Content Details

1.1 Identification of the element

Knowledge and practice about nature and the universe

1.2 Name of the element, as used by the community or group concerned

Theravada Buddhism at Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery in Dhaka

1.3 Short, maximally informative title (including indication of domain(s))

According to the 1981 census, there were approximately 538,000 Buddhists in Bangladesh, representing less than 1 percent of the population.During the 19th century, a revival movement developed that led to the development of two orders of Theravada monks, the Sangharaj Nikaya and the Mahasthabir Nikaya.

1.4 Community(ies)/group(s) that recognize the element as part of their cultural heritage

Buddhists of Bangladesh

1.5 Physical location(s) of the element/how often it is practiced

Sparsely spread all over Bangladesh.In the Chittagong Hills, Buddhist tribes formed the majority of the population, and their religion appeared to be a mixture of tribal beliefs and Buddhist doctrines.

1.6 Short description (max. 200words)

In 1951, the Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery is established in Dhaka City, and permanently installed in its present position at Sabujbag, Kamalapur, Dhaka-1214 in 1960. This is the first Buddhist Monastery in Dhaka after the division of India in 1947. Bangladesh Bouddha Kristi Prachar Sangha took initiative in 1951 to establish a new Buddhist Centre in Dhaka, the then Provincial Capital of East Pakistan to unite and project the Religious and Socio-cultural activities of the Buddhists of the newly emerged country Pakistan. It is to be mentioned that greater Dhaka is a place where Buddhism flourished in the past days. Dhamrai, Savar, Narsingdhi and Vikrampur were the Buddhist Centres which is at present coming to light through excavation. Recently ancient Buddhist Monasteries discovered at Savar, Wari-Bateswar and Vikrampur. In order to keep alive the past glory of Buddhism of this area the name of Dhaka Buddhist Monastery has been re-named as Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery. History records that Great King Ashoka established 84 thousand Votive Stupas throughout ancient India which were known as Dharmarajika. Such Votive Stupa was established by King Ashoka at present Dhamrai, Savar, Dhaka. Needless to mention here that Dhamrai originated from Dharmarajika. In order to commemorate this historical name of event the Dhaka Buddhist Monastery has been re-named as Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery. Under the leadership of Late Mahasanghanayaka Visuddhananda Mahathero, the then President of Bangladesh Bouddha Kristi Prachar Sangha ably assisted by Late Banghish Thero, B. A. and present President of the BBKPS Sanghanayaka Suddhananda Mahathero and with the help and assistance of the Members of Bangladesh Bouddha Kristi Prachar Sangha established this historical Monastery. The Monastery was set up to act as a focal point for Buddhist teachings and meditation and to provide much needed support to the community. Since opening our doors, our center has set up many social welfare programs and has been involved in coming to the assistance of the community whenever a disaster or any other problems arises. BBKPS has brought back a portion of Ash Relics of Atisha Dipankar the great scholar of Bangladesh of 10th century from China in 1978. This relics has been ceremonially installed at Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery in 1978. Mention may be made here that Govt of Bangladesh rendered all possible assistance at that time. With the arrival of Atisha's ash relics the name of great Buddhist Scholar came to light after many many years. Bangladesh Bouddha Kristi Prachar Sangha played a historical role in reviving the Buddhist heritage of Bangladesh. Atish Dipankar was born in 980 A.D at a village Bajrajogini, Bikarampur, Munshigonj, Dhaka. His father's name was King Kallyanasree and mother's name was Queen Prabhabati. Kalyanasree was the local ruler appointed by the Pala Kings. He was pious and qualified. He sent his son Chandragarbha (Atisha Dipankar's early name) to Pandit Jetari (JETARI) who was the resident of Barendra (present Rajshahi). At the age of 25 he defeated a great Pandit on religious debate. Then the name and fame of Atisha Dipankar spread all over in India. Atisha went to Rahulagupta another great Buddhist monk of Krishagiri of South India. He accepted him and entered to the life of Samanera (Novice) under his guidance. He was renamed as GUHAJYA GYANABAJRA. For further knowledge he went to Odhantapuri Mahavihara (University). There he took ordination from Silarakkhit Thero the Vice Chancellor of Odhantapuri Mahabihara and became monk. Then he took the name Dipankar Sreegyan. Afterwords he came to another scholer Dharmarakshit of Magadha for further knowledge. After receiving knowledge from him he went to Suvarnabhumi (present Thailand and Indonesia) to aquire knowledge on Buddhist Philoshophy. He gathered knowledge from Dharmarakkit of Suvarnabhumi but some scholars say that his name was Dharmapala. After completing his study he returned back to Bangladesh via Srilanka. After visiting holy places there Atisha Dipankar joined Vikramsila University and subsequently became the Vice Chancellor. From there he went to Tibet to reform Buddhism in 1038 A.D. From Tibet he did not come back and expired in 1054 A. D. in Tibet. In 1978 his ashes (remains) has been brought to Bangladesh by Bangladesh Bouddha Kristi Prachar Sangha in its Head Quarter Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery. Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery is famous for its newly built 38' Standing Buddha Statue.

1.7 Domain of the element (select one or more/suggest alternative domain)

2. Characteristics of the element

2.1 Practitioners(s)/performer(s): roles, age, gender, social status, and/or professional category etc)

2.2 Other tradition bearers (individuals/groups and their roles)

2.3 Language(s), register(s), speech level(s) involved

2.4 Associated tangible elements ( if any)

2.5 Associated intangible elements (if any)

2.6 How are women and people of other genders associated with this ICH element

2.7 Division of labour during the practice of aforementioned ICH element

2.8 Customary practices governing access to the element or to aspects of it

2.9 Modes of transmission

2.10 Organizations concerned (non-governmental organizations and others)

3. State of the element (viability)

3.1 Threats to the enactment (if any)

3.2 Threats to the transmission (if any)

3.3 Threat to associated tangible elements and resources (if any)

3.4 Viability of associated intangible elements (if any)

3.5 Safeguarding measures in place (if any)

4. Data gathering/documentation, Consent and preparation of inventory entries

4.1 Consent of community/group/individuals concerned for data collection with a view to inventorying

4.2 Restrictions, if any, on use of data collected

5. Resource Person

5.1 Persons/groups, including community representatives

5.2 Date(s) and place(s) of data gathering

Date :
Place(s) :

6. Safeguarding techniques

6.1 Existing safeguarding techniques in the community for the safeguarding of the ICH element

6.2 Suggestions for safeguarding of the ICH element from the community

7. References to literature, discography, audiovisual materials or archives

7.1 References to/in literature

7.2 Audiovisual materials or archives

7.3 Discography or archives

8. Modalities for updating the information contained in the inventory entry

8.1 Persons/groups, including community representatives, who compiled the inventory entry

8.2 Consent of community/group/individuals concerned for data collection with a view to inventorying

8.3 Date of community consent to include the entry on an inventory

8.4 Present condition of the cultural element

9. Community suggestions

(a)Brief description of suggestions for safeguarding of the element by community members/experts/holders, if any

(b)Brief description of restrictions on use of data collected, if any