Ancient Salban Vihara
Bangladesh holds a unique history of Buddhist civilization. The Kings of Kharga, Paul, Deva, and Chandra dynasty ruled Banga (present-day Bangladesh) from the 6th to 11th centuries. During those periods, enormous Viharas and Stupas were founded all over Bangladesh. Salban is one of them. Salban in Mainamati is one of the best-known Buddhist Viharas, measuring 550'x550' with 115 monastic cells in the Indian sub-continent, and is one of the most important archaeological sites in Bangladesh. The special attraction here is a dominant central shrine and its monumental gateway of the world. Many archaeological elements were found here. The Buddhist community of Bangladesh believes that Lord Buddha visited this area (Cumilla). So the minority Buddhists of Cumilla have the title "SINGHA" as their surname because Buddha's childhood name was "Shakya Singha".
New Salban Vihara
Ven Shilabhadra Mahathero established the New Salban Vihara. It was established in 1995 near the historical archeological site ruin of the 6th to 11th Century Mainamati-Salban Vihara at Kotbari, Cumilla, with the help of the Young Men's Buddhist Association, aiming to revive the Buddhist heritage and culture to protect and promote society and religion. Mr. Akbar Hossain (Bir Pratik), the then Minister, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, was kind enough to acquire 2.28 acres of land for this purpose for the Young Men's Buddhist Association. We get 1 acre of land as a permanent ledge. We bought 0.39 acres of land from the beginning of this Vihara, Ven. Shilabhadra Mahathero and the Young Men's Buddhist Association are trying hard and soul to establish this Vihara.
World Peace Pagoda Analayo
Venerable Sugato Bhikkhu established The
World Peace Pagoda Analayo with the support of his Thai master, Most Venerable Phra Brahmwachiraporn Analayo, the abbot of Wat Phutthabucha, Bangkok, Thailand, with his Thai devotees. Most Venerable Sugato Bhikkhu is the contributor of the present New Salban Vihara.
Origin of the World Peace Pagoda, Analayo: Every day when Ven. Sugato opens the window of the room, and he can see the beautiful, tall pagoda next to his residence. It went on like this for a long time. In the meantime, Ven. Sugato began to think about how beautiful the pagodas are in Thailand. But his master, Sangharaja Jyotipal Mahathero, could not do it in Bangladesh due to financial reasons. He thought to himself, if I could build such a beautiful Thai pagoda and then fulfill the hopes of my preceptor, His Holiness Sangharaja. One day, while thinking, he started preparing: first, he sat down at his computer and made a design in the shape of a pagoda of Wat Phutthabucha, then he discussed the matter with the devotee Upasika Chitra Phetvongs. At that moment, the Venerable Phrathep Mongkolyarn (Soun Analayo) sat in a wheelchair and went out to see the various activities of the monastery. Without delay, Ven. Sugato took the design in his hand and went straight to the Venerable Phrathep Mongkolyarn. The devotee Upasika Chitra Phetvongs told him about his plan, handed over the design, and took permission. Venerable Phrathep Mongkolyarn (Soun Analayo) assured all possible cooperation in the project.
The objective of the World Peace Pagoda Analayo:
1. To fulfil the hopes of Sangharaja Jyotipal Mahathero
2. To revive the lost Buddhist Heritage in Cumilla
3. To create an opportunity for all Buddhists in Bangladesh to come to the historic Shalban and practice religious culture
4. Creating a religious bridge between Bangladeshis and Buddhists in Thailand
