Buddha Tri-Ratna Mission was formed in the year1974 at C. R. Park, New Delhi by a few prominent residents of C.R. Park all from Barua Buddhist Communities. They formed a society viz. Buddha Tri-Ratna Mission and got it Registered under Society’s Act.

The main aim of the Society was to get a piece of land in the area marked in original master plan of C.R. Park as Religious Plots. So the society made an application to Govt. of India for a piece of land  at the Religious  site  at C.R. Park, New Delhi, saying  the mission want to construct a Buddhist Monastery and carry on Religious, Socio-Cultural activities from the Mission’s Temple  Complex  mentioning that we  are  a purely charitable organization. The case was moving very slowly as happens in Govt. of India and no positive results were seen on the ground.

The mission had no financial backing and not much supporting member base. In the year 1977, Dr. Ven. Bhikshu Satyapala arrived in Delhi and joined Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Delhi as a lecturer and temporarily residing at C.R. Park, New Delhi.

The members of Buddha Tri-Ratna Mission requested Dr. Ven. Bhikshu Satyapala to take over as Gen. Secretary and take charge of the Mission. Then he was young and energetic and agreed to the proposal. And started on his own exploring all possibilities of acquiring the land from the Govt. of India. In the process he had to make a number of visits to the ministries, other authorities, political leaders and other Buddhist leaders from other mission etc.

There were several obstacles coming on his way. There were many vested interests with political backing who was against mission getting the land. There were occasions when our application/Files were dumped and there were proposal to allot the same plot to other parties.  

Dr. Ven. Bhikshu Satyapala had to run from pillar to post to block the move. And due to his great effort and personal persuasion manage to bring Buddha Tri-Ratna Missions claim in track again. But slow pace in the Ministry and changes in Govt. of India also frequent changes in the Ministry- right from Minister to bureaucrats and officials made the matter worse whenever Buddha Tri-Ratna Mission made some good contact and was hoping for some positive response and result. We had to face great set back due to change of the persons who were convinced and favorable with our cause. At the same time parties with vested interest was creating problems in the progress and movement of our files in the Ministry.

Dr. Ven. Bhikshu Satyapala was alone fighting for the cause of the mission with no funds of Mission and no fund collection activities. Frequently he was pumping part of his own salary for mission’s work showing a loan to society. And he was getting Mission’s account audited every year through C.A. firm and submitting Income Tex Return. He got the permission from the Govt. of India to get exemption to Donor for Donation to Mission under Section 80-G. He also got the permission to receive foreign donation for the mission although No foreign donations were forthcoming.

In this period he had shifted his residence to University of Delhi after becoming professor, where he was allotted accommodation for the professors. Periodical meetings of the mission was organized  time to time at mission’s office at Delhi University but many a members from C.R. Park was  not attending the same due to long distance and they can’t be blamed  also. 

In the mean time the Dr. Ven. Bhikshu Satyapala had organized 3 to 4 times with the assistance of C.R. Park based members and a few Neo Buddhist members who were regularly attending Mission’s meeting at University of Delhi at his residence cum mission office. Buddha Purnima Utsav at the plot ear marked for mission at C.R. Park.

After so many years of great effort, mission was finally allotted half an acre of land at a very exorbitant rate i.e. 80 Lakh per acre and mission was asked to pay Rs. 40 Lakh immediately as cost of half acre land in the year 1997.

With absolutely no fund at Mission coffer, we had gone with our appeal to all concerned to reduce the cost as we are a charitable organization and depend on charity of the people.

We received no help from any quarter except hollow assurances. After exhausting all avenues we have gone to Delhi High Court hiring Lawyers for favourable judgment i.e. give us the land at a concessional rate arguing that in the same C.R. Park, other religious organization was allotted land and regularized the same at one Lakh per acre.

Hon’ble Court admitted our case for the hearing with a condition that 1/4 amount demanded by the Govt. of India to be deposited by the Mission to the Govt. of India in order not to cancel the allotment nor allot the same to any other party. So, we deposited rupees 10 Lakhs with the authorities.

After a period of 5 to 6 years, judgment was given, which was not in our favour. Therefore, we made an appeal to Supreme Court appointing Senior Lawyer paying high amount as Lawyer’s fee,  the judgment came  in the year 2008 directing us to pay as per the Govt. of India’s claim with no  relief  to us and  we were  directed to pay the balance amount of approx. 30 Lakhs within  a period of  60 days.

With no other option left with us we immediately formed our fund raising team lead by Dr. Ven. Bhikkhu Kachayan (Sraman) and gone door to door of Barua Buddhist families with appeal to donate or give us interest free loans to enable us to deposit the payment  within the time frame. Many of the devotees came forward and donated generously. Apart from Barua families in Delhi, some of the Buddhist organization was kind enough to give their donations. Dr. Ven. Bhikshu Satyapala raised loan from his personal followers/devotees including  Neo Buddhist Members, business man etc. and within a month or so we have  collected  an amount of about 30 Lakhs and deposited  with the Govt. of India the entire cost of land as per Hon’ble court’s order.

All the donations received are accounted for and reflects in mission’s Income Tex Return and Audited Report. After depositing the cost of land we called for a meeting  and announced the good news  that Mission has paid  the entire land cost which  was  a great  achievement. 

However,  after  a month  we wrote  to Govt. of India  that since we have paid the full cost of land  as per your  demand,  we may please  be handed  over the plot. To our great shock, after 15 days we received a letter from the Govt. of India  that we have to deposit an additional amount of 60 Lakhs immediately  towards yearly ground rent  plus  interest  for delay in paying the land  cost in order to handover the possession  of  land  to the mission.

We felt shocked, absolutely helpless, not knowing what to do now. Again we started the process of approaching the concerned Ministers, P.M. Office, M.P.’s, senior officers in the Ministry and Lawyers to waive of this huge amount. All our efforts had gone waste and no positive result was forthcoming.

Then the mission decided to approach Minority commission as a last resort. The commission again took a lot of time to admit our case, after several visits to Commission.  Finally  the hearing began  and  we  presented  our  case  and appealed  that  since  ours  is a Minority  community and we  are running a charitable institute for religious, socio / cultural  activities, it is not correct on the part of Govt. of India to charge  from us for the allotted religious plot at such a  exorbitant  rate ( which  we  already  deposited)  when  in the same  locality other Religious  organizations  have  been provided  land at 1 Lakh  per acre. On the top of it the Govt. of India is now demanding Ground Rent per year without handing over the land and also huge interest for delay in payment amounting to several Lakhs.

We also pointed out that even after allotment the authorities are misusing the land by renting it out for marriage purposes, Durga Puja purposes, installing a Booster Pump to distribute nearby residents water through these and earning a huge amount by these act. In view of above, L&DO are not entitled for any Ground Rent from us since the year 1997.

So, Govt. of India’s decision to charge us such a huge amount is most unjustified. We prayed to the Commission to  waive  of our Ground Rent till we get the possession and  the  interest amount claimed  should also be waived (as the matter was in court and payment delay was not in our hand)  and  the land  should be handed over  to us as the entire land cost is  paid  by  us.

About 3 to 4 hearing took place and the Commission   ordered Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Land and Development Office (L&DO), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to submit all records with their suitable explanation. Since they have no answer to points raised by us they have started avoiding the Commission with some or other excuses.

Final hearing was scheduled for a particular day; we started seeing a ray of hope. As from the commission’s proceeding we started sensing that final decision will go in our favour.

As our bad luck, before the final hearing in our case, the commission’s chairperson retired and a new chairman was appointed. After setting down in his office, he took our case and in 2 hearings gave us final verdict totally against our interest. So, now we have come back to square one.

Recently Dr. Ven. Bhikshu Satyapala again took a loan of Rs.10 Lakhs against his property and deposited with Govt. of India as a part of interest and requested for handing over the land. Ministry acknowledging the payment made it clear until and unless the full payment is made no handover of land is possible. It may also be noted, present demand of interest has increased and it is about 80 Lakhs it will further go up with the passage of time. 

Thanks to Well-Wishers and Supporters 

We are absolutely thrilled and grateful to share the wonderful news that we have emerged victorious in our recent court case! It is with immense joy that we inform you that we have successfully acquired the land in our possession.

Buddha Tri-Ratna Mission team extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who stood by us during this challenging time. Your unwavering support, both morally and financially, played a pivotal role in securing this victory. Together, we raised an astounding 80 lakhs through the generosity of our well-wishers and the public at large. We are humbled by the overwhelming response and the trust you have placed in us.

This triumph would not have been possible without your belief in our cause and your willingness to contribute towards our legal expenses. Your contributions have been instrumental in enabling us to present a robust case and secure the land for our future endeavors.

BTM members are eternally grateful for your unwavering support, kind words, and the encouragement you provided throughout this entire journey. Your faith in us has truly made a significant impact and solidified our resolve.

As we move forward, we assure you that we will continue to work tirelessly to utilize the land in a manner that benefits our community and upholds our shared values. Your contribution has not only helped us win the court case but has also strengthened our collective vision for a better future.

Once again, we extend our deepest gratitude to all the well-wishers and members of the public who generously contributed towards our legal expenses. We are overjoyed to celebrate this victory with each and every one of you.

With sincerest appreciation,

BUDDHA TRI-RATNA MISSION

Let all be happy and be in peace