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Venerable Shila Bhadra Bhikkhu
General Secretary
Supreme Patriarch of the Buddhists of Bangladesh, His Holiness The 10th Sangharaja Jyotipal Mahathero National Funeral Celebration Committee.
Thankyou for your most gracious invitation to attend the auspicious celebration of the funeral ceremony of His Holiness The 10th Sangharaja Jyotipal Mahathero.
Unfortunately I will not be able to attend as I must continue my recuperation to good health.
Please accept in my place, this condolence message, as requested by Mr Dipak Barua to be published in the Cremation Souvenir.
Condolence Message
for
The Cremation Celebrations of
His Holiness Sangharaj
Venerable Jyotipal Mahathero
The Supreme Patriarch of the Buddhists of Bangladesh
My meetings with the late Supreme Patriarch of the Buddhists of Bangladesh, His Holiness the late Sangharaj Venerable Jyotipal Mahathero are treasured moments in my mind.
Some years ago on a full moon night, I visited several Temples in Chittagong and the most Venerable Joytipal Mahathero was speaking to his Monks and laypersons, at one of these ceremonies.
After a stirring speech, he discussed his plans for the thorough education of the Sangha of Bangladesh. The clarity and peace of his mind showed the great pride he had of the past attainments of the Sangha of Bangladesh. He was convincing that the future education of the Sangha of Bangladesh under his guidance plans was assured.
The next time I met the Mahathero, was at the celebration of the Funeral and Cremation Ceremony of His Holiness Mahasanghanayaka Most Venerable Visuddhananada Mahathero , 11-13 January 1995.
In his public face, at the Ceremony, the Mahathero was calm and composed and serene, calming and soothing all the many persons attending the funeral celebration to help them overcome their great sense of loss for their great Father.
Subsequently, in private when he had finished his work and was not seen by the public, tears rolled from his eyes caused by his feelings of compassion for the 400, 000 persons involved at the ceremony. His mind felt all Bangla persons.
On that occasion, all I could do in private was to hold his hand and repeat the word "courage, courage, courage" - reflecting into his mind all the strength I could gather.
His great sense of loss was soon replaced by his silent dedication and resolute will to serve the people of Bangladesh and to have long life so he could do this.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Dhamma, I tell you this story to comfort your feelings of loss in the passing of His Holiness the 10th Sangharaj the Most Venerable Jyotipal Mahathero and say to you "courage, courage, courage".
Let us rejoice in the great works he has left and in his great love for Bangladesh.
Let us act as His Holiness the 10th Sangharaj the Most Venerable Jyotipal Mahathero would wish us to act, and continue to support and to do his great work.
In this way we can repay his dedication and devotion and bring world peace into our contemporary world and cultural functions.
Please note, the National Funeral Celebration Committee comprises representatives of different organisations, irrespective of cast and creed, who have been organising the functions of the funeral celebrations of this pioneer of Bangladesh's liberation struggle in 1971.
May we, followers of Lord Buddha all stay well and happy, by holding the memory of the good deeds and works of His Holiness the late Sangharaj Venerable Jyotipal Mahathero in our hearts and speech long enough so that our grandchildren's grandchildren will recall the great deeds this saint has done for us.
May we all be well and happy.
With Metta
John D. Hughes Dip. App. Chem. T.T.T.C. GDAIE
Past Vice President, World Fellowship of Buddhists
Council Member and Advisor, World Buddhist University
Founder, Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.
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