Acharya Buddharakkhita

Acharya Buddharakkhita
आचार्य बुद्धरखित
Born March 12, 1922
Manipur, Imphal, India
Died September 23, 2013 (aged 91)
Banglore, India
Nationality Indian
Alma mater Institute of Engineering Technology, Calcutta
Notable works English translation of Dhammapada
Notable awards Abhidhaja Aggamaha Saddhammajotika
Website
www.mahabodhi.info/about_us.html

Acharya Buddharakkhita (1922- 2013) was a Buddhist monk, prolific writer who established the Maha Bodhi Society of Bangalore and its sister bodies. He was born in Imphal, Manipur in 1922. In 1942, he took part in Quit India Movement.[1]

He joined Indian defence services after his graduation from Institute of Engineering Technology, Calcutta. He participated in the World War II after which he resigned to find truth and freedom. He became a monk in 1948. He travelled all over India and also taught in Sri Lanka and Burma and finally he established Maha Bodhi Society in Bangalore to propagate Buddhism.[2]

In 1952, Moonasinghe, niece of the Venerable Anagarika Dhammapala Maha Upasika —a well-known Buddhist in Bangalore, known to the Maharaja donated him a land for Maha Bodhi Society.[3] He also established schools, hostels, hospitals and an artificial limb centre for the society. He had written 150 books and published two periodicals. He was honored with Abhidhaja Aggamaha Saddhammajotika award by the Myanmar government.[2]

He died at Maha Bodhi Society, Banglore, on 23 September 2013.[4]

Books

References

  1. "Obituary". Deccan Herald. September 24, 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Staff Reporter (September 24, 2013). "Acharya Buddharakkhita, founder of Maha Bodhi society passes away". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  3. Ravindran, Nirmala (July 4, 2008). "Buddha lives on". India Today. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  4. "Maha Bodhi Society founder passes away". The Times of India. September 25, 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.