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A BRIEF LIFE SKETCH OF MOST VENERABLE BIMAL TISHYA MAHATHERA

An Introduction:

Most Venerable Bimal Tissya Mahathera, born in 1945, is a renowned Buddhist monk in India who has dedicated his life to world peace, prosperity, and the emancipation of needy and destitute children. He leads Shishu Koruna Sangha (SKS), a non-profit Community Development Buddhist Society, and runs the Bodhicariya Vihara and Bodhicariya Senior Secondary School in Kolkata. Mahathera is known for his humanitarian work and educational initiatives, particularly for indigenous children in northeastern India. He is a catalyst of peace and a fostering father to many orphans.

Education and Higher Ordination:'

Venerable Bimal Tissya Mahathera started his primary education in his native village “Udal Bagan”. He did his HSC (Higher Secondary) from Chittagong and he received his BA (Honors) and MA in Philosophy from the University of Dhaka.

In 1963, he was ordained as a Samanera (Buddhist novice) at Raj Vihar under the aegis of the compassionate and venerable Sumangal Thera under the preceptorship of the most venerable Jnanasree thera, who was Ven. Bimal Tissya Mahathera’s preceptor (Guru Bhante). Venerable Bimal Tissya Mahathera received his higher ordination (Upasampada) at Jobra Sugata Vihara in Chittagong on 16 May, 1966. His spiritual master (Upajjaya) was His Holiness Sangharaj of Bangladesh Sangharaj Bhikkhu Mahasabha, the most Venerable Shila Lankar Mahathera.

The Only Theravada Buddhist Monk in the World at the United Nation General Assembly:

On December 10, 1992, Venerable Bimal Tissya Mahathera participated in the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York as a representative of the Asian Indigenous Population, in the International Year for the World’s Indigenous Peoples and focused on the multifarious problems being faced by the indigenous peoples in Asia. In the history of the United Nations, Venerable Bimal Tissya Mahathera is the only Theravada Buddhist monk who participated in the meet to appeal to the International Community to extend their helping hand to mitigate the atrocities being faced by the indigenous peoples with loving kindness and compassion. He also participated in International Human Rights Conference in Geneva, Switzerland on August 3-7, 1987 organised by United Nations Economic and Social Council. World Peace Efforts:

In 2000, Venerable Bimal Tissya Mahathera participated, in the capacity of a Buddhist delegate, in the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders held from August 28 to 31, 2000 at the Headquarters of the United Nations in New York. He had expressed his views saying that peace would be established in the world only if the people would follow the five precepts and the four noble truths taught by the Buddha. The Vesak Day at the United Nations:

Venerable Bimal Tissya Mahathera was invited to attended Vesak Day, an international recognition of Buddha Jayanti, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 15th May 2009. As a Buddhist delegate, Mahathera chanted Sutta for peace and prosperity. Ban Ki Moon, the UN Secretary General, recalled the Buddha's teachings, emphasizing that happiness cannot be achieved without suffering.

Travels across Foreign Shores:

Venerable Bimal Tissya Mahathera, as a peace activist and human rights guardian, has traveled extensively globally, visiting Central America, Europe, China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan. SOCIAL WORK AND DHAMMA MISSION

Responsibility:

In 1975, Venerable Bimal Tissya Mahathera was appointed as the President of the Parbatya Chattal Bouddha Anath Ashram, a Buddhist orphanage founded in 1961. He also served as President of Dharmodoy Pali College of Dighinala in the CHT. In 1985, he became the President of three organizations, including the Parbatya Bouddha Sangha in Dhaka and Moanoghar and Parbatya Chattal Bouddha Anath Ashram in Dighinala, CHT.

Relief Operation for Refugee Camps in Tripura:

In 1986, the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) faced political turmoil, ethnic cleansing, and human rights violations, about 60,000 refugees fleeing to India and taking shelter in Tripura, India. Even orphans from the Buddhist Orphanage were also affected. Venerable Bimal Tissya Mahathera started relief work in the camps, providing aid to orphan children and alleviating inhuman suffering. He set up 20 temporary schools, 15 primary and 5 secondary, and organized refugees to help run them. Mahathera Bimal Tissya aimed to draw attention to the suffering of refugees, repatriate them, restore peace, and protect human rights in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The Crossing-Over of 72 Orphans to France:

On October 30, 1987, Venerable Bimal Tissya Mahathera and 72 orphans from Tripura, India, were flown to France for education under Partage's sponsorship. The orphans, students of the Parbatya Chattal Bouddha Anath Ashram, are now well-established in France, living in peace, dignity, and freedom. They have also supported their families and friends in Bangladesh, resulting in improved economic and social conditions. They also established two organisations in France and supporting the down trodden children in CHT.

AWARD

In 1997, Venerable Bimal Tissya Mahathera was felicitated by the Calcutta University National Integration Council at the Darbhanga Hall for his contribution in the fields of social development, human rights and peace building work, on the auspicious occasion of the Golden Jubilee Year of the Independence Day of the Republic of India on 15th August 1997.

PUBLICATIONS

Some of the Venerable Bimal Tissya Mahathera books on Dhamma: a) Manual of Vanadana (A Vandana book for the students) b) Quest of Peace c) Bouddha Kula Rabi Rajguru Agravamsa Mahathera ORGANIZATION

Some of the organization founded by Venerable Bimal Tishsa Mahathera along with other social workers and Buddhist monks:

Moanoghar:

In 1974, he was the founder member a unique Buddhist monastery and a monastery-based educational institution named MOANOGHAR. This unique social development project was successfully implemented.

Many children have been educated at Moanoghar. Many alumni of Moanoghar are currently well established across several developed countries around the world. They have become a part of the qualified and skilled workforce of the society and are serving in the government and corporate sectors in various countries across the world. Thus, Moanoghar has emerged as a pioneering non-governmental organization (NGO) of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Parbatya Bouddha Sangha:

In 1976, Venerable Bimal Tissya Mahathera established the Parbatya Bouddha Sangha (PBS), a socio-religious organization for the Buddhist community of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

Sakyamuni Bouddha Vihara:

Bimal Tissya Mahathera's unique contribution to Buddhist society, the Sakyamuni Bouddha Vihara, was established under the P.B.S. The vihara was inaugurated by A. G. Mamood, the then Food Minister, and attended by His Excellency Prasert Ruangsakul, the Honorary Secretary General of the World Fellowship of Buddhists on 24th February 1984. Shishu Koruna Sangha (SKS) - A New Landmark Social Organization in India: Venerable Bimal Tissya Mahathera founded another organization – Shishu Koruna Sangha (A Children Welfare Society) based in Kolkata by the cooperation from several committed social workers, on 30 October 1986. Most venerable Chakma Rajguru, Agravamsa Mahathera, was the first president of this Community Development organization. Venerable Bimal Tissya Mahathera’s vision all the way and his dedication and dynamic leadership that have enabled Shishu Koruna Sangha (SKS) to develop into a sustainable organization. Thus far, SKS has been going strong for more than three decades now. The organization has been marching ahead with each passing day towards reaching its ultimate goal of serving oppressed humanity, strengthening national integrity and establishing world peace. Bodhicariya Vihara:

Kolkata, India's cultural capital and former British India's capital, was chosen by Venerable Bimal Tissya Mahathera to establish the Bodhicariya Vihara. The Vihara, inaugurated in 1989, provided a platform for the Chakma community to practice Buddhism and promote moral values. The Vihara houses a Bodhicariya School and students' hostel, where boarders attend chanting and meditation held regularly. The vihara has played a crucial role in character building and fostering moral values among community stakeholders in Kolkata. Bodhicariya Senior Secondary School-Pioneering an English Medium Educational Project: Shishu Koruna Sangha established the Bodhicariya School in 1990. Today, it continues to educate poor and economically backward communities, among children. Over 1000 students have served the nation in abroad, two of them obtained PhDs from London and Paris Universities. The school has significantly impacted social and cultural life in the region.

Bodhi Dharma Chakra Buddha Vihara-The Noble Project of Sarnath:

Venerable Bimal Tissya Mahathera, a Buddhist monk, recognized the growing interest in Buddhism and its benefits. To address accommodation issues, Mahathera established the Bodhi Dhamma Chakra Vihara in 2001. Mahathera aims for the new generation to possess good moral character and fortify themselves with Buddhism's values, contributing positively to a just, happy, and prosperous society. The goal is to create a peaceful world where people live harmoniously and peacefully.

Karuna Buddhist Society (KBS), California, USA:

In 2009, he played an important role in establishing a Buddhist Temple which is now run by the “Karuna Buddhist Society” at San Bernardino, California, USA so as to create an opportunity for the people there to practice Buddhist meditation. As a spiritual advisor, he has been continually rendering his service to the aforesaid Buddhist temple. Currently, many people are seen taking part in the spiritual service and meditation from the surrounding areas of Los Angeles, USA, thereby purifying their mind and getting greatly benefitted in finding peace.

Bodhicariya School, Tripura, India:

Bodhicariya School, Gandachara, Tripura Project was established in the year 2017 at Laxmipur village under Gandacherra sub division in the Dhalai District, Tripura to provide value-based quality English medium educational facilities to the children of economically backward and poor families.

Bodhicariya School, Assam, India:

Bodhicariya School, Assam Project established in the year 2018 by Ven. Bimal Tissya Mahathera. This project was started with a Bamboo made Temple and the school house was also made of bamboo and timber. Now the bamboo made house is replaced by concrete structured building and more than 90 students are staying in the hostel.

Bodhicariya School, Mizoram, India:

Bodhicariya School in Mizoram was established in 2021 to provide quality education to the economically backward Chakma, who have a low literacy rate of 46.4%. The school aims to address their economic struggles by establishing a Senior Secondary School, Skill Development Institute, and Agricultural short course training center in Udalthana, near the headquarter of Chakma Autonomous District Council.

Venerable Gyanaratna Mohathera

Most Venerable Gyanaratna Mohathera was born on March 21, 1845. His father's name was Dhana Sharan Khisa, and his mother's name is Mondhadhori Dewan. According to Chakma Gozagutti, he was born into the Borchajje Dozagutti family in Bandukbhanga, near Rangamati. Gyanaratna received his higher ordination in Rajanagar Chakma Raj Vihara on November 12, 1865. He went to the Kingdom of Sri Lanka in 1870 for his further higher Dhamma Vinaya studies. After returning from Sri Lanka, he was appointed as Chakma Rajguru. He worked for the establishment of Theravada Buddhism in Chittagong and Hill Tracts for a long time. This great Buddhist scholar and Rajguru passed away in 1920. Bhikkhu Vivekajoti (talk) 13:33, 29 September 2023 (UTC)