Why In the News?

• Buddhist monks have been protesting since February 2024, demanding the repeal of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BTA), 1949.
• They believe the Act provides predominance to Hindus in the management of the temple.

Mahabodhi temple:

⇒In Bodh Gaya, while meditating under the Bodhi tree, that Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment to become the Buddha (literally, “the Enlightened One”) in 589 BCE.

⇒A simple shrine was constructed to mark the site by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, of which only the Vajrasana (Diamond Throne), a stone slab remains. ? Additional structures were built during the Shunga period (2nd to 1st century BCE).

⇒Fifth-century Chinese traveller Fa Hien visited Bodhi shrine.

⇒The current pyramidal structure can be dated to the reign of the Guptas in the 6th century CE.

⇒The Palas (8th-12th century CE) were the last major royal patrons of the Mahabodhi temple.

⇒UNESCO granted the Mahabodhi temple the World Heritage Site tag in 2002.

Bodh Gaya Math:

⇒As per shrine’s official website,Hindu Shaivite monk named Mahant Ghamandi Giri arrived in Gaya around 1590, and established Bodh Gaya Math, a Hindu monastery.

Dispute regarding management of Mahabodhi temple:

⇒There has been dispute between Hindu and Buddhist monks at Mahabodhi regarding management of the temple.

⇒In late 19th century a Sri Lankan monk Anagarika Dharmapala demanded control for Buddhists and took the issue to court.

Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949 (BGTA):

⇒The Bihar Assembly passed the BTA in 1949 regarding management of the temple.

⇒The BGTA provided for the creation of a 8 member Committee to run the Mahabodhi temple.

⇒8 members: 4 Hindus (including the Chairman) and 4 Buddhists.

⇒The District Magistrate (a Hindu) is the ex officio Chairman.

⇒The State Government shall nominate a Hindu as Chairman of the Committee for the period during which the district Magistrate of Gaya is non-Hindu.