Society for the Study of Pali and Buddhist Culture
Society for theStudy of Pali and Buddhist Culture
<tR
g>
Modes
ofExistence
ofVillage
Monastery
in
Bangladesh
-A
Case
Dilip
Kumar
Barua
1.
Introduction
The
Buddhist
community(i)ofBangladesh
comprises various ethnicminority
groups,
such asBarua,
RakhainllV[arma,
Chakma
etc.They
reside
in
different
regions, speakdifferent
language
andhave
different
food,
dress
andpopular
culture.But
they
fo11ow
the
Theravada
Buddhism
and nowadays
Bangladesh
is
considered as one ofthe
stronggrounds
fbr
Theravada
Buddhism.
The
Barua
community mainly residesin
Chittagong
region,
the
south-eastern side ofBangladesh
geographical
identity
In
this
paper
I
will examine,through
a case studMthe
modes of existence ofvillagemonastery ofBarua community
in
Bangladesh.
The
studyis
mainlybased
onfield
wotk rathertextual
andI
here
tried
to
draw
apen
picture
ofmodes ofexistence ofvillage monasteries ofBaruacommunity) as
they
are,through
presenting
two
models oftwo
Nikayas.
The
reason of selection ofthese
two
monasteriesis
that
they
containscharacteristic of standard monastery.
2.
Administration
ofthe
Sangha
andProblems
ofthe
Study
The
monasticlife
ofthis
countryis
regulatedby
the
guide
line
offbur
Nikayas
(group
ofBhiklthu
Sangha)
along withPatimolddia
rules.They
98
2<-V\thutSlILeeNikaya.
The
Bhiklchus
ofBarua
community conductedtheir
monasticlife
and activities under
the
supervision and regulations ofSangharaja
andMahasthavira
Nikaya.
It
is
notedthat
except afew
exception,the
activitiesundertaken
in
all monasteries ofBangladesh
have
the
samepattern.
Every
Nikaya
has
a similarGoveming
orAdministrative
Bodys
whichdirects
the
Bhiklchus
of respectiveNikaya.
It
is
headed
by
aHigh
Priest,
calledSangharaja
orMahasanghanayaka
and someDeputy
High
Priest
calledAnunayaka.
These
dignitaries
are electedby
ageneral
assembly ofthe
Bhikkhus
ofthe
respectiveNikaya.
Besides,
Nayakaya
Thera
of eachNikaya
has
aSecretary.
A
Karakasanghasabha,
consisting of11・
to
13
rnembers,
i.e.,
an acting ecclesiastical council underthe
presidency
ofNayaka,
Theras,
exercises all ecclesiasticaljurisdictions
anddecides
overimportant
matters ofthe
sangha.The
members ofthe
Karaka-sanghasabha
are elected
for
aperiod
ofthree
years
by
clergies of respectiveNikaya,
whereas
the
Nayaka
Theras
are electedfbr
life
time
by
virtue oftheir
seniority which
is
countedby
rain-retreatthat
has
in
their
credit.Moreover,
every
Nikaya
has
some regional committeesthat
controlthe
Bhilclchus
at
the
regional
level.
Though
the
Monastic
life
ofBangladesh
is
regulated underthe
supervision of
Nikaya,
it
is,
however,
a matter ofpity
that
there
are noauthentic official records
to
know
the
exact number ofbhiltkhu-samaneras,monasteries and activities of
the
sangha.(2)Even,
there
is
no otherpublic
or
Govemment
institution
to
keep
ofthe
same.In
Bangladesh,
there
is
a convention
that
each
male member ofBuddhist
family
oughtto
live
monastic
life
asBhildthu
orSamanera
for
aperiod
of atleast
sevendays
in
any monastery)but
there
is
no record of suchtemporary
religiouspersonalities.(3)
Moreover,
there
are no records asto
how
manypeoples
areentering
into
the
sangha andhow
many clergies aredisrobing.
Indeed,
it
is
very
important
task
to
maintain a recordfbr
religious statistics.As
a result,Society for the Study of Pali and Buddhist Culture
Society for theStudyof Pali and BuddhistCulture
Modes of Existenceof VillageMonasteryinBangladesh
99
3.
Statistical
Information
ofVillageMonasteryHere
a statisticaldata
is
furnished
asto
the
Monastery
andBhiklthu-samanera of
Chittagong
regionfrom
someincomplete
research work andinstitutional
source.(4)Place
MonasteryBhikldius
Samaneras
Raozan
Police
Station
Rangunia
Police
Station
FaticehariPoliceStation
Hatazari
Police
Station
Patiya
Police
Station
BoalkhaliPolice
Station
Anoara
Policew
Station
Chandanaish
PoliceStationSatkania
Police
Station
Lohagara Police
Station
Bariskhali
Police
Station
Sitakundu
PeliceStationMirersarai
Police
Station
Chittagong
[[bwn
(including
Chandgaon
Police
Station)
874717114224830111654915
1326822156228123412171041225
164592011502616301017114450
Tbtal
326
453
472
4.
Modes
ofExistence ofVillageMonastery
GenerallM
a village monastery consists of:boundary
wall, an entrancegate,
prayer
hall
along with shrine altar,donation
box,
monastic abodes,kitchen,
courtyard,bhikkhu
sima, stupa,toilet,
pond
ortube-well,
Bo-tree,
garden
etc.But
in
many monasteriesthere
are nobhiklthu
simasdue
to
wantofland.
In
every monastery abhiklthu
and a.samanera arelived.
Modes
of100 i<-V\asXJSZ
k\
4.1.
Sudhammananda
Dhatu
Caitya
MonasteryfVihar(5)
This
rnonasteryis
situatedin
Shilok
village, underRangunia
Police
Statien
ofChittagong
Division.
It
is
established on2.5
]knnigrounds
in
1830.
Besides
the
monasticgrounds,
it
has
6
Kani
cultivationland
asmonastic
property.
The
income
from
this
property
is
expensedfor
monasticactivities and
development
ofthe
monastery.Sanghamitra
Bhiklchu
is
acting as
High
priest,
whois
27
years
old.Besides
him,
oneBhiklchu,
two
samaneras and
two
temple
boys
arelived
in
this
monastery.The
samanerasand
temple
boys
are educatedby
the
economical support ofthe monastery.Gyanaratna
Kavidhvaja
Gunalankara
Mahasthavir,
Gyanavansa
Bhilckhu
and
Professor
Munindra
Lal
Barua
played
vital rolein
establishment anddevelopment
ofthe
monastery.There
are160
families
asdevotees
ofthis
monastery.
Here
a structuraldiagram
ofthe
monasteryis
given:
Structure
of aVillage
Monastery
[Ikl=]
@
@
1@@
[iiiLk]
@
@
EsE
eg
@
@i
' ¢ @@ A A
es
N1
ss
Sudhammananda
Dhatu
Caitya
Monastery
4.2.
BriefDescription
ofSudhammananda
Dhatu
Caitya
Monastery
1.
Boundary
Wall
2.
Entrance
Gate
3.
Road
to
Enter
Prayer
Hall
Prayer
Hall
5.
Shrine
6.
Buddha
Statue
7.
Donation
Box
8.
Garden
4.
Society for the Study of Pali and Buddhist Culture
Society for theStudy of Pali and Buddhist Culture
Modes ofExistenceofVillage MonasteryinBangladesh
Open
Space
10.
Road
to
Enter
Bhiklchus
Room
andKitchen
Bhiklchu
12.
0ffice
ofWelfare rlliust13.
High
Priest
Room
14.
15.
Kitchen
16.
Pond
17.
[Ibilet
18.
Bo-tree
19.
Bhiklthu
Sima
20.
Buddha's
Mahaparinibbana
Statue
21.
Room
fbr
Samanera
22.
Tube
Well
23.
Second
Gate
24.
Meditation
House
25.
Cetiya
ofGyanavamsa
Sthavir
26.
Cetiya
ofKali
Kumar
Mahastavir
27.
Cetiya
ofProfessor
Munindra
Lal
Barua
28.
Cetiya
ofGunalankaraMahasthavira.
101
11.
Room
for
Guest
Room
4.3.
Statues
in
the
Monastery
rn
the
main shrine, onebig
Buddha
statue about5
feet
height
sited on3
feet
Dias
is
housed.
Besides
it,
there
are13
smallBuddha
statues about1
feet
height
and a casket containedBuddha's
reiic.Beside
the
main shrinethere
is
anotherBuddha
statueabout
7
feet
height
sited on2
feet
Dias.
On
the
right
side ofthis
statue, a monkey statueis
found
in
the
pose
ofhoney
donation.
Behind
this
statue andin
the
wall ofthe
monasterythere
aremany
painting
showing variousincidents
ofBuddha's
life.
Out
sidethe
shrine
there
is
abig
laying
Buddha
statue about20
feet
height
showingBuddha's
Mahaparinibba.
In
the
wall ofthis
building
a wallpainting
is
seen.
The
painting
symbolizesthat
Queen
Indra,
King
Indra
andBrahma
are
paying
homage
to
the
Buddha,
In
the
Cetiya
ofGyanavamsa,
a statue ofGyanavamsa
Mahasthavir
about5
feet
height
is
housed.
In
another cetiyaor stupa,
the
ash relics ofKali
Kumar
Mahastavir,
Professor
Munindra
Lal
Barua
andGunalankara
Mahasthavira
arekept.
4.4.
Management
Committee
ofthis
Monastery
In
Bangladesh
every monasteryhas
a management committee, whichlooks
after everyknock
and corners ofthe
monastery.The
managementcornmittee of above mentioned monastery consists of
15
male memberswho are elected
by
the
devotees
ofthe
monasteryfbr
two
years.
But
it
is
noted
that
in
this
committee noBhiklthu
orSamanera
is
included.
The
102
7<-V\thtwJS(TteeSecretary,
1
Treasurer
and10
Members.
This
committeehelps
the
high
priest
to
execute allmonastic athirs.4.5.
Economical
Basis
oftheMonastery
The
members ofthe management committee collectdonations
from
the
devotees
andthus
raisedthe
fund.
Besides,
in
various religious occasions,the
devotees
donate
cash andkind
in
the
donation
box
ofthe
monastery.Moreoveg
this
monasteryhas
someincome
sourcefrom
land
property.
Through
this
fund
they
meetthe
all essential expenditure ofthe
monasteryalong
fbod,
dress,
medicine and other essential requisites ofthe
Bhikkhu-samanera.
Moreoveg
the
high
priest
has
a regularincome
sourcefrom
the
devotees,
such asfrom
funeral
service, ancestor worship,Sanghadana
andthe
functions
like
on.4.6.
Food
S"pply
The
management committee ofthis
monastery made alist
ofdevotees
who are capahle
to
supplyfood
anddrinks
to
the
bhildthu-samaneras.
According
to
the
list,
the
devotees
by
turns
offerthem
food
anddrinks
twice
in
aday-one
in
the
moming andthe
otherbefore
mid-day.It
is
noteworthythat
whenthe
Bhildthu-samaners
areinvited
by
someonefor
religiouspurpose
onthat
day
the
enlistedhouseholder
is
omitted and on otherdays
the
routineis
fbllowed.
4.7.
Daily
Schedule
oftheBhiklthu-Samaneras
ofthisMonastery
In
fo11owing
chart,the
daily
schedule ofthe
Bhildchu-sarrianeras
ofthis
Society for the Study of Pali and Buddhist Culture
Society for theStudy of Pali andBuddhistCulture
Modes ofExistence ofVillage MonasteryinBangladesh
103
4.8.
Activities
oftheMonastery
All
Pumima
ceremonies,Kasthina
Civaradana,
Sanghadana,
andBrngali
New
Year
Day
are observedin
this
monastery.EspeciallM
the
Buddha
Purnima
ceremonyis
observed withgreat
religiousfervor.
Besides,
rneditation and religious
discussions
are arrangedfbr
the
devotees
twice
orthrice
in
everyyear.
The
noteworthy activity ofthis monasteryis
that
in
the
morning
the
high
priest
along
withthe
educated andyoung
maledevotees
belong
this
monasteryhelps
the
student ofprimary
schoolto
learn
their
home
task
in
the
prayer
hall.
5.
Banaratna
Vihar(6)
This
Monastery
is
situatedin
East
Shilok
Village
ofRangun'ia
Police
Station.
It
is
established on2
Kani
1and
in
1985
andbelongs
to
Mahasthavira
Nikaya.
The
land
ofthe
monasteryis
donated
by
Birendra
Lal
Baiua.
The
mainbuilding
is
madeby
the
cost ofPulin
Barua.
Other
establishments of
this
monastery are madeby
the
donation
of villagers.One
Bhikkhu
andthree
samaneras arelived
in
this
monastery.Ratna
Biriya
Bhilckhu
of26years
oldis
acting asthe
high
priest.
The
three
samaneras are
104
?£-V\thth)ttli\There
are100
families
asdevotees
ofthis
monastery.Here
a structuraldiagram
ofthe
monasteryis
given:
p
t
Structure
ofaVillage
Monastery
Main Road
w
1
i1・tt.
Banaratna
Sarvajanin
Monastery
5.1.
Description
ofthe
Monastery
1.
Boundary
2.
Entrance
Gate
3.
Shrine
4.
Room
fbr
Samanera
5.
Prayer
Hall
6.Room
for
High
Priest
7.
Room
for
Samanera
8.
Tube
Well
9.
Dias
for
function
1O.
Memorial
Stupa
oflanddonation
ofthe monastery15.
Place
for
cremation ofdeadbody.
52.
Statues
in
the
Shrine
In
the
mainShrine
there
is
onebig
Buddha
Statue
about4
andhalf
feet
height
made of concrete.A
head
ofNagaraja,
the
great
snake,is
placed
onthe
top
ofthis
statue.Besides,
three
small statue made of concrete about1
feet
height
are alsofound.
Moreoveg
one statue ofSivali
Thera,
the
great
disciple
ofBuddha,
about3
feet
height
and made of white stoneis
placed
on
left
side ofthe
big
statue.In
the
main shrine a wallpainting
is
found
Society for the Study of Pali and Buddhist Culture
Society for theStudy of Pali and Buddhist Culture
Modes ofExistence of VillageMonastery inBangladesh
vaggiya
bhiklchus
andlife
ofPatacara
Theri.
Furthemiore,
in
another shrunder
Bo-tree
anotherbig
Buddha
statue about4
feet
height
is
front
ofthe
main shrine a casket containingBuddha's
relicsis
placed
5.3.
Management
Committee
The
'management committee ofthis
monastery consists of11
malemembers, which
looks
after all activities ofthis
monasterylike
that
ofthe
Sudhammananda
Dhatu
Caitya
Vihar.
The
committee consists oft1
President,
1
Vice-President,
1
Secretary,
1
Assistant
Secretary,
1
Treasurer
and6
Members.
This
committeehelps
the
high
priest
to
execute allmonastic affairs.
105
ine
found.
In
5.4.
Economical
Basis
ofthe
Monastery
The
members ofthe
management cornmittee collectdonations
from
the
devotees
andthus
raisethe
fund.
Besides,
the
monastery alsOhas
anincome
during
various religious occasions.The
high
priest
alsohas
anincome
sourcethrough
attending
various socio-religiousfunction
such asfuneral
ceremonMParitta
recitation,Sanghadana
andthe
like.
Through
this
fund
they
meetthe
expenditure ofthe
essential requisites ofthe
Bhiklthu-samanera.
5.5.
Food
Supply
The
management committee ofthis
monastery made alist
ofthe
villagers who are capable and
interested
to
supplyfood
anddrinks
to
the
bhiklthu-samaneras.
According
to
the
list,
theM
by
tums,
offerthem
fbod
and
drinks
twice
in
aday.
5.6.
Daily
Schedule
ofthe
Bhikkhu-Samaneras
ofthis
Monastery
The
daily
schedule ofthe
Bhiklchu-samaneras
ofthis
monasteryis
106 7<-V\asth]scftee
5.7.
Activities
ofthe
Monastery
All
Purnima
ceremonies,Kathina
Civaradana,
Sanghadana,
andBengali
New
Year
Day
are observedin
this
monastery.EspeciallM
the
Buddha
Pumima
ceremony andKathina
Civaradana
Ceremony
are observed withgreat
religious zeal.Besides,
meditation and religiousdiscussions
arealso arranged
for
the
devotees
sometimes.6.
Some
Common
MonasticAspects
6.1.
Monastery
asProperty
In
Bangladesh,
anybody canbuild
a monastery)but
it
is
consideredpublic
property
ratherprivate
property
andSangha
is
the
soul authority ofthe
monastery.6.2.
Admission
into
the
Monastic
Order
In
Bangladesh
any male member oftheBuddhist
society can enterinto
the
monastic order of any monasteryBut
the
candidate shouldfbllow
the
fbllowing
conditions:a)
He
shouldbe
free
from
social crime,debt
and communicabledisease.
b)
He
needsparents
and wife(ifhe
has)
consent.c)
In
the
case ofSamanera-hood,
the
agelimit
is
seven and above.d)
In
the
case ofBhikkhu-hood,the
agelimit
is
twenty
and above.e)
He
needsthe
permission
ofthe
high
priest
ofthat
monasterythat
he
wished.
D
He
needs eight essential requisites:three
robes(civara),
one almsbowl,
a razor, aNeedle,
agirdle
(Kayal)andani)
and a water strainer.6.3.
Monastic
andSocial
Rules
Bhiklchu-Society for the Study of Pali and Buddhist Culture
Society for theStudy of Pali and Buddhist Culture
Modes ofExistence ofViilage MonasteryinBangiadesh 107
samaneras
have
to
fbllow
some monastic and social rules.For
example,the
Bhikkhu-samaneras
usually can notgo
to
the
houses
oflaydevotees
withoutinvitation
or religiousperfbrmances
andthe
society alsodo
not considerit
in
good
sidefbr
the
movements ofBhiklchu-samaneras
withoutinvitation
or religious activities.
They
can not stay after sunset ordo
notpass
nightout side
the
monastery without any significant andimportant
purpose.
In
such case
they
have
to
inform
the
reason ofjourneyto
anybody(bhild<hus,
samaneras or any member ofthe management committee) ofthe monastery.
6.4.
Social
Duties
oftheBhikkhu-Samaneras
Tb
attendin
the
funeral
ceremonMparitta
recitation, sanghadana andany sorts of religious
function
ofdevotees
is
mandatoryfor
Bhiklchu-samaneras.
For
example,if
anybodydies
in
the
village,the
high
priest
ofvillage monastery cancelled all
programs
and attendsthe
ceremony.7.
Conclusion
In
Bangladesh
the
monasteryis
considered aspublic
property
andBhiklchu
Sangha
is
the
soul authority ofthe monastery.Though
the
Bhikl<hu-Sangha
is
conductedby
four
Nikayas,
in
fact,
the
activities undertakenin
all monasteries
have
the
samepattern.
Except
some exception,the
daily
schedule of
the
Bhiklchus
is
also same.There
are nohard
andfast
rulesfor
structural
design
ofthe
monastery.As
a result,the
structuraldesign
is
differ
from
monasteryto
monastery.It
is
notedthat
in
many monasteriesBhikkhu
Sima,
pond,
garden,
medhation room are notfbund
due
to
want ofland.
Notes
(1)
Percentage
distribution
ofpopulationby
religion:CensusYear(Total)MuslimHinduBuddhistChristianothers
108 7<v-V\ts#NM\
Former
districtwise
Buddhist
population:
Source1997
Statistical
Year
Book,
p.
103.
District
TbtalNumber
ofBuddhistsPercentage
Bandarban
Chittagong
Hill
ftacts
Chittagong
Comilla
Noaknali
SylhetDhakaFaridpur
Jamalpur
Mymensing IlangailBarisalPatuakhali
JessorKhulnaKustiaBograDinajpur
PabnaRajshahi
Rangpur230569
743876
671S387
8206860
4626216
6765039
13232427
5423547 3013069 79942043002428
5413078
2049565
4848023
5039153
2801207
3434298
3983103 41834696594298
8014876
87613337698137448
7507
1579
26838686
2478 1929 60781259
1224
3433
1256
807
429
2779
3120
1508 52628634
38%45.4%
2%
O.1%
o.o%
O.O%
O.1%
O.1%O.19t6
O,19,6o.o%
o.o%
02%
o,o%
o.o%
o,o%
O.1%
O,19t6
o,o%
O.196
O,1%
Present
Population:
134.6
million,Population
Census
1991
lp.
103).
(2)
NumberofBhikkhu-samaneras:
Name
ofNikaya Number ofBhikkhus
Number of
Samaneras lbtal
MahasthaviraNikaya Sangharajanikaya
Sudharma
&
Deara Nikaya147375763 187251593 3346261356
This
data
is
furnished
by
Dr.
Sunitananda
Bhikkhu
in
his
book
'BangladlesherBauddha
vahar
O
Bhikkhu
.Jivan,Bangla
AcademM
2000.
(3)
This
infbrmation
is
collectedfrom
Buddhist
Welfare
Trust,
Dhaka
on9.3.1999.
Ihe
Trust
has
given
somegrant
to
the monasteries andkept
a record of the monasteriesSociety for the Study of Pali and Buddhist Culture
Society for theStudy of Pali andBuddhistCulture
Modes ofExistence ofVillage MonasteryinBangladesh
109
The
number of themonasteries mentionedbelow,
is
accordingto
the
infbrmation
ofSecretary
of theTrust.
But
thereare many monasteries whichhave
not receivedhelp
from
theTrust
So,
theexactfigure
is
uncertain.Districtwisenumber ofMonastery
Name Df District
Nurnber
ofMonasteriesChittagong Cox's Bazar DhakaComilla Noakhali FeniPatuakhali
Barguna
Rangpur
Rangamati
Khagrachari
Bandarban
294 77 06 1602
Ol
19
14
Ol281179248
(4)
The
inforrnation
is
collectedfrorn
Traimasik
Sammayak
Journal,
Buddhapurnima
Sankhya,
20
May
2005.
Dr.
Dipankar
Barua,Professog
Department
ofOrientai
Language,
Chittagong
UniversitM
conducted afield
work andfurnished
thedata,
but
this
is
anincomplete
work.(5)
Pictorial
inforrnation
ofSudharmanandaDhatu
Caitya
Vihar
110 パーリ学 仏 教文化 学
Shrine
Hal
且Shrine
AltarBuddha Statue in
Shrine
Buddha
,s Relics
Society for the Study of Pali and Buddhist Culture
Society for the Study ofPali andBuddhistCulture
Modes ef ExistenceofVillage MonasteryinBangladesh
111
High Priest
Cetiyas
Meditation
roomParinibbana
Statue
112
isc-V\tZLtwJSitk\(6)Pictorial
I
kbe
wellnformation ofVanaratna
Sar
Vhnaratna
Sarbajanin
Vihar
Memorial Stllpa
bajanin
Vihar
Stupa
on roofAltar
Society for the Study of Pali and Buddhist Culture
Society for the Studyof Pali andBuddhistCulture
Modes ofExistence ofVillageMonasteryinBangladesh