On 3 July 2017, Dhammakaya Foundation led by Phrakru Viboonnitidham (Paiboon Dhammavipulo), World Alliance of Buddhists led by Dr. Pornchai Pinyapong- President & Dr. Lye Ket Yong – Advisor& President of Middle East Meditation Center, UAE and Nirvana Peace Foundation led by Mr. Sabuj Barua, President & Ms. Mithila Chowdhury, Secretary General together offered the Mahasanghadana to 111 Buddhist temples in Chittagong, Bangladesh both Nikaya.
Our group joined in the ceremony of donating funds for building the Main Buddhist Chapel in Sudachan Temple for use in future ordination ceremonies. In the past, there were only boundary markers of temples without any roofs and walls to protect the Buddhists from sunlight and rain.
In addition, Sudachan Temple led by Abbot Ven. Sumittra Nantha, looks after about 500 orphans. These children live and study in the temple until they graduate. They also study Buddhism, cultural performance, dharma and meditation. They chant Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta 2 times a day.
In the afternoon, our group joined the novice ordination on the ground floor of the residence building. Even though there was no Main Buddhist Chapel, the ceremony was holy and faithful. When they finished the ordination ceremony, they offered alms of necessities and dried food to the new novices. Moreover, our group attended in the ceremonies of opening Buddhist Schools of Sudachan and Ramdas Temples and chanting Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta in the temples.
Only 0.7% of Bangladesh population are Buddhists and most of them are of the Theravada branch of Buddhism. At times they have obstacles from natural disasters, political danger and the dangers caused by misunderstanding of other religious followers; however, the Buddhist monks and laypeople keep Buddhism together for the later generations in Bangladesh. It is a respectful action.
