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 | This article may incorporate text from a large language model. (August 2025) |
Tilokananda Mahathera | |
|---|---|
𑄖𑄨𑄣𑄮𑄇𑄚𑄧𑄚𑄘 𑄟𑄦𑄖𑄬𑄢𑄧 | |
| Title | Sangharaja (PBSB) |
| Personal life | |
| Born | Lakkhi Mohan Chakma August 28, 1937 Chittagong Hill Tracts District, Bengal Province, British India (now Rangamati Hill District, Bangladesh) |
| Died | November 2, 2023 (aged 86) Mogban Shakyamuni Buddhist Monastery, Rangamati, Bangladesh |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Signature | File:Example-signature.svg |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| School | Theravada |
Tilokananda Mahathera (Bengali: তিলোকানন্দ মহাথেরো; 28 August 1937 – 2 November 2023), also known as Sada Moner Manush (“Man of Pure Heart”), was a Bangladeshi Buddhist monk of Chakma ethnicity.[1][2] He served as the principal of Mogban Shakyamuni Buddhist Monastery, was the founding president of Kachalong Shishu Sadan and Mogban Sammadmodaya Pali College, and was recognized as the 4th Sangharaja (supreme patriarch) of the Parbattya Bhikkhu Sangha Bangladesh.[3][4]
Early life and education
[edit]Tilokananda Mahathera was born on 28 August 1937 in present-day Betchari village, Subalong, Barkal, Rangamati Hill District, Bangladesh.[5] His birth name was Lakkhi Mohan Chakma. He was the youngest among six siblings, born to Krishna Muni Chakma and Singha Pati Chakma.[6]
He began his early education at a local primary school under the guidance of teacher Kamini Barua from Rangunia.[7] Later, he studied at Rajanagar Rajbihar in Rangunia under Rajguru Dharmaratna Mahasthavir and at the adjacent Rajanagar High School up to class seven.[8]
Monastic ordination
[edit]Tilokananda entered the monastic order at the age of 17.
1954, at Subalong Indrima Chhara Buddhist Monastery, under Ven. Pragyasar Mahasthavir.[9] 30 January 1959, at the Uposatha site of Subalong Indrima Chhara Buddhist Monastery, under Rajguru Agrabansha Mahasthavir.[10]
Religious education and practice
[edit]Tilokananda Mahathera studied Buddhist philosophy through the guru-shishya parampara system. His teachers included Ven. Pragyasar Mahasthavir, Dharmaratna Mahasthavir, Rajguru Agrabansha Mahasthavir, Jnanshri Mahasthavir, and Sugata Priya Mahasthavir.[11]
He was well-versed in Pali literature and Buddhist philosophy, and also contributed to Chakma language works.[12]
He visited Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Lumbini, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, where he deepened his practice and knowledge.[13]
Career and contributions
[edit]Tilokananda resided in several monasteries, including: Subalong Indrima Chhara Buddhist Monastery, Rajanagar Rajbihar, Kamalchhari Amrakanan Buddhist Monastery, Kaukhali Ichamoti Farangi Buddhist Monastery, Chakma Rajbihar in Rangamati, and Mogban Shakyamuni Buddhist Monastery.[14][15]
He was among the founding General Secretaries of the Parbattya Bhikkhu Sangha Bangladesh (PBSB), later serving as its central president, Upasangharaja, and eventually the 4th Sangharaja.[16][17]
Institutions founded
[edit]Venerable Tilokananda Mahathera established a number of educational and religious institutions in the Chittagong Hill Traacts and beyond, with the aim of promoting Buddhist education, Monastic training, and social welfare. Among the notable institutions are:
- Kadamtali Navaran Buddhist Monastery
- Kachalong Universal Meditation Centre
- Kachalong Buddhist Monastery
- Mogban Sammadmodaya Pali Toll
- Balukhali Nandasara Pali Toll
- Jibongachhara Pali Toll
- Kachalong Shishu Sadan[18]
Writings
[edit]Tilokananda Mahathera wrote poetry and songs, most of which remained unpublished.[19]
Disciples
[edit]Notable disciples include Ven. Shubhadarshi Mahathera, Jnanananda Mahathera, Dr. Bangish Mahathera (Thailand), Vijayananda Mahathera, and Shantajyoti Mahathera.[20][21]
Death and legacy
[edit]Tilokananda Mahathera died on 2 November 2023 at Mogban Shakyamuni Buddhist Monastery at the age of 86.[22][23] His cremation will be held on 18–20 December 2025.
Following his death, Ven. Shantajyoti Mahathera became director and general secretary of Kachalong Shishu Sadan. Tilokananda is remembered for his compassion, generosity, and service to the monastic and lay communities.[24]
Honours and recognition
[edit]- 2007 – Awarded the title "Sada Moner Manush" (Man of Pure Heart) and a gold medal by ATN Bangla and Unilever Bangladesh.[25]
- 2010 – Conferred the title Upasangharaja by PBSB.[26]
- 2019 – Enthroned as the 4th Sangharaja.[27]
- 2023 – Honored with the title Agga Mahapandita by the Government of Myanmar.[28]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "পার্বত্য ভিক্ষু সংঘের সংঘরাজ তিলোকানন্দ মারা গেছেন". Samakal. Archived from the original on 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ Bhikkhu, Dr. Jinbodhi; Bhikkhu, Sadhana Jyoti, eds. (22 September 2017). Karmayogi Tilokananda Mahasthavira (in Bengali). Rangamati, Chittagong: Buddhist Research and Publication Centre-Bangladesh. pp. 10–80.
- ^ "Senior Buddhist Monk and Sangharaja Tilokananda Mahathera Passes Away". Daily Rangamati. Archived from the original on 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ "Tilokananda Mahasthabir passes away; PBSB President and District Chairman express grief". Paharer Khabor. 5 November 2023. Archived from the original on 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ "Sangharaja Ven. Tilokananda Mahathera passes away; Ven. Pragyananda Mahasthavir expresses grief". THE DAILY KHABARPATRA. Archived from the original on 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ Chakma, Lalon Kanti (2022). Chakma, Lalon Kanti (ed.). Atmadip (in Bengali). Rangamati: Kachalong Shishu Sadan. pp. 30–52.
- ^ Chakma, Lalon Kanti (2022). Chakma, Lalon Kanti (ed.). Atmadip (in Bengali). Rangamati: Kachalong Shishu Sadan. pp. 30–52.
- ^ Chakma, Lalon Kanti (2022). Chakma, Lalon Kanti (ed.). Atmadip (in Bengali). Rangamati: Kachalong Shishu Sadan. pp. 30–52.
- ^ Bhikkhu, Dr. Jinbodhi; Bhikkhu, Sadhana Jyoti, eds. (22 September 2017). Karmayogi Tilokananda Mahasthavira (in Bengali). Rangamati, Chittagong: Buddhist Research and Publication Centre-Bangladesh. pp. 10–80.
- ^ Bhikkhu, Dr. Jinbodhi; Bhikkhu, Sadhana Jyoti, eds. (22 September 2017). Karmayogi Tilokananda Mahasthavira (in Bengali). Rangamati, Chittagong: Buddhist Research and Publication Centre-Bangladesh. pp. 5–30.
- ^ Bhikkhu, Dr. Jinbodhi; Bhikkhu, Sadhana Jyoti, eds. (22 September 2017). Karmayogi Tilokananda Mahasthavira (in Bengali). Rangamati, Chittagong: Buddhist Research and Publication Centre-Bangladesh. pp. 5–30.
- ^ Bhikkhu, Dr. Jinbodhi; Bhikkhu, Sadhana Jyoti, eds. (22 September 2017). Karmayogi Tilokananda Mahasthavira (in Bengali). Rangamati, Chittagong: Buddhist Research and Publication Centre-Bangladesh. pp. 15–70.
- ^ Bhikkhu, Dr. Jinbodhi; Bhikkhu, Sadhana Jyoti, eds. (22 September 2017). Karmayogi Tilokananda Mahasthavira (in Bengali). Rangamati, Chittagong: Buddhist Research and Publication Centre-Bangladesh. pp. 15–70.
- ^ "'Man of Pure Heart' Tilokananda of Rangamati Passes Away". UNB-United News of Bangladesh. Archived from the original on 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ Bhikkhu, Dr. Jinbodhi; Bhikkhu, Sadhana Jyoti, eds. (22 September 2017). Karmayogi Tilokananda Mahasthavira (in Bengali). Rangamati, Chittagong: Buddhist Research and Publication Centre-Bangladesh. pp. 15–70.
- ^ "Senior Buddhist Monk and Sangharaja Tilokananda Mahathera Passes Away". Daily Rangamati. Archived from the original on 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ Bhikkhu, Dr. Jinbodhi; Bhikkhu, Sadhana Jyoti, eds. (22 September 2017). Karmayogi Tilokananda Mahasthavira (in Bengali). Rangamati, Chittagong: Buddhist Research and Publication Centre-Bangladesh. pp. 10–80.
- ^ Bhikkhu, Dr. Jinbodhi; Bhikkhu, Sadhana Jyoti, eds. (22 September 2017). Karmayogi Tilokananda Mahasthavira (in Bengali). Rangamati, Chittagong: Buddhist Research and Publication Centre-Bangladesh. pp. 10–80.
- ^ Bhikkhu, Dr. Jinbodhi; Bhikkhu, Sadhana Jyoti, eds. (22 September 2017). Karmayogi Tilokananda Mahasthavira (in Bengali). Rangamati, Chittagong: Buddhist Research and Publication Centre-Bangladesh. pp. 10–80.
- ^ Chakma, Lalon Kanti, ed. (December 2021). Pradipta Mashal, Vol. 2 (in Bengali). Rangamati: Kachalong Shishu Sadan.
- ^ Bhikkhu, Dr. Jinbodhi; Bhikkhu, Sadhana Jyoti, eds. (22 September 2017). Karmayogi Tilokananda Mahasthavira (in Bengali). Rangamati, Chittagong: Buddhist Research and Publication Centre-Bangladesh. pp. 10–80.
- ^ "Senior Buddhist Monk and Sangharaja Tilokananda Mahathera Passes Away". Daily Rangamati. Archived from the original on 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ "'Man of Pure Heart' Tilokananda of Rangamati Passes Away". UNB-United News of Bangladesh. Archived from the original on 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ Chakma, Lalon Kanti, ed. (December 2021). Pradipta Mashal, Vol. 2 (in Bengali). Rangamati: Kachalong Shishu Sadan.
- ^ "Senior Buddhist Monk and Sangharaja Tilokananda Mahathera Passes Away". Daily Rangamati. Archived from the original on 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ Chakma, Lalon Kanti, ed. (December 2021). Pradipta Mashal, Vol. 2 (in Bengali). Rangamati: Kachalong Shishu Sadan.
- ^ "Senior Buddhist Monk and Sangharaja Tilokananda Mahathera Passes Away". Daily Rangamati. Archived from the original on 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ Bhikkhu, Dr. Jinbodhi; Bhikkhu, Sadhana Jyoti, eds. (22 September 2017). Karmayogi Tilokananda Mahasthavira (in Bengali). Rangamati, Chittagong: Buddhist Research and Publication Centre-Bangladesh. pp. 10–80.