The Bodh Gaya Restoration Movement of Anagarika Dharmapala and the Japanese Buddhists

A key insight from this study is the pivotal role of Japanese Buddhists in shaping the Bodh Gaya restoration movement led by Anagarika Dharmapala between 1891 and 1910. The research divides this period into four distinct phases, highlighting the evolving dynamics among Dharmapala, local Hindu authorities (the Mahant), and colonial British governance. Initially, Japanese monks aided in land acquisition, but subsequent stages saw conflicts over religious artifacts, such as a gifted Amitābha Tathāgata image, which became central to disputes involving indigenous religious tensions and British neutrality efforts. The study reveals how transnational Buddhist collaborations influenced the preservation of UNESCO World Heritage Site status for Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya.

Masahiko, T. (2025). The Bodh Gaya Restoration Movement of Anagarika Dharmapala and the Japanese Buddhists. Buddhist Exchanges between India and Japan, 167–186. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003537120-9