Buddhism in Bangladesh
Encyclopedia
Religion in Bangladesh
Islam is the largest religion of Bangladesh; Muslims constitute 89.5 % of the population followed by Hindus who constitute 9.6 %. The remainder of Bangladeshis practice other religions such as Buddhism and Christianity. Religion has always been a strong part of identity, but this has varied at...
in Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
with about 0.7% of population adhering to Theravada Buddhism. Most of the practiconers are the tribal Jumma
Jumma
Jumma may refer to:* Friday prayer of Muslims* Jumma people, the tribes of Chittagong Hill Tracts in BangladeshPersons named Jumma:* Jumma Khan Marri, nationalist leader from Baluchistan...
people who are found mainly in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
Chittagong Hill Tracts
The Chittagong Hill Tracts comprise an area of 13,295 km2 in south-eastern Bangladesh, and borders India and Myanmar . It was a single district of Bangladesh until 1984. In that year it was divided into three separate districts: Khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban. Topographically, this is the...
, where they constitute about 45% of the area's population.
Demographic Overview
As of today, followers of Buddhism are mainly people of Arakanese descent living in the sub-tropical Chittagong Hill Tracts. Most of these people belong to the ChakmaChakma
Chakma may refer to:*Chakma people, a Tibeto-Burman people of Bangladesh and Northeast India*Chakma language, the Indo-European language spoken by them*Chakma script...
, Chak
Chak
Chak is a town situated on the west bank of Indus River in Shikarpur District, Sindh, Pakistan. It is an economic, educational, social and transport hub of the adjoining towns and villages of the region. It is home to a population of more than 40,000 people and is a fast growing town with good...
, Marma
Marma
The Marma also known as Magh or Mog are Arakanese descendants inhabiting the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh since the Arakan kingdom period in the 16th century AD. In the late 20th century, their population stood at over 210,000. Ethnically related to the Myanmar, they are largely followers...
, Tenchungya and the Khyang, who had been since time in memorial have practiced Buddhism. Other tribals, notably those who practice Animism, have come under some Buddhist influence, and this is true in the case of the Khumi and the Mru
MRU
MRU may refer to :* "Many Regrets Unable", a short reply to a social event invitation, normally followed by a reason for not attending. Used in various navies.* Mano River Union, a political union in Africa...
, and to a lesser extent on the other tribals.
| District | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Barisal | < 0.06 |
| Chittagong | 12.65 |
| Comilla | 0.55 |
| Dhaka | 0.03 |
| Khulna | < 0.08 |
| Rajshahi | 0.23 |
| Sylhet | 0.2 |
Source: banglapedia http://amardesh.com/
History
Legend said that Gautama BuddhaGautama Buddha
Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
came to the region to spread Buddhism, and it was speculated that one or two individuals became monks to follow his footsteps. However, Buddhism did not gain much support during the lifetime of Gautama. It was not until under the reign of Asoka when Buddhism gained a toehold.
Buddhism in various forms appears to have been prevalent at the time of the Turkish conquest in 1202. The invading armies apparently found numerous monasteries, which they destroyed in the belief that they were military fortresses. With the destruction of its centers of learning, Buddhism rapidly disintegrated. In subsequent centuries and up through the 1980s nearly all the remaining Buddhists lived in the region around Chittagong
Chittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
, which had not been entirely conquered until the time of the British Raj
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
(1858-1947). In the Chittagong Hills, Buddhist tribes formed the majority of the population, and their religion appeared to be a mixture of tribal cults and Buddhist doctrines. According to the 1981 census, there were approximately 538,000 Buddhists in Bangladesh, representing less than 1 percent of the population.
Culture
There are several monasteries in the Chittagong Hills area, and in most Buddhist villages there is a school (kyong) where boys live and learn to read BurmeseBurmese
Burmese may refer to:* Something of, from, or related to Burma, a country in Southeast Asia. See:**Demographics of Burma**Culture of Burma**:Category:Burmese people* Burmese language* Burmese cuisine-Other:* Burmese Python* Burmese...
and some Pali
Páli
- External links :* *...
(an ancient Buddhist scriptural language). It is common for men who have finished their schooling to return at regular intervals for periods of residence in the school. The local Buddhist shrine is often an important center of village life.
Buddhism outside the monastic retreats has absorbed and adapted indigenous popular creeds and cults of the regions to which it has spread. In most areas religious ritual focuses on the image of the Buddha, and the major festivals observed by Buddhists in Bangladesh commemorate the important events of his life. Although doctrinal Buddhism rejects the worship of gods and preserves the memory of the Buddha as an enlightened man, popular Buddhism contains a pantheon of gods and lesser deities headed by the Buddha.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs provides assistance for the maintenance of Buddhist places of worship and relics. The ancient monasteries at Paharpur
Paharpur
Paharpur is a census town in Gaya district in the Indian state of Bihar.-Demographics: India census, Paharpur had a population of 5758. Males constitute 68% of the population and females 32%. Paharpur has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is...
(in Rajshahi
Rajshahi
The city of Rajshahi is the divisional headquarters of Rajshahi division as well as the administrative district that bears its name and is one of the six metropolitan cities of Bangladesh. Often referred to as Silk City and Education City, Rajshahi is located in the north-west of the country and...
Region) and Mainamati
Mainamati
Mainamati is located almost 8 miles from the town of Comilla, Bangladesh. It is the home of one of the most important Buddhist archaeological sites in the region. There are a number of Buddhist sites in this region, dating approximately from 7th to 12th centuries CE...
(in Comilla
Comilla
Comilla is a city in south-eastern Bangladesh, located along the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway. It is the administrative center of the Comilla District, part of the Chittagong Division. The Eastern Wing of Bangladesh Highway Police is located in Comilla....
Region), dating from the seventh to ninth century A.D., are considered unique for their size and setting and are maintained as state-protected monuments.
Bhikkhus (Monks)
- Ven. Sadhananda Mahathera (Bana Bhante)
- Ven. Jyotipala Mahathera
- Rajguru Aggavamsa MahatheraRajguru Aggavamsa MahatheraRajguru Aggavamsa Mahathera was one of the delegates from East Pakistan in the Sixth Buddhist Council held in Yangon, Myanmar in 1956.- Boyhood :...
Military
- Anup Kumar Chakma, Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
, currently serving as AmbassadorAmbassadorAn ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
of BangladeshBangladeshBangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
to MyanmarMyanmarBurma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=130973 - Tushar Kanti Chakma, Brigadier GeneralBrigadier GeneralBrigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
, currently serving as Director, Trust Bank http://www.trustbank.com.bd/newsroom/?cat=14
Civil service
- Kusum Dewan, Deputy CommissionerCommissionerCommissioner is in principle the title given to a member of a commission or to an individual who has been given a commission ....
of PolicePoliceThe police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
, currently serving as D.C(Port), ChittagongChittagongChittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading... - Amulya Bhushan Barua, Deputy Inspector GeneralInspector GeneralAn Inspector General is an investigative official in a civil or military organization. The plural of the term is Inspectors General.-Bangladesh:...
, BangladeshBangladeshBangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
PolicePoliceThe police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force... - Nobo Bikrom Kishor Tripura, Additional Inspector GeneralInspector GeneralAn Inspector General is an investigative official in a civil or military organization. The plural of the term is Inspectors General.-Bangladesh:...
, BangladeshBangladeshBangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
PolicePoliceThe police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
Administration
Deputy Secretary & Above- Saradindu Shekhar Chakma. Retired Additional Secretary & Former Ambassador of Bangladesh to Bhutan http://www.sachalayatan.com/sschakma
- Barrister Debashish Roy, Chakma Raja (Chakma Circle Chief)
- Supradip Chakma. Joint Secretary. Currently serving as Ambassador of Bangladesh to Vietnam http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-201509570.html
Politics
- Dilip BaruaDilip BaruaDilip Barua is a Bangladeshi politician. He is the general secretary of the Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal . In January 2009, Barua was named Minister of Industries in the cabinet of Sheikh Hasina.He was born on February 28 in 1949. He completed his BSc in Physics, MSc from the Dhaka University...
(Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal (Marksbadi-Leninbadi)). Currently Minister of Industries. - Dipanker Talukder (Awami League), Currently State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=70376
- Kalparanjan Chakma (Awami League), Ex State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs
- Mani Swapan Dewan (Bangladesh Nationalist PartyBangladesh Nationalist PartyThe Bangladesh Nationalist Party , commonly referred to as the BNP, is the mainstream center-right political party in Bangladesh. BNP ruled Bangladesh total 18 years since her independence, the longest than any other party in Bangladesh...
), Ex Deputy Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs - Bir Bahadur (Awami League), M.P;elected from Bandarban Hill District
Arts and literature
- Kanak Chanpa Chakma (Artist), General Secretary of Tone Art Society of Bangladesh http://www.siddharthaartgallery.com/artist_details.php?artistid=3
- Kamal Chakma, Producer. Currently Producer of Media Bhuban & Sports Vision on BanglavisionBanglavisionBanglaVision is a satellite TV channel broadcast from Bangladesh. It began its formal transmission on 24 August 1995 through satellite Telstar 10.....
http://www.dhakamirror.com/?cat=40&paged=2
See also
- Banglapedia Article on Buddhism in Bangladesh
- BuddhaNet - Buddhism in Bangladesh
- Barua (Bangladesh)Barua (Bangladesh)Barua are a Bengali speaking Buddhist community in Bangladesh . They mainly live in the Chittagong region. Many moved to Kolkata, India after partition of India in 1947; many also moved to England in the 1950s and 1960s...