The Journey of the Most Ven. Nandapal Mahathera

Today, the name that shines the crest of Buddhism in Bangladesh is none other than the Most Venerable His Eminence Sadhanananda Mahathera, popularly known as Bana Bhante “The Forest Monk”. Having meditated through a span of 12 years out in the deep forest of Dhanpata and in different forest monasteries later, the Most Venerable His Eminence Sadhanananda Mahathera is like a shining pole star in the Dhamma horizon, having attained the highest perfection (Arahanthood) and contributed in abundance to the revival of Buddhism in Bangladesh.

To this day still, Most Venerable His Eminence Sadhanananda Mahathera (Bana Bhante) has become a very well-known personality in the history of Buddhism and an object of ultimate veneration. He was loved and respected by peoples regardless of ethnicity and religious backgrounds.

His Eminence’s Chief Disciple Most Ven. Nandapal Mahathera, a renowned International Dhamma and Meditation Teacher , a Bouddha Ratna Awardee continued His Eminence legacy of teachings the Dhamma to the masses. With great spiritual determination at the age of 18, He took ordination and thereafter with the blessings of His Eminence Bana Bhante, He studied Tipitaka in Burma (Myanmar). At the age of 20, He was given Higher Ordination (Upasampada) by Most Ven. U Yalinda Mahathera (Head of the Sangha). After studying Tipitaka for 2 years, He returned back to attend on His Eminence.

After few years with the approval and blessing of His Eminence Bana Bhante, He went up the Jam Chug Mountain and practiced Insight Meditation (Vipassana) for 17 long years. On invitation by then Hon. CHT (Chittagong Hill Tracts) affairs minister Mr. Kalpa Ranjan Chakma on behalf of the local peoples to teach the Dhamma, He came to Dighinala Bana Vihara and established many branches in Bangladesh and India with a view to serve the mankind both spiritually and morally.

Last year, on the invitation of Vietnamese Sangha and devotees to teach the Dhamma and Meditation, Most Ven. Nandapal Mahathera visited Vietnam and taught the Dhamma. The Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam also invited Most Venerable to His residence to take His blessings. The chief monk of vietnam temple and devotees (Lumbini) also invited Him to teach the Dhamma and Meditation. Most Ven. Nandapal Mahathera spent one Vassa there and taught the Dhamma and Meditation whole Vassa.