About the IIM Bodh Gaya Logo

On January 14, 2020, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama granted IIM Bodh Gaya a meaningful new identity by unveiling its logo, marking a historic moment for the institute, known as 'The Enlightening IIM.' This logo, designed by Chakradhar Saswade, senior designer and discipline lead for Information Design at the National Institute of Design's R&D Campus in Bengaluru, carries the Dalai Lama's blessings.

The logo serves as a distinct visual identity for IIM Bodh Gaya, artfully blending the institute's acronym with symbolic imagery. It incorporates significant elements that reflect the heritage of Nalanda and Bodh Gaya, a region where scholars from around the world have gathered for centuries in pursuit of knowledge. Together, these elements create a unique and layered visual that underscores the institute's prestigious role in regional development and its dedication to enlightenment and learning.

The Concept

Stupas, symbolizing the centre of the world, or the axis Mundi, represent the enlightened mind or the 'Buddha'. Inspired by the Stupa of Sanchi, it is symbolic of material body and the subtle and vibrant 'inner space'.

The waves depict reverberance, radiance, growth, harmony and unity. Their constructive interference creates an optical illusion of luminance and stand as a ray of insight and inspiration and for बोध एवं ज्ञान.

The leaf of the sacred Bodhi tree serves as a symbol of knowledge, soul, abundance and generosity. Contextual with the Mahabodhi tree where Buddha was enlightened, it is representative of the path of enlightenment.

The Motto

'सब्बे भद्राणि पस्सन्तु' The motto is in the Pali language, the language of Buddha's teachings. It is taken from the 'Dhammavani Sangrah' by Shri S.N. Goyanka that has verses in the Pali with Hindi translation and is based on the 'Tipitaka' that constitutes the body of classical text of 'Theravada Buddhism'.

In Hindi, this translates into: 'सभी मंगलमय घटनाओं के साक्षी बने'