Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar inspired his millions of his followers to become Buddhists in 1956. Despite of his untimely death in the same year, the conversion movement did not stop. As the movement remained leaderless and in the absence of response from the Buddhists abroad, Buddhists in India had less access to teachers and teachings of the Buddha. Nagaloka initiative is an important step in this direction of Buddhist teaching and training for people all over India.

The core vision of Nagaloka is to create a new society based on liberty, equality and fraternity through universal and emancipatory teachings of the Buddha.

Nagaloka is also a place for devotion and arts. This vision of the Buddhism is crystallized in the image of the Buddha that Dr. Ambedkar liked- The Buddha walking in the world, meeting people rich and poor and giving them medicines of the Dhamma.

On 13th December 2009, with the generous donation from the Buddhists in Taiwan and China, the 36 ft image of the Buddha was inaugurated in Nagaloka. The image is created by a famous sculptor, Hon. Wen Khwey, of Taiwan. He is a creative genious who brought the important qualities of the Buddha alive in the Walking Buddha image. The Buddha is walking in the world with his hand raised in Abhaya Mudra removing worst fears of humanity and assuring them confidence. The Buddha is looking compassionately at the world. His eyes are open with the quality of compassion shining through them. This is an unique image of the Buddha.

On this day, over 1,00,000 people came to witness the inauguration ceremony of the Walking Buddha. The people came from all over the places, including villages and towns and cities and from far. The day was charged with devotion as people queued to pay their respect to their ideal, the Buddha. Venerable Kuang Shin and honourable Buddhists, both monks, nuns and laities from Taiwan were present on this occasion. The ceremony of the inauguration is historic.

The Walking Buddha is now onlooking the Nagaloka premises, which is the training centre, Dhamma Hall and residential buildings for trainees and the guests coming from all over the world. The Walking Buddha making the whole Nagaloka the Buddhist Vihar. It is the main image in the Nagaloka Vihar. The devotees come everyday with flowers, incense and candles to express their devotion. The whole campus is now charged with the inspiration of the Buddha to walk into world.

The Nagaloka Walking Buddha also expresses the aspiration of the people to bring back Buddhism in India. The training given in Nagaloka is helping people to understand and live their lives according to the teachings of the Buddha. Over 500 trainees are spreaded throughout 20 states of India. Every year, significant number of students are trained in Nagaloka depending on the Dana available to the Institute. Now the Institute can train over 150 students every year provided that there is Dana available to run the courses.

The Walking Buddha image is the unique addition to Nagaloka landscape, and also a significant addition to the emerging Buddhist culture in India.

Dr. Ambedkar (1891-1956) is revered figure for millions because of his struggle to eradicate untouchability and caste discrimination. Although he himself played a leading role in drafting the constitution of India, it was Buddhism more than constitutional change that he felt would help bring about the most effective social change in India. He concluded his great life by converting to Buddhism with 500,000 followers. Unfortunately Dr. Ambedkar died on December 6, 1956, barely six weeks after his conversion. Neglected by the Buddhist world, most of his followers although having deep faith in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, have had little chance to understand Buddhist teachings and practices.