Kadalpur: A Buddhist Community in Bangladesh

From a distance, the Buddhist village at Kadalpur, Bangladesh looks like a forested island set above a sea of rice. When monsoon rains fall, the village will become an island in fact. The narrow, two kilometer path that connects it to the paved road will become useless. During the dry winter season, easily approaching across the brown stubble of rice straw, the first building we see is the home of Bangladesh Bhikkhu Training Center and Pyarimohan Sumanatissa Orphanage and Destitute Home, known locally simply as "BTC".

The homes of the Buddhist villagers remain hidden in groves of tropical fruit trees and will reveal themselves only on a more intimate inspection. Although it numbers close to three million, the Buddhist community of this, the world's most densely populated country, is not highly visible. Demographically, it is an island in the sea of Islam and this status has obviously shaped its thought and behavior.

Buddhists in Bangladesh cannot afford to take their religion for granted if they wish to survive as a community. They must practice with a diligence seldom seen in countries having Buddhist majorities. Likewise, if the community is to remain economically viable, minority youth must prepare themselves for a very limited job market with a diligence surpassing that of their mainstream peers.

Education is seen as the key to survival, and in Kadalpur, monks and villagers have united in their efforts to provide opportunities for local children in both secular and religious studies. The focal point of their efforts is BTC, where the local high school and primary schools are also located.

The monks give children a headstart on their educations at the temple's Morning School. By 8 a.m., six days a week, village children as young as five years old gather with some of the boys from the orphanage in the temple's open hall to practice reading, writing and dhamma studies. It is charming to hear tiny voices reciting the words of the Buddha in the original Pali, or to see the little faces set in silent concentration during moments of meditation. Buddhist morality is also taught and practiced with tremendous sincerity. The five precepts* governing the lives of laymen are taken very seriously. The children were genuinely shocked to learn that some Buddhists in other countries drink alcohol. They would be equally surprised to witness the festivities accompanying the ordination of a monk in other Theravada countries. In Bangladesh, this is a quiet event which occurs only after months or years of study has prepared the novice to the satisfaction of his preceptor.

Religious education and practice create a cohesive community in Kadalpur, but secular education is no less important to its survival. Whether competing for access to higher education or for career positions, minority youth must exceed the qualifications. With this in mind, the Sangha in Bangladesh has promoted and supported secular studies, often seeking financial support from more wealthy Buddhist communities abroad. In Kadalpur, the new high school building was donated by Japanese Buddhists and built on land provided by BTC. The local primary school is also located at the complex. The results of this emphasis on education can be seen in local literacy levels. Whereas the national level is about 40%, in Kadalpur literacy is nearly universal. Will these strategies for survival be successful in the long run? We certainly hope so. As an antidote to the greed and violence of our materialistic societies, the survival of communities dedicated to peace, teaching moderation and practicing compassion is crucial. Some Bengali Buddhists are not confident. They see an erosion of values among the more urbanised Buddhists who adopt Muslim cultural traits in order to ease relations with their colleagues at work. Their children are heavily influenced by the globalization of American consumerism, even in the village, where televisions are becoming more numerous. If you are interested in learning more about Buddhism in Bangladesh, please visit the website of Mahamandal Welfare Organization