Venerable Jyotipal a pioneer of peace and development

One cannot but be struck with wonder to think that the socio-economic measures which the leaders, planners and economists today are thinking of to develop rural society and vitalise rural as well as national economy were already taken by a young monk more than half a century ago. Here one can notice with surprise what steps the young Jyotipal ventured to undertake to remove the economic misery of the people of his area. His Baraigaon complex include: (a) Baraigaon Pali College -- estd in 1939; (b) Baraigaon Orphanage -- estd in 1942; (c) farmers' cooperative association -- estd in 1949; (d) weaving factory -- estd in 1949; (e) wool knitting factory -- estd in 1949; (f) sewing factory -- estd in 1949; (g) bee-keeping and honey research factory -- estd in 1949; (h) primary school -- estd in 1968; (i) girls' high school - estd in 1991; (j) boys' high school -- estd in 1991; (k) Baraigaon social welfare agency -- estd in 1956.

Jyotipal when he was only 25 could understand that education and learning was pre-requisite for any development and at the same time women's education was a prime need for a society to progress. He also realised at this age that the real spirit of our economic development lay hidden at the hands of the rural masses and small economic enterprises were only suitable for our economic prosperity.

Was it so easy for Jyotipal to implement his ideas, plans and programmes in the extremely backward remote area of an underdeveloped country? Did he get any necessary spontaneous public, economic and logistic support which are now almost available for those who come forward to bring about any development? It was a gigantic task and a perilous journey for him to make his field favourable and suitable for accomplishing his mission.

People at first ignored him as he was only an ordinary and poor monk. Many began to ridicule him rather than paying heed to him or supporting him. To many others what the young monk was talking about were all nuisance or strange as prejudices and superstitions were ramphant in the society. Vested quarters who lived by selling dark practices like spells, charms and other blind faiths naturally stood against him as he was interrupting their businesses from going on. He even received death threats from them. The conservative in his own community began to criticise him saying, it was not a monk's function to deal with social problems or find their solution. His duty was but to give sermons to his own people. The poor rural people could not have yet known the necessity of learning or of any income generating steps. For them to get the household works done by their children was much more profitable than to send them to schools. While such a situation is still prevalent in the rural society and the government has to provide stipends or incentives to inspire poor people to send their children to school, then one can easily comprehend what situation Jyotipal had to overcome fifty years ago.

He walked miles after miles trying to convince people to send their children to school or to seek their cooperation to the implementation of his idea which he wanted to do for changing their fate. He knocked the doors of people time and again for financial help. Some inspired him and many disappointed him. These were some of the numerous problems he had to tackle in every step of his life. But he was not disheartened. He awoke with renewed hope and inspiration.

Jyotipal earnestly adopted one of the fundamental proclamations of Gautama Buddha: 'O Bikkhus, go around to work for the benefit of all, for the welfare, peace and happiness of all'. The institutions, projects and other enterprises he started were not directed to improve a particular community but to uplift the lot of all people of all communities and races. He never found any discrimination among the people of various strata. He often told his disciples that communal feeling or discriminatory outlook must create tension, provocation and disharmony in the society and development of the people of a particular community could not bring about real development in a society consisting of different communities. So in his thoughts and deeds he endeavoured throughout his life to create a society of peaceful coexistence.

Through Jyotipal's relentless efforts and perseverance one after another institution began to appear in the area where there had been only a few or even no institutions. At the same time Jyotipal had to devote himself to set up Buddhist monasteries. Several monasteries he erected in the area also functioned as educational institutions for children of all communities. Jyotipal wanted to make the monasteries the seat of learning for all people as the Vikramsila, the Great Nalanda, the Taxila and the Paharpur where people from different nationalities could receive learning on various subjects. But Jyotipal's ability was very limited to build so great institutions yet in his institutions the children of Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Christian could learn their own religion or whatever they wanted. The people of different communities could secure the posts in the managing committee. Even the chairmanship of the institution was held by a Muslim for many years. He was Abul Kalam Majumdar, ex MP of the area. With Jyotipal's pioneering role the Harischar Union High School was established in 1949, where he worked for a long time without any salary. This was the first such educational institution in that remote area.

Venerable Jyotipal was born in a remote village of Khemtali Baraigaon under Laksham Police Station in Comilla on 14th January, 1914. It is noteworthy here that Comilla is the cradle of a unique civilization which flourished from 6th to 12th century under the influence of a new form of Buddhism. The Mainamati-Lal Mai areas of Comilla where many Buddhist archeological sites have been discovered testify a glorious past. Many sovereign Bengali Buddhist dynasties like Khodga, Rata, Deva and Chandra could establish supremacy over a large area of the region a thousand or fifteen hundred years ago. Many eminent scholars were born on the soil of Comilla in early period of history. Silabhadra, a world famous scholar, was one of them. He was the Chancellor of Great Nalanda University.

Jyotipal father Chandra Moni Singha was a lower middle class farmer and his mother Dropadi Bala Singha was a pious housewife Jyotipal's family name was Darika Mohan Singha. In his early life Darika came to learn from his parents the messages of non-violence, compassion and peace pronounced by Gautama Buddha and the prosperous Buddhist heritage around his birth place. So the formal education in the school could not satisfy him and he could not stay there for long. When he was 15, he happened to come close to a learned Buddhist monk of Chittagong Venerable Gunalonkar Mahastavir who came on a visit to that area at that time. Darika became very much fascinated with the calm and gentle presence of Venerable Gunalankar. He resolved to renounce his family life. Seeing the strong desire in the boy Gunalankar ordained him as a novice in the Theravada Tradition of Buddhism Venerable Gunalankar named the new disciple Jyotipal, the saviour of light, Jyotipal was ordained as monk on 14th July, 1938.

He spent most of his study life in Chittagong and Calcutta (Kolkata). He went to Mohamoni, Pahartali, Chittagong to become the disciple of the great Buddhist monk venerable Dharmadhar Mohastavir. He studied the Dharma under him for about one and a half years up to June 1935. To quench his irresistible longing for knowledge he went to Calcutta, in the same year and found a new horizon about Buddhism and other subjects under another eminent Buddhist master Venerable Bangsha Div Mahastavir of Nalanda Bidya Bhaban. Here he could come in close contact with many eminent scholars, intellectuals and personalities. He stood first in the Abhidharma Title Examination held in 1946 by the Sarkrit and Pali Board, Calcutta and obtained the title Tripitaka Visarad. In 1938 after his return from Calcutta he received higher ordination as monk under vernerable Gunalankar Mahastavir.

But the yearning deep in his heart from his childhood to do for the betterment of the down trodden and socially underclass he resolved to come back to devote himself to social works. In 1942 he appeared in his village with new hope and awakening and began to accomplish his mission. After spending a tireless long period of his life in his area he went to Chittagong with a zeal to work for the greater Buddhist community and others in 1982. He established World Peace Pagoda beside the premises of the Chittagong University where he spent the last days of his life working for the welfare of the nation.

His vast works on literature, research and findings with profundity well prove how he perfected himself on various subjects. Many of his books are now taught to the students of colleges and universities of different faculties. His prolific research works on Charyapada (Buddhist mystic songs in early Bengali language) have given learners, intellectuals, scholars and historians a clear knowledge about our previous history and culture.

Besides these, he had hundreds of articles published in newspapers and magazines. Ven. Joytipal was an uncommon orator and a good presenter. He could fascinate his audience with his speeches. He sometimes used to recite the Tripitaka in Radio Bangladesh and Bangladesh Television. Venerable Jyotipal's role in and contribution to the independence of Bangladesh was undeniable, but he has been less counted as yet. He fought not with military weapons but with strong appeals to the world community. As a peace campaigner, an internationally recognised personality, a religious and a neutral figure his appeals could easily draw the attention of the world community. In 1971 when the war broke out and the Pakistani occupation troops began to carry out atrocities on the innocent masses, Jyotipal could not remain silent. He went out to tour different countries of the world organising different circles of people there to raise their voices against Pakistani aggression and to put pressure on Pakistan government to stop the unjust war and recognise the just cause of the struggle of the people of Bangladesh.

Venerable Jyotipal was associated with various socio-cultural organisations many of which were set up by his own efforts or initiative. With his proper role some of these organisations could help foster peace, friendship and solidarity not only within the nation but also within the world community.

Although Venerable Jyotipal was not decorated with any big national award, he was accorded honour from the international arena for his tireless service for the cause of humanity. He received world citizenship from the International Organisation for World Peace, Disarmament, Development and Human Rights, New York, USA in 1995. He was given Religious and Peace Award by International Association for Religious Freedom, Oxford, United Kingdom. The Government of the Union of Myanmar awarded him the title of Aggamaha Saddanmma Jotikadhaja in 2001 as a true saviour of Gautama Buddha's messages of peace and non-violence. Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace honoured him with gold medal along with the title Santir Pratik (pioneer of peace). At home he got the title Maha Sasanadhar, Maha Dharma Nidhi and finally the post of Sangharaj from various leading Buddhist organisations. Jyotipal visited many countries of the world and attended many conferences, seminars, meetings and symposia at national and international levels. He presided over many such conferences and headed the country's delegation.

Venerable Jyotipal throughout his life persevered to remove all the differences among the people of his community and between other communities. Within the Buddhists there have been rifts due to so-called Nikayic differences. Because of the absence of proper guidance, non-patronisation and negligence for hundreds of years to-day's microscopic but traditional Buddhist community of this country lost its real value. Jyotipal's heart was stoked to see this condition. He for most part of his life played as a mediator to heal the rift between so called Nikayas or sub-sects of the Buddhist community. Future could exactly evaluate what impact his lifelong effort has put on the community. But it has now appeared that his efforts have not gone in vain when leaders and supporters of all the Nikayas, have been working and sitting together to pay the Venerable a grand homage in the final farewell.

Venerable Jyotipal passed away on 12th April 2002 at the age 91 at J J Hospital in Mumbai, India. His body was received with full state honour and due solemnity by the Government of Bangladesh, people from all walks of life and different Buddhist and non-Buddhist organisations. He loved the people and in return he got the people's love and honour.

There is celebratory mood in the midst of solemn occasion as people from all strata have come forward to pay him last respect in a colourful funeral ceremony being held on 9th and 10th January, 2003 at his village Baraigaon, Laksham, Comilla.

Dulal Kanti Barua is President, Bangladesh Buddhist Cultural Association.