Help transform a life through one year of Buddhist training

Nagarjuna Institute, Nagpur

The Nagarjuna Institute trains Buddhist followers of Dr. Ambedkar from all over India to understand:

-          basic Buddhist teachings and practices, including meditation, puja, and morality;

-          Dr. Ambedkar’s approach to Buddhism and how it relates to his other work;

-          the social situation in India, know how to establish a small social project and how to work in calamities and other situations in which Scheduled Castes and others suffer discrimination.

Buddhism is spreading very fast in every state in India amongst the Scheduled Castes, those who were called and treated as untouchable and suffered the worst form of structural violence.  There may be 30 million Buddhists in India today; there could be 100 million in a few years time, and more and more after that. Most of the newly converted Buddhists have no access to meaningful Dhamma teaching. If they do not get such teaching their conversion to Buddhism cannot help them very much. Studies have shown that many such people return to their old religion and their place at the bottom of that system.

Benefits of the Nagarjuna Institute (NI) courses.

-          Most feel completely transformed after one year of Dhamma practice.

-          The confidence in the Dhamma and Dr. Ambedkar’s great vision they develop during the year gives them energy to share what they have learnt with many others in their villages and towns.

-          The intensive practice for a year with other Buddhists from all over India means they cease to identify with the old untouchable caste but just as Buddhists.

-          The ex-students make up a network covering over 19 states in India. This is the basis for organising local activities, retreats and lecture tours, making a very significant contribution to the development of Buddhism in these States.

-          Many have started social projects. A group of the first students started two hostels in Tamil Nadu for children who suffered from the Tsunami.

We need your help to contribute to Dr. Ambedkar’s dream through this training course.

So far 495 students from 19 different states have passed through Nagaloka in the six years it has been running. Students stay for between one and three years in a Buddhist residential community. They all come from extremely poor and deprived backgrounds. We have to find all the money to support them.

We now have facilities for 120 students.

It costs £3,000 (US$4000) to support 120 students and three teachers for one month.

We need to raise a total of £36,000 or US$48,000 for the year. We believe we can raise half this amount locally. We are looking for £18,000 or US$24,000 to manage this next year.

May we request you try to contribute to one of the following:

-         the total costs for 120 students and three teachers for one day, perhaps in the name of a departed relative or friend ( £100 or US$135)

-         The cost of food for one student for a month ( £15 or US$20) or a year (£180 or US$ 240)

-         The costs of one teacher for a month (£170 or US$225) or year (£2040 or US$2,700).

Dr. Ambedkar’s Conversion

Dr. Ambedkar was born a so-called Untouchable. He was the first from his community to matriculate in the whole of western India. After finishing his education in USA and UK, and becoming one of the highest educated people in India in the last century, he dedicated his life to eradicating untouchability and caste. He brought about great reforms for the untouchables in their economic, political, legal and social lives.  But at the end of his great life, he was convinced that converting to Buddhism was the greatest contribution he had made to his people, to the other oppressed in India and to the Indian nation itself. Since October, 1956 millions of people have followed in his footsteps. He was convinced that a society based on Liberty, Equality and Fraternity would gradually develop if people practiced the Dhamma seriously and systematically.

This work has been made possible by the generosity of many well wishers. If you would like to make a donation or help in this or another way please contact the secretary, Nagaloka at the address below.

Dhammachari Vivekratna,
Nagaloka

Near Akashwani Relay Station, Kamptee Rd., Bhilgaon, Nagpur - 441 002, India.

Tel: +91-712-264 2003/ 6699 | Fax: +91-712- 264 3994

email: info@nagaloka.org

For further information on activities please visit www.nagaloka.org