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The Maha Bodhi Society is a South Asian Buddhist society presently based in Kolkata, India. Founded by the Sri Lankan Buddhist leader Anagarika Dharmapala and the British journalist and poet Sir Edwin Arnold, its first office was in Bodh Gaya. The organization's efforts began in order to resuscitate Buddhism in India, and to restore the ancient Buddhist shrines at Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinara. The restoration and revival of the glory and sanctity of Bodh Gaya are also aims of Maha Bodhi Society.[1][2][3][4]
Although many Indians had remained culturally Buddhist for centuries after the decline of Buddhism, they did not self-identify as "Buddhist". [citation needed] The Maha Bodhi Society renewed interest in Buddhism, and spawned the Ladakh Buddhist Association, All Assam Buddhist Association, and Himalayan Buddhist Society, as well as laying the grounds for the Dalit Buddhist movement.[5]
- ^ "Welcome to Maha Bodhi Society of India". Mahabodhi Society of India. 28 July 2011. Archived from the original on 9 January 2013.
- ^ [<-- non working ref --> http://mahabodhisociety.com/ Maha Bodhi Society]
- ^ Arnold, Edwin (1906). India Revisited, London: K. Paul, Trench, Trübner
- ^ Dipak K. Barua (1981). “Buddha Gaya Temple: its history”, Buddha Gaya: Buddha Gaya Temple Management Committee
- ^ D.C. Ahir. Buddhism in Modern India. Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications, 1991. p. 17.