Ekushey Prize-winning Buddhist pundit Satyapriya Mohathero dies at 89

Satyapriya Mohathero, one of the foremost Buddhist leaders in Bangladesh and the principal of Buddhists temples in Ramu, has died at the age of 89.

He passed away during treatment at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital around 3 am on Friday.

He was suffering from various old age-related complications and was admitted to the hospital on Sept 15, said Pragyananda Bhikkhu, assistant director of Ramu Central Sima Bihar.

Satyapriya was born Bidhu Bhushan Barua in Cox's Bazar’s Ramu on June 10, 1930

Having embraced the life of a monk in 1950, he took over as the president of the Bangladesh Sangharaja of Bhikkhu Mahasabha, an association of senior Buddhist monks in 2006 before the title of deputy Sangharaj was conferred on him.

A winner of the Ekushey Padak in 2015 for his contributions to society, Satyapriya was revered for sheltering people regardless of caste, creed and colour in Ramu Bihar,

The mortal remains of Satyapriya were taken to Ramu Central Bihar where his body will preserved for the next one week. Decisions regarding his funeral will be made public afterwards.