The place now called Comilla, once known as Samatat, which creates Ven. Shilabhadra Bhikkhu (585-654) who was one of the teachers of Hiuan Tsang (Xuan Zang), the renowned Chinese Bhikkhu and traveler. Ven. Shilabhadra Bhikkhu was the first Bangali Principle in Nalanda Vihara (University), which is located in present Bihar, India. The ruins of capital of Buddhist rulers and Viharas spreading in Lalmai and Moinamati hill range of Comilla bearing the testimony of rich civilization once flourished in this part of the world during 7th to 11th century. The Blue Lotus in Terracotta (26X23X4.5 centimeters), an archeological object of 8th century recovered from the excavation site of the world famous Shalban Vihara in Moinamati, Comilla, gifted by the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on 17 September 1999 now decorates the Headquarter of the United Nations, New York, USA. In the presentation ceremony of this rare mark of old civilization Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations mentioned that “During 7th to 8th centuries when the light of wisdom was shining in the monasteries of Bangladesh the Europe was in dark at that time.” During the 6h century B.C. Bijoy Singha, a great hero who conquered Lanka and the land became known by his name as the Singhal (Ceylon), was from Samatat, present Comilla before partition of the India sub-continent on 14 August 1947 it was under Tripura State.
Bangladesh holds a unique history of Buddhism, as it was the last stronghold of Indian Buddhism as it survived and flourished here until the 12th century, despite Buddhism disappeared from other parts of Indian subcontinent. During 6th to 13th century A.D. Buddhism in Banga (Now Bangladesh) received patronage of the rulers Kharga, Pal, Dev, and Chandra dynasties. During those period huge numbers of large Viharas, Stupas were established all over the Bangladesh. Some of those are still survived as a ruined place such as 11 miles long Mainamati-Lalmai hill range near the city of Comilla. Shalban Vihara, Rupban Vihara, Itakhola Vihara, Ananda Vihara, Paharpur Vihara etc have been excavated out in the last six decades. During the World War II, 23 Buddhist Viharas were discovered in here. Many valuable and antique things were discovered by excavating old 6/7 Viharas from them.
The New Salban Vihara was established in 1995 near the historical archeological site ruin of the 6th to 11th century Mainamati-Shalban Vihara at Kotbari, Comilla with the help of Young Men’s Buddhist Association having aimed to revival the Buddhist heritage and culture, to protect and promote society and religion. Mr. Akbar Hosain (Bir Pratik), the then Minister, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was kind enough to acquisition 2.28 acres of land for this purpose to Young Men’s Buddhist Association. We get 1 acre of land as a permanent ledge. We bought 0.18-acre land and 0.21-acre land is under process. From the beginning of this Vihara, Ven. Shilabhadra Mahathero and Young Men’s Buddhist Association are trying hard and soul to establish this Vihara and their campaign is going on. MAP