969BP
That means: crematory makes dead body burn and thought burns live one.
Subdued Historico-religious Thoughts in a Discrete Form: Buddhistic Buoy in Bangladesh
Jewel Barua
Source: 969BP| 2017-04-14 21:55:17|Editor: Ratana
Many a decisive impulse to a typical one or a famed
one is to tell apart one’s ‘thought’ and ‘faded thought’ of a settled fact
regarding to his or her identical notion agreed upon by the concerned authority
to whom s/he is subjected to oblige and of course, at the bottom of this, there
is a saying in Pāli also:
Citā dahati nijībangCintā dahati Sajībang
That means: crematory makes dead body burn and thought burns live one.
I
am un-willfully not meddling into above-mentioned ‘thought’ and ‘faded thought’
and want to rest upon those two terms to the well-read readers of this piece of
typescript. In here, for the benefits of readers, want to share about some
subdued Buddhist historico-religious thoughts in a discrete form of this sub-continental
choke point.
 |
| Vaijji or Vrijji, the origin country of Baruas |
One: Human
civilization is the history of migration.[1] This sub-continental inhabitants had Republics in Jamvudweep or this
sub-continent prior to the oldest known Republics like classical Athens (508 –
322 B.C) and Roman Republic (509 – 27 B.C). Many Jamvudweepan republics
preceded these, most notably the Vaijjian (present Baruan) confederacy
in Vaishali (in present Bihar province) around 600 B.C in the golden times of
Bhagavā Buddha. In view of the fact, since then, we have recurring evidence of
republics in this sub-continent. To the true of the fact, what is Vaijji that
is Barua, who have a number of histories of migration from Bihar to the part of
Buddhist kingdom Arakan (now Chittagong) through Assam and Tripura. Most of the
followers of Theravada Buddhism in Bangladesh live in the Chittagong Division
still now. Here, Buddhism is practiced by the Bengali-speaking Baruas, who are Buddhist
and survived in the Chittagong area as well as few of the Barua Buddhists live
in other parts of Bangladesh, such as Comilla, Mymensingh, Rangpur, Sylhet
divisions. The one and only one cause of these traumatic migrations is the
politico-religious persecution from Pusyamitra (185 - 151 B.C) to Ikhtiuruddin
Muhhammad Bin Bakhtiur Khilji (around 1204) through Shashanka (606 – 636 A.D).
In clearing the facts, make an paradigm of not a very-old-days when Nepal was
the country of the Buddhist Newari ; Hindu Gourkha Rajputs from the northern
part of India illegally captured it and made kingdom in 1768. Buddhist land
Sikkim, now one of the neighbouring country’s states was annexed in 1975. An
unfortunate Buddhist heavenly land Ladakh, now a region in neighbouring
country’s state of Jammu and Kashmir became the so-called tourism spot in 1974
like three special districts in here that bordering with her neighbouring
countries, what we observe in here that just same tourism-policy has been
shifted to hold back the Buddhists geographical developments in this
sub-continent.
We
know, on 14 March 2012, Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) gave the historic
verdict on the maritime boundary disputes between Bangladesh and Myanmar, which
has been welcomed and obliged by the two countries without any war or the
expense of single bullet means the friendly harmonious attitude towards the
neighbours. The actors of both countries unquestionably deserve the Nobel Prize
for that historic arbitration. And it is also known to us that, until 25
January, 1666 Buddhist land Chittagong was under Arakan, now Rakhain state in
Myanmar; after that, it was forcefully captured by Mughal military personal, since
then the strangers came to Chittagong. Now, I would like to put a knowing if
someone from Chittagong or other parts of Bengal or India went to proper Arakan
during 1660s for occupational purposes or got Arakan Royal patronage then would
they be the Arakanese ethnic? If so, then it is also possible that Mughal
prince Shah Shuja was also Arakanese (?) because he also got shelter under
Arakan king Sanda Thudhamma, when his own brother Aurangjeb, in the rivalry for
throne, forced him to escape from Delhi, India. Although Shah Shuja’s archers’
descendent are still in that state named Kamein or Kaman[2]
authorized by their government now.
British
policy encouraged Bengali inhabitants from adjacent regions to migrate into the
then lightly populated and fertile valleys of Arakan as farm labourers. East
India Company extended the Bengal Presidency to Arakan. There was no
international boundary between Bengal and Arakan and no restriction on
migration between the regions. In the early 19th century, thousands
of Bengalis from the Chittagong region settled in Arakan seeking work.[3]
From 1971 to 1973, the Bangladesh Liberation War and its accompanying genocide
saw an exodus of ten million Bengali refugees to neighbouring countries. A
large number of refugees settled in northern Rakhine and to a smaller extent in
Chin State. In 1975, Bangladesh Ambassador to Burma, Khwaja Mohammed Kaiser
admitted that there were upward of 500,000 trespassers in Arakan who Burma had
some rights to eject and implored the Burmese authorities not to press the
issue during political turmoils in
Bangladesh.[4] But
what’s agitating is elements of this or that, whose language is almost
exclusively one of the local languages of Bengali and activities are
subversive, in another connotation having formed Jihad movement in northern
Arakan, results from 1947 & 1948’s the occidental conspiracy cum
incompetence (still harrowing is that if someone searches in the Internet, gets
the torn, part, biased and fabricated historical information related to them is
a part of the same occidental media propaganda now) supported by the then
Indian leaders both the major communities. In this case, I want to quote a
historic speech of erudite Buddhist, one of the writers of Indian constitution,
Dr. Ambedkar - “I am condemned because I criticized Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Jinnah
for the mess they have made of Indian politics, and that in doing so I am
alleged to have shown towards them hatred and disrespect. In reply to this charge,
what I have to say is that I have been a critic and I must continue to be such.
It may be I am making mistakes, but I have always felt that it is better to
make mistakes than to accept guidance and direction from others or to sit
silent and allow things to deteriorate.”
 |
| Bengal famine of 1943, most of the Bengali of India fled to Arakan (Rakhine), Myanmar |
“From
the historic experience it is to be said that, drought brings disaster from the
western side of Bengal and flood brings disaster from the eastern side of
Bengal.”[5]
During (1891 -1931), the people immigrated to Burma (now Myanmar) from
Chittagong because of the excess pressure of huge population.[6]
The people were from Chittagong, the southeastern part of Bengal migrated to
Arakan state because of several other indications like occupation, food
scarcity etc. For the worst economic condition in Bengal during (1881 – 1911),
the number of homeless people had increased, such as - migration to Arakan from
Chittagong.[7]
Abdul Ahad Miah wrote a piece of folklore about (1857 – 1947, General Economic
Condition)[8]:
“When jute arrive to the country,The westerner acquired it.Now they are full of wealth,Bengalis are unable to understand it.Those who were unable to eat molasses of grain,They are eating fine rice now.By not getting the rice of Rangoon[9],The Bengali people become speechless.”
Further, the Japanese occupation of Burma in
1942 – Rangoon fell on 10 March 1942 – cut off rice imports from there, which
affected the supply to Bengal. Since the famine hit Bengal in 1943, it is quite
natural, in view of the cyclone, flooding, fungus diseases, the disruption of
the war, and the loss of Burma rice, that its primary cause should be seen in
‘the serious shortage in the total supply of rice available for consumption in
Bengal as compared with the total supply normally available’ (Famine Inquiry
Commission, India, 1945a, p.77).[10]
Though there is, in parallel, another view prevailing – In 1943 close to five
million people in the Indian state of Bengal died from starvation, malnutrition
and disease. The British, led by Winston Churchill, took tens of thousands of
tons of grain to feed its troops and allies, leaving millions of Indians to
starve and die.
Here,
the intent to represent these views to feel the necessity of the on-going
situations between the neighbouring one and us, especially to Buddhists; and
stress upon the good-will to win-win situation and us. That spelt the end of
all misunderstandings. There have been miscreants and militants who have seen
nothing wrong in seeking extension of terrorism in the name of religion through
cosying up to the international and regional gangs of the terrorism that be.
Two: Scratch
the Bengali, you wound the Barua. The Barua might not wear their hearts on
their sleeves but they are all the more emotional for repressing their
emotions. Here are two lines from a famous Bengali poem:
“Enlightened Buddha trekked to Banga, but He is no more;
Pundrabardan city also went into oblivion.”[11]
a) Travel history of Hsan-tsung or Xuanzang (637 – 645 A.D)
b) History of Sri Lanka
c) Divyavadan, Avadan-kalpa-lata by Kshemendra (1052 A.D.), famous historian and poet of Kashmir.
From the above-mentioned three
sources, it is crystal clear that enlightened Buddha visited the Banga for once
in His life-time on the invitation of Sumaghadha.
All
these above works are so far accessible only in a few manuscripts. Others are
known only through the Tibetan and Chinese translations. Not only books of
Avadans, but also many single Avadans of considerable length, however, have
come down in manuscripts as well as in Tibetan and Chinese translations. An
instance is the Sumaghadhavadana, the legends of Sumaghadha, the daughter of
the merchant Anathapindada, who alienates her husband from the Jain monks, and,
by a Iddhi, converts the whole town to the religion of the Buddha. In a former
existence, she had been the daughter of king Krkin, famous for his ten marvelous
dreams.[12]
That town was Pundrabardan in Banga. However, we find the word ‘Banga’ in
several times in Pāli literature. Moreover, there were two disciples of Buddha
naming ‘Bangish’ and ‘Bangaputta’. Both of them were the inhabitants of Bengal.
Moreover, Bengali Buddhist civilization, including religion, philosophies and
architecture, traveled to Tibet, China, Japan, Korea, ASEAN countries from
Bengal. The Buddhist architecture of Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand,
including the Angkor Wat and the Borobudur Vihara, are believed to have been
inspired by the ancient Viharas of Bangladesh such as the Somapura Mahavihara,
this vast Mahavihara has been designated, in the year of 1985, as a world
cultural heritage by the UNESCO. According
to latest evidence, we find the Charyapada (8 - 12 A.D), only literary evidence
of Bengali literature parallels to world others of the ancient period. Bengalis’
pride and glory for thousands of years is liberation from oppressors in 1971;
from the specific point of view venerable Jyotipal Mahathero, the conspicuous
international organizer of our liberation war, achiever of the Ekushe Padak
2010, Swadhinata Padak 2011, and Asian Peace Award, is one of the pioneers of the
war of liberation, whose those days in war were documented by himself in
Bengali language and now translated in English in the text named “Bangladesh in
Liberation Struggle”, the master piece of the history of Bangladesh, is also
our great achievement. In that book, venerable Jyotipal Mahathero reported
about the losses of Buddhist community in the war of liberation as a head of
the committee formed by the then Ministry of Information, “The amount of losses
of Buddhist community in currency at least fifty million taka. At least, 20
Viharas were burned to ashes. Thousands of women were raped. Thousands of
houses were burned to ashes.”[13]
Three: Not
all that minors is ignorable. Muslim population of Greater Bengal soared but it
never became a majority. It is estimated that only 30% of Muslim population
were settlers from outside and while 30% were converts from lower strata, which
included the persecuted Buddhists and scheduled castes.[14]
Question is that who wants to be proselytized unless forced or brutal and
barbaric means? Has Buddhism not been designated the topmost religion in the
world or were there any Caste System in Buddhism in Bengal?
The comparative percentages of
the population of East Bengal during consensus (1901-1961)[15].
Consensus
Year
|
Muslims
(%)
|
Hindus
(%)
|
Others
(%)
|
1901
|
61.34
|
31.46
|
7.20
|
1911
|
61.67
|
31.29
|
7.04
|
1921
|
64.49
|
31.48
|
4.03
|
1931
|
68.38
|
28.86
|
2.76
|
1941
|
70.04
|
28.00
|
1.96
|
1951
|
76.85
|
22.04
|
1.11
|
1961
|
80.34
|
18.45
|
1.12
|
On
the above data, one thing is to consider very ignoring and shamefully assessed
that ‘OTHERS’. One may question what it means by ‘Others’ and to ‘Others’,
response would be the passive religious identity showed by the authority
concerned, to them Buddhists are none but ‘Others’. There would be many
arguments regarding ‘Others’ but what I said before this writing is up to
well-read readers. Nevertheless, then life went on tremor and fuss, in another
word, un-thoughtfully.
Now,
about 2,000,000 people in Bangladesh remain to the Theravada tradition of
Buddhism figure about 0.6% of the population of Bangladesh.
Four: King
is dead! Long live King! Buddha blesses the King! The world’s longest-reigning
monarch, King Rama IX, the Ninth Reign, Theravada kingdom Thailand King His
Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej (1927 - 2016), 89, has passed away on 13 October
2016 after 70 years on the throne. I express my deepest condolences to Thailand’s
Queen Sirikit; extend sincere sympathy to the members of the Thai Royal family
and the Thai people. I wholeheartedly wish a divine-destination to him!
I
remember the King as a great promoter of Buddhism throughout the world. The
passing of the king is a great loss for the followers of the Buddhism but the
King will live in the hearts the people in the world. His son Crown Prince
Vajiralongkron, 63, proclaimed King Rama X. I welcome the Tenth Reign in
advance!
At
last, query is to why to be pointed toward such discrete outlines of history in
this piece of letters or what is the obligation of lettering these above outlines
or is it expedient to guide well-read readers to lay concrete on a way to grasp
the gravity of slaughtering of a Bhante named Gyanajyoti in Raozan; mostly Ramu,
Ukhiya, Teknaf and Patiya militant attacks influenced by outsiders happened four
years ago in the night of Madhu Purnima / Honey offering full moon day on 29
September, 2012. The attacks are believed to be the first to have taken place
on such a large scale against minority places of worship in Bangladesh.[16]
And recent slitting the throat of a meditative Bhante named U Gaiynda (sic) in
Bandarban adds another barbaric bustle against humanity. What we have to do
just connecting the dots between these goings-on. Yes, choke pointers are in
sufferings and circling other factors there is cost-effective state of affairs
behind or into the signified incidents that originated from foreign aggressions
and is suffering us now. They are vulnerable approximating others, let alone
decide it upon actors from international, intercontinental and domestic milieu.
Fatalities are going to raise waves when there is no wind humanly from Naf to
Karnafully in backdrop. Save for present government of the People’s Republic of
Bangladesh is very responsive to all her citizens. One of the slogans of the
authority concerned is as bellow:
“Religion
to ones,
I
with all my heart wish a harmonious co-existence with every one of along with
auspicious Kathin Cibar donation ceremony 2016 and a success to the National
Congregation 2016 of Buddhists in Bangladesh to the premises of the Bangladesh
Buddhist Federation, Dhaka. Accordingly, golden hopes for the better days are
offing in the seasons of Bangladesh; that is - Buddhistic buoy in Bangladesh.
------------------------------
Contributor: Jewel
Barua, BSc (Honours), MSc (Mathematics), LL.B
Member, Editorial Board, Dipankar.
[1] Professor Samuel Phillips Huntington, The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order (1996), Simon & Schuster, p.107.
[2] Harvey,
G. E. (1925). History of Burma: From the Earliest Times to 10 March 1824.
London: Frank Cass & Co. Ltd. p.148.
[3] Aye
Chan (2005), The Development of a Muslim Enclave in Arakan (Rakhine) State of
Burma (Myanmar). p. 403.
[4] “Extract
from record by UK Ambassador Terrence J O’Brien of his call in Rangoon on the
Bangladesh Ambassador to Burma Khwaja Mohammed Kaiser.
[5]
It is quoted by Peter J. Marshall,
Rhodes Professor, Department of History, Kings College, London University.
[6] N. Ahmed, A New Economic Geography of
Bangladesh, New Delhi, 1976.
[7]
K. Davis, The Population of India and Pakistan, III.
[8]
Speechless Farmer, Ahara, Mymensingh, 1921. The contributor translates
these lines.
[9]
Now Yangon, the port and commercial city, once
capital & one of the administrative divisions of Myanmar now.
[10]
Amartya Sen, Poverty and Famines, The Great Bengal Famine, p. 52-53.
[11] These two lines are
translated by the contributor from the original Bengali poetry by Satyendranath
Dutta, one of the most read poets in this sub-continent.
[12] Maurice
Winternitz, History of Indian Literature, Vol. II, p. 281.
[13] Jewel
Barua, Bangladesh in Liberation Struggle (2016), Sougata Prakashan, Dhaka, p -
66.
[14]
M. A. Rahim, Social and Cultural History of Bangladesh (Karachi:
Pakistan Historical Society, 1963), 68.
[15] Source: M. A.
Rahim, An Appraisal of Census Populations of Pakistan from 1901 to 1961 (1969),
25.
[16] Amnesty
International, http://www.amnesty.org/en/news
The Daily Star, October 3, 2012
[17]
A quotation of Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh,
translated by the contributor.
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