Buddhist community seeks CM's help in Mahabodhi temple issue
2
Nagpur: A group of Buddhist monks and community leaders, headed by former minister and MLA Nitin Raut, appealed to chief minister
Devendra Fadnavis
on Wednesday to back their demand for administrative control of Mahabodhi Mahavihara in
Bodh Gaya
, Bihar, a Unesco heritage site, to be handed over to the community.
The delegation asserted that the temple serves as a spiritual and cultural cornerstone for millions of Buddhists worldwide. They contended that the current governance structure denies Buddhists a meaningful role in managing the site. "Mahabodhi Mahavihara is not just a place of worship — it embodies the self-respect and identity of crores of followers. Yet, Buddhists remain symbolic participants in its administration," Raut stated.
The delegation urged Fadnavis to support their cause and advocate for a transparent, secular administration led by Buddhist Sangha. "The state must take a firm and immediate stand. This is a fair and justified demand of the community," the memorandum stated.
The community leaders warned that failure to address the issue would prompt a nationwide awareness campaign and a peaceful democratic movement to secure rightful representation.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Turn everyday drives into standout moments.
Toyota Glanza
Learn More
Undo
"If this demand is ignored, we will initiate a mass movement across India," the memorandum concluded.
Among those present included representatives of All India Bhikkhu Sangha, including Bhante Vinay Rakkhito, Bhante Gyanbodhi Mahathero, Bhikkhuni Dhammadinna, and other senior monks and followers such as Ashok Godghate and Bandopant Tembhurne.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
32 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Dalai Lama turns 90: Monk, exile, Nobel laureate and symbol of hope
On July 6, 1935, a boy named Lhamo Dhondup was born in a small village in Amdo, northeastern Tibet. The sixth of sixteen children, his early life was marked by simplicity and hardship—his parents were barley farmers, his mother remembered as endlessly kind, and his father temperamental but fair. At age two, his fate changed forever. A Tibetan government search party—guided by omens and visions—arrived at Kumbum Monastery and identified him as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama. In a series of tests, the toddler correctly recognised possessions of his predecessor, proclaiming, 'It's mine.' This convinced the high lamas that they had found the 14th Dalai Lama. What followed was a wrenching separation from his family and early life in monasteries under strict discipline. In 1940, he was formally enthroned in Lhasa and renamed Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso. The journey from a remote village to the Potala Palace marked the beginning of a spiritual and political saga that would span the century. A monk forced to rule too early Tenzin Gyatso began his monastic education at the age of six, studying under the Nalanda curriculum. Subjects ranged from Buddhist philosophy and logic to Sanskrit grammar and poetry. He would go on to attain the Geshe Lharampa degree, equivalent to a doctorate in Buddhist studies. But the burden of spiritual tutelage soon gave way to geopolitical responsibility. In 1950, at just 15, he was urged by senior monks and government oracles to take on full political authority, as Chinese troops invaded eastern Tibet. Despite efforts to initiate dialogue with the Chinese leadership—including meetings with Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai in 1954—the People's Liberation Army tightened its grip. In March 1959, following a failed uprising and intelligence about a plot to abduct or assassinate him, the Dalai Lama disguised himself as a soldier and fled Lhasa. After crossing the Himalayas under harsh conditions, he reached Arunachal Pradesh and was granted asylum by India. Building a new Tibet in exile In exile, the Dalai Lama transformed from a besieged leader into a builder of institutions. The Indian government, under former Prime Minister Jawaharlala Nehru, helped establish schools for Tibetan children, rehabilitation centres for refugees, and eventually the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in Dharamsala, now known as 'Little Lhasa". On June 20, 1959, the Dalai Lama officially repudiated the Seventeen-Point Agreement signed under duress with China. He announced his vision for a democratic Tibet and began creating a system of self-governance among the refugees. In 1963, he introduced the Charter of Tibetans in Exile, laying the foundation for a democratic polity with legislative, executive and judicial branches. By 2001, Tibetans in exile were electing their political leader—the Kalon Tripa—through universal adult franchise. In 2011, the Dalai Lama formally devolved his political authority, ending a 368-year-old tradition of spiritual-political rule. 'I am now a retired monk,' he said, even as he remained the symbolic heartbeat of the Tibetan cause. A global symbol of compassion and resistance While he remained stateless, the Dalai Lama became a citizen of the world. Travelling to over 67 countries, meeting leaders, scientists, religious scholars and activists, he carried a message of compassion, interdependence and non-violence. His 1987 Five-Point Peace Plan, proposed before the US Congress, called for Tibet to be declared a zone of peace and demanded protection of Tibet's fragile ecology and culture. In 1989, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his advocacy of non-violent struggle in the face of aggression. The Nobel Committee praised his consistent opposition to the use of violence and his concern for global environmental issues. Through the Mind and Life Institute, he fostered dialogue between Buddhist monks and scientists on topics such as neurobiology, consciousness, and emotional regulation—creating a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern science. Question of succession As he enters his tenth decade, the Dalai Lama has turned focus to a question that carries deep spiritual and political weight: his succession. In 2011, he issued a formal statement detailing how a 15th Dalai Lama could be recognised—through traditional Buddhist procedures involving senior lamas and divination rituals—not political appointments. On July 2, 2025, he made it clear that the authority to recognise his reincarnation rests solely with the Gaden Phodrang Trust established by him. Dalai Lama has repeatedly said that any successor selected by Beijing would not be accepted. 'In order (for the) Chinese government to take responsibility for reincarnation in general, particularly me, first, Chinese communists should accept the theory of rebirth,' he had remarked in 2017. Legacy beyond Tibet Today, the Dalai Lama remains a towering moral figure, even without territorial power. His life has become emblematic of the spiritual resilience of Tibet and a broader global yearning for moral clarity in an age of polarisation and authoritarianism. From a farming family in a forgotten Tibetan village to becoming the face of non-violent resistance and interfaith dialogue, his journey is without parallel. He has written over 110 books, been honoured with more than 150 awards, and inspired generations with the simplest of ideas—that inner peace is the first step toward world peace. As Dalai Lama turns 90, the world celebrates not just a spiritual teacher, but a guiding light in today's polarising world. In his own words: "Basically, the universal responsibility is feeling for other people's suffering just as we feel our own. It is the realisation that even our enemy is entirely motivated by the quest for happiness. We must recognise that all beings want the same thing that we want. This is the way to achieve a true understanding, unfettered by artificial consideration."
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
BJP, Nitish Kumar made Bihar crime capital of India: Rahul Gandhi on Gopal Khemka killing
With prominent businessman Gopal Khemka being shot dead outside his residence in Patna, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the incident has once again proven that the BJP and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar have together made Bihar the "crime capital of India". Gandhi also asserted that in the upcoming assembly polls, the vote will not be just to change the government, but to save the state. Khemka was shot dead outside his residence in Patna by a bike-borne assailant, seven years after miscreants had gunned down his son in Hajipur, police said on Saturday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is your tinnitus getting worse? Do this immediately (Watch) Hearing Magazine Undo The incident took place around 11.40 pm on Friday near the gate of Khemka's house in Gandhi Maidan locality as he was about to alight from his car, they said. In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said the shooting of businessman Gopal Khemka in Patna has once again proven that the BJP and Nitish Kumar have together made Bihar the "crime capital of India". Live Events "Today, Bihar is living under the shadow of loot, gunshots and murder. Crime has become the new normal here - and the government has completely failed," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said. "Brothers and sisters of Bihar, this injustice cannot be tolerated any more. The government that cannot protect your children cannot take responsibility for your future either," he said. Every murder, every loot, every bullet is a cry for change, Gandhi said. "Now is the time for a new Bihar - where there is progress, not fear. This time, the vote is not just to change the government, but to save Bihar," he said. An SIT, comprising officials of the Special Task Force and sleuths of the central district police, has been constituted to supervise the ongoing investigation into the businessman's murder, the DGP has said. The incident comes just months ahead of the assembly polls, which are likely to take place around October-November.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
From Fear of Maoists to Future of Chhattisgarh: Education returns to Abujhmarh's forgotten village
RAIPUR: The primary school at remote Irkabhatti village of insurgency-hit Abujhamarh region in Chhattisgarh, once desolate and locked up, has come alive again with the chatter of children and the sound of lessons being taught. This village in Narayanpur district in Bastar division, which was long silenced due to Maoist violence, is now witnessing a hopeful resurgence of education. Irkabhatti was one such village where, despite the villagers' efforts to improve their lives, basic needs like education remained out of reach. For years, the impact of Maoist activities had dimmed the colours of village life, books slipped from children's hands, schoolyards stood deserted, and even the rhythmic beat of the mandaar drums faded away. Irkabhatti was one such village where, despite the villagers' efforts to improve their lives, basic needs like education remained out of reach. This was made possible under the 'Niyad Nella Nar' ('Your Good Village') scheme and focused strategic efforts of state govt. Ramsay Kakadam, a local resident, shared, 'Earlier, we thought our children might never even know the name of a school. But now, with teachers appointed and the school reopened, it feels like the village has come back to life.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The 'Niyad Nella Nar' initiative has sparked new hope in remote, conflict-affected villages like Irkabhatti, particularly those within a 5-kilometer radius of security camps, where government schemes are being implemented effectively. In Irkabhatti, road connectivity and electricity have arrived, and after years of closure, the primary school doors have been opened once again. Two regular teachers, Ashok Bhagat and Leela Netam, have been posted at the school. They not only educate the children but also motivate parents to send their kids to school regularly. Teacher Leela Netam said, 'At first, we were scared to come here. But the children's smiles erase all fears. These children are very intelligent—they just needed a chance. Every day, we try to teach them something new. Today, more than a dozen children are studying here. Little hands hold books, and in their eyes are dreams of the future. Earlier, people were afraid even to send their children to school; now, parents come carrying their kids on their shoulders to drop them off.' The village elder Mangtu Bai, with tears of joy in her eyes, said, 'Now our granddaughter can study and become an officer. We never imagined we would see this day.' The story of Irkabhatti is not just about one village but thousands like it, once engulfed in neglect and insecurity. Now, thanks to schemes like 'Niyad Nella Nar' and strategic governance, rays of hope have dawned in their lives. The flame of education has been rekindled—and this time, it is here to stay.
