This series of articles introduces a group of prominent monks known as the “elderly monastic members” or “Mahāsthabir,” all of whom were born in the spiritually significant village of Unainpūrā in Bangladesh. In their own way, each of these masters contributed to a restoration of Buddhism after a long period of decline of Buddhism in the Bengal region from 1200 to 1700. My last subject, Ven. Chandrajyoti Mahāsthabir, was one such elderly monastic member. He was well-known for his philanthropic activities, constructing several Buddhist institutions and establishing many Buddhist statues and objects to reintroduce historical Buddhist sites.
In contrast, the subject of this entry, Śrīmat Krenglahā Mahāsthabir, (1700–80) was famous for his meditation practice and force of teaching. This article explores the legacy of Śrīmat Krenglahā Mahāsthabir, as well as his understanding of Buddhist practice.
As I have stressed in my previous articles, Unainpūrā was an intensely spiritual location for many centuries. It served as the birthplace of numerous Buddhist scholars, monks, and spiritual leaders who have helped to spread Theravāda Buddhism in Bangladesh and the Indian subcontinent. We know of these monastics from local records and a white stone rock edict, which records Unainpūrā Laṅkārāma’s history since the 1600s. It also lists the 16 prominent monks, or “elderly monastic members” (Mahāsthabir).
The sixteen Buddhist figures are listed here in chronological order:
1. Śrīmat Joydharā Mahāsthabir (1600–72)
2. Śrīmat Dhruba Mahāsthabir (1630–90)
3. Śrīmat Chādh Mahāsthabir (1630–90)4. Śrīmat Krenglahā Mahāsthabir (1700–80)
5. Śrīmat Thānāi Mahāsthabir (1720–85)
6. Śrīmat Hrepasui Mahāsthabir (1725–90)
7. Śrīmat Mohan Chandra Mahāsthabir (1730–80)
8. Śrīmat Mukulachan Mahāsthabir (1730–95)
9. Śrīmat Sudhan Chandra Mahāsthabir (1735–1810)
10. Śrīmat Saṅgharāj Achariya Purnachar Chandramohan Mahāsthabir (1834–1907)
11. Śrīmat Jagat Chandra Mahāsthabir (1852–1948)
12. Śrīmat Gaurachandra Mahāsthabir (1850–1910)
13. Śrīmat Kṛpāśaraṇa Mahāsthabir (1865–1926)
14. Śrīmat Saṅgharāj Dr. Dharmasen Mahāsthabir (1928–2020)
15. Śrīmat Dr. Bodhipal Bhikkhu (1968–2020)
16. Śrīmat Bodhimitra Mahāsthabir (b. 1970)
As one of these 16 monastics, Krenglahā was respected by devotees and disciples for his meditation practice and Buddhist teachings. We know that he was born in 1700, although the record does not mention the exact period when he was ordained as a Buddhist monk. Nevertheless, the village’s locals claim that he entered monkhood at a young age. Inspired by the story of the Buddha’s inward journey and his path to liberation, Krenglahā had a profound interest in meditation practice. He often spent his time in quiet and solitary meditation practice at Unainpūrā Laṅkārāma Buddhist Monastery. According to local legend, Krenglahā was a former abbot, playing an essential role in managing the monastery and executing monastic duties alongside his meditational practice.
While Krenglahā was residing at the monastery, he was seriously slandered by a local woman. According to local legend, the woman spread rumors that Krenglahā had supernatural powers. According to Buddhist monastic rules (Vinaya), if any monk claims that he has achieved supernatural powers, he must be expelled from the monastic life forever, as he has broken one of the essential rules that define monastic virtue and committed pārājika. Krenglahā was deeply disappointed by the woman’s rumors. He decided that the gossip and ballooning rumors might impede his meditation practice if he remained distracted by the chatter in the monastery and community. As a result, he decided to leave the monastery and go into a deep forest, on retreat.
Upon learning of this decision, Sukhlāl Subedār, a wealthy local man, decided to create a suitable meditation place for Krenglahā to practice in peace and serenity. Sukhlāl was a longtime friend and supporter of Krenglahā’s spiritual path. Sukhlāl was a lay Buddhist practitioner and an educated donor. He worked as a local governor (subedār) under Nawab Alivardi Khan (1671–1756). Nawab Alivardi Khan was a former ruler of the regions of Bengal (present-day Bangladesh and West Bengal in India), Bihar, and Orissa. As Sukhlāl was a respected employee of this former ruler of Bengal, he adopted his post as his surname.
Subedār found a place in the eastern ward of Unainpūrā and donated a meditation spot with a four-foot-wide wall that seemed like an artificial cave. Krenglahā was able to diligently continue his meditation practice there. It has since been referred to as “Unainpūrā Sukhlāl Subedār Maṭha” in memory of Sukhlāl’s help. Maṭha refers to the pagoda as a sacred place for inner reflection.
With Sukhlāl having established the Unainpūrā Sukhlāl Subedār Maṭha, Krenglahā continued his spiritual practice there for the rest of his life. He taught meditation and Dhamma for the sake of devotees and seekers, before passing away in 1780 at 80. His body was cremated in the northern part of Unainpūrā. Remembering their fond memories of Krenglahā, followers built a monument (stūpa) on the riverbank of Unainpūrā, where Krenglahā’s ashes were preserved. The stūpa of Krenglahā has endured for over two centuries and is regularly revered by locals. His meditational site, Unainpūrā Sukhlāl Subedār Maṭha, has also remained preserved for over 200 years.
Every year, on the occasion of Buddha Pūrṇimā—the commemorating of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing away (Mahāparinibbāṇa)—devotees and monks gather to perform Buddha Pūjā (offerings to the Buddha), meditate, and saṅgha dāna (offerings to the monastics) at Unainpūrā Sukhlāl Subedār Maṭha. Devotees respectfully celebrate the spiritual legacy of the monk it was devoted to.
May his legacy inspire us on the path to liberation. May he attain the bliss of Nibbāna.
References
Dharmasen Mahāsthabir. 2021. “Unainpūrā Laṅkārāma,” In Jyotirmoy Dharmasen. Edited by Sajib Barua Diamond, Sanjoy Barua Chowdhury, et al. Chattogram: Purba Publishing, 202–03.
Pranab Barua Arnab. 2021. “Unainpūrā Sukhlāl Subedār Maṭha Mondir’er Itikotha,” In Jyotirmoy Dharmasen. Edited by Sajib Barua Diamond, Sanjoy Barua Chowdhury, et al. Chattogram: Purba Publishing, 238–39.
Related features from BDG
The Legacy of Chandrajyoti Mahasthabir: Preserving Bengali Buddhism from the 1400s to the 1700s
Saṅgharāj Jyotipāl Mahāthēro: The 10th Supreme Patriarch of Bangladesh’s Charitable Legacy
The Legacy of Bana Bhante at the Monastery of Rajban Bihar in Rangamati, Bangladesh
Buddhism in Modern Bangladesh: A Brief History of Lineages and Cultural Practices
