‘The Revival of Buddhism in India ’ – Public Talk by Indian Buddhist monk Ven. Rahula Bodhi
Posted on February 28th, 2013
International Buddhist News
A Public Talk on the topic ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”The Revival of Buddhism in IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ will be delivered by the reputed Indian Buddhist monk Ven. Dr. Bhadant Rahula Bodhi Maha Thera on Friday, March 1 commencing at 4.00 p.m. at the Head Quarters of the Maha Bodhi Society, Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Mawatha, Maradana, Colombo 10.
The talk sponsored by the Maha Bodhi Society at the request of the Indo ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Sri Lanka Buddhist Network will deal with the historical legacy of two great pioneers of the Buddhist Revival movement in India, namely, Anagarika Dharmapala, the first global Buddhist missionary and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the father of the Indian Constitution, among others, and discuss the potential and ramifications of the growing Indian Buddhist population which is estimated to be in the vicinity of 70 ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” 90 million people.
Ven. Rahula Bodhi arrived in the island as the leader of an eight member Indian Buddhist delegation last week at the invitation of Dr. Lilaknath Weerasinghe, President ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Success Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ based in Kandy and its membership, which hosted the delegation during their stay in Kandy and Colombo in conjunction with generous assistance provided mainly by the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress and co ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” ordinated by the German Dharmaduta Society (in association with the Indo ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Sri Lanka Buddhist Network), all of which entities constitute Regional Centres of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB).
The primary purpose of the visit of the Indian delegation was to strengthen ties between the Buddhists of the two countries and bring India and Sri Lanka closer to each other through the historical bond and civilizational link of Buddhism.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The installation of a statue in Colombo in honour of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the Indian Buddhist savant, was also enthusiastically explored.
During the course of their visit the Indian Buddhist delegation met HE the President Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, and the Maha Nayaka Theros of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, among others.
Ven. Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thera, President, Maha Bodhi Society will preside at the meeting staging the public talk on March 1.
Brief Biographical sketch of Ven. Dr. Bhadant Rahula Bodhi Maha Thera
1.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Name ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ : Venerable Bhadant Rahula Bodhi MAHA THERA.
2.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Date of BirthƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ : 1st March 1951.
3.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Obtained his Bachelor of Commerce Degree at Nagpur University in 1973.
4.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Obtained Shramaner Pabbjia in 1971 at Nagpur Under Maha Pandit Dr Bhadant Anand Kausalyayan, Sangha Nayak, Maha Thero, of All India Bhikkhu Sangha.
5.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Received Higher Ordination Bhikkhu Upasampada at Buddha Gaya, under the auspicious Enlightenment Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya (Bihar) India.
6.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Travelled to Sri Lanka in 1974 to obtain higher Bhikkhu Training in the Theravada Tradition in Gangaramaya Maha Viharaya Peliyagoda, at Vidyalankar Piriwene Kelaniya and at Paramadharma Chatiya Rajamaha Viharaya Ratmalana Colombo Sri Lanka. Spent a total number of 10years in Sri Lanka engaged in Higher Dhamma training.
7.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Read for the M.A. Degree in Religious Philosophy at Kelaniya University of Sri Lanka from 1979-80.
8.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Delivered Religious Dhamma talks (the Dharma Discourses)ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ on Radio Sri Lanka, On Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, 8000 Dhamma Discourses ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ were delivered ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ on Radio.
9.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Studied Vipassana Meditation Techniques at Kanduboda Vipassana Meditation Centre, Kandy Vipassana Centre, Mihintale Vipassana Meditation Centre ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in Sri Lanka.
10.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Was appointed a member of the Cultural Committee of the Central Ministry Government of India for six years, since 1990-96.
11.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Was a member of the Delegation of Central Government of India to bring holy relics of Lord Buddha from Seoul (Korea) to India in January 1996.
12.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Was a member of Delegation of Central Government of India to carry holy relics of Lord Buddha to Bangkok Thailand in December 1996.
13.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Received M.A. Degree in Pali Literature from University of Bombay in 1990.
14.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Obtained Ph.D. from University of Mumbai, India.
15.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Purchased a huge plot of Land from the Government of Maharashtra atƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Mumbai and Built a three storied big Social EducationalƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Cultural Centre and Maha Buddha Vihara at Mumbai spending over US$ 560,000/- on the Vihar Project.
16.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Established 7 branches of the Bhikku SanghaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s United Buddhist Mission and Maha Buddha Vihara at different towns of India.
17.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Started Sunday Dhamma School training for Teen aged Children at Mumbai.
18.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Established a Dhamma Dayak Sabha for propagating and spreading Buddhism.
19.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ His Excellency, the President of India Dr A.P.J.Abdul Kalam along with other religions spiritual leaders, Bhadant Rahula Bodhi is a founder member of the Foundation for Unity of Religion and Enlighten Citizenship.
20.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Written and Published 15 Books on Dhamma for propagation.
21.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Composed 10 Audio Cassettes on Dhamma for propagation.
22.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Composed and published 12 Video C.Ds and Audio C.D. on Dhamma Discourses for Dhamma propagation.
23.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Attended 18 World Conferences on Buddhism in different countries.
24.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Organization Bhikkhu SanghaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s United Buddhist Mission became a Regional Center of the World Fellowship of Buddhists.
25.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Traveled to United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Burma, Nepal, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and other Countries of the world as a Dhamma Doot for spreading the love and compassionate message of Lord Buddha.
26.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Organized and conducted 250 Vipassana Mediation camps in different cities in India and Abroad.
February 28th, 2013 at 3:26 pm
I suggest professor Ben Silva attend this, if he can spare some of his welfare money from UK.