Pragyananda Mahasthavir

Statue of Pragyananda at Shri Kirti Vihara, Kirtipur

Pragyananda Mahasthavir (Nepali: प्रज्ञानन्द महास्थविर) (born Kul Man Singh Tuladhar) (2 May 1900 – 11 March 1993) was a Nepalese Buddhist monk who was one of the leaders of the revival of Theravada Buddhism in Nepal. In 1930, he became the first monk wearing yellow robes to be seen in Kathmandu since the 14th century.[1][2]

Pragyananda served Buddhism and wrote religious literature in Nepal Bhasa when both the religion and language were being suppressed by the autocratic Rana regime. For these offenses, he was expelled from the country.[3][4] Pragyananda also became the first Sangha Mahanayaka (Patriarch) of Nepal in modern times.[5][6]

  1. ^ LeVine and Gellner (2005), p. 45.
  2. ^ "Theravada Buddhism in Modern Nepal". Lumbini Nepalese Buddha Dharma Society (UK). 2008. Archived from the original on 4 August 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  3. ^ Lienhard, Siegfried (1992). Songs of Nepal: An Anthology of Nevar Folksongs and Hymns. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas. ISBN 81-208-0963-7. Page 4.
  4. ^ Bajracharya, Phanindra Ratna (2003). Who's Who in Nepal Bhasha. Kathmandu: Nepal Bhasa Academy. ISBN 99933-560-0-X. Page 32.
  5. ^ Sujano, Phra S. M. (May 2009). "Who is Who in Buddhism in Nepal". Journal of the Lumbini Nepalese Buddha Dharma Society (UK). Retrieved 12 May 2012. Page 10.
  6. ^ Vandya, R. B. (1978). Sanghanayaka Ven. Pragnananda Mahasthabir: A Concise Biography. Chandra Devi Shakya, Ratna Devi Shakya. Retrieved 24 June 2013.