Israeli citizen embraces Sankardeva’s Vaishnaism in Assam’s Balisattra

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 2, 2024

An Israeli national has arrived from his workplace in Thailand to Assam’s Nagaon district to embrace Srimanta Sankardeva’s Vaishnaism.

The 47-year-old Edgar Faingor, an intellectual and a professor at International Buddhist College, Thailand, embraced Vaishnaism at Balisattra in Kaliabor on Tuesday.

Edgar Faingor was initiated as the “ek saran bhakat” by Sattradhikar Hiru Prasad Mahanta in the Sattra premises on Tuesday. 

Edgar was born in Moscow, Russia and explored many countries across the globe. He studied almost all religions and later he was converted to Buddhism.

During the initiation programme, Edgar Faingor promised to practice the Shankari arts and crafts in his future life. He also participated in the “nam-sangha” at Balisattra.

Edgar married from Nepal and also has a son.

Following vast studies of almost all religions and exploring various disciplines and countries for over 20 years across the globe, Edgar Faingor came into contact with professor, columnist, litterateur and noted scholar of Srimanta Sankardeva, Dr Sanjib Borkakoti and studied the English versions of Borkakati’s book Srimanta Sankardeva. 

Finally, Edgar Faingor expressed his desire to take initiation to Vaishnavism and informed Dr Sanjib Kr Borkakoti for it. Dr Borkakoti ensured his initiation ceremony at Batadroba Than entertained by Satradhikar Debananda Dev Goswami on April 2, 2024. 

But amidst the arrangements, Satradhikar Goswami died suddenly following a cardiac arrest for which the programme of his initiation was shifted to Balisatra in Kaliabor.

Edgar was awarded a sattra certificate during the ceremonial initiation which was attended by Dr Sanjib Kr Borkakoti, Deka Sattriya Monimadhav Mahanta and other Sattradhikars of several sattras of the greater Kaliabor region. 

After receipt of the new faith, Edgar also changed his name to “Krishna Charan Bhakat”.

Sattradhikar Hiru Prasad Mahanta said: “In homage to Sankardev, we have bestowed upon Edgar Faingor the appellation ‘Krishna Sharan Bhakat’ within the Sankardev’s Vaishnavite faith. He sought validation through a certificate, which we duly provided, enabling him to access any Sankardev namghar.”

“We imparted practical guidance on religious rituals and acquainted him with our revered guru, aiming to furnish him with tangible support in his newfound spiritual voyage,” Mahanta added.