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- EIN 94-3275977
- Po Box 8947 Emeryville CA 94662-8947 USA
- www.muktabodha.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Arts & Culture, Education, Hinduism, Religion, Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
Mission: The Indian subcontinent contains a breathtaking treasury of manuscripts and orally transmitted knowledge of the unique experiences and universal wisdom of its sages, yogis, and philosophers. The work of the Muktabodha Institute is built on the recognition of the vital importance of preserving this knowledge not only as an important resource for scholars and students worldwide, but ultimately as a resource for humanity. Yet, we are in a race with time. Due to the disappearance of traditional patronage, the pressure of globalization, and the ravages of a harsh climate, much of this knowledge has not only fallen into obscurity but is in danger of being lost to the world forever. We are committed to a holistic approach that recognizes the importance of both the oral and written expressions of India''s traditional knowledge. And to achieve this, the Muktabodha Institute promotes collaboration amongst some of the finest Indian and non-Indian scholars and traditional practitioners.
Programs: 1. VEDASHALA - a School of Vedic Studies: In 2003, UNESCO declared Vedic chanting to be one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity that are in urgent need of preservation. The Swami Muktananda Vedashala preserves the Vedic heritage by offering the traditional mode of rigorous oral study of the Krishna Yajur Veda under the inspiring direction of Shri Vivek Godbole, whose family has studied in this tradition for 14 generations. There are 26 students engaged in full-time study in this residential school which is the only surviving school that preserves one of the 11 most endangered sub-branches of the Vedsas.2. AUDIO & VIDEO ARCHIVING: The Muktabodha Institute is engaged in making audio and video recordings of authentic Vedic mantra recitation and rituals, recognizing that these invaluable facets of humanity's spiritual heritage are in danger of extinction. As UNESCO has pointed out, custodians of such rare knowledge are Living Human Treasures, yet too few of them have students to whom they can pass on the full breadth of their knowledge and skills. 3. DIGITAL LIBRARY: This online library preserves rare manuscripts and texts in digital format, and make them accessible for study worldwide. Throughout much of Indian history, scribes recorded the wisdom of the sages by etching the words onto specially dried and treated palm leaves or birch tree bark - a tradition that no longer exists. Therefore, Muktabodha is actively engaged in the digital archiving of this endangered knowledge. The first phase of Muktabodha's ground-breaking digital library makes available in clear, digital images every page of 74 volumes of the Kashmir Series of Texts and Studies (KSTS). These Sanskrit texts are available on our website at no charge, to scholars and students worldwide in a format that is easy to read, magnify, download, and print. The purpose of the digital library is to stimulate study and translation of these sophisticated texts. The library is accessed with a frequency confirms its immense value as a research and educational resource. 4. PUBLICATIONS: Muktabodha has engaged outstanding scholars - particularly Kashmir Shaivism and the Veda - to create articulate, careful, and deeply authentic translations and commentaries on texts that contain significant, transformative knowledge that has fallen into obscurity and is in danger of being lost. Muktabodha has published the 10th century Kashmiri sage Utpaladeva's Isvara Pratyabhijna Karika (Verses on the Recognition of the Lord) -- one of the foundational works of Kashmir Shaivism. This book contains an engaging English translation and commentary by Dr. B. N. Pandit, one of the greatest living scholars of this tradition.