Sudarshan Mahasthavir (Nepali:सुदर्शन महास्थविर) (alternative name:Sudarshan Bhante, bornLumbini Raj Shakya) (1938–2002) was a NepaleseBuddhist monk and author who played a major role in the development ofTheravada Buddhism in Nepal andNepal Bhasa literature. He was jailed by Nepal's repressivePanchayat regime for his activities supporting language rights.[1][2]
Sudarshan was born Lumbini Raj Shakya at OkuL Baha,Lalitpur. His father was Nhuchhe Raj Shakya and mother Harkha Maya Shakya. In 1950, he travelled toKushinagar, India to be ordained a novice monk and was given the dharma name Sudarshan. He received higher ordination inSarnath.
Sudarshan graduated in literature inHindi in 1954 and in Nepal Bhasa in 1967. He went on to receive a master's degree in Nepalese history, culture and archeology in 1979. He taught at various schools and was a lecturer atTribhuvan University,Kathmandu.
Sudarshan was a prolific writer, and greatly enriched the corpus of Nepal Bhasa literature. His favourite genre was drama, and he has written more than nine plays, most of them based on Buddhist themes. He also wrote short stories and poetry. In addition to Nepal Bhasa, he has written inNepali and English. A number of his books on Buddhism have been prescribed as course books at the bachelor and Master's levels by Tribhuvan University.[3]
He was also engaged in journalism, and has been the editor ofNepal Bhasa Patrika daily,Dharmodaya andLumbini monthlies andPurnima annual.
Sudarshan was a member of the preparatory committee formed by theLumbini Development Trust to establish a Buddhist university. Under its initiative,Lumbini Bauddha University was founded in 2004.[4]
Sudarshan became the abbot of Shri Kirti Vihara, a Theravada Buddhist monastery built inThai architectural style, which he established inKirtipur in 1989. He also founded the Shri Kirti Buddhist Center here to teach Buddhism.[5][6]
Sudarshan was active in theNepal Bhasa movement. In 1965, the Panchayat regime (1962–1990) banned Nepal Bhasa from being broadcast over state-runRadio Nepal, the only radio station in the country.[7] He joined the public protest that erupted, and was jailed for six months and six days under security laws.
On 31 December 2012, the Postal Services Department of the government of Nepal issued a commemorative postage stamp depicting the portrait of Sudarshan to honor his contribution to the country.[8]
In 1996, he was decorated with the title Bhasa Thuwa (Patron of the Language) by Nepal Bhasa Parishad for his service to Nepal Bhasa. His playJuju Jaya Prakash ("King Jaya Prakash"), on the last king of KathmanduJaya Prakash Malla, was awarded the Shrestha Sirapa in 1958.
In a writing career spanning 1951–2002, Sudarshan produced plays, biographies, translations, essays and poetry. He has published more than 75 books in Nepal Bhasa and four in Nepali. His plays areAmbapali (1955),Rastrapal (1958),Amritmaya Maun (1958),Juju Jaya Prakash (1962),85 Pau (1962),Ashanka (1971),Pratishodh (1986),Nirvana (1993) andPatachara (1997).[9]
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