World’s largest book part of display to honor Dalai Lama

Friday, August 27, 2010

The Oxford Press
By Meagan Engle, Staff Writer
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The Bhutan, the world's largest book, is displayed with a special exhibit at Miami University's Walter Havinghurst Special Collections on the third floor of King Library. Staff photo by Meagan Engle

OXFORD — The largest book in the world is on display in Special Collections at King Library on Miami University’s campus.

“The Bhutan: A Visual Odyssey Across the Last Himalayan Kingdom” is part of an exhibit in honor of the upcoming visit by the Dalai Lama. The display is free and open to the public during special collections hours.

The Bhutan measures 5 feet by 7 feet when opened and weighs 133 pounds.

Everyone is invited to make an appointment to turn a page in the book, said Janet Stuckey, of special collections.

“Buddhism: An Exhibit in Honor of the Dalai Lama’s Visit” features books written by the Dalai Lama, the Time Magazine cover featuring him, the Life cover on his flight from Tibet to India and more.

Just a few of the Dalai Lama’s 72 publications are on display, but the library does have all on hand. Many of his books focus on happiness, Stuckey said.

“It isn’t necessarily about Buddhism, but it’s about living in harmony. That’s why he’s a man of peace,” Stuckey said.

Also included in the exhibit are prayer beads, a Thai Dream Book manuscript, two Thai fortune telling/astrology manuscripts, and a palm leaf manuscript in Pali, which preceded the more modern ancient Siamese language, which is believed to be more than 600 years old.

The Walter Havighurst Special Collection section of King Library is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

For more information, call (513) 529-3323 or visit www. spec.lib.muohio.edu.

Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139 or mengle@coxohio.com.