About the Academy

In ancient times this region was called Samatata, and it was famous for its rich Buddhist culture and civilisation. It is said that nearly a hundred kings reigned over the area between the 7th and 13th centuries, from royal dynasties such as the Kharga, Deva, Chandra and Pala. The historic Salban Mahavihara (8th century) and about 50 excavated monasteries are scattered across the area.

In the course of time these institutions suffered catastrophic destruction. Yet their splendour has not faded, and their glory still shines. The grandeur of these Buddhist viharas and universities continues to brighten our society; they are an integral part of our history, culture and heritage. We regret that we could not conserve these enlightened seats of learning, nor make use of the resources and potential they produced. This is one reason we have lagged behind in many areas of life.

Today 25 Buddhist villages lie scattered to the south of the Lalmai hills, and nearly 20,000 Buddhists live alongside other communities across greater Cumilla and Noakhali. Most of them bear the title Singha and follow Theravada Buddhism. They carry the majestic legacy of the ancient Buddhist heritage of this land. Many in the community, however, are still deprived of learning, education, culture, employment and modern facilities, and are falling further behind.

So in 1991, under the leadership of the late Advocate Dhira Sen Singha (Gandhi) and the tireless Most Venerable Shilabhadra Mahathero, the whole Buddhist community of Cumilla and Noakhali came together under one umbrella: the Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA). In 1994, in response to our appeal, the Government of Bangladesh, through the generosity of the then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and the late Lt Colonel (Retd.) Akbar Hossain, Bir Protik, then Minister for Environment and Forests, granted us 2.28 acres of land in two plots beside the historic Salban Vihara to establish the Bangladesh Buddhist Cultural Academy. The foundation stone of the Academy was laid in December 1994.