Sangharaj Jyotipal Mahathero Foundation

 

BACKGROUND:
            His Holiness Sangharaj Jyotipal Mahathero, organizer of liberation war, founder of many institutions, author of many books, multi-linguists late most venerable Sangharaj Jyotipal Mahathero (1914-2002) was born in the village Baraigaon under Laksam Upazilla, Comilla district south-east of Bangladesh. He ordained in 1938 under Ven. Gunalankar Mahathero.
           
            His founding major institutions are: Seven Buddhist Vihara in various backward villages of Comilla District; One of the founders of Harischar Union High School in 1949, Baraigaon Kanakchetiya Vihara in 1938, Baraigaon Pali College in 1939, Baraigaon Orphanage in 1942, Baraigaon Social-Welfare Agency in 1956, Farmers Cooperative Association in 1949, Girls’ High School in 1991, Boys’ High School in 1991, Primary School in 1968; Founder President and Abbot of World Peace Pagoda, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh in 1982; moreover he has some institutions in Agartala, Tripura, India.

            Most Venerable is an author, translator, historian, editor and delivered so many speeches in home and abroad. 
He was recognized and awarded many titles from home and abroad, some of them are: Tripitaka Visarad, Calcutta, India (1946); Maha Sasanadhar, Bangladesh (1974); Maha Dhamma Nidhi, Bangladesh (1991); Asian Gold Peace Medal, from Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace, Mongolia (1979); Deputy-Sangharaj, Bangladesh (1992); World Citizenship, from International Organization for World Peace, Disarmament, Development and Human Right, USA (1995); Religious and Peace Award, from International Association for Religious Freedom, Oxford, United Kingdom (2001); Sangharaj, Bangaldesh (2001); Aggamaha Saddhamajyotikadhaja, Myanmar (2001); Ekushey Padak, Bangaldesh (2010), Swadinata Padak, highest award in Bangladesh (2011). 

            He joined in Bangladesh’s liberation Struggle in 1971 touring many countries of Asia organizing different levels of people to inform the real situation and cause of his country’s freedom that went a long way to avert bloodshed, aggression and massacre carried out by the then West Pakistani occupation forces.

            He recited from the holy Tipitaka in Bangladesh Radio and Television. He presided over many national and international meeting and conferences.

            He passed away at the age of 94 in J. J. Hospital, Mumbai, India. His dead body was received at the airport in Dhaka with full state honor and due solemnity by the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
           
            “Sangharaj Jyotipal Mahathero Foundation” was established in 2003. It consists of Viharas and institutions are the fruit of Ven. Jyotipal Mahathero and his disciples.

Objectives of the Foundation:  
1. To properly maintain and develop the organisations and institutions set up by Most Venerable Sangharaj Jyotipal Mahathero. 
2. To provide financial aid to meritorious poor and orphan students. 
3.To propagate Buddhism in Bangladesh.
4. To offer humanitarian supports to people affected by natural disasters. 

Supports needed: Resources, financial, technical, etc, of huge amount is required every year for running its activities. Extension of all out supports to this foundation for achieving its objectives is highly appreciated.