Venerable Saranangkar Mahathera (born: 16 August 1984) was born in Mundarsha, Hathazari. His birth name was Roni Barua. On 24 October 2004, he received novice ordination (pabbajja) as a monk and began his monastic life in January the following year at Paschim Adharmanik Sukhananda Vihara. He dedicated himself to deep spiritual practice and followed the strict ascetic path of Dhutanga (self-restraint and austere discipline).
At just 20 years of age, he was appointed Chief Abbot (Gurugrihapati) of Gayanasharan Buddhist Forest Monastery in Rangunia, Chattogram. From 2006 to 2011, he practiced meditation on death awareness (maranānussati), a highly respected and scripturally endorsed practice in Theravāda Buddhism. Between 2011 and 2020, he walked nearly 7,000 kilometers across various regions of Bangladesh and India, spreading the teachings of the Buddha.
Venerable Saranangkar Mahathera is not only a devoted religious teacher but also an active human rights advocate, who has boldly spoken out for the rights and basic freedoms of the Buddhist community. His life and selfless dedication continue to inspire the spiritual and socio-economic expansion of Parbatya Bhikkhu Sangha Bangladesh (PBSB).
