This is a film by Ajoy Roy looking at the great Bengali Buddhist reformer, Ven. Kripasaran (1865-1925), who was one of the pioneers of the revival of Buddhism in Bengal and India, and was known as a Bodhisattva.
The film looks at his personal history, and his struggles to establish a Buddhist presence in Kolkata, his works in many fields and his legacy. The film seems to have been made as part of the 150th birth celebrations in 2015.
Ven. Kripasaran was one of the people who helped with the introduction of Pali studies at Kolkata University, and was also instrumental in many other fields of Buddhist education in his home country around Chittagong.
Although the works of Acarya Dharmapala are very well known to this day, the works of Ven. Kripasaran have been partially forgotten, and this film aims to help re-establish his great contributions in the 19th and 20th centuries.
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Documentary on the life and work of venerable Kripasharan Mahasthavira, who has made significant contributions to the revival of Buddhism in undivided Bengal and the spread of education among Buddhists. Karmayogi Kripasaran Mahasthavir is a luminous Icon in the history of Buddhism and Buddhist Revival movement in the Indo-Pak Subcontinent. This documentary provides indeed significant information about the life of Karmayogi Kripasaran Mahasthavir.
I am amazed at the life and work of Ven. Kripasaran. Coming from such a humble rural background of Uninepura, Chittagong he could set up so many centers based on Dharmankur (meanling seedling of Dharma) Sabha, Calcutta. His great integrity, kind heart, hard labor, selfless service and vision for promoting the message of the Buddha, upliftment and welfare of humanity (including women, and children of non-Buddhist faiths) and Barua community brought him close to many scholars and high ranking public officials of his day. He was seen as a noble one and bodhisattva for his selfless work in his lifetime. Thank you for remembering his legacy in this documentary. Deep bow of gratitude and metta!
Very interesting. I learned a lot.
Jeanne Humble
Lexington Kentucky USA
jshumb1@uky.edu
Kripa saran ji a very important person who revive Buddhist religion and culture in Eastern india including lucknow. We all salute to him with humble regards
At the request of Kripāśaran Mahāthera(June 22, 1865 – April, 30 1927), Kolkata University established the Department of Pāli and Buddhist Studies. The Vice-Chancellor, Sir Ashutosh Mookerjee (1864 – 1924), supported the appeal from Venerable Kripāśaran Mahāthera to begin formal instruction in Buddhist Studies at Kolkata University. Inspired by Kripāśaran Mahāthera, Buddhist scholars, Dr. Benimadhab Barua (1888 – 1948) and Śīlānanda Brahmacārī (1907 – 2002) authored considerable Buddhist literature and translated texts from sacred Pāli language. Dr. Benimadhab Barua subsequently established Nālandā Vidyabhavan in Kolkata and initiated instruction in Pāli and Buddhology.
Inspired by Venerable Kripāśaran Mahāthera and following the footstep of Kolkata University, Bangladeshi universities: Dhaka University and Chattogram University, subsequently established the Department of Pāli and Buddhist Studies. Venerable Kripāśaran Mahāthera is recognized as a preeminent Buddhist monk who contributed to the reawakening the Dharma in modern India and Bangladesh.
Special thanks to Ajoy Roy and the late Ven. Dr. Bhikkhu Bodhipala for making a great documentary on the legacy of Venerable Kripāśaran Mahāthera. 🙏
At the request of Kripāśaran Mahāthera(June 22, 1865 – April, 30 1927), Kolkata University established the Department of Pāli and Buddhist Studies. The Vice-Chancellor, Sir Ashutosh Mookerjee (1864 – 1924), supported the appeal from Venerable Kripāśaran Mahāthera to begin formal instruction in Buddhist Studies at Kolkata University. Inspired by Kripāśaran Mahāthera, Buddhist scholars, Dr. Benimadhab Barua (1888 – 1948) and Śīlānanda Brahmacārī (1907 – 2002) authored considerable Buddhist literature and translated texts from the sacred Pāli language. Dr. Benimadhab Barua subsequently established Nālandā Vidyabhavan in Kolkata and initiated instruction in Pāli and Buddhology.
Inspired by Venerable Kripāśaran Mahāthera and following the footstep of Kolkata University, Bangladeshi universities: Dhaka University and Chattogram University, subsequently established the Department of Pāli and Buddhist Studies. Venerable Kripāśaran Mahāthera is recognized as a preeminent Buddhist monk who contributed to the reawakening of the Dharma in modern India and Bangladesh.
Special thanks to Ajoy Roy and the late Ven. Dr. Bhikkhu Bodhipala for making a great documentary on the legacy of Venerable Kripāśaran Mahāthera. 🙏
Based on the legacy of Kripāśaran Mahātheraere, here is the link to my full paper to read:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/368463261_A_Forgotten_Buddhist_Philanthropist_from_Bongabhumi_The_Life_and_Works_of_Krpasarana_Mahathero_1865-1927
Thank you so much for your informative comments Sanjoy. I am sure it adds to everyone’s understanding.