Dutanga Bhante Ven. Saranangkar Thera
Ven. Saranangkar Thera
ভদন্ত শরণংকর থের
Born as Rony Barua on August 16, 1984, he is a Bangladeshi Buddhist monk, preacher, and rights activist, currently serving as the chief abbot of the Gayanasarana Buddhist Forest Monastery in Rangunia, Chittagong.
Dutanga Bhante Ven. Saranangkar Thera, originally named Rony Barua, was born on August 16, 1984, in the village of Madarsha, Hathazari, under the Chattogram district of Bangladesh. From a young age, he was drawn to the teachings of Buddhism, which led him to embrace monastic life. On October 24, 2004, at the age of 20, he officially took his monastic vows, marking the beginning of his journey as a Buddhist monk. His early years were spent in rigorous spiritual training, and he lived in various monastic settings to deepen his understanding and practice of Buddhism.
In his pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, Ven. Saranangkar Thera followed the path of Dhutanga, a set of austere practices aimed at renunciation and purification. He spent significant time at the "West Adharmanik Sukhananda Bihar " and later at the "West Adharmanik North Gujarat Cemetery, "where he engaged in intense meditation and observed dhutangashila, a practice praised by the Buddha. His commitment to these practices involved meditating in crematoriums, reflecting on the impermanence of life. This journey of deep reflection and mindfulness took him across various regions, where he meditated in 16 different crematoriums.
Throughout his monastic life, Ven. Saranangkar Thera has been dedicated to the propagation of Buddhism. From February 17, 2011, to August 3, 2020, he traveled approximately 7,000 kilometers on foot, participating in numerous Dhamma Discourse programs across Bangladesh and India. His teachings emphasize peace, compassion, and understanding, resonating deeply with many followers. As the chief abbot of the Gayanasarana Buddhist Forest Monastery in Rangunia, he has become a respected spiritual leader and a symbol of resilience for the Buddhist community.
Despite his peaceful message, Ven. Saranangkar Thera has faced significant challenges. He has survived multiple assassination attempts, the most notable being in July 2020, where local terrorists attacked him. These attacks, carried out in the presence of law enforcement and allegedly with political support, highlight the dangers he faces due to his outspoken advocacy for Buddhist rights. Following these incidents, there were protests both in Bangladesh and internationally, including in Boston and New York, where expatriate Bangladeshi Buddhist communities condemned the violence against him.
In addition to physical threats, Ven. Saranangkar Thera has also been the target of false accusations and legal challenges. In 2020, a fake Facebook account using his image posted inflammatory comments about Islam, leading to tension between religious communities. He has also faced lawsuits filed by the Forest Department and various religious groups, accusing him of occupying sacred lands and hurting religious sentiments. Despite these challenges, Ven. Saranangkar Thera maintains his innocence and continues to advocate for peace and religious harmony. His resilience in the face of adversity has only strengthened his resolve to continue his mission of spreading the teachings of Buddhism and advocating for the rights of his community.
Photos
