Mahabodhi Meditation and Cultural Center Bodhgaya was inaugurated on the occasion of the Dhammapada Festival, the 98th birthday of Most Venerable Acharya Buddharakkhita on the 8th and 9th March 2020.
MMCC, Bodhgaya is the new sister organization of Maha Bodhi Society, Bengaluru, developed to fulfill the wish of our founder Most Venerable Acharya Buddharakkhita.
The center consists of three building-
- Meditation hall with library and Stupa on the top,
- Monks residential building and
- Lay people’s residential building.
This center will function as meditation center for residential retreats and at other times as pilgrim center. All are welcome to make the best use of it.
On 8th March 2020, Sunday at Mahabodhi Meditation and Cultural Center Bodhgaya the Meditation Hall and Library was inaugurated by Ven Sanghasena Mahathera, the President of Mahabodhi International Meditation Center, Leh Ladakh. The Lord Buddha Statue inside the Meditation Hall was unveiled by Ven Chalinda Mahathera, the Chief Monk of Mahabodhi Mahavihara Bodhgaya. The Lay people residential building was inaugurated by Ms. Monica Thaddey and Mr. Alex of Mahabodhi Metta Foundation, Switzerland. The Bhavana- monks residential building was inaugurated by Ven Phraathikan Suphit Rakkhitathammo of Thailand. Shri Vijay Kumar Manjhi, Member of Parliament, Gaya was the Chief Guest. Shir Kumar Sarvjeet, Member of Legislative Assembly Bodhgaya was the Guest of Honor. The inauguration program was conducted by Ven Panyarakkhita under the guidance of Most Ven Kassapa Mahathera, President of Maha Bodhi Society, Bengaluru and its sister organization. On the same occasion 3 books were released, they are 1. The Dhammapada- Pali and English translation, 2. Comprehensive Course on Buddhism and 3. Saying of Bada Bhanteji. All the above books were authored by Most Venerable Acharya Buddharakkhita. There were Sanghadana and lunch organized for all the participant and later in the noon the Dhammapada verses was recited by the monks of Maha Bodhi Society, Bengaluru.
9th March 2020, Monday was a day dedicated to meditation. The morning section from 9 AM to 11 AM, There was Paritta Chanting and Meditation was organized at the Holy Bodhi Tree at Mahabodhi Mahavihara for WORLD HEALTH- Freedom from COVID 19 (Coronovirus) in collaboration with Mahabodhi International Meditation Center, Leh Ladakh. From 1 PM to 4 PM meditation was conducted at MMCC. At 6 PM all gather under the Holy Bodhi Tree at Mahabodhi Mahavihara to perform the evening chanting, meditation and sharing of merit with all the donor, supporter and all.
We thank all the Sangha members for participating and blessing the center. We thank all the donors who have generously helped us to make these programs successful. May all beings be well and happy.
