama Mārga Wo Ativāda” (Newāri). [Eng; Middle path of Buddha and Extremities] Kusalāśis, Vol 1, No. 1, 2012 AD.
Shakya, Sanjay. Vrihata Lumbini ko Mriņamaya sathai Dhatukalāko Rahasya . Paper presented at Lumbini Buddhajayanti Kosh, YMBA at the YMBA Premise, Patan, organized by Lumbini Buddhajayanti Kosh, 4 May 2024.
Shakya, Sanjay. Bodhisattva in Mahayāna Buddhism and its Implication from Modern Perspectives. Paper presented at Lumbini Buddhist University at the University Premise, Lumbini, organized by Dean Office: faculty of Buddhist Studies, from 2-3 March 2024.
Shakya, Sanjay. An Artist’s Observation for Identification and Provenance of Lost Images. Paper presented at International Conference on Preserving and Protecting Nepal’s Heritage” at the Taragon Next Museum, Boudha, organized by Treasure Caretaker Training from 6-7 October 2023
Shakya, Sanjay. The Vajrapāṇi Bodhisattva and his Iconic Transformations. Paper presented at International Conference on Buddhism, Creative and Art organized by Kathmandu University Center for Buddhist Studies at RYI (Rangjung Yeshe Institute) in Bouddha from 28-30 April 2023.
Shakya, Sanjay. Interpreting “Śākyabhikṣu” from Newāḥ Buddhist Practices of Nepal Maṇḍala. Paper presented at 9th SSEASR Conference (South and Southeast Asian Association for the Study of Culture and Religion) organized by Central Department of Nepalese History, Culture and Archaeology, Tribhuvan University from 2-4 April 2023.
Shakya, Sanjay. The Buddha and Compassion in Aśvaghoṣa’s Buddhacarita. Paper presented at Buddha Theatre Festival 2022 organized by Government of Nepal, Kathmandu Metropolitan, Bagmati Province of Nepal in Rāstriya Nāchghar on 31st March.
Shakya, Sanjay. Yajñopavita and its stylistic chronology with special reference to Padmapāṇi Avalokiteśvara in Nepal. Paper presented at 4th International Conference on Vajrayāna Buddhism in Bhutan organized in close collaboration with the InternationalBuddhist Confederation, India, The Centre for Bhutan and GNH studies, and the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan in Bhutan from 1-4 October.
Shakya, Sanjay and Kayastha, Swosti. R, Pandemic and Buddhist Response. Paper presented at The Fourth Asian Buddhism Connection International Virtual Conference 2022 jointly organized by Akseśvara Mahāvihara and Buddhasavika Foundation, Thailand from 25-26 March.
Shakya, Sanjay. Understanding the Peripheries for Arniko. Paper presented on Arniko day in “Traditional Handicraft Exhibition” organized by Nepal Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), 11 March. 2022 Shakya, Sanjay. Antiquity of Buddhist tradition and its perspectives during Ancient time in Nepal. Paper presented at Buddhist Conference on “History, Culture and Practices in Baha and Bahi of Nepalmaṇḍala” organized by Bauddha Vihāra Sangha Lalitpur, from 5-6 March.
Shakya, Sanjay. Dynamics of Art in Vajrayāna Tradition for the Prosperity of Nepal. Paper presented at First Triyāna Prajñā Conference organized by Lumbini Buddhist University on its 17th Anniversary, Lumbini Province of Nepal in Lumbini Buddhist University from 1-2 December.
Shakya, Sanjay. Use of Wooden Gong (Dharmagaṇḍi) in Buddhist Monasteries and Sudden Scenic Transformation with Special reference to Hiraṇyavarṇa Mahāvihāra.Paper presented at Buddha Theatre Festival 2021 organized by the Government of Nepal, Kathmandu Metropolitan, Bagmati Province of Nepal in Rastriya Nachghar from 21-27 March.
Shakya, Sanjay. Chronology of Artistic Embellishment in Nepalese Stone Images of Padmapani Avalokitsvara. Paper presented at First International Buddhism Art, Culture and Literature Festival 2020 organized by Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment of Province 5 and Lumbini Buddhist University on Lumbini, Nepal 24-26 February.
Shakya, Sanjay. Strengthening of Buddhist Engagement and Learning milieu between Nepal and China. Paper presented at the International Buddhist conference entitled Buddhism Culture Exchange for an Enhance People to People Connectivity: China, India, and Nepal organized by China Association for Friendship and Institute of South Asian Studies, Sichuan University on Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China 23-27 Nov.
Shakya, Sanjay. The Story and Tradition of Bungadyo in Patan: Spiritual Migration of Karunamaya from Kamarupa to the Kathmandu Valley. Paper presented at the Third International Buddhist conference entitled Buddhism and Historical Contexts organized by Aksheswor Mahavihar, Kathmandu, Nepal on 8-9 June.
Shakya, Sanjay. The Stylistic cliché of Padmapani bodhisattva in Caturvyuha caitya: A unique contribution of Nepalese artists. Paper presented at the International Buddhist conference on Lumbini: The birthplace of Lord Buddha and the Fountain of Buddhism and World Peace, 28-29 April.
Shakya, Sanjay. The historicity of Caitya, 13 February, Sugat Bauddha Mahavidyalaye, Pātan, Nepal.
Shakya, Sanjay. Propagation of Buddhism in China with special reference to Buddhabhadra (359-429 CE). 31 July, Sugata Buddhist College, Pātan, Nepal. 2017 Shakya, Sanjay. The Cult of Padmapaņi Alias Avalokiteśvara in Pātan. Paper presented at the international conference on China Tibet Culture Forum, 6-7 June, Hotel Yak and Yeti,Kathmandu, Nepal
(2012) Nepāl Vidhyā Bhusan ‘Kha’: Awarded by The Rt. Honorable President of Nepal, Mr. Dr. Ram Varana Yadav to commemorate National Education Day in the President’s residency on 8 September 2012 (23rd Bhadra 2069 B.S).
(2012) Vedjwālā Gold Medal: Awarded by The Rt. Honorable Prime Minister of Nepal Mr. Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai on 37th Tribhuvan University Convocation Day held on 8 July 2012 for securing the highest mark in M.A. in Buddhist Studies. (Dissertation entitled: “Padmapāņi Lokeśvara images of Pātan monasteries: A
Cultural Study”. Supervisor: Associate Prof. Dr. Milan Ratna Shakya, Head of Buddhist Studies Department, Tribhuvan University, External Examiner: Prof. Dr. Tulsi Ram Vaidhya, Former Vice Chancellor of Lumbini Buddhist University).
(2011) The grant received from the Gompa Management Committee, The Government body of Nepal for M.A Research.
