In a message of condolence, Hemendu Bikash Chowdhury, president of the Bengal Buddhist Association (Bauddha Dharmankur Sabha), said: “On behalf of Bauddha Dharmankur Sabha, we offer our respectful homage to this astounding monk-scholar. His contribution in the field of Buddhist studies, his long effort was commendable. The late Sangharaj himself was an institution and there is no doubt that he will occupy a noble seat in the history of Buddhism of the subcontinent.” (Hemendu Bikash Chowdhury Facebook).
Prof. Satyapala was born in 1949 at Haldibari Tea Garden in Jalapaiguri, West Bengal. His ancestors originated in Gahira Village in Chittagong, Bangladesh, and moved to India before the partition in 1947. At the age of 19, Prof. Satyapala became a monk under the tutelage of Ven. Dr. Rashtrapala Mahathera, founder president of the International Meditation Centre.
Prof. Satyapala received traditional monastic and academic training in Pali and Buddhist studies at various centers of Buddhist studies in Calcutta, Nalanda, and Darbhanga in Bihar. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Buddhist philosophy from Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, and MPhil. and PhD degrees in Buddhist studies from Delhi University.
