The Nagaloka campus extends over 15 acres on which there are seven residential halls, a classroom and library building, kitchen facilities, a Dhamma Teaching Hall, a meditation hall, as well as an administrative building. These were designed by Master architect, Christopher Charles Benninger, who based the architecture on the Buddhist meeting halls that were found in India two thousand years ago. At the centre of the campus is the magnificent Walking Buddha created by Master Wen Kwei Chan. Walking towards the Buddha is a statue of a serene and determined Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Buddha Surya Vihar Hall
The Buddha Surya Vihara was the first building on the Nagaloka campus, opened in 1997. It is used for regular Dhamma classes, lectures, festivals, devotional practices, retreats and rituals, as well as workshops on issues related to the Dhamma. The Buddha statue, seated with legs down, and with hands in the teaching mudra, was designed according to the image of Maitreya in the world famous Ajanta caves, and so has a special connection with Buddhist history in Maharashtra .
Sambodhi Parayan Shala
This serene hall, especially devoted to meditation, was inaugurated in the year 2000. Although small, this meditation space is a master piece of design. Cleverly cut off from the outside world, it consists of a semi open space, with shrubs around the inner walls, bringing living nature into the meditation hall.
Paramita and Upaya
Paramita was opened in 2005 and Upaya in 2016. They are used for workshops, retreats, national and international conferences, between them comfortably accommodating over 120 people, and including halls for meetings and dining. Upaya was featured on the cover page of the centenary edition of the journal of the Indian Institute of Architecture, titled ‘The Architecture of Happiness’.
Nagarjuna Training Institute Building
This facility was opened in 1998 and is the centre of the educational activities. It consists of a large library, classrooms, a computer room, and offices for the teaching staff.
Grudrakuta and Bodhichitta Student Residences
Grudrakuta, the women’s residence and guest house, accommodates 80 women students, wardens, teachers and guests, and was opened in 2009. Bodhichitta, the men’s residence, was opened in 2017, accommodating 120 students, wardens, teachers and guests.
Adhisthana and Shakyakula Guest houses
These are used as guest houses and accommodation for small retreats, connected with Sambodhi Parayan Shala.
Adhisthana was opened in 2004 and Shakyakula in 2005.
The Dhamma Seva Kendra
Opened in 2001, this consists of the administrative offices and a bookstore, and also provides reception services to visitors.
The Walking Buddha
At the centre of Nagaloka is a magnificent and beautiful, 36 foot high brass image of the Buddha walking, which was inaugurated in 2009. It was created by the famous sculptor from Taiwan, Master Wen Kwei Chan. The Buddha is walking out to people in the world with his hand raised in Abhaya Mudra, giving confidence to all he meets. His eyes are open in compassion. We decided on this representation, as Dr. Ambedkar said this was how he liked to see the Buddha. The Buddha is usually seen sitting, but for eight months of the year he was walking the roads of North India, continually going out to people.
Dr. Ambedkar Statue
The bronze statue shows Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar as he was at the time of the conversion, but with his book, “The Buddha and the Dhamma” in his hand. Although old, he is walking with great serenity, and at the same time with great purpose and determination. Kindness and wisdom are clear in his face, reminding visitors of the vision of this man who was the greatest social reformer in Indian history, crowning his extraordinary life by brining Buddhism back to India as a living faith