At about 29 kms Southwest of Sector 49, Gurgaon, a wonderful location exists at Manesar, off NH48, New Delhi-Jaipur highway.
Soka Bodhi tree garden, Gurgaon
It is impeccably manicured to perfection.
Golf course like, meadows heave over uneven grounds, spread over like a green velvet and filled with Peepal trees or Maha Bodhi trees all around as far as one’s eyes can see.
Soka Bodhi Tree Garden
We went to visit the center for exchange of friendship, peace and is owned by Soka Gakkai (SG), a Buddhist organization built along Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings.
The group advocates peace encourages culture of friendship, and self determination to win through one’s life. By chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and engaging in cooperative activities, SG member can achieve supreme protection and happiness.
Ikeda auditorium
Tree Garden, Gurgaon
This tall and long edifice that houses 3000 delegates, is uniquely styled with terracotta tiles over the roof.
It is named after the former SGI President Daisaku Ikeda.
It is crafted with a stage that is around 30 meters in length. Has green rooms for stage performers to the tune of 500. It is huge, looks robust and beautiful.
After parking in its ample parking space, we set off after the morning ‘Gongyo’, to explore this wide piece of immaculately landscaped land.
Sprawling greenery
At the southern end, a tall watch tower decorated the building. A walkway connects it to the main building on its right flank.
Garden complex, Gurgaon
As we started walking away from the building, we saw scattered geometric buildings of various shapes snugly placed within acres of trees and rolling meadows.
I am sure you will be impressed with the shear vastness of the place, and its open fields and the way it soothes a visitor’s mind 😊
Bodhi trees
I have never seen such man-made greenery at one place. Rows of Bodhi trees, or Fig trees, popularly known as Peepal in India have been planted, equidistant at perfectly measured geometric distances from each other.
I hope you enjoy as much as we did, when we explored the center point of Mahayana Buddhism.
Astounding green fields
I welcome you to take a hike with us for the next seven minutes, to experience the world of nature and monuments of peace.
continued our march
sky as our exploration continued
satisfy the thirst of the swans
at bay around the building
branches stretching out towards the distant Bodhi trees
Tree Garden had surprises everywhere
of Soka BodhiTree Garden
through the manicured bushes beneath a blue sky
World Peace Monument
Standing 2.5 meters tall, and hued out of Himalayan blue granite, the monument symbolizes lasting world peace as envisaged by Daisaku Ikeda.
It sits atop a circular platform and built with remarkable accuracy.
Soka Bodhi Tree Garden
at Soka Bodhi Tree Garden
at Soka Bodhi Tree Garden
Rock engravings
by Daisaku Ikeda
Bodhi tree for Josei Toda
serene and robust, symbolizing Buddhist teachings
at the Soka Bodhi Tree Garden
offered juicy fruits to refresh the tired visitors
End of a journey
wonderful home cooked lunch
After a rejuvenating two hours, immersed in nature’s abundance, we experienced the profound serenity of Buddhist silent prayers.
Overwhelmed by mild tiredness, and rising appetite, we gathered for a sumptuous home-cooked meal in the welcoming expanse of the open-air dining area.
Did you feel like visiting the Jetavana Grove, as described in the Lotus Sutra?
Hope you enjoyed our tour of Soka Bodhi Tree Garden at Manesar 😍
Inference
- An extremely serene place to visit
- Anyone can visit, tagging along with a member who practices Nichiren Buddhism
- You can chant in complete silence and be one with nature
| Distance from Gurgaon to Soka Bodhi Tree Garden | 29 kms |
| Best time to visit | November through early March |
| Timings | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Check information before visiting | BSG Culture Centres | Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG) |
| Parking | The garden has its own parking |
| Pocket pinch | Can love be charged? You do not have to pay to visit the garden |
SPITFIRE GAUTAM 