Wanderlust Chronicles

Bodhi Zendo, nestled in the serene Perumalmalai near Kodaikanal, stands as a unique beacon of Zen meditation in South India. Founded in 1996 by Fr. AMA Samy, the first Indian Zen master and a Jesuit priest, the center represents a remarkable confluence of spiritual traditions. Fr. AMA Samy's journey to establishing Bodhi Zendo was deeply shaped by his life experiences and spiritual quests. His search for spiritual depth led him to Hindu ashrams, Buddhist meditation centers, and eventually to Japan, where he trained under Yamada Ko-Un Roshi of the Sanbo Kyodan school of Zen Buddhism. In 1982, he was authorized to teach Zen, blending elements from Soto and Rinzai traditions along with influences from Christianity and other religions, thereby creating a distinctive teaching method that reflects both his Indian heritage and Zen training. Bodhi Zendo literally means "Awakening Hall" and functions as a Sangha—a community of practitioners—open to all, regardless of religious bac...

Nestled in the breathtaking Palni Hills of Kodaikanal, Sacred Heart College, Shembaganur is much more than a Jesuit formation house—it is a living testament to a rich legacy of faith, ecological stewardship, educational dedication, and spiritual renewal. This remarkable institution’s origins and ongoing mission are rooted in the vision and efforts of early Jesuit missionaries, particularly Fr. Saint-Cyr, whose pioneering spirit laid the foundation for what has become a beacon of Ignatian spirituality and holistic formation. The Genesis: Fr. Saint-Cyr and the Birth of a Vision The story of Sacred Heart College begins in the mid-19th century with one man’s profound encounter with the Kodaikanal plateau. In 1852, while on a pastoral visit to Periakulam as a missionary responsible for the Dindigul, Palni, and Kumbam valleys, Fr. Saint-Cyr happened upon the steep rise of the Kodai plateau. Intrigued and inspired, he climbed through dense jungle to the plateau’s summit and immediately envisi...