Bangladesh’s Buddhist Heritage

 

Bangladesh’s Buddhist Heritage

Old Lavani smiled and said to Agudengba: "Today's Chinese people always like to say that the trinity of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism is the excellent tradition of the Chinese nation, and they regard Buddhism as an excellent traditional culture, but few people know about the relationship between Bangladesh and Buddhism. At most, a few scholars will say that Buddhism originated in India. Smart Mr. Agudengba, what do you think about this?"

Agudengba thought for a while and said:

During the Mauryan and Palatine dynasties, Bangladesh was one of the most prosperous areas for Mahayana Buddhism and Vajrayana in ancient India, while the southeast was ruled by the Myo-U kingdom of Burma, which believed in Buddhism, until the 17th century. Most Buddhists in Bangladesh now believe in Theravada Buddhism.

Old Lavani smiled: Thank you for your understanding.

The old man Lavani began to talk about the precious heritage left by Bangladesh to Buddhism.

Bangladesh has a rich Buddhist heritage. Bangladeshi Buddhists account for 0.05% of the current population of Bangladesh, about 500,000 people. But ancient Bengal was a center of Buddhist learning, art and empire. Buddhist relics have been excavated across the region, especially at five places: Wari-Bateshwar, Chandraketugarh, Paharpur, Mahasthangarh and Mainamati. The Mauryan Empire mission sent by King Asoka extended its suzerainty to Bangladesh in the second century BC and played an important role in spreading Buddhism.

Unlike in India itself, Buddhism in Bangladesh has always maintained prosperity. The Buddhist Empire of Bangladesh, the Pala Dynasty, was founded by King Pala I in 750. The empire grew into one of the largest in classical Asia. The Pala dynasty promoted the development of Mahayana Buddhism and Tantra Buddhism, and they sponsored the creation of many excellent temples, monasteries and works of art.

The Pala dynasty had close relations with the Tibetan Tibetan dynasty, the Indonesian Srivijaya dynasty, and the Arabian Abbasid dynasty. The empire reached its peak with the Dharma protector king and the deva protector king. They ruled for four centuries until they were replaced by the revived Hindu Sena dynasty.

The old man Lavani sighed: Brahman persecution played a key role in the decline of Buddhism in India, followed by the later Muslim conquests. Residual Buddhist communities continued to flourish in southeastern Bangladesh, and the Mya-U kingdom of Burma ruled the region in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. By the end of the eighteenth century, the area was transferred to the British Empire. During this period, the Buddhist revival movement continued to develop.

Bangladeshi Buddhists benefited from British knowledge in the early twentieth century, and Benimadabu Barua was one of the first Asians to receive a doctorate in literature from the University of London. Bangladeshi Buddhist activists and guerrillas were also active in the Bangladesh Liberation War.

Bangladesh is the main residence of the Bangladeshi Buddhist community. They usually have high literacy rates and belong to the middle class of Bangladesh, especially in the port city of Chittagong. Many live in Dhaka, Cox's Bazar and Comilla. They can also be found in Agartala, the capital of the Indian state of Tripura, and Kolkata.

Old Lavani accompanied Agudemba to visit the Buddhist Vehara ruins in Paharpur. This site, also known as the Great Temple, is a testimony to the rise of Mahayana Buddhism in Bangladesh in the 7th century and was a famous cultural center until the 12th century. The design of this temple perfectly meets the needs of holding religious ceremonies and reflects extraordinary artistic achievements. The simple and harmonious lines of the temple, coupled with a large number of carvings and decorations, have a profound impact on the development of Buddhist architecture, even as far away as Cambodia.

Old man Ravani said: The Buddhist Vihara ruins in Paharpur have been included in the World Heritage List of Bangladesh. Also included in the World Heritage List of Bangladesh are the historic city of Bakirhat Masjid and the Sundarbans National Park. If you have the chance, I will take you to see the former site of the Atisha monk in Bangladesh. I hope Chinese Buddhists can visit Bangladesh.

Old Lavani told Agudengba the six-character mantra again. He told Agudengba that the Six-Character Mantra is a Buddhist mantra. The six-character Great Ming Mantra Om Mani Padme Hum is the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Mantra. It originates from Sanskrit and symbolizes the compassion and blessing of all Bodhisattvas.

The six-character Great Ming Mantra is an expansion of the three characters "Om Ah Hum". Its connotation is extremely rich, infinite in mystery, and supreme. It contains the great power, great wisdom, and great compassion in the universe. The Grand Master once taught that the Six-Character Great Ming Mantra is six mantras that emit light. Reciting the six-syllable Great Ming Mantra can fill the body and mind with light. It can not only eliminate karma and illness, but also drive away filth and evil spirits, and avoid the interference of all negative energy. Practicing the Six-Word Great Ming Mantra diligently can also help eliminate worries and evil thoughts, cultivate inner light, enhance compassion and bodhicitta, and thereby enhance the realm of practice.

Old Lavani sang a song called "The Six-Character Ming Mantra" devoutly:

 

Om mani baa hum

Om mani baa hum

…………

Buzz

how many voices are there

calling

eager

One day I can

Get rid of suffering and gain happiness

 

Mani

It's a pearl of wisdom

inexhaustible

inexhaustible

 

Bah ah

It is a lotus that emerges from the mud and remains unstained

it can

Get rid of worries and gain peace

 

Hum

Holding a diamond heart

Save all sentient beings

Transcendence

We have to recite it every day

 

Buzz

Manipa baa hum

This kind of specialness is indescribable

Achieve Supreme Enlightenment and Bodhi

 

Om mani baa hum

Om mani baa hum

…………

We have to recite it every day

Om mani pada hum

This kind of specialness is indescribable

Achieving the Supreme Enlightenment and Bodhi

 

Om mani baa hum

Om mani baa hum

…………