Birth:
The Third Sangharaja, Venerable Abhayatisshya Mahathera, was born on December 26, 1935, in the naturally beautiful village of Subalang Ghiletuli under Juraichhari Upazila of present-day Rangamati district, into a religious family. His lay name was Ananda Mohan Chakma. His father was Ahrabo Chakma and his mother was Suryamugi Chakma. He was the eldest among eleven siblings from his father’s two marriages.
Education and Early Life:
He began his primary education at the village school under the guidance of Pandit Praburanjan Master. He was a brilliant student, but due to various circumstances, he could not continue his studies for long. After entering adulthood, he got married. However, after about one year of household life, he developed a sense of renunciation and decided to leave worldly life.
As the abbot of his village vihara, Venerable Pannasami Mahathera, was on pilgrimage in Burma at that time, he received novice ordination (Pravrajya) in 1956 from Venerable Prajnasara Mahathera at Undurima Chhara Buddhist Vihara. When Pannasami Mahathera returned from Burma, he joined him and began studying the Tripitaka under his supervision. After three years of study in Dhamma and Vinaya, he received full ordination (Upasampada) in 1959 at the traditional sacred site of Chingmarm Buddhist Vihara under the preceptorship of Venerable Pannasami Mahathera and guidance of Venerable U Parakkama Mahathera.
Monastic Life and Service:
After ordination, he stayed there for some time and continued his studies in both theory (Pariyatti) and practice (Patipatti). Later, he returned to his native village Ghiletuli, where he spent his first rains retreat (Vassa) as a monk.
In 1960, due to the Kaptai Hydroelectric Project, large areas of Rangamati district were submerged underwater, including his birthplace. The displaced villagers resettled upstream near the confluence of the Shijak River and established the Shijakmukh Sarbojanin Buddhist Vihara. Venerable Abhayatisshya, along with his teacher, also moved there and spent one vassa.
Afterward, he spent nearly two decades preaching Dhamma in various regions, including Khagrachari. Following the passing of his teacher, he returned permanently to Shijakmukh Buddhist Vihara at the invitation of the local community. He resided there for 37 years, from 1982 to 2019, until his passing.
Elevation to Mahasthavira:
On December 24–25, 2004, a grand two-day ceremony was held to honor him with the title of Mahasthavira, recognizing his exemplary monastic life and purity of discipline.
Discipline (Vinaya):
Venerable Abhayatisshya Mahathera was highly disciplined and deeply respectful of the Vinaya. Even when ill, he strictly adhered to monastic rules—for example, taking medicine in accordance with proper timing and conditions. He carefully observed Patimokkha precepts and daily practices, encouraging and instructing others to maintain discipline as well.
Religious and Social Reformer:
He played a significant role in reforming religious practices among the Chakma Buddhist community in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. At that time, many people were engaged in superstitious rituals, including animal sacrifices and various forms of non-Buddhist worship.
He worked tirelessly to guide people toward authentic Buddhist practices by establishing viharas in villages, promoting the observance of the Five Precepts (Panchasila) and Eight Precepts (Atthasila), and encouraging non-violent offerings such as Buddha Puja, Sivali Puja, individual donations, offerings of requisites, Sanghadana, and Kathina Chivara Dana. Together with other monks, he contributed greatly to religious and social reform.
Personal Character:
In his personal life, he was extremely compassionate and generous. He loved his disciples like his own children and was always ready to help in times of need. While he was strict with those who violated discipline, he was gentle and kind toward those who followed it.
He never accumulated wealth for himself. Instead, he generously helped the poor and needy whenever they came to him. He was known as a man of integrity, kindness, and noble character.
Positions and Achievements:
- Appointed Upasangharaja in 2008
- Became the Third Sangharaja in 2010, succeeding the Second Sangharaja Venerable Sugatapriya Mahathera
During his active life, he spent 37 years (from 1982) at Shijakmukh Buddhist Vihara, working with local devotees to improve its infrastructure. He also played a leading role in establishing Buddhist viharas in surrounding villages and promoting religious development.
In 2013, along with Venerable Shilabhadra Thera, he established the “Abhayatisshya Shishu Sadan” and “Sangharaja Abhayatisshya Pali College,” contributing to humanitarian service and Buddhist education.
Passing Away (Mahaparinirvana):
After a long and eventful life, he passed away on Friday, February 22, 2019, at 8:25 PM in his residence, at the age of 83 and after 59 vassa as a monk.
“All conditioned things are impermanent.”
In December of the same year (10th–12th), a three-day national funeral ceremony was held, attended by hundreds of monks, countless devotees, and both government and non-government dignitaries.
