The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The Academy is operated under the supervision of Nalanda Univesity in Bihar State. The Management Committee had hoped that the Academy would gradually be upgraded to an internationally recognized Buddhist University, but the dream has turned to ashes by this destructive fire.

According to the Dhamma Dipa Academy authorities the resident novices started shouting when they first saw flames engulfing the Academy from the back of one of the buildings. The Fire Department was immediately summoned, but all three buildings were completely destroyed before the firefighters arrived.

Everything in the three residential viharas, including books, notebooks, robes, and beds, and a great deal of equipment belonging to the Academy, was completely destroyed.

According to the Sub-Divisional Police Authority, the incident is under investigation.