Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre

A-116, 2nd Floor, Arjun Nagar, Safdarjung Enclave , New Delhi- 110029
Delhi , India

India

+91-1126165017 Fax : 01126162978 http://www.mahabodhi-ladakh.org

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Timings

Mon - Sun 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena

Meditation, more..

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Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre - New Delhi

The Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) is a great example of one man's vision turning into reality. Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena established the Mahabodhi International Meditation Center in 1986 to offer both spiritual instructions as well as desperately needed humanitarian services to impoverished people in the remote land of Ladakh.

A dedicated team of social workers, teachers, doctors, monks, nuns, community leaders and care-providers have created an integrated community at Devachan in Ladakh which provides comprehensive care to all segments of society: children, elderly, special needs individuals, monks & nuns, the sick, as well as those seeking spiritual development. The community has become a model for the region through sustainable, ecological development. With the support of our sponsors we hope to be able to contribute our part to this goal by serving the people of Ladakh. You are most welcome to join us in this effort.

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Additional Information

At Mahabodhi, the practice and teaching of meditation is one of the main programs. Meditation is introduced to all students and staff of Mahabodhi Devachan. Each year, during the summer months, the MIMC is engaged in conducting several mediation activities targeting visitors. Meditation classes are conducted both at the main campus and at other places in Ladakh.

Mahabodhi Sambodhi Retreat Centre : The incredibly beautiful Sambodhi Retreat Centre, an inspiring oasis of tranquil contemplation, is situated in a secluded corner of the transformative Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre campus. The centre is dominated by Rocky Mountains on one side and golden sand dunes on the other. The sweet scent of fragrant and jewel-like flowers, which line the footpaths of the centre, play joyfully on the senses, while enigmatic stupas, reclusive meditation kuties, abundant prayer flags, and the most sacred and eye-catching Milarepa rock cave provide silent spiritual encouragement.

Mahabodhi Milarepa Meditation Cells : Jetsun Milarepa was the most popular saint-poet of Tibet. He is said to have attained enlightenment in a single life. Below a massive 25 feet painting of Saint Milarepa that adorns the eastern side hill of Devachan, six small meditation cells have been carved out on the rock face. These cells provide perfect isolation from the various ongoing activities at MIMC and are an ideal location for long-duration intensive personal meditation retreats for serious practitioners.

Mahabodhi Jetavana Monastery : Buddhism is the fruit of an intensive search conducted over a long period of time by a noble prince, whose heart compassionately opened and extended to embrace, support and guide all suffering beings. This supreme flower of humankind is none other Gautama, the Buddha, who lived and taught in India in the 6th and 5th century BCE. So inspiring and pragmatic were his teachings that a fifth of the world’s population today devotedly follows Him.

Mahabodhi Phandeyling Nunnery : Buddhism has high esteem, reverence and respect towards women in the society since the Buddha’s days. Lord Buddha bestowed full freedom to women in participating in the religious life which of course was very radical at those times. This gave an opportunity to women to prove their worth, capabilities and the capacity to attend the highest position in the religious way of life. Buddha thus established the Bhikkhuni order so as to walk on the path of enlightenment and Nibanna.

Specialities

Meditation : Mahabodhi Devachan is built on the values and practices of the Buddha Dhamma. The Sanga provides the core leadership and vision for its development and working. The community of monks and nuns, students, elderly and disabled, staff and guests all have equal access to the timeless and life changing teaching of the Buddha.

Meditation' is the accepted translation of the Buddhist term 'bhavana' which more accurately means mental culture or mental development. Buddhism is primarily about gaining insight into the true nature of reality and bringing an end to dissatisfaction and suffering in life. The immediate benefits of the practice of meditation is the minimising of restlessness, discontent, fear, aversion and a cultivation of equanimity, acceptance and tranquility.

The practice of meditation consciously cultivates and develops the mind to rise above the stresses and insecurities that burden our lives, and generates a richer and deeper experience of life. The highest goal of the practice, however, is gaining permanent release from the unsatisfactory cycle of life. This is the ultimate goal of the Teachings of the Buddha.

GurujiTraditionally, there are two main approaches to Buddhist meditation. The first is calm, samatha, meditation. The purpose is to calm both body and mind; it is to bring the mind into a state of perfect concentration. In a day to day practical sense, samatha helps in greater peace of mind and tolerance for the stresses life puts in our path.

Despite these benefits samatha does not offer a complete pathway to enlightenment - a complete release from our restless and discontented selves. Buddha introduced the practice of vipassana - insight - meditation as the critical technique to move us to full entitlement. Vipassana means 'to see things as they really are'. It builds on the positive emotion generated in Samatha, and helps develop awareness into the impermanence and interconnectedness of our experiences.