The Bodh Gaya Temple controversy in Bihar revolves around the control and management of the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the holiest places in Buddhism .
Key Points of Contention:
- Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BTA), 1949: This act governs the management of the Mahabodhi Temple through the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) . The committee consists of four members from the Buddhist community and four Hindus .
- Demand for Buddhist Control: Buddhist groups have been protesting for years, demanding the repeal of the BTA and seeking sole control of the temple . They argue that a Buddhist religious site should be managed entirely by Buddhists .
- Composition of BTMC: A key point of contention is the presence of Hindu members on the BTMC . Protesters want all members of the committee to be Buddhist .
- Vedic Rituals: There are objections to Vedic rituals performed by Hindu monks at the temple, which some Buddhists view as conflicting with Buddhist principles . The Bodh Gaya Math, a Shaivite monastery, has been responsible for the upkeep and performance of rituals at the temple for centuries .
- Historical Context: The Mahabodhi Temple was managed by Buddhists for centuries until the 13th century . However, the Hindu monk Ghamandi Giri began living there in 1590 and started performing Hindu rituals, establishing the Bodh Gaya Math .
- Protests and Legal Action: Buddhist groups have organized protests, hunger strikes, and rallies to demand changes to the BTA . Some have also filed petitions in the Supreme Court seeking the revocation of the act .
- Counter-Arguments: The Bodh Gaya Math claims that the protests are politically motivated and that they have always welcomed Buddhist devotees to pray at the temple . They also assert that their teachings treat Lord Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu and consider Buddhists as brothers .
In summary, the Bodh Gaya Temple controversy is a long-standing dispute over the management and control of the Mahabodhi Temple, with Buddhist groups seeking full control and objecting to the presence of Hindu members on the management committee and the performance of Vedic rituals .
