Talk:Buddhism in Bangladesh

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Contents 1 Rewrite in progress 2 Opening words 3 Need map 4 Buddhist population across different districts

[edit] Rewrite in progress

I am rewriting the whole article paragraph by paragraph, in order to remove the current copyvio. I intend to keep the current structure, but rephrase content, and reorganize content. Please participate if you are interested. Thanks. --Ragib 06:44, 18 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I am grossly over-committed, with half-finished articles scattered everywhere, so I can't help with the rewrite. I can just kibitz and criticize the people who are doing the real work. I'm a Western Buddhist, have been a Buddhist for forty years, and have actually read about the Chittagong Hill Tracts Buddhists in various Buddhist publications.

Not only is the current article a copyvio, it's judgmental, talking about "pure" Buddhism, Tantrism as a deviation, decline of Buddhism, etc. It's not up to us to judge what is "pure" and what isn't. In my character as a Western Zen Buddhist I may feel somewhat disdainful of "folk" Buddhism, but that's not something I could indulge as a Wikipedia editor. Ask me if you need help with any Buddhist terms, etc. Zora 10:15, 18 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Hi Zora, the article is being rewritten to remove copyvio, given its size, that would take a week or so. I can write about the "history" part, that is the part on the different dynasties and the different buddhist "stupa" or relics around Bangladesh. However, not being a Buddhist myself, it is not possible for me to make the fine differences in the nature of buddhism itself, as expressed in the current article. I think it may be extremely helpful if someone deeply knowledgeable with Buddhism helped in setting the tone of the article to a non-judgemental manner. Thanks a lot. --Ragib 15:47, 18 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Sure, Ragib, (Reference: your message on my Talk Page) I shall be try to re-write some portions.--Bhadani 11:51, 18 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I think this article is being sufficiently paraphrased, so I won't put a copyvio notice on or anything. It would pass the "sneaky college term paper" test, but I would advise you find another source if possible. Ashibaka (tock) 02:19, 22 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Some of the writings is incorrect, Someone needs to change the writing - "Another contributing factor was the coming of Islam through the subsequent defeat of the Sena dynasty at the hands of Muhammad bin Bakhtyar Khalji." To the best of my knowledge, there were no wars between Sena dynasty and Bakhtair Khilji. I am quoting some writings from a book, - "Baktiar captured the Sena Empire's capital, Gaud, almost without a fight and found warm food on the table of the fleeing government- whose astrologers had predicted the coming of a Turkish conqueror with extremely long arms. So uncanningly specific was the description that one wonders if Baktiar had not influenced the seers, using knowledge Alberuni had garnered about Hindu astrologers." Source: Bangladesh: Reflection on the water, by James J. Novak, Page 70-71. Publisher: Indiana University Press, 1993 edition.

[edit] Opening words

I propose to reword the opening sentences as follows

Buddhism in Bangladesh, mostly Theravada Buddhism, is practiced by about 0.5% of Bangladesh population, that is, by around 700,000 people. Majority of Buddhists of Bangladesh are from the south-eastern district of Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Suggestions are requested, as even after rewording in above style, I feel something may be lacking.--Bhadani 05:35, 19 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I think a buddhist person from Bangladesh can discuss the correctness and appropriateness of the statement, and I wish I knew the topic in detail. So, either Bengali Buddhists or people with greater knowledge of this topic can comment on this. I will work on getting some more info, and better information on the history of the Buddhist rulers. Thanks again for improving the article. --Ragib 05:44, 19 Jun 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Need map

A map would help with the first section, which is otherwise very hard to grasp. I could draw a map if and when I get my pen tablet working, but I'm still struggling with Bluetooth. Zora 07:13, 19 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Yes Zora, a wonderful idea, as and when you get time, please draw a map. I am "zero" in such things, otherwise I would have attempted to draw the same myself.--Bhadani 07:42, 19 Jun 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Buddhist population across different districts

I have added a section 'Buddhist Population by District' and given a credible source for it --Itsalif 23:20, 19 July 2007 (UTC)