Highest religious leader of Bangladeshi Buddhists, the Supreme Patriarch of Sangha Council of Bangladesh (monastic order) Aggamahapandita Dr Jnanasree Mahathero. Photo: Collected

CHATTOGRAM , Nov 13, 2025 (BSS) - Highest religious leader of Bangladeshi Buddhists and Ekushey Award winner, the Supreme Patriarch of Sangha Council of Bangladesh (monastic order) Aggamahapandita Dr Jnanasree Mahathero passed away at  a city hospital this afternoon .

He was around 101, hospital and monastery sources said  

Dr Jnanasree Mahathero was suffering from old-age complications for long. He had been in intensive care unit for last couple of days. 

He is scheduled to  turn 101 on November 18 if he remains alive . He left behind thousands of fellows, disciples and devotees to mourn his death.

The death of such most revered spiritual leader at 4.30 pm today at city’s Ever Care Hospital cast a pall of gloom in Buddhist populated countries across the globe, especially in Southeast Asia.

The Buddhist   is deeply saddened by the passing away of this virtuous man, the father of many orphans, the great teacher of many disciples and the founder of many institutions. 

He was born on November 18, 1925, in the village of Uttar Gujra (Domkhali), a sacred land in Raozan upazila in Chattogram.

The mortal remains will be kept preserved in a casket for national ceremonial cremation.

Leaders of scores of Buddhist religious, socio-cultural and literary organizations in separate messages of condolence   expressed profound sorrow at the death of the highest spiritual leader of the Buddhists.