The passing of Bhadant Gyaneshwar, President of the Kushinagar Bhikshu Sangh and disciple of Bhante Chandramani—who had given Babasaheb Ambedkar deeksha at the historic Deekshabhumi, Nagpur, on October 14, 1956, on Dhammachakrapravartan Day—marks a profound loss for the global Buddhist fraternity.
At the age of 90, Bhadant Gyaneshwar leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of strengthening Buddhism in India and beyond. Thousands of devotees and monks are expected to gather in Kushinagar to pay their final respects. His body will be kept for public homage at the Burmese Mahavihara, Kushinagar, until November 10, 2025, and the cremation will take place on November 11 on the temple premises.
Kushinagar, revered as the place where the Buddha delivered his last sermon and attained Mahaparinirvana, has long been a spiritual centre for Buddhists across the world. Bhadant Gyaneshwar was the senior-most Buddhist monk in Kushinagar and had served as President of the Kushinagar Monks’ Association since 2005, succeeding Bhadant Aniruddha Mahathera of Lumbini.
The Association, founded on December 18, 1952, with Bhadant Chandramani Mahathera as its first President, has seen distinguished leaders such as Bhadant Uttikhendariya Mahathera and Achyutananda Mahathera. Bhadant Gyaneshwar Mahathera was the sixth President of the Kushinagar Bhikshu Sangh.
Born on November 10, 1936, in Jibenji village, Akyab district of Arakan province (now Rakhine State, Myanmar), his childhood name was Aung Ja Wae. His father was a farmer, and his mother passed away when he was very young—a loss that deeply affected him. Drawn early to the Dhamma, he entered a university in Rangoon (now Yangon) on April 12, 1949, to study Pali. After six years of rigorous study, he was ordained a shramana on June 3, 1956, receiving the name that became known in Hindi as Dnyaneshwar or Gyaneshwar.
Burma, then a flourishing centre of Buddhism, hosted the Sixth Buddhist Council in 1954, which was attended by Bhante Dharmarakshita, Babasaheb Ambedkar, and E.V.R. Periyar. A young Gyaneshwar, barely 18, attended the event and briefly met Babasaheb Ambedkar—an encounter he later recalled as a moment he did not fully comprehend at the time but cherished deeply in hindsight.
In 1962, when Bhikkhu Dharmarakshita and Bhikkhu Kittima Mahasthavir learned of the declining health of the revered Bhadant Chandramani, they sought someone who could serve him with devotion and continue his Dhamma work. The 27-year-old Gyaneshwar was chosen for this mission. He arrived in Kushinagar on August 5, 1963, and from that day onwards, dedicated his entire life to serving his Guru and strengthening the Buddhist heritage in India.
Despite the challenges of adapting to a new country and language, he quickly mastered Hindi and Bhojpuri. His dedication to Dhamma, humility, and compassion made him beloved among local people and international visitors alike. He also continued the social and educational initiatives started by Bhadant Chandramani, especially for the marginalised communities.
Although he could not return to Myanmar, he maintained deep ties with his homeland. The Bhadant Chandramani VIP Guest House in Kushinagar was built with the support of Myanmar Buddhists—a symbol of enduring fraternity between the two nations.
Bhadant Gyaneshwar’s journey was one of constant learning and struggle. Determined to integrate into Indian society, he pursued formal education—completing high school in 1968, intermediate in 1970, a B.A. in 1973, and an M.A. in 1975 from Buddha Degree College, Kushinagar. He later obtained Pali Sahitya Ratna and an LL.B., reflecting his passion for knowledge and justice.
In recognition of his lifelong service, the Government of Myanmar conferred upon him several prestigious titles, including Aggamaha Pandita (1993), Aggamaha Thaddamma Jotika Daza (2005), Abhidhaja Aggamaha Thaddamma Jotika (2016), and the highest honour, Abhidhaja Maharatthaguru, in 2021. As he could not travel during the pandemic, the Myanmar Ambassador presented the award in Kushinagar.
He became a naturalised Indian citizen in 1978 and continued to lead the Kushinagar Main Temple Bhikshu Sangha until his death. From 1990 to 2018, he served as a member of the Bodhgaya Mahavihara Administrative Body, appointed by the Bihar government.
When asked whether Bodh Gaya should remain under Buddhist control, he replied with characteristic conviction:
“Shouldn’t it be handed over to Buddhists, as it is the most sacred site for us?”
He firmly believed that all Buddhist pilgrimage sites should be managed by Buddhists, while welcoming the Archaeological Survey of India’s role in preservation. He often emphasised that visitors came not only for archaeology but to experience the living Dhamma.
Many of his disciples became leading monks and scholars in India’s Buddhist movement. Among them, Dr. Nanda Ratan Bhante Thero, head of the Sri Lanka Buddha Vihara, met him in 1995 and studied under him as “Guruji.” At Guruji’s direction, he pursued higher education in Myanmar and later returned to continue social and educational work in Kushinagar.
Dr. Nanda Ratan recalls Guruji’s compassion for the poor and marginalised, his emphasis on girls’ education, and his fight against caste discrimination. With support from Japan’s Maitri Association—secured through Guruji’s efforts—hundreds of children around Kushinagar received education.
Bhadant Gyaneshwar’s life was one of humility, learning, and service. When I last met him about five years ago for an interview, I was initially hesitant. But his warmth dissolved all hesitation—he invited me to sit beside him and spoke with deep insight. At the end of our conversation, he recited a Buddhist hymn, blessing all beings.
His passing leaves a great void, but his spirit lives on through his disciples and the many institutions he nurtured. He gave Kushinagar a renewed identity as a vibrant Buddhist centre. The Burmese Buddha Vihara and its majestic stupa, built under his guidance, now stand as enduring landmarks of his vision and devotion.
Our humble tribute to Bhadant Gyaneshwar.
Bhavatu Sabba Mangalam!
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*Human rights defender
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