The Maha Bodhi Society of India is a charitable, non-profit Buddhist Association dedicated to fulfill the Mission of our Founder – Bodhisattva Anagarika Dharmapala, and for the propagation of The Buddha’s Message of wisdom, peace, compassion and non-violence towards all beings without discrimination of caste, creed, religion or nationality.
It is the premier international Buddhist organization founded by Bodhisattva Anagarika Dharmapala on 31st May 1891 at Colombo, Sri Lanka. At the onset, their main objective was to use it as a frontline vehicle for the worldwide followers of The Buddha, to have the right to worship the most holy Buddhagaya Temple, in Gaya district of the Bihar state, India – where Prince Siddhartha Gautama attained supreme Enlightenment, thus becoming The Tathagata Buddha. In addition, their objective was also to restore all places related to the life of The Buddha – The Most Compassionate One, to enable spread His unbounded Compassion upon sentient beings all over the World.
The Maha Bodhi’, the oldest Buddhist journal in English is being published by the Society since May 1892. It is through this journal, and other publications like Sambodhi, Dhammadhoot etc. the Society communicates and addresses with the world.
The Society has its centres in India with its Headquarters in Kolkata. It has centres in Buddhagaya, Sarnath, Lumbini, New Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Nowgarh and Lucknow. These centres not only propagate the Teaching of The Sakyamuni Buddha, but also are in social welfare activities and being of service to pilgrims of India and other countries by providing accommodation and necessary services.
The headquarters and the other centres of the society organise the Buddha Jayanti celebration on the auspicious day of Buddha Purnima (Vesak full moon day) and observe the Founder’s birth anniversary on 17th September each year.