Patrons and leadership | Bangladesh Buddhist Cultural Academy

Tribute with highest gratitude

Visionary and Chief Adviser

Most Venerable 10th Sangharaj Jyotipal Mahathero

1914-2002

His Holiness the 10th Sangharaj Jyotipal Mahathero was born on 14 January 1914 and ordained in 1935. From boyhood he was a humanitarian and a patron of education. In his adult years he founded many institutions for human welfare, devoted to religion, education, vocational training and socio-economic development, as well as orphanages.

He was an internationally renowned scholar and a Tripitaka Visharad. His extensive writing, research and findings show how deeply he mastered many subjects. He wrote a large number of books, and many of them are now part of the curriculum in schools, colleges and universities. His research on the Charyapada, the Buddhist mystic songs in early Bengali, has given learners, scholars and historians a clear understanding of our history and culture.

A legendary figure in the history of 20th-century Buddhism in Bangladesh and a scholar of international renown, he was the embodiment of humanity. As a harbinger of peace he was awarded the Asian Peace Gold Medal. For his role as a key international organiser during Bangladesh’s Liberation War he received the Independence Award, the highest state honour, and he was also awarded the Ekushey Padak for his contributions to human welfare and social service. He was recognised for global citizenship by the IARF (UK) as a human rights activist, and received the title Agga-Saddhamma-Jotikadhaja from Myanmar, among many other honours and titles at home and abroad.

He travelled many times to America, Canada, China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Soviet Union, Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar to take part in Buddhist and interfaith seminars and conferences.

Venerable Jyotipal Mahathero passed away on 12 April 2002 at J. J. Hospital in Mumbai, India. People of all walks of life from home and abroad came to pay their last respects at his funeral, held with a State Guard of Honour on 9 and 10 January 2003 at Baraigaon Kanak Chaitya Buddhist Monastery in Laksam, Cumilla, the holy place he founded in his native village. Ministers, state ministers, members of parliament, diplomats, local administrators and countless devotees attended, and the solemn occasion became a celebration of his life.

Chief Patron of the World Peace Pagoda Analayo

Phra Thep Mongkhon Yan (Luang Pho Son Analayo)

Luang Pho was the 5th abbot of Wat Phuttha Bucha (Bang Mot Subdistrict, Thung Khru District, Bangkok), of the Dhammayuttika Nikaya. He was a practising monk of exemplary conduct, worthy of respect and veneration, possessing great merit and spiritual power, and deeply revered by Buddhists and his disciples.

He led the project to build a Thai-style Great Pagoda (Maha Chedi) to enshrine the Buddha’s relics. Named Phra Maha Chedi Phuttha Bucha Maha Lokanat Pacha Samakkhi Si Analayo, it also includes a Dhamma practice centre. It stands at Wat New Salavan Vihara (New Salban Vihara) in Cumilla, Bangladesh, and is the first and only Great Pagoda with Thai architecture in the country.

Chief Patron of the Bangladesh Buddhist Cultural Academy

Lt Colonel (Retd.) Akbar Hossain, Bir Protik

Lt Colonel (Retd.) Akbar Hossain, Bir Protik, was born on 18 January 1941 in the district of Cumilla. He began his career at the Military Academy and, after serving in various positions for many years, took voluntary retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel at the end of December 1973. As a politician of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, he served as Minister for Shipping, Minister for Environment and Forests and Minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

He was a man of secular spirit who shared a deep spiritual bond with the Most Venerable 10th Sangharaj Jyotipal Mahathero. He cherished the lost history, civilisation and culture of the Buddhists of Cumilla, and would often discuss with the great scholar how these could be revived on the world stage.

His inspiration and encouragement led us to establish the Bangladesh Buddhist Cultural Academy. As Minister for Environment and Forests, in response to our earnest appeal, he allocated 2.28 acres of land next to the historic Salban Vihara in Mainamati, Cumilla, for the Academy, and in December 1994 he laid its foundation stone at a holy ceremony and congregation. He remained our beloved guardian and Chief Patron until the moment of his passing. His proud contribution will be written in golden letters in the history of Buddhism in Bangladesh.

Founder President of YMBA and the Bangladesh Buddhist Cultural Academy

Mr. Dhira Sen Singha (Gandhi)

1947-1993

Mr. Dhira Sen Singha (Gandhi) was born on 2 April 1947 into a respected Buddhist family in Baraigaon, Laksam, Cumilla, the son of Krishnamohan Singha and Abala Sundari Singha. Raised among the Buddha’s teachings, he developed strong moral values, honesty, discipline and compassion from an early age. He earned his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree with distinction.

After passing the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination, he began his career with Bangladesh Krishi Bank. He was a sincere and capable banker, but his passion for justice and public service led him down a different path: he resigned from the bank and practised as an advocate at the Cumilla District Judge Court, where he earned wide respect for his integrity, fairness and commitment to justice.

Alongside his legal career he made remarkable contributions to social and religious life. He served as President of the Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA) and later as Secretary of the Cumilla Buddhist Association, working tirelessly to promote Buddhist values, preserve cultural heritage, encourage education and strengthen community welfare. His wisdom, humility and selfless service inspired many young people to live lives guided by morality, compassion and social responsibility.

Tragedy struck at a comparatively young age. On 6 June 1993, Mr. Dhira Sen Singha passed away during gallbladder surgery. Though his life was cut short, his contributions to the legal profession, the Buddhist community and society remain a lasting inspiration. He is remembered with deep respect and gratitude for his integrity, leadership and dedication to justice, humanity and the welfare of others.

Key office bearers

Founder President of the Bangladesh Buddhist Cultural Academy and Chief Abbot of New Salban Vihara

Venerable Shilabhadra Mahathero

Venerable Shilabhadra Mahathero was born on 4 August 1952 in Baraigaon, a remote village in Laksam, Cumilla. On his mother’s side he is a descendant of His Holiness the 10th Sangharaj Jyotipal Mahathero, under whose guidance he was ordained in the Theravada tradition on 11 July 1975. He has dedicated his life to the betterment of society and to spreading the Buddha’s Theravada teachings.

Through tireless effort he established the Bangladesh Buddhist Cultural Academy at the foot of the ancient Salban Vihara in Kotbari, Mainamati. Under its auspices he went on to undertake a major project: the World Peace Pagoda within the sacred grounds of New Salban Vihara. He also founded the Jyotipal Mahathero Buddhist Orphanage High School at Baraigaon, Laksam, Cumilla. By establishing some 20 Buddhist monasteries, he has helped the neglected indigenous Buddhist communities of North Bengal and the Chittagong Hill Tracts practise their faith, and the fading Buddhist religion and culture of North Bengal are being revived as a result. He is actively involved with various organisations at home and abroad, and he recites the Holy Tripitaka on Bangladesh Radio and Bangladesh Television.

He has travelled many times to America, Canada, China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar for Buddhist and interfaith seminars and conferences.

As a humanist and missionary monk, he bears overall responsibility for 21 Buddhist monasteries, two orphanages, a high school and a kindergarten. In recognition of this work he has been honoured by the Supreme Sangha Council of Bangladesh (Sangharaj Bhikkhu Mahasabha), the Mother Teresa Welfare Trust and the Department of Social Services.

Deputy Chief Abbot

Venerable Sugato Priya Bhikkhu

Venerable Sugato Priya Bhikkhu was born in the village of Dupchar, Laksam, Cumilla. He is an heir and disciple of the Most Venerable 10th Sangharaj Jyotipal Mahathero. During his many years of higher study, and as a resident monk at Wat Phutthabucha in Bangkok, Thailand, he built warm relationships with the Thai people.

Under the guidance of his preceptor, Phra Thep Mongkhon Yan (Luang Pho Son Analayo), Chief Abbot of Wat Phuttha Bucha, and by inspiring devout and generous donors, he played a pioneering role in establishing the magnificent World Peace Pagoda Analayo within the sacred grounds of New Salban Vihara.

In 2010 he brought a group of benevolent Thai devotees, together with the pious Mrs. Chitra Petvongs, to Bangladesh. They were astonished by the ancient Buddhist culture and heritage of Kotbari-Mainamati and Cumilla, and decided to build a unique Thai temple in the holy grounds of New Salban Vihara, a project of the Bangladesh Buddhist Cultural Academy. Venerable Sugato Priya Bhikkhu managed the drawings and design, and raised funds at home and abroad.

General Secretary and Co-founder

Mr. Swapan Chandra Singha

Mr. Swapan Chandra Singha was born on 1 June 1964 into a respected Buddhist family in the village of Dupchar, Laksam, Cumilla. An engineer by profession, he served for 35 years as General Manager (Electrical Engineering) of the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC) under the Ministry of Industries of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

Religious and social values have guided him since boyhood, and he has taken part in the organisation’s work alongside his professional career, serving it in various capacities since its founding. Since retiring, he has carried vital responsibilities as Associate Founder and General Secretary of the Bangladesh Buddhist Cultural Academy. He is also the organisation’s spokesperson and edits Shalban, the souvenir it publishes from time to time. He works with various organisations at home and abroad as a social organiser and humanitarian.

He has travelled several times to South Korea, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and India for professional training, international seminars and religious gatherings, representing the organisation.