Local Buddhist accounts claim that Buddhist inscriptions appeared in the area of Bengal shortly after the historical Buddha (563–483 BCE) visited this region. Buddhist influence grew over time, fueled by supportive rulers during the reign of Aśoka (304–232 BCE) of the Maurya Dynasty (322–184 BCE), the Gupta Dynasty (240–550 CE), and the Pāla Dynasty (750–1161 CE). Though a great deal of the celebrated Buddhist heritage has passed from the territory of ancient Bangladesh, today’s surviving devotees still follow a Buddhist tradition with centuries of history. This article explores a brief history of Buddhist communities and their lineages and cultural practices in contemporary Bangladesh.

Despite several foreign invasions in Bengal from the 11th–18th centuries, some Buddhist communities still exist in Bangladesh. Out of the 165 million people living in Bangladesh today, approximately 2 million people identify as Buddhists. In modern-day Bangladesh, survival Buddhist communities, include Barua, Chakma, Marma, Rakhaine, Tanchangya, Simha-Barua, Kheyang, Chak, Khumi, Tripura, Chowdhury, and Khisa. The Barua and Simha-Barua reside mainly in Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Comilla, Noakhali, Barguna, Patuakhali, and Dhaka. Indigenous Buddhist communities, including Chakma, Marma, Rakhaine, Tanchangya, Tripura, Khisa, and Rakhine, can be found in the districts of Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram (Chittagong), as well as Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.

Each Buddhist community in Bangladesh has its own unique mythological history. According to Bengali legend, people from the Barua community believe that their clan originated from the clan of Vajjī or Vṛji. Etymologically, the word “Vṛji” was derived from the term “Licchavi,” which subsequently transformed into “Baṛuẏā” or “Barua” (Licchavi > Vṛji > Baṛuẏā > Barua). The Pāli and Sanskrit literature record that Vṛji was a prominent clan that neighbored the Licchavi—both clans resided in the region of Vesālī (present-day North India). According to the Mahāparinibbāṇa Sutta from the Dīgha Nikāya, the Buddha praised the Vṛji for their diligent practice of the seven conditions of welfare (Sapta aparihānīya dhamma) which create unity, harmony, and peace. King Ajatashatru (reigned 494–462 BCE), son of King Bimbisara (reigned 546–494 BCE), invaded Vesālī, which became part of his territory, Magadha. From this context, members of the Barua clan firmly believe they originated from the region of Magadha.

Like the Barua, the Chakma community has its own distinctive history. It is believed that the Chakma migrated to ancient Arakan (present Chattogram division of Bangladesh and Rakaine state of Myanmar) from the region of Magadha, today the Indian state of Bihar. The Chakma originated from the ancient Śākya tribe, the clan of the historical Buddha. Like the Chakma, the Simha-Barua also believed that they originated from the Śākya tribe of Nepal. Another major indigenous group, the Marma clan, migrated to Arakan from the region of Magadha. It is worth noting that most Chakma and Marma people live in the Chattogram Hill Tracks area, just as other Buddhist indigenous communities of Bangladesh.

From the context of Buddhist practices in modern Bangladesh, the majority of Buddhist communities follow Theravāda tradition. Furthermore, present Buddhists in Bangladesh are led by saṅgha members of the Theravāda tradition. Since most Buddhist devotees reside in the southern part of Bangladesh, the Theravāda monks within the different monasteries of the Chattogram division provide Buddhist ways of teaching and community guidance.

There are approximately 1000 Buddhist monasteries throughout Bangladesh. Based on the monastic community from the Chattogram district, there are two principal fraternities of modern Theravāda Buddhism in Bangladesh: Saṅgharāj Nikāya and Mahāsthabīra Nikāya traditions. In contemporary Bangladesh, the supreme patriarch from the Saṅgharāj Nikāya is known as Saṅgharāj or Saṅgharāja, whereas the supreme monk from the Mahāsthabīra Nikāya is known as Saṅganāyaka. Since Saṅgharāj Nikāya was established in the mid-19th century, there have been 13 supreme patriarchs (Saṅgharāj or Saṅgharāja) who led this community. Currently, Śasana-śōbhana-jñānabhānaka Dr. Jñānaśrī Mahāsthabīra (1928–present) is the 13th supreme patriarch for the  Saṅgharāj Nikāya. On the other hand, after the Mahāsthabīra Nikāya was established, 29 supreme patriarchs have driven this community. At the movement, Śrīmat Banaśrī  Mahāthērō (1939–present) is the 29th supreme patriarch (Saṅganāyaka) for the Mahāsthabīra Nikāya.

Apart from the aforementioned Theravāda-based monastic leaders, numerous monastic members offer invaluable teachings to propagate Buddhist teachings in Bangladesh today. Buddhist monks’ dedicated services and wise assistance in spreading the teachings fulfill the function of preserving the Buddha’s original teachings in Bangladesh.*

Buddhist festivals among the Buddhist communities in Bangladesh are diverse and unique and are usually held in local Buddhist temples. With devotion, reverence, and solemnity, the Buddhist communities of Bangladesh celebrate several festivals at the monasteries. These gatherings with friends and families promote community harmony and preserve ancient Buddhist traditions from the past. The Bangladeshi Buddhists largely observe Buddha Pūrṇimā (Visākā or Baisāk full moon day), the commemoration of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing. Significant Buddhist festivals that continue into present-day Bangladesh include Kaṭhin Chibar Dāna (a robe offering ceremony), Madhū Pūrṇimā (honey and medicine offerings), and Prabāraṇa Pūrṇimā (the last day of the three-month rainy retreat).

A highlight of the Pravāraṇā Pūrnīma festival are the fanus or sky lamps, which are launched into the evening sky. These holy celebrations occur at the monasteries with the Buddha Pūjā (an offering of flowers, incense, lit candles, and foods). Observing the five and eight precepts strengthens the practitioner’s perfection of the Buddhist teachings. Devotees invite Buddhist monks to their houses outside the celebratory festivals to receive their teachings. Neighbors and villagers are willingly invited to attend this auspicious ceremony. On the occasion of Saṅgha Dāna, traditional foods and requisites are offered to the monks.

Last but not least, surviving Buddhist communities in contemporary Bangladesh continue their heritage, culture, and traditions despite experiencing communal attacks and violence and facing massive obstacles in practicing their religious rights. The Buddhist transmission in Bangladesh is undeniably an influential landmark in South Asian history that has contributed immensely to enriching Buddhist culture, literature, scriptures, and traditions. In following the footsteps of the Buddha and continuing the rich cultural heritage, the Buddhist community in Bangladesh is determined to protect their tradition and lineage and continue to practice the light of Buddhist teachings for the sake of their prosperity and spiritual development.

* The Saṅgha includes many revered spiritual leaders, including Gyaniswer Mahāthērō; Bongshadip Mahāsthabīra, Karmayogi Kṛpāśaraṇa Mahāthērō, Saṅghārāj Ācārya Pūrṇācāra Candramōhana Mahāsthabīra, Śāntharakṣīta Mahāthērō, Bishudhachar Mahāsthabīra, Aggamahāpaṇḍitā Prajñālōka Mahāsthabīra, Saṅghārāja Sīlalaṃkār Mahāthērō, and others.

References

Barua, Shimul. 2012. Bānlāra Baud’dha: Itihāsa-Aitihya O Sanskr̥ti [Buddhism in Bengal and its History, Traditions, and Culture]. Chattogram: Anōmā Sanskr̥ti Gōsṭī.

Bhikkhu, Saranapal. 2021. Sajib Barua Diamond, Sanjoy Barua Chowdhury, et al. (eds.). “Reclaiming Bangladeshi Buddhist Heritage Forgotten by the Buddhist World,” In Jyōtirmaya Dharmasen, pp. 400–412. Chattogram: Purba Publishing.

Chowdhury, Sanjoy Barua. 2024. “A Forgotten Inscription on the Narrative Study of Buddhist Traditions in Boṅgabhūmi: Past through Present.” In Studia Orientalia Slovaca, Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 95–120.

Dipankar Srijnan, Barua. 1998. Buddhism in Bengal: The Period of Propagation in Buddhism in Bangladesh, Dhaka: Sougata Publication.

Dipankar Srijnan, Barua. 2007. Bāṅgāli Baud’dhadēr itihāsa Dharma O Sanskr̥ti [A Study of Bengali Buddhist History, Tradition, and Culture]. Chattogram: Bangladesh Pali Sahitya Saminti.

Dipankar Srijnan, Barua. 2017. Buddhism and the Buddhists of Bangladesh. Chittagong: Renu Ad & Printing.

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