The spiritual leader and socially engaged Buddhist monk Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena led observations to celebrate Mahakaruna Diwas (Great Compassion Day) 2025 at the India International Centre in New Delhi on 12 February. The program, held annually, is aimed at promoting global peace and sharing the Buddha’s timeless wisdom and teaching of compassion for the benefit of all beings.
“The event commenced with the lighting of a ceremonial lamp by dignitaries, followed by the promotion of the book Mahakaruna: A Holistic Movement for Global Peace Through Compassion in Action, co-authored by the scholar and educationist Dr. Priya Ranjan Trivedi and Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena.” the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) said in a statement seen by BDG.
In his keynote address, Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena emphasized the critical role of mahakaruna (great compassion) in all aspects of life, including governance, science, and education. He warned of the destructive misuse of technology, noting that the same advancements meant to ease human life were being used to wage wars—all due to a lack of compassion and spiritual awareness. Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena advocated strongly for integrating spirituality into modern education and proposed the publication of a textbook to introduce mahakaruna to young people to foster a culture of compassion from an early age.
Mahakaruna Diwas 2025 was jointly organized by the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) in Ladakh and the Mahakaruna Foundation, Delhi, along with the International Association of Educators for World Peace (IAEWP), the Indian Institute of Ecology and Environment, New Delhi, and the Global Peace Foundation (GPF-India), New Delhi.
Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena is the spiritual director of the non-profit Mahabodhi International Meditation Center in India’s far north. He is also the founder of the Mahakaruna Foundation, the Save the Himalayas Foundation, and a spiritual advisor to the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB).
The forum was attended by scholars, educationists, and peace activists, including: Dr. Kiran Bedi, former Lt. Governor of Puducherry & IPS (Retd.); Dr. Priya Ranjan Trivedi, chancellor of the Confederation of Indian Universities; Dr. Sandeep Marwah, founder of Noida Film City; Dr. Markandey Rai, chairman of the Global Peace Foundation India; Prof. P. B. Sharma, vice-chancellor of Amity University, Gurgaon; Acharya Satya Narendra; Ladakhi journalist P. P. Wangchuk; and other notable social leaders advocating for global peace.
During the convocation, speakers addressed global issues of import, emphasizing the urgent need for compassion-driven leadership amid escalating violence and conflict around the world.
In her address to those gathered, Dr. Bedi praised Bhikkhu Sanghasena’s humanitarian initiatives, describing them as “an oasis in a desert” and an example of transforming the impossible into reality. She advocated for Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena’s nomination to the upper house of India’s Parliament, in recognition of his contributions to society.
“The event concluded with a shared vision for the future: to institutionalize mahakaruna in education and governance, to work toward the establishment of Mahakaruna University, and to develop policies that integrate spirituality and compassion into leadership,” the MIMC noted. “The dignitaries and attendees expressed their unwavering support for [the] mission, reinforcing the belief that compassion is the key to transforming the world.”
Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena founded the Mahabodhi International Meditation Center (MIMC) in Leh, the joint capital of Ladakh, in 1986. He has since become an exemplar of socially engaged Buddhism in the region, launching numerous humanitarian projects, events, and initiatives. His outreach work includes providing educational opportunities and refuge for underprivileged children, empowerment and literacy programs for women and other socially disadvantaged groups, healthcare for the sick and needy, and a care home for the aged and destitute. The MIMC’s expanding campus has evolved into a hub for a multitude of socio-cultural and community programs in the region.
In a seperate statement for the new year shared with BDG, Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena observed:
Let us resolve to reject the path of violence, and instead embrace the way of compassion, understanding, and cooperation. Let us open our hearts to the suffering of others, and take action to alleviate it wherever we find it. Let us strive to build bridges of understanding, not walls of division.
In the coming year, let us prioritise dialogue over conflict, compassion over indifference, unity over division, justice over oppression, and healing over harm. Oh, lovers of peace and seekers of truth, let us resolve to be bodhisattvas, messengers of peace, and ambassadors of compassion.
This is the time to call for compassion in action for all of humanity. As we welcome 2025, let us remember that peace is not a distant dream—it begins with each of us, in our hearts and minds, and extends outward into the world.
Let us also remember those who have suffered in the past year: the innocent victims of war and terrorism, the families who have lost loved ones, and the countless individuals living in fear and despair. We send our compassionate prayers and loving-kindness to all those affected by violence, and we commit ourselves to ending this cycle of suffering.
In addition to integrating spiritual development and human and animal welfare, Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena and the MIMC are also closely involved in peace-building and interfaith dialogue, environmental conservation, and in promoting Buddhist and Himalayan cultural heritage through national and international festivals. Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena has traveled extensively to participate international conferences, seminars, and workshops to promote spiritual and cultural values, environmental awareness, non-violence and world peace, and elevating the status of women in society—especially those from underprivileged communities.
In 2021, Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena led a team from the MIMC on a humanitarian relief mission to the border regions of Ladakh, offering material COVID-19 relief as well as much-needed emotional and spiritual counseling for local residents who were living in fear during the dual crises of the pandemic and the military-led border standoff between Indian and Chinese troops. The same team also led a peace campaign in the conflict zone, appealing to the two nations not to resort to violence, but to resolve the standoff through peaceful means.*
* Work, Walk, and Pray for Peace: Bhikkhu Sanghasena Undertakes Peace Pilgrimage in Ladakh (BDG) and Buddhist Monk Bhikkhu Sanghasena Urges Peaceful Resolution amid Sino-Indian Border Tensions (BDG)
See more
Mahabodhi International Meditation Center
Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre – MIMC (Facebook)
Bhikkhu Sanghasena
Bhikkhu Sanghasena (Facebook)
Mahakaruna Foundation
Save the Himalayas Foundation
International Network of Engaged Buddhists
Related news reports from BDG
Engaged Buddhism: Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena Organizes Free Medical and Menstrual Hygiene Camp in Ladakh
Engaged Buddhism: Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena Launches Menstrual Hygiene Program in Ladakh
Engaged Buddhism: Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena Organizes Free Medical Camp in Ladakh
Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena Leads Week-long Vesak Celebration in Ladakh
Environmental Activist and “Ice Stupa” Innovator Sonam Wangchuk in Third Week of Climate Fast in Ladakh
Related features from BDG
Are You Searching for Buddha or God?
Sacred Offerings of Compassion and Relief: Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena, the Silent Reformer
