User:VenKalyanDut/Venerable Nandapal Mahathera

Internationally accomplished, renowned Buddhist spiritual teacher, the shining star of Buddhism in Chittagong Hill Tract's(Rangamati,Khagrachari,Bandarban),Bangladesh, Buddha Ratna awarded, inspiring truth, founder of many Vana Vihars (temples) within and outside the country, the great ascetic, the highest adorable of His Holiness Ven.Sadanananda Mahathero's (popularly known as Bana-Bhante) chief disciple and worthy successor Ven. Nandapal Mahathero. Ven. Nandapal Mahathero son of Late Mr.Khagendra Lal Chakma and Late Mrs. Kusum Lata Chakma, was born on 10th May1952, in a remote village at Balukhali, Rangamati, Chittagong Hill Tracts, then it was under East Pakistan now Bangladesh after the liberation war in 1971.

Early life
They were six brothers and four sisters. He is the 3rd among his brothers and sisters. Before he was ordained as Samanera (novice life), his name was Subendu Bikash Chakma. His parents were quiet economically backward, yet at the age of 10, his parents admitted him into a primary school of a nearby village. Since his childhood, he was good in his character. He was not like his restless friend, he was calm and quite. He was serious and thoughtful by nature that earned him a lot of affection and appreciation from the elders and relatives. Despite being too young, good senses always prevailed upon him, preventing his conscience from committing any sort of unethical and sinful activities; even he gives exhortation and encouraged his Companions (friends) to abstain from committing any sinful act. Ever since his childhood, his mind was deeply inspired spiritually. Once he heard the Samanera (Shramon) of Ven. Sadanananda Mahathero (Bana Bhante), he was impressed, Pleased and delighted by hearing that sermon. Since then, he was deeply encouraged, motivated and inspired by Bana Bhante's thought, and started studying different religious books and scriptures regularly with great enthusiasm.

Samanera And Bhikkhu's Life

With that great spiritual determination, at the age of 18, he was ordained as Shramana (novice life) by Sadanananda Mahathero widely known as (Bana Bhante), at Tintila Buddhist Shrine (Vana Vihar). He, thereafter with the approval of Vana Bhante, left Tintila Bana Vihar for Burma (now Myanmar) to study Buddhist scriptures. There at the age of 20, he was ordained as Bhikkhu (higher ordination/full fledged monk) by a wise monk named Ven.U Yalinda Mahathero (Head of the Sangha). There, he mainly studied theology such as 'Bhikkhu Pratimoksha', 'Bhikkhuni Pratimoksha', 'Lokaniti', 'Khudrashiksha' Abhidhamma and many more. After studying Buddhist scriptures for 2 years in Burma(now Myanmar),he along with Sangha Pal Bhikkhu returned to Vana Bhante at Tintila,Loungudu,Rangamati, as there was no other Bhikkhu or Shramana to look after Vana Bhante. So, he decided to stay back with Him in order to served and look after his spiritual teacher.

At Jam Chug and thereafter

In the subsequent period, with the approval and blessing of Bana Bhante, he climbed up the Jam Chug mountain peak and continued to practice Insight Meditation (Vipassana) until he attained the highest level of supramundane wisdom. It is said that Ven. Nandapal Mahathero has attained enlightenment after rigorous practice of Insight wisdom (Vippassana) meditation for more than 17 years at Jam Chug. In 2000, with a view to preserving its (Dighinala Bana Vihar) past glory, by the approval of Ven.Sadanananda Mahathero (Bana Bhante), on behalf of the local peoples then CHT (Chittagong Hill Tracts) affairs minister Mr. Kalpa Ranjan Chakma invited Ven. Nandapal Mahathero to come and live permanently at Dighinala Bana Vihar, then he with warm and heartedly accepted the invitation and thereafter came with his disciples at Dighinala Bana Vihar. Since then on, still he is staying here as the head of Sangha. He (Ven. Nandapal Mahathero) is the chief disciple and worthy successor of the most of his Holiness Ven.Sadanananda Mahathero (Bana Bhante). In 1999, his spiritual teacher, Ven.Sadanananda Mahathero approved him to preach Buddha's teaching internationally. Since then (1999), with the blessing of his spiritual teacher, he has been doing his duties and responsibilities of preaching Buddha's teaching in Bangladesh as well as India. He (Ven. Nandapal Mahathero) established many Bana Vihar's, at different states of India such as Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar (Gaya), Assam, Tripura and Mizoram.............................. (On continue). Involvement and contribution during the establishment Of 'Rajvana Vihara"