Amidst the crowded Gandhinagar locality lies a serene area on the Kalidasa Road known as the Maha Bodhi Society (MBS). It was founded by Venerable Acharaya Buddharakkhita Maha Thera, a senior monk in 1956 with an aim of not only to spread the teachings of Buddha, but also to provide the inspiration and facilities for putting that teaching into practice through spiritual, social and educational activities.

The Maha Bodhi World Peace Buddha Temple, a stupa, a Bodhi tree and the monastery render monumental value to the centre.

They are involved in various services and projects. Young men are given intensive training to qualify as capable and experienced teachers at the Bikku training center known as Sangharama.

The Meditation Centre at the Society's Shrine room has been giving practical training to a large number of people in calmness and insight meditations.

The Maha Bodhi Arogya Hospital situated on the outskirts of Bangalore caters to the needs of underprivileged people of the slums.

The Maha Bodhi Burns and Casualty Center at Victoria Hospital is constructed in a two-storeyed building and handed over to the government to treat the patients of burns and other causalities.

They have set up a residential school where around sixty boys are provided with free boarding, education and health care. It has a branch at Mysore, which has a primary school with a strength of 200 students and a hostel for 65 students and there are plans to develop the school up to high school level.

These projects are run on the donations received from the Government and local people. Patrons can avail income tax rebate on these donations.

The society publishes a periodical called Dhamma both in Kannada and English and other books related to Buddism. They distribute these books throughout India free of cost.

The Buddha Jayanti (Vesak) is celebrated in the month of May, the Dhamma Pada festival on the founder's birthday and the Dhamma Chakka Pavathanna in July are the main festivals that are observed. Monks from all over the country along with locals grace the occasion.

Their future plans include construction of a school for 800 children, a hostel for 200 children, a guesthouse for visiting devotees, an institute for Buddhology, establishing a monastic institute and upgradation of the Arogya Hospital.




Address:
MAHA BODHI SOCIETY
14, Kalidasa Road,
Gandhinagar, Bangalore - 560 009.
Tel : 2225 0684,
Email: mahabodhi.society@gems.vsnl.net.in

Jai Prasad V.Rai

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