A research-based book "Buddhism: The Icon of Cultural Linkage with China" was released in the Nepali capital Kathmandu on Sunday.

The book has been published by Nepal China Society, an organization aiming at strengthen the existing mutual relationship between Nepal and China.

Senior Leader of the Unified Communist Party Nepal-Maoist and Former Finance Minister Baburam Bhattarai released the book amidst a function, attended by various scholars, intellectuals, diplomats from Nepal, China, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Baburam Bhattarai said that the first impression he got from the book was that it incorporated articles with intense research, study and analysis. "It is indeed a matter of delight that the book includes all the aspects of a great philosopher, Buddha whose philosophies have been transferred since past 2,500 years," he said.

Bhattarai further said, "Nepal and China share a very long and deep ties. Therefore, we should work towards developing the cultural ties into more strengthened economic and practical ties."

"Buddha was born in Nepal, he attained enlightenment in India and spread more strongly in China. We can, therefore score this relationship towards enhancing a strong bond between the three nations," Bhattarai said.

Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Qiu Guohong expressed his delight on the release of the book. He said that the book was not only about Buddhism culture and development of the religion, but also a book about Nepal-China relationship.

"I believe that the release of the book will further be a milestone in enhancing people-to-people relationship between the two nations," Qiu said.

Further highlighting the Nepal-China relationship, Qiu said that the exchange of high-level visit between the two countries including one by Prime Minister of the caretaker Nepali Government, Madhav Kumar Nepal to China last year, has transformed the good partnership between the two nations towards a more comprehensive partnership.

Likewise, Shankar Thapa, dean at the Tribhuvan University and one of the editors of book, said that the book was an outcome of his participation in the symposium "Buddhist Light: Symposium on Buddhism and Sino-Nepal Cultural Linkage" organized by Jinan University in Guangzhou, China in 2009.

Prem Kumar Pant, chairperson of Nepal China Society and editor of the book, said that the book is an effort to publish scholarly works on Buddhism. "Nepal China Society is determined to strengthen relations between Nepal and China," she said.

Bishnu Hari Nepal, a prominent scholar in Nepal said that the book includes analysis on Buddhism and its relationship with China from the philosophical, cultural and diplomatic point of view.

The book consists of 12 articles from 12 scholars around the world.