Benefits of the Nagarjuna Training Institute (NTI) courses

> The students come from some of the most deprived and oppressed situations in India, often with a feeling of no hope whatsoever. After a year of Dhamma practice most feel completely transformed, with a new vision of life, and the Dhamma tools to work on it.

> The confidence in the Dhamma and Dr. Ambedkar’s great vision they develop during the year gives them energy to share what they have learnt with many others in their villages and towns.

> The different Scheduled caste communities in India do not usually cooperate with each other, even after they have become Buddhists. At the Nagarjuna Institute they relate to each other just as Buddhists and not in terms of the caste they have come from. This in itself is an enormous contribution to a truly democratic society. The intensive practice for a year with other Buddhists from all over India means they cease to identify with the old untouchable caste but just as Buddhists.

> The ex-students make up a network covering over 19 states in India. This is the basis for organising local activities, retreats and lecture tours, making a very significant contribution to the development of Buddhism in these States.

> Many have started social projects. A group of the first students started two hostels in Tamil Nadu for children who suffered from the Tsunami.

Objectives of NTI

A. Training for transformation of self and world

1000 trained social activists all over India, and from 30 castes in India.

 a.       who through working on their minds

i.        have developed confidence and dignity through transcending their old scheduled caste identities

ii.       can interact with confidence with people from other backgrounds,

iii.     have developed altruism, determination and energy to work with the most socially deprived of the oppressed communities

 b.      with the knowledge, confidence and capacity to

i.                    start small social projects,

ii.                  respond to natural calamities

iii.                respond to caste based atrocities,

c.       who have the capacity to support themselves through English language competencies, computer training etc. articulate and capacity to support themselves with social initiatives

B. Response to social problems (Compassion in Action)

Response Network in 200 districts in 20 states of India to fight discrimination and prevent atrocities on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, 50 Trainers of the trainers and network builders in 20 states as a core network

C. Encouraging women leadership

100 women from disadvantaged background trained from all over India trained in gender issues and responses

D. Networking individuals and building communities

National, state, interstate network and solidarity of the activists transcending narrow identities of caste