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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 31

Mahāsthabīra; (xxvii) the 27th Saṅganāyaka, Śrīmat S. religious leaders, including Buddhists, participated. As
Dharmapāla Mahāthērō; (xxviii) the 28th Saṅganāyaka, I previously stated, Buddhists in Bangladesh prefer to
Śrīmat Śud’dhānanda Mahāthērō and (xxix) the 29th coexist peacefully with people of other faiths.
Saṅganāyaka, Śrīmat Banaśrī Mahāthērō.
I understand many Buddhist groups in Bangladesh
Although modern Theravāda Buddhism in Bangladesh are the hill tribes who lack the most basic facilities
is led by two traditions, Saṅgharāj Nikāya and for daily living. How can Buddhist friends help them
Mahāsthabīra Nikāya, Buddhists in the Bengal Delta in terms of uplifting their socioeconomic status?
rejoice in their leadership and continue their practice
with a heart of compassion and sympathetic joy among It is true that the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) Buddhist
themselves. community lacks enough facilities. Bangladeshi-based
Buddhist communities from home and away always
How do Buddhists in Bangladesh adapt to the many help each other and work hand in hand to overcome
challenges of living in a predominantly Islamic obstacles. A few Buddhist organizations in Chattogram
country while attempting to retain its authenticity? Hill Tracts, Dhaka, and Chattogram collaborate to help

the Buddhist community in Bangladesh, including the
Although the majority of Bangladeshi citizens identify ethnic Buddhist community, in terms of socioeconomic
as Muslims, minority communities such as the Hindus, development.
Christians, and Buddhists are living harmoniously in this
land. If you trace back the history of Bangladesh, it is a The local Buddhist monastery has historically been
young country, that was born in 1971. Bangladesh was the center of village life. How much has this changed
born with the concept of secularism, where the diversity with modernization and a better-educated laity?
of cultures is highly valued. Also, Bangladesh is officially
known as the “People’s Republic of Bangladesh,” which In the past, Buddhists got their basic education from
reveals its acceptance of inclusion and diversity. their central monastery, which was basically a monastic-
based school. Nowadays, it is rare to see monastic-based
In 2012, there were communal riots in Bangladesh, and education in a village. However, the secular education
12 Buddhist monasteries and 50 Buddhist homes were system has a huge effect on village life and has a
burned to the ground. Following these tragic events, positive effect on their socioeconomic status. One of the
the Bangladeshi government and security forces took positive impacts of modernism is that most Buddhists
steps to prevent all communal mobs and vandalism. in Bangladesh intend to receive a better education in
Even though there are many problems, Buddhists in order to upgrade their lifestyle. I personally believe that
the Bengal Delta are still living and doing their best to monastic education is important for receiving moral
maintain their peaceful way of life. Needless to say, the teachings, but at the same time, secular or modern
government of Bangladesh, all political parties, and the education is also so significant for learning science,
national security agents are deeply concerned about arts, business, engineering, medical studies, and so
protecting the country’s minority communities and their forth. Needless to say, Buddhists in Bangladesh always
sovereignty. appreciate the combination of both traditional monastic-
based education and secular education.
As a minority religion in Bangladesh, what are the
areas of dialogue that you think Buddhism should Last but not the least, Buddhists in Bangladesh have
engage in with the dominant faith, Islam? been continuing their path of acquiring wisdom,
practicing compassion, and obtaining ultimate freedom
In order to prevent any kind of dispute, dialogue is with full faith in the Triple Gems. Thank you, Eastern
always appreciated. After the tragic communal incident Horizon, for this interview. EH
in Bangladesh, there were several dialogues in which all