A new, lifelike statue of the late Satyapriya Mahathera has been installed at Ramu Central Seema Mahavihara in Cox's Bazar. The statue, crafted by a Myanmar artist, captures the revered Buddhist leader as he sat in his traditional chair, offering a poignant reminder of his presence. Devotees find solace and peace in the detailed representation, which stands four feet tall and two and a half feet wide. The installation aims to honor Mahathera's legacy and provide comfort to his followers.
Satyapriya Mahathera, Bangladesh's third highest religious guru, passed away on October 3, 2019. His third death anniversary was marked with a memorial service on October 1, 2020, attended by thousands of Buddhist devotees. The original chair, a gift from the Myanmar government, remained empty after his passing, prompting the creation of the statue to fill the void.
The statue was funded by Ratan Barua Chowdhury, a Chittagong businessman and devotee of Mahathera. It is made of special metal instead of wax, cement, or plastic, ensuring durability and authenticity. The residential director of Seema Mahavihara, Pragyanananda Bhikkhu, noted that the statue has brought peace and comfort to visitors, many of whom come daily to pay their respects.
Mahathera was not only a spiritual leader but also a prolific writer, authoring several valuable religious texts. His last translated book, Chullavarg, part of the Vinaya Pitaka, is used in higher Buddhist education at the university level. In his memory, a library named 'Satyapriya Pathagar' was established at the vihara, housing 30,000 books.
