• Buddhist ethics and Monastic discipline (Vinaya Pitaka)
• Sutta Pitaka - Discourses of the Buddha
• Abhidhamma Pitaka – Buddhist Philosophical Psychology
• Life of the Buddha and Jataka stories.
• Comprehensive course on Pali language.
• History of Pali language and literature
• Memorization of Pali suttas.
• Buddhist meditation
• Buddhist social philosophy, culture and civilization.
• English, Hindi and Local Language.
• General Knowledge
• Computer Science
• Basic Science, Social, Indian Culture & Mathematics

• Pariyatti Pathama: Secondary school education, from class Six to class Ten, on completion of which Pali School Leaving Certificate (PSLC) is awarded.
• Pariyatti Majjhima : Equivalent to pre-university diploma course.
• Pariyatti Osana: Equivalent to Bachelor’s degree (with the title Dhamma Kosalo)
• Pariyatti Pandita: Equivalent to Master’s degree (with the title Dhamma Pandito)
• Dhammacariyo: Equivalent to PHD (with the title Achariya)

• Anagarika Ordination: On admission they are given Anagarika ordination and candidates will remain as Anagarikas for 2-4 years, depending on their age and learn all the basic things in Vinaya and Dhamma.
• Samanera Ordination: Those who have completed certain level of study and discipline practice get ordained as Samaneras.
• Bhikkhu Ordination: On attaining 20 years of age and completing all the basic studies and practice monks get ordained as Bhikkhus.

The basic training of a Bhikkhu is to follow the Vinaya and go deeper into meditation practice which ennobles oneself and it leads to one’s goal of Nibbana. Other trainings are given as per the temperament and interests of bhikkhus in certain field/s such as

• Meditation practices
• Giving discourses on Buddhism.
• Memorization of suttas and preaching dhamma.
• Monastery management
• Setting up and running Buddhist institutions etc
• Organizing religious events
• Conducting dana services and patient counseling and humanitarian activities
• Buddhist painting and artistic skills
• Guiding Buddhist religious and cultural programs

Mediation is the heart of a monk’s life. Learning without practice becomes only an intellectual activity whereas learning along with meditation helps to grow in wisdom. The monks have to spend certain amount of days every year in meditation at Mahabodhi Meditation Center or some other meditation places and are trained under meditation teachers.

Every day in the morning from 7:15 a.m. to 08:00 a.m. all the monks assemble for discussing daily issues, work and studies. It serves also a time to train monks to give Dhamma talk to a gathering. This program is in keeping with the Buddha’s advice to get together often and discuss issues concerning monastic life and Sangha matters.

Below is a suitable daily schedule followed by monks at MBSB

• 05:00 am Wake up and getting refreshed
• 05:30 am to 06:30 am Puja, Meditation
• 06: 45 am to 07: 15 am Breakfast
• 07:15 am to 08:00 am Monastic assembly and Dhammapada class
• 08:00 am to 08:45 am Cleaning, Decorating and study
• 08:45 am Morning School Assembly
• 09: 00 am to 11:00 am Morning Classes
• 11: 15 am to 12: 00 am Lunch
• 12:30 am to 01:45 pm Rest
• 02: 00 pm to 04: 15 pm Afternoon Classes
• 04:15 pm to 05: 45 pm Tea, Cleaning, Games and Bathing.
• 06: 00 pm to 07: 00 pm Evening Puja and Meditation
• 07:00 pm to 07: 30 pm Gilanapaccaya (Juice)
• 07: 30 pm to 09: 00 pm Studies
• 09: 00 pm to 09: 30 pm Metta Chanting and Instructions by Wardens
• 09:30 pm Rest

Saturday afternoon is reserved for cleaning time in the monastery and dormitories and monks shave and wash their clothes. Sunday afternoon is free time.

Mahabodhi Monastic Library contains good collection of books from all parts of the world written by various well-known Buddhist scholars and writers. The monks are encouraged to study these books and to do research on the Pali canon, Tipitaka, and in other Buddhist fields, i.e., Buddhist History, Culture, Civilization, Traditions etc.

Mahabodhi burns and casualty center is dedicated to the service of burns patients which is one of the biggest in India. Today it houses and treats hundreds of burns patients. It is situated in Victoria Hospital complex in the heart of Bengaluru city and is managed by the Government of Karnataka.

The monks and lay devotees of Mahabodhi Society visit the hospital every month and distribute fruits, buns etc., to the patients and provide counseling to the patients and relatives.

The hospital Dāna service was started by Bada Bhanteji way back in 1956 when he saw the suffering of people in Victoria Hospital. It is one of the earliest programs of MBSB. This program is one of the closest to our founder and as well it touches the life of many needy people. Even today the Dana is practiced with joy to demonstrate ‘compassion in action’. Every Purnima – full moon day the monks visit Hospital with fruits packets and other essential relief materials to give to poor patience at Victoria Hospital. Monthly once or twice nutritious lunch is offered to 350 poor cancer patients at Kidwai Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru.

Mahabodhi has supported many poor people to receive medical support. During the natural disasters or difficult times, Mahabodhi always does its best to help as many people as possible. Due to Corona virus crisis thousands of people are getting relief materials through Mahabodhi.

Venerable Acharya Buddharakkhita was determined to build a hospital with the concept of holistic medicine in Jayanagar Bengaluru. He built Mahabodhi Arogya Hospital which has served countless people. Work is going on to expand the services giving more facilities.

Mahabodhi Karuna Medical Center is running offering free medical care to the needy since 45 years. In earlier years it was artificial limb center where limbs were manufactured and donated in the villages. Today with modern technology 3D prints of limbs are made and offered. Medical camps and student health program are run under this center.

Diyun is one of the remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh and the CHC is not adequate to care the densely populated area. Even for small ailments poor people had to hire taxi and travel three hours to Tinsukia. Therefore, Mahabodhi Karuna Charitable Medical Center was started in 2014. Since then thousands of people are getting treatment and it is open 24 hours 365 days. The minor operations and child deliveries and also conducted here. Only complicated cases are referred to bigger cities. Those interested may help to extend our services.

Dhammacaris are the lay people who follow the sila well, practice meditation and selflessly dedicate lot of their time for community services. In the absence of monks most of the places need a guide and leader to conduct ceremonies and organize programs. And even if monks are there kappiyas, assistants are needed to deal with certain household issues. The Dhammacaris serve as such organizers, guides, mentors, leaders. Courses are conducted to train the Dhammacaris, so that good moral and spiritual householder kalyanamittas are available for people in need.

Important days related to the life of the Buddha like Buddha Jayanti (Vaishakha Purnima), Dhammacakkha Day (Guru Purnima), Pavarana Day (Ashwini Purnima) and other festivals are celebrated with meaningful programs at Mahabodhi. The birth anniversary of Ven.Acharya Buddharakkhita is celebrated as Dhammapada Festival (Phalguna Purnima). After the Vassa- three months rains retreat after Ashwini purnima one day Kathina festival is organized to offer the Kathina robe and other needs of a monastery. Sometime night long paritta chanting and meditation organized for the welfare of all beings.

It is very important as follower of Lord Buddha to put compassion in practice. When so many people are suffering, it is a great spiritual practice to share, small or big, with the suffering people. Normally Mahabodhi responds to natural calamities and now in situation like Corona problem. You are most welcome to join our relief programs either by donating or by volunteering. Or if you wish we can organize a relief camp for a specific purpose.