THE BRIGHT LIGHT OF THE AMARAPURA TALE ( November 2024 )

This is Satipatthāna magazine’s literary dedication to the Most Ven. Kandegoda Wimaladhammabhidhana Thero, Senior Professor in the Faculty of Philosophy at Kelaniya University and the Anunayaka of the Ambagahapitiya sector of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya.

From an early age, the Thero was drawn to the idea of ordination and later entered the monastic life after gaining a profound understanding of the Buddha’s teachings.

His ultimate aspiration has been to transcend the cycle of Samsara. The Thero serves as the Chief Incumbent of both Abhinawaramaya in Kelaniya and Sri Dharmadhara Viharaya in Indipale, Pitipala. He has been honoured with numerous titles, including Visharadha of Buddhism, Lekhana Shasthri, Pravanalankara Sasanajyothi, Sri Dharmadheeshwara Sadhdharma Keerthi Sri Dharshana Visharadha, Sarana Keerthi Sri Manawa Hitha Sudheeshwara, Sri Dharmaramadheeshwara Vanshavathansa Dharshana Visharadha, Karmavagacharya, and Shasana Keerthi Sri Dharma Dharshana Visharadha.

During ancient times, the Kandyan Kingdom was ruled by the Dravidian Nayakkar dynasty and witnessed significant turmoil. The coastal regions were under the control of Portuguese, Dutch, and later English colonial powers. Religious freedom in these areas was heavily restricted, and the spread of Christian missionary activities posed challenges to the Buddhist community. Amid these challenging circumstances, the Most Venerable Welithara Gnanawimalathissa Thero established the Amarapura Chapter in 1802. During this period, Sri Lanka’s economy benefited from the export of cinnamon, which provided the resources necessary for these monks to strengthen Buddhism. As a result, Sri Lankan society saw the emergence of learned monks, accomplished lawyers, talented writers, and skilled businessmen, contributing to the nation’s cultural and intellectual growth.

Varadana Eldin De Silva, a prominent businessman from Kandegoda, Balapitiya in the Galle District of the Southern Province, was married to Andadola Nilahandi Asilin De Silva. The couple had eight children, and the Anu Nayaka Thero was their fourth child, born on August 31, 1951. The newborn was named W. Mithrananda by Venerable Paruthota Dhammarama Thissa Thero, a relative of the family.

Mithrananda received his early education up to Grade 2 at Kandegoda School before transferring to Dharmashoka Vidyalaya, Ambalangoda, where he studied up to Grade 8. Following this, under the guidance of Venerable Paruthota Dhammarama Thissa Thero, he was admitted to Kandegoda Maha Chethiya Pirivena to begin his journey toward ordination. On July 8, 1965, he was ordained under the mentorship of Maha Chethiya Parivenpathi, Thripitaka Pariyaththi Visharadha, Rajakiya Panditha Venerable Walagedera Somaloka Thissa Thero, and Rajakiya Panditha Venerable Paruthota Dhammarama Thissa Thero. From then on, he was known as Venerable Kandegoda Wimaladhamma Thero.

The Thero, as a novice completed his foundational Dhamma education before joining Vidyalankara Pirivena in Dematagoda on January 5, 1967. There, he pursued his academic studies, sitting for the G.C.E. Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations, as well as the Prachina, Prarambha, and Maddhyama examinations.

On July 14, 1973, the Thero received higher ordination at Nagadeepa Raja Maha Viharaya in Jaffna, marking a significant milestone in his monastic journey

After excelling in the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination, the Thero was admitted to Kelaniya University in 1976. There, the Thero pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, graduating with first-class honours. Recognizing his academic excellence, the university appointed him as an assistant lecturer in its academic staff. The Thero later completed his postgraduate studies and was subsequently promoted to the position of Senior Lecturer (Second Grade).

The year 1992 marked a significant milestone in the Thero’s academic journey. The Thero was awarded a scholarship by lonian University in Greece to pursue doctoral studies. During this time, the Thero completed a thesis written in Greek, titled “The Concept of Justice in Aristotle and Theravada Buddhist Ethics,” demonstrating profound scholarly insight and a unique synthesis of Western and Buddhist ethical perspectives.

Ionian University awarded a first-class doctorate to Ven. Wimaladhamma Thero in recognition of his outstanding academic achievements. As the first Sri Lankan Thero to conduct such pioneering research and earn this distinguished honour, the Thero brought great pride to both Sri Lanka and the monastic order, marking a significant milestone in the academic and spiritual history of the country.

Upon his return to Sri Lanka in 1998, Ven. Wimaladhamma Thero was appointed as the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy at Kelaniya University. In addition to imparting his invaluable knowledge to students, the Thero also took on significant responsibilities, serving as the Senior Student Advisor on Bhikkhu Affairs and as the Coordinator for the Diploma in Philosophy program. His contributions enriched both the academic environment and the monastic community at the university.

Ven. Wimaladhamma Thero also excelled in writing, authoring several books and research papers on a wide range of subjects, including Buddhist philosophy, logic, oriental and Western wisdom, Buddhist psychology, and Abhidhammārtha. His scholarly contributions extended beyond original works; the Thero also translated the famous Greek book City State into Sinhala, titled Paura Rajya, making significant works of classical philosophy accessible to a wider audience in Sri Lanka.

In 2005, the University of Kelaniya appointed Ven. Wimaladhamma Thero to the position of Professor, in recognition of the Thero’s significant contributions to teaching, research, and his dedicated service to both the nation and the university. In 2015, due to his continued excellence and leadership in academia, the Thero was further honoured with the title of Senior Professor.

Ven. Wimaladhamma Thero, who held esteemed positions as lecturer, professor, senior professor, and dean at the University of Kelaniya, is the only Senior Professor from the Amarapura Chapter. In addition to his academic accomplishments, the Thero made significant contributions as the founding Chief Secretary of the Amarapura Vidhvath Sangha Sabha.

Venerable Thero, with his exceptional education and accomplishments, stands as a source of great pride not only to the Ambagahapitiya chapter but also to the entire Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya. The Thero’s revered status is a testament to his contributions to Buddhism and academia, and it is heartening to see that Buddhist monks from all chapters hold him in high esteem.

Venerable Thero possesses the academic knowledge and versatility essential for leadership within the Sangha. The Thero has been disciplined and trained to overcome negative influences and is dedicated to practicing the Dhamma. The Thero maintains friendly and respectful relationships with people from all walks of life, addressing mistakes directly and without hesitation. His exceptional ability to foster harmonious relationships with monks from all three Buddhist chapters, as well as with laypeople, further highlights his qualities as a revered and respected leader.

Thero was conferred the title of Sri Dharmaramadhishwara Wansawathansha Dharshana Visharadha and appointed as the Anu Nayaka of the Ambagahapitiya sect of the Amarapura Chapter by the Most Venerable Heenatiyana Nandatissa Maha Nayaka Thero. This honour recognized the Thero’s exceptional contributions to the Dhamma and his leadership within the Sangha.

On the 18th of Duruthu in 2016, Ven. Wimaladhamma Thero was conferred the title Sāsana Keerthi Sri Dharma Dharshana Vishäradha by the Maha Nayaka Thero of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Agga Maha Panditha Most Venerable Dawuldena Siri Gnanissara Thero. The title was bestowed during the Maha Sangha Convention held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo, which was attended by thousands of Buddhist monks as well as the President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena.

As Buddhists, we hold the sincere hope that such an educated and disciplined Buddhist monk will continue to illuminate our society. The Anu Nayaka Thero, who harms no one and treats all with the utmost compassion, serves as a beacon of light for Buddhists around the world. His wisdom dispels the darkness of ignorance, guiding countless individuals on the path of understanding and peace. We extend our heartfelt wishes to the Thero for a long and healthy life, and for the continued expansion of his invaluable service to the Buddha Sasana and society.