About

An overview of our centre

Map of Bodhgaya in India — Bodhgaya in the Indian state of Bihar

Root Institute for Wisdom Culture is a beautiful oasis of tranquility located near Bodhgaya in the north Indian state of Bihar.

Because of our vicinity to the Mahabodhi Stupa, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, Root Institute is an exceptional place for practice, contemplation and blessings. Many other sites where the Buddha meditated, taught, and resided are found throughout the local landscape, making Bodhgaya the most blessed place in the Buddhist world.

During our season – October through February – we offer:

Year-round, we offer:

retreat huts suitable for individual and group retreat, and
we welcome tourists and travellers to come and stay with us just to enjoy a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere to unwind and rest.

Our page on Location & travel info will help you reach us.

"ROOT INSTITUTE: From The Ground Up" – a short film

This film, produced in 2018 to commemorate our 30th year, chronicles the challenging birth, early days, and expansion of our social service projects, spiritual programme, and ongoing developments.

Strap yourself in to enjoy these 17 minutes of fun and education!

Directed by Marc Israel
2018 Phenomenal World Cinema

Maitreya School

We also recommend this video as well as a visit to our Maitreya Universal Education School pages under Social Service, to better appreciate the difference Root Institute continues to make to our local area through the provision of education.

Our founders

Root Institute was established in 1984 under the direction of Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, highly qualified teachers in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Lama Yeshe considered Bodhgaya to be the root from which the branches of Buddhism had spread to the rest of the world.

Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe also established the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition, FPMT, which comprises a network of over 170 meditation centres in over 30 countries, including seven centres in India.

Our mission

To fulfil the vision of our spiritual guides, there are three main components to our mission:

to be part of the preservation of the ancient Nalanda tradition of India through providing the opportunity to engage in the study and practice of Buddhist meditation and philosophy thereby helping people's minds and hearts to be transformed into their highest potential for the benefit of others
to provide compassionate service especially to impoverished children, adolescents and adults in neighbouring areas; and
to create a harmonious and compassionate spiritual environment in which to live and work together.

Root Institute courtyard blessed by the presence of our great prayer wheel and statues of Nagarjuna and Maitreya

Our activities

In addition to our dharma activities, Root Institute encompasses these socially engaged charitable projects:

About us