The 13th Supreme Patriarch (Sangharaja) of Bangladesh, Ven. Jnanashree Mahathera, affectionately known as Sangharaj Bhante, died on 13 November while receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in Chattogram, Bangladesh. He was 100 years old.
The Bangladesh Sangharaj Bhikkhu Mahasabha (the Supreme Sangha Council of Bangladesh (SSCB) announced the passing of Sangharaj Bhante on its official Facebook page.
“A great sun has set, leaving behind profound sorrow and deep respect,” Ven. Ratana Nanda, the office secretary of the SSCB, shared on social media. “Forgive us, O great being, Most Venerable Sangharaja.” (Ratana Nanda Facebook)
The SSCB appointed Ven. Jnanashree Mahathera as the 13th Buddhist Supreme Patriarch of Bangladesh on 20 May 2020, having previously appointed him as Deputy Supreme Patriarch on 29 January 2004.
Ven. Bhikkhu Sunandapriya from Badda International Monastery in Dhaka stated on social media: “His death has resulted in an irreplaceable loss for the Buddhist community in Bangladesh. He was a shining star in centuries of history. Known as the father of orphans and a great teacher to many disciples, as well as the founder of numerous institutions. The entire Buddhist community of Bangladesh mourns the passing of this virtuous man.” (Bhikkhu Sunandapriya Facebook)
Born on 18 November 1925, in Domkhali Village, North Gujra, Chittagong District, Ven. Jnanashree Mahathera was a revered figure in the Buddhist community, serving as abbot of Chittagong Buddhist Monastery and several other monasteries across Bangladesh.
He became a novice monk in 1944 and was ordained as a bhikkhu in 1949. In 1956, he relocated from Chittagong to the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Ven. Jnanashree Mahathera’s influence extended beyond religious duties; he worked actively for the development of underprivileged Buddhist communities], promoting general education alongside religious teachings. He established numerous religious and educational institutions in both the hill country and plains areas of Chittagong.
In 1981, Ven. Jnanashree founded the Parbatya Chattal (Chittagong Hill Tracts) Buddhist Orphanage in Dighinala, now part of Khagrachari District. In 1984, he established Moanoghar, a socio-educational organization in Rangapani Village, Rangamati District of Chittagong Hill Tracts. Moanoghar includes a residential school aimed at providing general education to poor, orphaned, and needy children. Over the years, it has become one of the most prominent educational institutions for indigenous children in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, offering free or highly subsidized education to orphaned and underprivileged children from the region. Ven. Jnanashree also established educational institutions in the Chittagong, Joypurhat, and Rangpur districts of Bangladesh.
Due to his extensive social and religious contributions, Ven. Jnanashree Mahathera received numerous titles and honors, among them: the Ekushey Padak, the second-highest state award from the government of Bangladesh; the Aggamahapandita from the Myanmar government; and an honorary doctorate from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University in Thailand. He also received the Bishuddhananda Gold Medal from the Bangladesh Bauddha Kristi Prachar Sangha and the Sangharaja Saramedha Peace Gold Medal from the Bangladesh Buddhist Association.
Ven. Jnanashree Mahathera authored several books, including Jatakabali (The Story of the Bodhisattva) and Bouddha Nitimala (Buddhist Livelihood). In 1975, he co-founded the Tripitaka Prachar Board (Tipitaka Publishing Board) alongside His Holiness the Eighth Supreme Patriarch, Ven. Shilangkar Mahathera.
Bangladesh has two supreme councils for the Buddhist sangha in plains areas: the Bangladesh Sangharaj Bhikkhu Mahasabha, led by Ven. Jnanashree Mahathera as the 13th supreme patriarch; and the Bangladesh Bouddha Bhikkhu Mahasabha. Besides these two organizations, other Buddhist sangha councils exist among the Chakma and Marma monks in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
See more
His Holiness Ven Jnanashree Mahathero (Facebook)
Bangladesh Sangharaj Bhikkhu Mahasabha – বাংলাদেশ সংঘরাজ ভিক্ষু মহাসভা (Facebook)
Ratana Nanda (Facebook)
Bhikkhu Sunandapriya (Facebook)
Moanoghar was Founded in 1974 by a Group of Buddhist Monks (Moanoghar)
13th His Holiness Sangharaj Most Ven. Jnanashree Mahathero (Bangladesh Sangharaj Bhikkhu Mahasabha)
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