Eighth death anniversary of Buddhist monk U Gunawantho Mahathero observed in Arunachal Pradesh

The eighth death anniversary of renowned Buddhist monk U Gunawantho Mahathero, popularly known as Moulang Bhante Baba, was observed at Ashokarama Buddha Vihar in Bordumsa, Arunachal Pradesh, on Tuesday, November 10 with religious programmes and charitable activities.

The commemorative programmes were organised under the initiative of Nyanaloka Bhikkhu, the abbot of Ashokarama Buddha Vihar, to pay tribute to the Buddhist spiritual leader and recall his contributions to spreading Buddhism in Northeast India.

The observance began in the morning with Buddhist Master Nyanaloka Bhikkhu offering floral tributes and lighting lamps in memory of U Gunawantho Mahathero. Varadhamma Mahathera, abbot of Guzu Buddha Vihar in Bordumsa, also participated in the programme and planted saplings as part of the commemoration.

This was followed by religious activities centred on the Buddhist principles of charity, morality and meditation, collectively known as Dana, Sila and Bhavana.

As part of the charitable initiatives organised in his memory, nutritious food, clothes and financial assistance were distributed among pregnant women.

U Gunawantho Mahathero arrived in Northeast India from Burma, now Myanmar, in 1953 with the mission of propagating Buddhism. Over the years, he travelled across several parts of the Northeast and other regions of the country, spreading the teachings of Lord Buddha, particularly the principles of non-violence, loving-kindness (Metta) and compassion (Karuna).

He passed away on November 10, 2018, at Maulang Buddha Vihar in Ledo, under Margherita Co-District in Assam.

He is remembered as the first Buddhist religious leader in Northeast India whose last rites were performed with full state honours. The ceremony was held at Ledo in Margherita in 2018.

The annual observance seeks to commemorate his contributions to Buddhism and preserve the spiritual and humanitarian values he propagated during his lifetime.