An oasis of serenity amid chaos

An oasis of serenity amid chaos

Chhaya and Shravya Mouli

English, Hindi, mathematics and science are taught in addition to Buddhist scriptures

Most students at the monastery are from Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh



At peace: A file photo of young Buddhist monks praying at the Maha Bodhi Society in Bangalore.

Bangalore: Amidst the bustling activity on the lanes of Gandhinagar — shoppers bargaining for the best price, whirring traffic and crowded streets — it is hard to believe that there could be such an oasis.

The Maha Bodhi Loka Shanti Buddha Vihara is a world in itself, The Hindu discovers on the occasion of Buddha Poornima.

The Vihara aims not just to teach the Dharma to disciples, but to spread the message of peace and co-existence.

Established in 1956 by Acharya Buddharakkhita, the complex is set amidst one-and-a-half serene, lush acres. And the ambience is so tranquil and secluded from the outside world that you might not want to leave once you are in.

The entire complex has been designed in the Buddhist style of architecture. A prominent structure that catches everyone’s attention is the foundation stone of the Vishwa Mattri Stupa that resembles the famous Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh.
From Thailand

A magnificent idol of the Buddha, six feet in height, and brought from Thailand, is gracefully seated atop a dais in the vast chanting hall and is regarded as the guiding light to all disciples. This hall is open not only to Buddhists but to anyone who wants solitude to meditate or chant. The life of the Buddha has been captured in the form of paintings that adorn the walls. The monastery has four branches all over India: in Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Mysore and Bangalore.

Students from different parts of India come down to enlighten themselves by studying Buddhists manuscripts in Pali.

It is believed that Pali is the language used by Gautam Buddha to preach.

“I like to study the verses in Pali, as we can comprehend them in their original form,” says Dhammabuddhi, a disciple.
130 residents

A large number of these students are from Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. Presently there are 130 students who are studying different aspects of Buddhism: the life of the Buddha, one of the world’s oldest languages Pali, Vinaya (discipline), and various discourses of the Buddha.

In addition to this, English, Hindi, mathematics and science are taught.

“The discourses of the Buddha are my favourite subject,” says nine-year-old Jago, who is talented enough to memorize all 423 verses from the book Dhammapada.
Routine

The monastery follows a particular routine. The day begins at 5 a.m., with activities such as physical exercise, puja, chanting, meditation and gardening.

When asked about what the disciples will do after they complete their course, society treasurer Sangharakkhita says that after the five years spent at the monastery, students can either train to run a monastery or become meditation masters.