International Buddhist Monastery, Dhaka
The International Buddhist Monastery (Bengali: আন্তর্জাতিক বৌদ্ধ বিহার) is a Theravada Buddhist monastery located in Merul Badda, Dhaka, Bangladesh.[1] It was established in 1981. The monastery is the headquarters of the Bangladesh Buddhist Federation.[2]
| International Buddhist Monastery | |
|---|---|
আন্তর্জাতিক বৌদ্ধ বিহার | |
Statue of Buddha inside the monastery | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| Sect | Theravada Buddhism |
| Region | Dhaka |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Merul Badda, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh |
| Country | Bangladesh |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Sukomal Barua |
| Completed | 1989 |
History
The temple was founded in 1981 in a rented house near the Malibag rail crossing in Dhaka, with Sundarananda Bhikkhu (Sukomal Barua) as its first principal. In 1982, the Dhaka International Buddhist Monastery (DIBM) Construction Committee was formed to oversee the establishment of a permanent facility. The monastery relocated to its current site in Merul Badda in 1989, where a semi-permanent structure was built on purchased land with community support.[2] Buddha Purnima is observed in the temple every year.[3]
The temple has hosted notable visitors, including the Thai Ambassador Makawadee Sumitmor, Vietnam Ambassador Nguyen Manh Cuong, and the Australian Acting High Commissioner Nardia Simpson in 2024.[4]
On November 8, 2024, the monastery hosted the National Buddhist Grand Conference and the Kothin Chibar Dan ceremony. General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Army Staff, attended the event.[5] He highlighted the monastery's role in promoting peace and harmony among various communities, including indigenous and Bengali populations in the hill tracts.[4][6][7]
On April 13, 2025, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus laid the foundation stone for 'Sampriti Bhaban' at the monastery.[8][9] Professor Yunus emphasized the monastery's role as a symbol of unity among diverse religious communities in Bangladesh. Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman and religious affairs adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain were also present.[10]
Structure
In the temple, there are two Buddha statues from Thailand among the preserved archaeological relics. One statue is measured 4' x 6' which is made of bronze and weighs approximately 260 kg. The other one is crafted from astadhatu (An alloy of eight metals) which stands about 7' tall and weighs around 777 kg.[2]
Gallery
See also
References
- ^ "5 top Buddhist sites in Bangladesh". The Daily Star. 2022-05-14. Archived from the original on 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ^ a b c "Dhaka International Buddhist Monastery". Banglapedia. Archived from the original on 2021-10-24. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ^ "Bangladesh observes Buddha Purnima to celebrate message of peace, non-violence". bdnews24.com. Archived from the original on 2024-05-22. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ^ a b "Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, all want to build a beautiful Bangladesh Army chief". Prothom Alo. 2024-11-09. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ^ "Army chief calls on all to create harmonious Bangladesh through peaceful coexistence". The Business Standard. 2024-11-08. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ^ "Army Chief visits monastery in Dhaka for National Buddhist Religious Conference". UNB. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ^ "'Together, we want to build a beautiful Bangladesh'". The Daily Star. 2024-11-09. Archived from the original on 2024-11-09. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ^ "Yunus champions communal harmony on Pahela Baishakh". bfirst.news. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ^ "CA Yunus urges all to celebrate Pahela Baishakh in their own way". The Business Standard. 2025-04-13. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
- ^ "Int'l Buddhist Monastery, symbol of harmony: Prof Yunus -". The Daily Observer. Retrieved 2025-04-25.