BIFIRD is housed in a green-concept ashram in the quiet surroundings of Silversand Island, Vyttila, Cochin. Sri B R Ajit, a well-known architect and educationist, is the mind behind it.
Inspired by Swami Bodhananda's vision of transformation through continuous dialogue among schools of thought — especially the great religions and cultures — BIFIRD is a “Green Ashram” attuned to ecological integration and a reduced carbon footprint. It consists chiefly of an elegant conference hall and a library, and is a think tank and forum for people of different beliefs, perspectives and world views to meet in constructive conversation.
Swami Bodhananda on the vision for BIFIRD
As Kochi becomes an international metropolitan city, the need for a forum for dialogue between faiths and disciplines grows increasingly urgent. Dialogue is the only way to combat terrorism and every other form of violence, and to create win-win solutions for all identity- and rights-based disputes.
Kerala has a unique reputation for inter-religious harmony, despite occasional eruptions of violence. So too the dialogue between the ideologues of economic development and scientific progress, on one side, and environmentalists and opponents of materialist relativism, on the other, often breaks down for lack of a grand vision — confusing the public and policy makers alike.
BIFIRD will be a forum for votaries of different belief systems to discover common concerns, influence public debate and devise action plans for the common good. Just as Sankaracharya of Kalady revived Indian culture in the eighth century by integrating all existing traditions under the umbrella of Advaita Vedanta, BIFIRD will strive to bring all faiths, world views and narratives under one roof, in the spirit of 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.
— Swami Bodhananda, 22 April 2011
Dialogues and events
BIFIRD organised an inter-faith meet on 25 December 2015 at BTH, Ernakulam, with Pujya Swamiji, Prof K V Thomas MP, Sri M A Arif MLA, Fr Robin Kannanchira, Sri Ibrahim Khan, Sri K L Mohana Varma, Sri B R Ajit and Swami Adhyatmananda. It has also hosted lectures by Sri Harihara Iyer, Prof Mavelikara Subramaniam on Sangeetha — Mokshamargam and Sri E H Gopalakrishnan on Zen Buddhism; an inter-school debate; a ghazal concert by Kerala Gharana; and workshops on paper-bag and umbrella making.
The Krishna Vijoy Arora Memorial Library and the office of the Bodhananda Sruti Seva Trust are housed at BIFIRD.
BIFIRD was inaugurated on 14 April 2013.
