Brief Biography of our founder - Ven. Dharma Kirti Mahathera

Ven. Dharma Kirti Mahathera

Born on 1st January 1971 to Mr Fani Bhoshon Barua and Mdm Jagat Jyoti Barua in the village of Nababpur, P.O Haithkandi, PS Mirsarai District, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Ordained as a Samanera in 1981 and higher ordination as a Bhikkhu in 1988 under the guidance of the late Upasangharaja most Venerable Ananda Mahathero and the late Supreme Patriarch of Bangladesh, His Holiness Sangharaja Silalankara Mahathero.

Education:

1. S.S.C first class in 1988 from Sarkarhat N.R High School under Comilla Education Board.
2. H.S.C. second class from Nizampur College under Comilla Education Board.
3. B.A. in 1992 from Nizampur College under University of Chittagong.
4. M.A. in 1994 First class from the Oriental Language Department University of Chittagong.
5. Tripitak Bisarad 1986 to 1994 from Damdama Pali College under Bangladesh Sanskrit and Pali Education Board, Dhaka.
6. Honorary PhD in 2001 from European Union University of USA and World Spiritual Institute of New York.

Organizations he has worked with:

1. Bangladesh Sangharaj Bhikkhu Mahasava (Supreme Sangha Council of Bangladesh) - Elected as joint secretary in 1990, elected active member in 1995 and educational and cultural secretary in 1998.
2. Sangharaj Bhikkhu Mahamandal - Assistant secretary from 1990 to 1995, secretary general from 1995 to 2000, committee member of dispute settlement board.
3. Sangharaj Bhikkhu Mahamandal Dharmiya Shikha Parisad. - Chief editor of quarterly magazine Dharmayatam from 1992 to 1997.
4. Nizampur College Buddhist Students Association. - Vice president (V.P) in 1989 and general secretary (G.S) in 1990.
5. Bangladesh Buddhist Student Forum. - A.G.S- in 1991.
6. Damdama Abhoy Sharan Orphanage and Religious Childcare Programme. - Headmaster of the orphanage from 1984 to 1999.
7. Nizampur Bhikkhu Association. - General Secretary from 1997 to 2003.
8. Damdama Pali College. - As a professor from 1988 to 1999 and Principal from 1995 to this day.
9. Hasina-Jamal Degree College in Rangunia. - Lecturer in the Pali department from 2000 to 2002.
10. Ananda Mohathero Memorial Association and Education Trust. - Founder President from 1995 to this day.
11. Mirsarai, Sitakunda Buddhist Monk Association. - President of the association.
12. Oriental Language Association of Chittagong University. - Vice chairman in 1994.
13. The Buddha Light International Association (BLIA). - Ex-member.
14. International Buddhist Progressive Society (IBPS). - Member.
15. International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF). - Member.
16. United Nations Progress Agency, New York. - Member.
17. World Parliament Association. - Member.

Places and countries visited:

1. Holy City of Buddha Gaya (five times) and other Holy Buddhist sites in India.
2. Bangalore, India (1993).
   He delivered a valuable lecture on Buddhism and world peace during the United Nation general conference of the International Association of Religious Freedom (IARF) which was broadcasted worldwide through BBC and CNN.
3. Delhi, India (1993).
   As a delegate from Bangladesh in a conference in FCCI auditorium on the topic of inter-religious faith. He met with the Prime Minister of India, his Excellency V.P Narasima Rou, the President of India Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma and many international spiritual leaders, scholars and eminent monks.
4. Myanmar (1994).
   Together with the Supreme Patriarch of Bangladesh, His Holiness Sangaraja Pandit Jyotipal Mahathera and practice meditation in the international Golden Meditation Centre.
5. Delhi and Buddha Gaya, India (2004).
   As a delegate together with His holiness Sangharaja Dr. Dharmasen in an International Buddhist Conference and Conclave on Buddhism in conjunction with the declaration of Buddha Gaya as a world heritage site. He met and talked with His Excellency Dr. A.J.P Abdul Kalam the President of India and other Buddhist leaders, scholars, monks from many countries of Asia, Europe, America and Africa.
6. Sri Lanka (2004).
   Attended an international award conferring ceremony together with The Sangharaja and met with His Excellency the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksha and all the Sangharajas of Sri Lanka.
7. Bangkok, Thailand (2005).
   Attended the International Day of Wesak which was jointly organized by the UN Asia Pacific Headquarters and Mahaculalankorn Rajavidyalaya University of Thailand. In the same year, Bhante attended the 4th World Buddhist Summit together with the Sangharaja which was organized by WBS Headquarters of Japan.
8. In 2015 Bhante also visited Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar and laws.

Titles and awards he received:

1. In 1996, he was awarded World Citizen from the World Spiritual Assembly New York, USA.
2. In 2001, he was awarded Bicitraya Dharma Kathika (Variegated Dhamma Speaker) from Sangharaja Bhikkhu Mohashava (The Supreme Sangha Council of Bangladesh)
3. In 2001, he was conferred Honorary Doctorate from European Union University and World Spiritual Institute of USA.
4. In 2003, he received Certificate of Honor and Congratulations from Mahamandal Welfare Organization (MWO), Bangladesh.
5. In 2004, he received Buddhist Youth Leadership Certificate from World Fellowship of Buddhist (Youth).

Organizations he established:

1. Nizampur College Buddhist Students Association in 1989.
2. Ananda Memorial Society and Education Trust in 1995.
3. Mirsarai-Sitakunda Buddhist Monk Association and Mirsarai Sitakunda Buddhist Development Association in 2005.
4. Dhamakirti International Peace and Progress Society in 2010.
5. Dhamdama-Nababpur Dharmakirti Buddhist Monastery in 2013.