NEWS

Bangladesh’s Foremost Buddhist Leader Suddhananda Mahathero Dies Aged 87

By Craig Lewis | | Buddhistdoor Global

Bangladesh’s most prominent Buddhist monk, Sanghanayaka Suddhananda Mahathero, a noted peace advocate and social activist, died yesterday morning while receiving medical treatment at a hospital in the capital Dhaka. He was 87 years old. According to local media reports, the widely respected Buddhist leader and chief abbot of Kamalapur Dharmarajika Buddhist Mahabihar had been suffering from a respiratory obstruction, diabetes, and other age-related health conditions.



Sanghanayaka Suddhananda Mahathero, 1933–2020.

From nirvanapeace.com

Sources at Suddhananda Mahathero’s monastery cited by local media said the monk’s remains would be preserved in a casket and moved to his hermitage at Dharmarajika Buddhist Mahabihar, where followers, students, and well-wishers may pay their respects. A cremation ceremony will be announced at a later date. In a statement on Tuesday, Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed expressed her deep shock and sorrow at the news, observing that Shuddhananda Mahathero was a pioneer of non-violence as well as a messenger of peace and humanity who dedicated himself to the social services, and describing his passing as an irreparable loss for Bangladesh and the Buddhist community. “The contributions of Shuddhananda Mahathero to creating bonds of friendship and harmony among the people irrespective of castes, creeds, religions, and communities, as well as strengthening the sense of brotherhood of the Bangalees, will be remembered forever,” she said. (Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha) Sheikh Hasina offered prayers for Shuddhananda Mahathero and expressed condolences to his family members and followers. Bangladesh’s president, Mohammad Abdul Hamid, also expressed his sympathies, noting that Suddhananda Mahathero had played a vital role in promoting peace and harmony in Bangladesh and in sharing the Buddhist teachings.