The Bodhi Institute
is the natural culmination of the vision of our colleagues, Venerable Metteyya and Guruma Bodhi. It is envisioned as the heart of the work - 'a ‘unifying sanctuary where all our endeavors come together as one’, as Bodhi so eloquently frames it.
As the educational projects: Metta Schools, Peace Grove Nunnery, Anatta Library, and Karuna Girls School grew, interconnected to be sure, but also individual seeds progressing at their own pace, dedicated to the empowerment of girls and young women, it became clear that education needed to be supported by the health and well-being of individuals and families, as well as animals, nature and the earth herself.
To extend the analogy, a true Bodhi Tree - a living hub of compassion and wisdom - was needed to support these interconnected branches. Bodhi Institute was envisioned as this home base - a center to support the extended family of students, nuns, families, volunteers, staff, and the greater community. Under one roof, the Institute will also serve as a professional training and development center, with the goal of carrying the work of service, toward peace, healing, and awakening forward with wisdom and compassion.
From the very early days, when Bodhi Ma first met Bhante Metteyya, and spent time at the World Heritage site, she sensed a missed opportunity. As international visitors and pilgrims toured the temples, local villagers had no welcoming space to learn the history and teachings of the Buddha, as their own cultural legacy. Bodhi imagined a ‘non-sectarian home for peace studies to connect locals with global seekers’. This vision was a long time coming as there were many obstacles. A Canadian Buddhist Organization was formed (CEBA) (see our ABOUT section) to qualify for land in the monastic zone of the World Heritage site. Once granted, years of fundraising and effort were required just to fill in the soil (30,000 tonnes) from the deeply excavated land. And yet, tonne by tonne, and brick by brick, the extended Metta Family spread the word and small scale generosity and a lot of faith culminated in the living reality shown here. Welcome to the Bodhi Institute!
Official inauguration of Bodhi Institute during the sixth Heavenly Himalayan Holiday tour in 2023
The event was highlighted by the donation of a beautiful Borobudur-style Indonesian Buddha statue by Mr. Kasim Padmanadi
October 2025: Construction continues at Bodhi Institute - brick by brick a peace center is built with patience and love
Following the higher ordination of Venerable Metteyya, the Venerable Sangha of monks and nuns along with local and foreign guests were served lunch at Bodhi Institute during the seventh HHH tour in 2025
