Bodh-Gaya: Ein internationales Zentrum des Buddhismus in nicht-buddhistischer Umgebung

Bodh-Gaya, traditionally revered as the site of the Buddha's enlightenment, has evolved from a deserted Buddhist location to an international Buddhist center despite its non-Buddhist surroundings. Originally significant from the 3rd century BC to around 12th century AD, Bodh-Gaya was later integrated into Hindu pilgrimage routes and saw the establishment of a Saivite monastery in 1590. The 19th-century Buddhist revivalist Dharmapala reignited Buddhist presence, leading to prolonged conflicts with the Hindu mahant over temple management. Resolved in 1949 through the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, which established joint Hindu-Buddhist oversight, the site now hosts numerous Buddhist institutions. However, ongoing movements by Ambedkar Buddhists, including the radical 'All India Mahabodhi Mahavihara Liberation Action Committee,' seek full Buddhist control, with mixed success. The study highlights the complex interplay of religious politics and historical continuity in shaping Bodh-Gaya's contemporary significance.

Knopf, R. (2017). Bodh-Gaya: Ein internationales Zentrum des Buddhismus in nicht-buddhistischer Umgebung. Internationales Asienforum, Bd. 31 Nr. 3–4 (2000): Internationales Asienforum. https://doi.org/10.11588/IAF.2000.31.989