Bana Bhante, the most well known and widely respected Buddhist Leader of Bangladesh passes away
Venerable Sadhanananda
Mahasthavira, the highest spiritual leader of the Buddhists of
Bangladesh and chief abbot of Rajban Bana Vihar, Rangamati, passed away
(Moha parinirvana) due to old age complications at Square Hospital,
Dhaka on Monday afternoon, reports BSS.
Mahasthavira, interna-tionally revered spiritual leader of the Buddhists, was around 93, hospital and monastery sources said here. Mahasthavira, popularly known as Bana bhante (forest monk) for his extensive meditation in deep forests in different tribal hamlets of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), suffered from hypertension, respiratory and lungs problems. He was admitted to Square Hospital in the capital last Friday by a special air ambulance as he became unconscious.
The great demise of Mahasthavira cast pall of gloom among countless monks and devotees across the globe. Banabhante, after two decades of extensive meditation in almost seclusion in remote and inaccessible areas of CHT where there was no human habitation, came to the Rajban Bana Vihar, Rangamati and ceremonially was made the chief abbot of the monastery in 1977.
The most spiritual saint Bana bhante was considered to be the living Arahant or ‘supremely enlightened one’ of the Buddhist world for preaching sermons and discourse of meditation.
Born on January 8 in 1920 in Morghuna village of Moghban union under Rangamati sadar Upazila, Bana bhante was ordained as novice monk under guidance of Venerable Dipankar Sree Gyan, chief abbot of Nandan Kanan Buddhist Temple, Chittagong and president of Bangladesh Buddhist Association (BBA) in 1949.
Bana bhante who always preached sermons for nonviolence, amity, peace and compassion played an important role in reaching the historic CHT Peace Accord between Awami League government and Parbartya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity in 1997.
After coronation as the chief abbot of the Rajban Bana Vihar in 1977, Banabhante introduced ‘Kothin Chibar Daan’ (ceremonial offerings of yellow ropes to the monks) in the sub-continent in line with Bishakha who first offered the Chibar to Lord Buddha by manufacturing those within 24 hours. Centering his hermitage Rajban Bana Vihar has turned into the most sacred pilgrimage for the people of all religions across the world. Many statesmen, dignitaries and high officials who come to Bangladesh visit Bana bhante to seek his divine blessings.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday expressed deep condolence at the death of the top Buddhist spiritual leader Sadhanananda Mohathero popularly known as Bana bhante. In a message of condolence, the Prime Minister recalled the services of Bana bhante to the cause of the society and said the nation has lost an internationally revered Buddhist spiritual leader and humanitarian at his death. The Prime Minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed her profound sympathy to the members of the Buddhist community at home and abroad.
Mahasthavira, interna-tionally revered spiritual leader of the Buddhists, was around 93, hospital and monastery sources said here. Mahasthavira, popularly known as Bana bhante (forest monk) for his extensive meditation in deep forests in different tribal hamlets of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), suffered from hypertension, respiratory and lungs problems. He was admitted to Square Hospital in the capital last Friday by a special air ambulance as he became unconscious.
The great demise of Mahasthavira cast pall of gloom among countless monks and devotees across the globe. Banabhante, after two decades of extensive meditation in almost seclusion in remote and inaccessible areas of CHT where there was no human habitation, came to the Rajban Bana Vihar, Rangamati and ceremonially was made the chief abbot of the monastery in 1977.
The most spiritual saint Bana bhante was considered to be the living Arahant or ‘supremely enlightened one’ of the Buddhist world for preaching sermons and discourse of meditation.
Born on January 8 in 1920 in Morghuna village of Moghban union under Rangamati sadar Upazila, Bana bhante was ordained as novice monk under guidance of Venerable Dipankar Sree Gyan, chief abbot of Nandan Kanan Buddhist Temple, Chittagong and president of Bangladesh Buddhist Association (BBA) in 1949.
Bana bhante who always preached sermons for nonviolence, amity, peace and compassion played an important role in reaching the historic CHT Peace Accord between Awami League government and Parbartya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity in 1997.
After coronation as the chief abbot of the Rajban Bana Vihar in 1977, Banabhante introduced ‘Kothin Chibar Daan’ (ceremonial offerings of yellow ropes to the monks) in the sub-continent in line with Bishakha who first offered the Chibar to Lord Buddha by manufacturing those within 24 hours. Centering his hermitage Rajban Bana Vihar has turned into the most sacred pilgrimage for the people of all religions across the world. Many statesmen, dignitaries and high officials who come to Bangladesh visit Bana bhante to seek his divine blessings.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday expressed deep condolence at the death of the top Buddhist spiritual leader Sadhanananda Mohathero popularly known as Bana bhante. In a message of condolence, the Prime Minister recalled the services of Bana bhante to the cause of the society and said the nation has lost an internationally revered Buddhist spiritual leader and humanitarian at his death. The Prime Minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed her profound sympathy to the members of the Buddhist community at home and abroad.
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