Rajbana Vihara is a wonderful Buddhist temple located away from the city and tucked away amidst towering trees. Considered to be the biggest Buddhist monastery in Bangladesh, this place has also become a peaceful tourist spot. It was established in the 1970s and is spread over 33 acres overlooking Kaptai Lake. If you are on your way of spirituality and looking for ideal meditation spots, Rajbana Vihara is a great place for you. Keep in mind that you will have to respect the traditions while visiting this place of worship.
The most Venerable Sadhanananda Mahathera, also known as Bana Bhante, was the ultimate Venerable and Ariya-person, like the brightest star in the sky of the Rangamati district of Bangladesh. In 1974, the Chakma Royal family under the guidance of Rajmata Arati Roy and her son Barrister Devasish Roy (now, Circle Chief & Chakma King), invited Ven. Bana Bhante came to Rangamati for greater universal welfare. Then Ven. Bana Bhante shifted to Rangamati in 1977 and stayed there permanently. When Banabhante agreed to stay at Rangamati in 1974, many laymen and women came forward to build a Vihara for him and his disciples’ stay. The Rajbana Vihara had been established to the current stage after many years of successive developments since 1974.
At a quiet nook, under the green grove, there stands the Rajbana Vihara Complex on 33 acres of contoured land, embraced in all the three sides, by the majestic Kaptai lake. A road running by the Gymnasium links the Rajbana Vihara with Rangamati-Chittagong main road on the south. Another Serpentine road leading to the Technical Training Center links the Rajbana Vihara Complex on the west.
A memento of architecture can be seen with the buildings in the Rajbana Vihara complex. The main Upasanalaya Vihara is constructed in tune with the Burmese architecture. On its left, there is a one-room building named ‘Ven. Bana Bhante's Dining Room.’ Close to its left, there stands the two-storied residence building that also accommodates the computer room. Still on the north, keeping an entrance gate in between, there is the two-storied building- the residence of Ven. Bana Bhante and the monks at his service. Close to its left, a new residence for Ven. Bana Bhante has recently been constructed. Closed by is the long shed for ‘chankaramana’ (Walking Meditation) once used by Ven. Bana Bhante. On the east of the Main Upasanalaya, the other side of the lawn, there stands the large ‘Deshanalaya’– the mass gathering hall meant for hearing doctrinal discourse and also for holding mass prayers. Close to the right of the Upasanalaya, there is a small building that wears Thai architectural look; it houses the life-size-metallic image of Ven. Bana Bhante including his belongings once used in earlier days. On its boundary railings are the images of monkeys in the postures of (a) closing eyes by hands, (b) closing ears by hands, and (c) putting fingers across the lips–symbolizing the Buddha’s advice on being unperturbed. In front of this mini museum, are kept the two wheel-shaped stones, which were collected from Jurachari Upazila at the imperative of Ven. Bana Bhante in 1984.
Other sacred visiting places at the Rajbana Vihāra are as follows:
(1) a image of Arahant Upagupta Mahathera,
(2) a seven-storied heaven house,
(3) two-storey rest house,
(4) a weaving house (Baine Ghar),
(5) a three-storied residence building of monks,
(6) a Bhikkhu ordination hall (Seema Ghar),
(7) two Bodhi Trees,
(8) 10 bedded a hospital and other sacred places.
Written by Usha Barua
Comments