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 Buddhism has been accepted more as a religion than as a way of life. Today, Buddha who did not believe in the existence of God, is worshipped and Buddhist temples have become pilgrimage centres for the several lakhs of Buddhists in India and abroad. It is estimated that there are around three lakhs Buddhists in Tamil Nadu alone. Buddhism though not widely followed in India – the country of its origin – has spread its roots in several other countries. It is the primary religion in countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and Myanmar.
The Maha Bodhi Society has the distinction of being the only Buddha temple of South India. The Society is functioning from Kennets Lane, in the vicinity of Chennai Egmore Railway Station. It is said that it was originally proposed to locate the Society in Perambur. However, the proximity of the
r ailway station was a compelling reason for the choice of the present location, as it would be convenient for pilgrims from or via Rameswaram and other such places. Therefore, the land was purchased from a catholic mission and the temple was consecrated in November 1946. It was remodelled in 1983.
A huge 18 feet Buddha statue stands in the ground floor, as you enter the Society. There is another statue, 24 feet long, representing Buddha in the reclining posture. Many pilgrims throng the temple everyday mainly from Sri Lanka and the northern parts of India.
The activities of the Society
The Society provides accommodation and other facilities to pilgrims. The Buddhist Monks in the Society give out information and guidance to the pilgrims and disseminate Buddhist tenets and ideologies. It organises a seminar every year, on Viska Poornima – the full moon day in the month Vaikasi. Another seminar is conducted on September 7th every year, the birthday of Anagariga Dhammapala, the founder of the society. It also holds group discussions on full moon days of each month, attended by Buddhists from Chennai and suburbs, in large numbers.
Apart from this, there are classes on Dhamma, every Sunday, where the principles of Buddhism are taught. The Society also runs free medical camps, thrice a week, in association with Dr. Shanmugam, a homeopath. The building is maintained with the funds from Sri Lankan pilgrims. Vana. Mudalakkuliye Ratnajothi, one of the chief heads of the Society informed us that the Government has stopped its grants after the bomb blast in the building in 1983.
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‘We receive sufficient funds in the form of donations from pilgrims. We therefore did not approach the government in this regard. Further, we don’t believe in taking the religion to the people by other means. We accept those who come to us with a quest, into our fold. Therefore, much money is not needed,’ he added.
‘Around 1,00,000 pilgrims every year. On an average, each spends about Rs.50,000/-. More over, Buddhism is attracting much attention these days from Ambedkarists in Tamil Nadu. These youth spread the message of Buddha among the people enthusiastically and hundreds are taking to Buddhism now. The spread of Buddhism has thus gained a new fillip.’
Buddhakama Sayidha, who became a monk in the age of 12, is a member of the Society, representing the southern zone of Sri Lanka. ‘Buddhism firmly believes in human values. Respect for fellow human beings is the underlying spirit. Man cannot be isolated into islands of caste or creed. The problems afflicting the society are to be addressed from an intellectual angle, looking at them dispassionately. Emotions should never be allowed to colour one’s vision in solving them,’ he reflected thoughtfully.
‘The problems in Sri Lanka are due to the stubborn positions taken by the government and the militants. This affects innocent people, who have nothing to do with any of the two. They are losing their hard-earned money, assets and rights for years together now. If this situation continues, the country will maintain just a geographical identity. There would be none left to populate it, excepting perhaps, the leaders. It is shocking to know that arms and ammunition are supplied to Sri Lanka by more than ten leading international organisations. Whatever may be the reason, it is not justifiable to kill human beings in their thousands. The problem needs an urgent and immediate solution,’ he added.
However, it is apparent that Buddhism is a tool in the hands of those who govern Sri Lanka. It is well known that violence is wreaked on people there, in the name of religion. Buddhism was favoured by giants like Ambedkar only because of its deep seated humanism. Humanism needs to be nurtured and allowed to grow and spread. Anything that comes in the way of this cannot be termed healthy. Buddhism teaches this. Those who understand this, follow it. Others build temples and desecrate them; destroy them.
English version: Hari Krishnan
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