Buddhisim in India:

By the third century B.C., the still young religion based on the Buddha’s teachings was being spread throughout South Asia through the selfless efforts of Emperor Asoka (268-289 B.C.) of the Mauryan Empire. He supported the propagation of Buddhism throughout India and beyond; most importantly in Sri Lanka. By the seventh century A.D., having spread throughout East Asia and Southeast Asia, Buddhism probably had the largest religious following in the world at that point of time.

The second royal patron for Buddhism was Kanishka(1st to 2nd century A.D.). Under the patronage Mahayan Buddhism flourished, In the 5th century AD, a Buddhist monastic university was founded at Nalanda, India. This university became the world’s first largest and most influential Buddhist centre for many centuries thereafter.

Mahabodhi Society:

Maha Bodhi Society, is a Buddhist charitable Organization established in 1956 with the main objective of reviving the compassionate teachings of the Buddha in the land of its origin, India. Maha Bodhi Society’s aim is to put into practice the precious teachings of the Buddha, namely, moral upliftment, mental purity and deeper wisdom, through selfless, spiritual and other humanitarian services to bring universal peace, harmony, happiness and progress.

Ananda Buddha Vihara:

Maha Bodhi Society has started Mahabodhi Buddha Vihara or Ananda Buddha Vihara at Mahendra Hills in Hyderabad, to serve the cause of the Buddha Sasana. This Vihara is being developed into a full fledged Buddha Vihara with monastery and other Dhamma activities.

Ananda Buddha Vihara is located on picturesque slopes of Mahindra Hills at Secunderabad, about 5 kms north of the Hussain Sagar Lake.This beautiful monastery is a comprehensive Buddhist Center in the heart of the capital city of the State of Telangana.

The Vihara was inaugurated by 14th Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) in 2002. With proposed museum hall it can be a varied place to gain knowledge about Buddhism and the teachings of Lord Buddha. If you show a good interest then there are monks to help you out in understanding Buddhism to its extremes.

Timings:

The point of interest for Buddhism and its training is open from 6 Am to 11 Am and then 4 Pm to 9 Pm on all days.

How to :

If you want to reach this place, head towards East Maredpally then from Mahendra hills take a rickshaw and head towards Mata Amrtianandmayi’s Ashrama which is very next to Ananda Buddha Vihara. You can to climb the steep road leading to a hill rock.

Co-ordinates: 17.448257, 78.521464