Venerable Jnanashree Mahathera was a distinguished Theravāda Buddhist monk of Bangladesh who made remarkable contributions in both spiritual practice and social service. He was born on 18th November 1925 in Domkhali village, Chittagong. He was ordained as a novice monk in 1944 and received full ordination (Upasampadā) in 1949.
In 1981, he founded the Dighinala Orphanage in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and in 1984, he established Moanoghar, a well-known social and educational institution. Moanoghar became a residential school dedicated to supporting underprivileged and orphaned children. Through tireless humanitarian efforts, he aimed to make children educated, morally upright, and self-reliant.
Due to his lifelong dedication and service, Venerable Jnanashree Mahathera earned deep respect throughout the hill region. He was not only a religious teacher but also a social reformer. The institutions he founded continue to play a vital role in the progress of the Buddhist community in Bangladesh even today.
