Bodhananda Inernational Foundation for Inter-Religious Dialogue

  • Bodhananda Inernational Foundation for Inter-Religious Dialogue, in Cochin is housed in a Green-concept Ashram, situated in the quiet environs of Silversand Island, in Vyttila, Cochin. Sr B R Ajit a well-known Architect and educationist is the mind behind BIFIRD.

    The Inauguration of Bodhananda International Foundation for Inter-Religious Dialogue (BIFIRD) in Cochin (Kerala) was on 14 April 2013. Bodhananda International Foundation for Inter-Religious Dialogue is inspired by His Holiness Swami Bodhananda's vision to create transformation, by enabling continuous dialogue among various schools of thoughts, especially among the great religions and cultures. Located in Cochin, BIFIRD is a "Green Ashram" attuned to the philosophy of ecological integration and reduction of carbon footprint. It consists of primarily, an elegant conference hall and a library. BIFIRD is a think tank and apt forum for votaries of different belief systems, perspectives and world views to meet and engage in constructive conversation.

     

    Message from
    Swami Bodhananda on the Vision for BIFIRD

    " As Kochi is becoming an international metropolitan city, the need for a forum for dialogue between faiths and disciplines is becoming increasingly urgent. Dialogue is the only way to combat terrorism and all other forms of violence and create win-win solutions for all identity and right based disputes. Kerala has a unique reputation for inter religious harmony, in spite of occasional eruption of violence among misguided and some times well meaning followers of different religions. So too the dialogue between the ideologues of economic development and scientific progress on the ones side and environmentalists and opponents of materialist relativism on the other often break down due to lack of a grand vision. Such misunderstandings cause confusion in the general public as well as among the policy makers.

     

    The Bodhananda International Foundation For Inter Religious Dialogue (BIFIRD) will be a think tank and apt forum for votaries of different belief systems, perspectives and world views to meet and engage in constructive conversation to discover common concerns, influence public debate and devise action plans for common good.

     

    BIFIRD will be the first among its kind in the entire country. Just as Sankaracharya form Kalady revived Indian culture and wisdom traditions in the 8th century AD by integrating all existing traditions under the umbrella of Advaita Vedanta, so too BIFIRD will strive to bring all faiths, world views and narratives under one roof in the spirit of the Vedic statement : Ekam Sat Viprah Bahudha Vadanti, Truth Is One, Scholars Differ. Love Unites, Opinions Divide. Compassion includes, Violence Excludes. Let us join hands and talk from our hearts and be part of BIFIRD"

    SWAMI BODHANANDA

    22 April 2011

     

     

     

    Visionary Leadership

    • It is Gurudev's vision and inspiring spiritual guidance that gave rise to the idea of 'Bodhananda Research Foundation for Management and Leadership Studies' in 1988, to foster human potential development, and to develop leadership through dialogue, in management. BRF-ML was formally registered as a Trust in 1995.


      Swami Bodhananda is the spiritual guidance and inspiration for Sambodh and its sister institutions in India, North America and the rest of the world. Programs and projects for the study and propagation of Vedantic Scriptures, research on Indian management and contextulaising it in the contemporary economic and geopolitical context, ashrams to set our minds high and meditate in unison with the harmony of mother nature, living with nature, social service activities for the minorities and underprivileged - all these are blooms of His divine vision flowing through His devotees and associates in different parts of the world.

      • Apart from His erudition in Vedantic texts, Swami Bodhananda is a well known management guru.. He is an avid reader and is well-versed with the contemporary challenges that the corporate leadership and corporate management face. The Gita and ManagementSwami Bodhananda is the author of several books: His latest book is Indian Management and Leadership. Other books include The Gita and Management; Meditation: The Awakening of Inner Powers; Happiness Unlimited; Seven Hindu Spiritual Laws; and, Management and Mahabharata. He has also authored two conversation-styled books, one with a scholar of consciousness studies in India, and the other with a young Indian-American lawyer in the United States. These books are “Dialogues: Philosopher meets Seer” (2001) and “Irreverent Spiritual Questions” (2004).

    • The range of topics Swami Bodhananda addresses extends from human potential development, managerial excellence and leadership studies to the experience of "absolute peace in the midst of dynamic activity". Here are selections from, the papers and thoughts He has written at various occasions; Travelogues; Thematic Notes; correspondence and discussions between Gurudev and His devotees through letters and meetings, public interviews and media reports; Messages that Gurudev writes on occasions of spiritual and cultural importance. READ MORE

Guiding Vision

“  If at all I have a mission, it is to laugh and laugh, and encourage a few others to laugh with me and ultimately seduce the whole creation to roar a cosmic laughter.  ”

–  Swami Bodhananda
 

Daily Meditation

Read and Reflect

Picture Gallery & Albums

Pictures tell us stories ... stories of self-transformation and inspired work all illumined by the blessings of our Guru Swami Bodhananda.

 

Click here to watch Picture galleries from the Centres of Sambodh INDIA