Abbot Ven. Bodhipālo briefing Bro.Tan on development plans for the monks’ training facility.

On his recent trip to India, Nalanda founder Bro.Tan took the opportunity to visit Lokuttara Mahāvihāra, a Theravāda monastery near Aurangabad, Maharashtra, where he met with its abbot, Ven. Bodhipālo Mahāthera.  With the help of the laity, Ven. Bodhipālo reported that the All India Bhikkhu Sangha is constructing a training centre for Indian monks at the vihāra.

The new 25,000 square feet training facility will be able to accommodate 100 monks – comprising both teachers and students – at any one time.  On Sunday 4 March 2018, a special ground-breaking ceremony was performed on the site by dozens of Theravāda monks from India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar.

Dr. Harshadeep Kamble walking Bro.Tan around the construction site of the training facility.

The historical event marked the rejuvenation of monastic training in India, and can potentially become a catalyst for the rapid growth of Buddhism there.  Sadhu anumodana – May the Buddha-Sāsana again flourish in the land of its birth!