Future Plans

Buddhavajra (receiving a garland, while Nissoka looks on) is originally from Bhusawal in Maharashtra, but moved to live in Bodhgaya in 2009 to spread the Dharma in Bodhgaya. Which may sound strange given that Bodhgaya is one of the busiest pilgrimage centres in the Buddhist world. However little or no attention is paid to local people, many of whom are followers of Dr Ambedkar and nominally Buddhist. Ironically there were no Dharma classes in Hindi in Bodhgaya.

Buddhavajra has ambitious plans for developing the Bodhgaya centre. In India the pattern of Dharma activities is very different from in the West because most of the Buddhists are very poor. What tends to happen is the Order Members start a centre and use it as a base for travelling out to communities, in this case up to 100kms away, to run activities and give talks. So rather than building elaborate temples the Triratna team in Bodhgaya are building networks of friendships.

Dharmacāri Nissoka visits each year from England, and a variety of other people are involved in the centre in different capacities. But Buddhavajra is currently the only full-time Dharmacāri in Bodhgaya.

In order to provide retreats and other programs Buddhavajra has to raise funds.

The average literacy rates in Bihar are some of the worst in India. Typically in these areas literacy is about 47% (according to the 2001 Indian census). However the female literacy rate is about half this at about 26%. Many of the men leave Bihar to find work. In the coming months Buddhavajra plans to visit four villages: Guraru, Sirghati, Kanausi and Hariharpur.

Also coming up

• Dharmacāri Subhutis retreat from 20 feb to 24 feb. It will be for 100 people.
• And in march another retreat only for girls. It will be for 50 girls. This will be a big task as all the girls will have to be collected and delivered home again! It will be lead by Nissoka and Buddhavajra.
• 14 April a big celebration is planned. Dharmacāri Maitranath and will come to Bodhgaya for the event. We will arrange some talks and a one day retreat for local people. However some funding will be required for that. Donations can be given via Buddhavajra's Just Giving page. (a safe and secure way to donate money).
• And of course the Triratna Buddhist Order Convention will be held here in 2013, which will take a huge amount of planning.

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