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Battle over control of Bihar temple

What appeared to be a minor clash over entry into the Mahabodhi temple in Gaya with footwear has now blown into a full-fledged war for control of the sanctum sanctorum's management committee.

The clash occurred on December 11, when some Tibetan monks tried to enter with footwear on. They argued that they had to make thousands of rounds of the main shrine, while meditating, in the cold.

This was opposed by neo-Buddhists led by the Nagpur-based monks of Japanese origin, Bhante Surai Sasai.

The police opened two rounds of fire to bring peace in the Buddhists' holiest of holy shrines.

The Tibetans enjoy the backing of another monk, Bhante Viriyo, who is also a Rashtriya Janata Dal Rajya Sabha member.

Bodh Gaya observers say that the issue of footwear only exposed the tension between the two groups.

The neo-Buddhists control the temple management committee. Many residents of Bodh Gaya and non-monk Tibetans threw their lot behind the Tibetan lamas as many committee restrictions have affected business in Bodh Gaya, a township 12 km from Gaya.

The committee recently imposed several fresh restrictions, which include taking off footwear at the main gate of the temple. Earlier, visitors would take off footwear only at the gate of the Vajrashan, the seat of Buddha's enlightenment.

Though the local administration brokered a truce, the tension will continue till February, when the committee term expires.

Those opposed to the committee chose the clash to settle scores with neo-Buddhists, who call the shots.

The rival faction seems upbeat as it has the backing of Viriyo.

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