NAMSAI, Aug 21: Venerable Nirvan Indravansa Mahathero, the Sanghanayak of the Arunachal Bhikkhu Sangha and abbot of Weingko Triratna Buddha Vihara under Piyong circle of Namsai district passed away hereon Wednesday.
Born on 5 January, 1947 at Narayanpur Borkhamti village of Assam, the Sanghanayak was ordained (Shramanera) at an early age of seven years and higher ordination (Upasampada) in the year 1968 at Chongkham under the preceptorship (Upajjhaya) of late venerable Silavansa Mahathero who was president of the Arunachal Bhikkhu Sangha and Kammavaca Achariya of late venerable Sasanasevaka Mahathero.
Later on, he settled at Weingko Triratna Buddha Vihara in the early seventies and became the Sanghanayak of Arunachal Bhikkhu Sangha in the year 1997.
He devoted his entire life for the promotion and propagation of the Buddha Sasana. His mortal remains shall be kept in his temple for the dayakas, dayikasand visitors to pay their last homage. On Thursday, his mortal remains will be shifted to Kuksingnarung, the make-shift structure for ceremonial rituals.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, has in a condolence message, expressed his profound grief over the passing away of venerable, Nirvan Indrabangsha Mahathera.
Recalling his immense contributions in uplifting the society and the Buddha Sasana in the North East region, the DCM said, “He has immensely contributed in the preservation and promotion of Tai Khamti script and literature. His demise has marked the untimely dousing of a light which rekindled the Buddhist religious fervour here and abroad. His untimely demise is a great loss to the Buddhist community and to the country.”
Various organizations from the state including the Arunachal Bhikkhu Sangha, Tai Khamti Singpho Council, Tai Khamti Development Society, Pali Vidyapith Society, Theravada Buddhist Society, Pariyati Sasana Buddhist Society, and the Tai Khamti Heritage & Literary Society have extended condolences on his demise and offered prayers for the departed soul.