About Young Buddhist Students' Literacy Mission

It is well known that Buddhism originated in India over 2500 years ago and flourished here for 1500 or nearly about 2000 years. Unfortunately it lost ground in the place of its origin, needless to discuss here the various reasons for the gradual decline of Buddhism from the place of its birth. However, it is essential to point out that it declined mainly due to the different attitude of followers of the faith. Therefore, it becomes responsibility of the Buddhist to revive the most excellent Dhamma of the Buddha in the land where it originated for welfare of the beings.

Buddhism has human appeal. It is the only solution for modern world in general and India in particular to meet many challenges. There had been some serious efforts to reintroduce the teaching of the Buddha in India by Mahabodhi Society of India and many other voluntary organizations, but so far Buddhism could not make widely acceptable faith due to lack of proper understanding of the teaching of the Master and His noble message of human welfare. For this an organization dedicated to the advancement of Buddhist learning and the propagation of the teaching is a desideratum. Keeping this objects in view we, the young Buddhist students studying in various institutions had established "Russa Road, Young Buddhist Students Literacy Mission" on 24.4. 94 and it was registered under the society Act. XXVI of 1961 of West Bengal on 31.10.95. Main objects for which the Mission is established are:

1. To prolong the Buddha Sasana
2. To make Buddhism widely acceptable in the world.
3. To establish Buddhist Orphanage School and/ or other institutions and Library.
4. To popularise and propagate Buddhist Art, culture and literature.
5. To help the destitute students with financial assistance.
6. To initiate the development of theological knowledge and attainments.
7. To exchange and interact with others for mutual understanding of the basic theme of world religions.
8. To impart the teachings of Buddha.
9. To uplift the state of mind of the people for removing the desiderium.
10. To make the people aware of the significance of Dhammadana.
11. To set up libraries, hold meetings, seminars and take up other activities including conducted tours for advancement of Buddhist learning.
12. To promote and encourage advancement of literary , cultural, moral, religious, scientific and technical education.
13. To collect and preserve manuscripts, painting sculptures, works of art, antiquities, natural history specimens, mechanical and scientific instruments and designs and set up museum to facilitate research and acquire ownership premises there for.

It is also well known that even after the decline of Buddhism in India it successfully introduced in many countries of Asia continent. It is mainly due to the fine thoughts contain in the Buddhist literature and also due to the universal appeal of Buddhism. Many Buddhist monasteries of India played important role for the extension of Buddhism outside India. These monasteries were great centre of the teaching of Buddhist philosophy and literature. The glorious fame of Nalanda University reached far and near countries of Asia and many scholars came here to enrich their knowledge of Buddhism. The scholars like Hiuen- Tsang came to Nalanda and after returning back they gave new life to Buddhism in their counties. It shows how Buddhist scholars can help in the revival of Buddhism India. The prominent scholars of Buddhism are the best means of the spread of Buddhist philosophy all over the world. So far, as a remarkable achievement within a short period of two years, the Mission carrying these noble means into effect by giving stipend to some needy monk-students, studying at Nava Nalanda Mahavihara and other institutions. The Mission deeply conveys the word thanks to Ken & Visakha Kawasaki of Japan who fund The Mark Decker Scholarship programme in memory of Late lamented Mark Decker.

We trust that this Mission will survive for long and will develop in future. We humbly request you to come forward to us in this noble mission of Dhammadana.