002. “Who Owns the Bodhi Tree?” – The Call to Reclaim Mahabodhi’s Soul
History & Culture, Buddhism, Governance, Places in News
By IAS Monk / April 1, 2025
At the heart of Bodh Gaya, beneath the Bodhi Tree, monks once again chant—not just for peace, but for ownership.
In early 2024, over 100 monks from the All India Buddhist Forum (AIBF) gathered in protest, demanding the repeal of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BTA), 1949—a law they believe dims the Buddhist soul of this sacred site.
📜 Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BTA), 1949 – A Mixed Mandala
- 🧑⚖️ 8-member Committee with equal Buddhist & Hindu representation
- 🧍♂️ District Magistrate (DM) as ex-officio chairperson—usually from the Hindu community
- 🌱 Originally enacted to balance inter-religious control over the temple
While intended as a bridge, the structure has long been criticized for fostering Hindu dominance over a fundamentally Buddhist shrine.
🕰️ Historical Layers Beneath the Bodhi Tree
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 3rd Century BCE | Emperor Ashoka constructs the original temple |
| 13th Century CE | Buddhist decline begins under Bakhtiyar Khilji’s invasions |
| 1590 CE | Hindu monk establishes Bodh Gaya Mutt |
| 1949 | BTA passed by Bihar Assembly |
| 2013 | Amendment: DM can now be from any faith |
| 1990s | A proposed Mahavihara Bill for full Buddhist control fails |
| 2024 | Renewed protests demanding full Buddhist autonomy |
✊ The Protest Pulse
- November 2023: Initial rallies and memoranda to govt
- Early 2024: Mass monk protests at Mahabodhi
- Core Demand: Repeal of BTA + Full Buddhist control
- Legal Status: A 2012 Supreme Court writ remains pending
🪷 Why It Matters
- Mahabodhi is one of Buddhism’s four holiest sites:
➤ Lumbini (Birth)
➤ Sarnath (First Sermon)
➤ Kusinagar (Parinirvana)
➤ Bodh Gaya (Enlightenment) - Includes Vajrasana (Diamond Throne) and sacred Bodhi Tree
- Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002
📚 Relevance for UPSC
- GS1: Art & Culture, Buddhist Heritage
- GS2: Governance & Secularism
- Essay: “When sacredness becomes a legal question, heritage trembles.”
✨ Closing Whisper
“Even silence under the Bodhi Tree is sacred—but today, it chants for justice.”
🔥 A Thought Spark — by IAS Monk
The question of who guards a shrine is not merely legal—it’s philosophical.
Bodh Gaya, the cradle of awakening, must rise above divisions and reflect the essence of the Buddha’s compassion and detachment. Perhaps the Tree itself, quiet and witnessing, holds the true answer.
