Kolkata, September 17, 2024: The Maha Bodhi Society of India celebrated the 160th Birth Anniversary of its founder, the revered Bodhisattva Anagarika Dharmapala, on September 17, 2024, at its headquarters in Kolkata and across all its centers. This significant occasion was marked with a variety of activities, including singing performances, drawing competitions, and essay writing contests in honor of his inspiring legacy. Flowers were respectfully garlanded on statues of Bodhisattva Anagarika Dharmapala at each center as a tribute.
Bodhisattva Anagarika Dharmapala, born on September 17, 1864, in Sri Lanka, was a pioneer of the global Buddhist revival and a tireless advocate for restoring sacred Buddhist sites. It was due to his dedication and efforts that the Maha Bodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya—the hallowed site where Buddha attained Supreme Enlightenment—was restored to a place of respect and reverence. Today, the temple welcomes Buddhists and non-Buddhists from around the world who come to pay homage.
During Dharmapala’s first visit to Bodh Gaya in 1891, he found the Maha Bodhi Temple in a state of neglect, its surroundings in disrepair. This deeply moved him and inspired his lifelong mission to revive the temple and preserve it as a sacred site. His work laid the foundation for the Maha Bodhi Society, established in the same year, with a mission to restore and protect sacred Buddhist sites in India.
The anniversary celebrations featured special Dhamma talks that recalled Dharmapala’s legacy, focusing on his monumental efforts to bring dignity and recognition back to the Maha Bodhi Temple. A Sangha Dana was also conducted, offering alms to the Bhikkhu Sangha to transfer merits to the founder. Monks and devotees gathered in an atmosphere of reflection and gratitude, honoring Dharmapala’s enduring influence on Buddhism, his role in education, and his work in promoting peace and compassion. His vision and legacy continue to inspire Buddhists worldwide in preserving the teachings and compassion of the Buddha.
