Light of Buddhadharma Foundation International

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Franklin Thornton
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Light of Buddhadharma Foundation International REPORT ON ACTIVITIES FOR 2013-2014 LBDFI is dedicated to the rebuilding of the Buddha Sasana in India.

India in large numbers. The Foundation also supports other chanting ceremonies in locations important to the Buddha Sasana.

1 Light of Buddhadharma Foundation International REPORT ON ACTIVITIES FOR LBDFI is dedicated to the rebuilding of the Buddha Sasana in India. To achieve its aims, the Foundation has adopted a four-fold strategy: First, it is the primary sponsor of an International Chanting Ceremony, now in its tenth anniversary, to bring senior monks to India in large numbers. The Foundation also supports other chanting ceremonies in locations important to the Buddha Sasana. Second, it has been active in renovating the ancient sites of pilgrimage; third, it plans to initiate the proper training of Indian monks. Finally it plans to build on these foundations by sponsoring programs of outreach to the Indian public at large. PROJECT PROGRESS The Ninth International Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony was held from December 2 nd to 13 th Over 3,000 monks and lay followers were in attendance, with senior representatives from Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Nepal, Myanmar, India, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Four Tipitakadharas from Myanmar were also in attendance. The Dharma Talks continue to be very well attended, and most of the talks were uploaded by U-stream. They can be viewed at in the chanting ceremony submenu.

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9 th International Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony, Bodhgaya The steady increase in the numbers attending the International Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony is most encouraging,

4 9 th International Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony, Bodhgaya The steady increase in the numbers attending the International Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony is most encouraging, and demonstrates the increasing importance of this ceremony in the Buddhist countries of South East Asia and India. A graphic illustrating this trend is shown below: 4

5 Another most encouraging development has been the request made to hold chanting ceremonies in other parts of India. In October 2013, LBDFI is sponsored the second Tipitaka chanting ceremony in Nagpur at which 25,000 portable Buddha shrines were offered to attending laypeople. Over 40 monks were sponsored to travel to Nagpur from Bodhgaya and other parts of India for the occasion. Interest in this ceremony remains very strong, and for 2014 it has been agreed to separate it from the political gathering of the Deekshaboomi, and hold the third chanting ceremony in Nagpur as a purely Buddhist gathering on the same site some weeks earlier. It is still expected to gather a large audience. It will be held from November 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of 2014 with 48 monastics that we will bring from Bodhgaya and Sarnath. In the upcoming 2014 programs, LBDFI will also sponsor two day chanting and teaching on the Dhammapada in Delhi starting on November 8th and 9th 2014 in collaboration with the Deer Park Institute, along with initiating the first chanting of the Abhidamma at Sankasya, a three day ceremony due to commence on November 11th-14th, Furthermore, following the Tenth International Tipitaka Chanting ceremony, 600 monks will join thousands of Indian laypeople in opening the first Dhammayatra walk from Jethian to Rajgir. This 14km path marks the route taken by the Lord Buddha when he walked from Gaya to Rajgir in the early months following the Enlightenment. The Dharmayatra walk will finish in the Veluvana Grove, where 700 bamboos will be planted. 5

The Foundation has also initiated discussions to hold a Chanting Ceremony at Borobudur, Indonesia in either 2014 or 2015.

6 On an international level, LBDFI sponsored the second Chanting Ceremony in Kandy, Sri Lanka in December 2013, followed by a pilgrimage to Sri Pada. The Foundation has also initiated discussions to hold a Chanting Ceremony at Borobudur, Indonesia in either 2014 or Sri Lanka 3rd International Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony LBDFI has continued to develop the Beautiful Bodhgaya project and constructed a new toilet facility on the edge of the Kalachakra grounds during the period. 6

2nd Public Toilet, Bodhgaya India The Foundation also sponsored the gilding of the arches of the bells installed at the World Peace Bell at the Swedigan Pagoda, Vaisali and also Lumbini.

7 2nd Public Toilet, Bodhgaya India The Foundation also sponsored the gilding of the arches of the bells installed at the World Peace Bell at the Swedigan Pagoda, Vaisali and also Lumbini. Finally, in collaboration with TNMC, LBDFI installed a Dharma bell at Sankasya, completing the installation of Dharma bells at all the ancient sites of Buddhist pilgrimage. Finally, we were also able to gold leaf the Buddha foot print at the top of Sri Pada. 7

8 Vaisali World Peace Bell Completion 8

9 Lumbini World Peace Bell Gold Leafing 9

10 Swedigan World Peace Bell Gold Leafing 10

11 Sankasya World Peace Bell Completion 11

12 Gold Leafing of the Buddha Foot Print Sri Pada We also performed our second International Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony in Nagpur where we had 200 Indian bhikkhus present for three days. We also distributed robes and folding alters cards to 25,000 lay people. 12

13 Nagpur 2nd International Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony 13

These various developments, and moves by the World Bank and central Indian authorities to further improve the amenities in Bodhgaya and other Buddhist sites, indicate that a Buddhist revival in India

14 These various developments, and moves by the World Bank and central Indian authorities to further improve the amenities in Bodhgaya and other Buddhist sites, indicate that a Buddhist revival in India is getting underway. Things move slowly in the subcontinent, but once they are underway they develop considerable momentum. LBDFI hopes very much that the steady impetus given to the development of Buddhism in its motherland can continue. The Board of LBDFI comprises Wangmo and Richard Dixey, Nelson Chamma and Jack Petranker. The Directors wish to express their sincere gratitude to the Mangalam Foundation for supporting this work. Our websites are currently under design but it should be completed within a month. For more photos on the ceremony please visit our sites of and Yours sincerely, Wangmo Dixey Executive Director Light of Buddhadharma Foundation International 14

Dear Friends, With all best wishes,

Dear Friends, With all best wishes, Reciting the Words of the Buddha in Pali A Sacred Journey Towards Enlightenment 13 th International Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony, October 31 st -December 10 th, 2017 Dear Friends, Over the past eleven years,