Festivals
 Buddhist festivals are joyful community functions whereby one re-asserts faith
in goodness, one rededicates oneself to the path of purity, wisdom, loving
kindness and compassion.
1. Buddha Jayanti - Vesakha - Buddha Day
The full-moon day in the month of Visakha (May) marking the birth, enlightenment
and passing away of the Buddha, is celebrated as a week-long program of intense
spiritual activity and humanitarian service, such as, Week-long Pabbajja retreat
program, hospital dana service, seminars, meditation courses, etc.
2. Dhammacakka Pavattana Day - Dhamma Day
After his enlightenment, the day on which he delivered his first discourse and
thereby set in motion the Wheel of Dhamma is celebrated with solemnity. This
discourse epitomizes the entire teaching of the Buddha. This is on the full-moon
day of July. This day also marks the beginning of the Vassa Vasa - Rains retreat
for monks for three months.
3. Pavarana Day - Sangha Day
Pavarana day signifies the conclusion of the Rain's Retreat, a three-month long
period of intense spiritual practice and meditation. This day is observed as
Civara dana day by the lay devotees who take this opportunity to offer robes and
other requisites to the holy order of monks.
4. Dhammapada Festival
Dhammapada epitomizes the entire teachings of the Buddha in 423 verses of pure
wisdom. The festival comprises of Puja and discourses, seminars on the
Dhammapada, so as to be a guide to practical living. This is also celebrated as
Founder's Birthday on Full-Moon-Day of March.
Mahabodhi Loka Shanti Buddha Vihara
The Mahabodhi World Peace Buddha Temple is a magnificent structure, with imposing Gopuras, towers. It is the replica of the famous Mahabodhi Mahavihara of Buddhagaya, where the Buddha attained Supreme Enlightenment.
The commodious shrine hall of the temple, with a seating capacity of 500, is dominated by a large effulgent statue of Buddha, donated by the Thai royalty along with the two standing statues of the two chief disciples of the Buddha, Venerable Sariputta and Venerable Mahamoggallana. All public functions, devotions, observances,
Dhamma discourses and meditation sessions are conducted in the hall of this Vihara. 24 beautiful paintings depicting salient incidents in the life of the Buddha adorn the walls.
This Vihara also houses a community hall with stage facilities. This hall is used for social functions, artistic and cultural shows, seminars and for
Dhamma-study activities.
Mahabodhi Meditation Center
The path leading to cessation of suffering is basically a process of purification. Hence, the purification of mind becomes very important. In this regard disciples are encouraged to spend a little time everyday in silent meditation. The mindfulness meditations are taught. A hall specially meant for monks and serious meditators is situated in the old building.
Mahabodhi Vishwa Maitri Stupa
This
Stupa, a typical architectural edifice is located on the right side of the Loka Shanti Buddha Vihara. Stupa means a shrine, the object of veneration. The granite Vishwa Maitri Stupa at Maha Bodhi Society enshrines a relic of the Buddha and the entire Pali Tipitaka. Its structural design symbolically represents the fundamental teachings of the Buddha, as the four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, Progress from the gross to the Subtle, etc.
 
The four Buddha figures depict the Buddha in action. The Pathway around the Stupa is used for circumambulation while reciting the Cetiya
Puja.
The ornamental gateway to Stupa is of the same artistic design as that of the great Sanchi Stupa.
Sacred Bodhi Tree
The premises of Maha Bodhi Society includes a luxuriant Bodhi Tree, ficus religiosa. This is unique tree because it has grown from a sapling taken from the original Mahabodhi tree under which the Buddha sat and became the Enlightened One at Buddha Gaya.
The Buddha, after his Supreme Enlightenment gazed at this tree for 7 days and
vitalized it with the power of his enlightenment so that his followers in the
future can worship it and accumulate spiritual merit. Devotees visit this tree
regularly for devotional circumambulation, and for meditating under it.
Sunday Discourses
Sunday discourse is the most significant program of the Mahabodhi society. Since its inception in the middle of June 1956, the society has been conducting this program every Sunday without a break.
The program commences at 9.30 and runs till 11.15am at the Mahabodhi Loka shanti temple, starting with a short puja, then undertaking refuges and precepts and practice of meditation.
It is conducted by Ven. Acharya Buddharakkhita and his senior disciples. Ven. Acharya now delivers talks on every Sunday through video conferencing since he is not able to sit in the preaching hall for long due to his age. It is translated into Kannada by Venerable Ananda. Everybody is welcome to attend the program irrespective of caste, gender or religion.
How you can Help?
Mahabodhi Society is a non-profit organization and all its activities are run entirely with the generous support of the donors and well-wishers. You may support the activities in the following ways.
1. Making donations for any of the programmes
Buddha Jayanti Celebration (May full moon day) Dhammacakka Pavattana day (July full moon day) Pavarana day (October full moon day). Dhammapada Festival (March Full moon day) Sunday Dhamma discourse & meditation Program Maintenance of the temple, Stupa and Bodhi tree. Offering of candles, incense sticks and flowers
2. Volunteer in organizing the above listed programmes.
3. Support a project.
4. Sponsor Sunday Dhamma and meditation program.
Contact Maha Bodhi Society at info@mahabodhi.info or Tel: 080-22250684
 |
.JPG)
