ABOUT NAGALOKA

Nagaloka, situated in Nagpur, holds historical significance as the place where Dr. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism in October 1956, leading 500,000 followers. This event marked a significant resurgence of Buddhism in its birth land. Today, Nagaloka stands as a prominent hub fostering the reawakening of Buddhism in India. The iconic Walking Buddha statue at the heart of the campus attracts thousands of visitors annually. At the core of Nagaloka lies the Nagarjuna Institute, offering training and conference amenities to Buddhists and social advocates from across India and beyond.

VISION

We aspire to see a society embodying the values of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity, devoid of injustice and exploitation, fostering  Enlightened India. In this vision, individuals are equipped to overcome hardships, lead empowered and meaningful lives, and actively contribute to a compassionate and unified society.

MISSION

Taking our inspiration from the Buddha, Ashoka, Dr. Ambedkar and other great like-minded individuals, the purpose of the Nagarjuna Institute is to:

  1. Promote practices that enable individuals to overcome personal suffering, transform their mental states, live empowered and fulfilled lives, and develop a spirit of compassion and social engagement;
  2. Promote the vision  inspired by Dr. Ambedkar, a society that is based on the ethical values underpinning liberty, equality and fraternity – a society that is free of all forms of oppression and injustice;
  3. Develop an all-India community of activists devoted to these ideals from among the Nagarjuna Institute alumni;
  4. Build connections with others throughout the world who share these values.

NAGARJUNA TRAINING INSTITUTE

Dr. Ambedkar has inspired millions of young people to understand how Buddhism can help them transform their individual and social lives. Unfortunately there is little effective teaching available in India. The Nagarjuna Institute was started to respond to this need. It conducts two residential courses, an eight month introductory Dhammasekhiya course, and a three year BA degree in Buddhism and Dr. Ambedkar Studies as part of Nagpur University. Both teach basic Mind training activities, meditation, puja (chanting), and social action.

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IMPACT

Most of the students come from Dalit or other socially disadvantaged backgrounds of unimaginable deprivation. The training has a profound impact on their lives. Most feel transformed after few months of Dhamma practice, developing confidence, the ability to cultivate skillful mental states, and the realization they can do something with their lives, both for themselves and for society. After their training many share what they have learnt of the Dhamma in their villages and towns. Some engage in social projects. Others pursue graduate studies.

 NAGALOKA CAMPUS

The fifteen-acre campus includes seven residential halls, a classroom and library building, kitchen facilities, two meditation halls and administrative offices. The architecture of the buildings is based on the design of the Buddhist meeting halls that were found in India two thousand years ago. A slightly larger than life-size bronze statue of Dr. Ambedkar has attracted visitors and pilgrims for years, and a magnificent 36’ statue of a Walking Buddha at the center of the Nagaloka campus has become a symbol of the return of Buddhism to India.

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HISTORY OF NAGALOKA

Nagaloka was created through the combined efforts of Indian Buddhists and their supporters in Taiwan, China, Korea, Europe and the United States. As such it is an international institution based on the values of compassion and social engagement and is an example of how the traditional Buddhist value of dana/ generosity is being practiced meaningfully in the modern world.

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