In the radiant days of His existence, the Lord Buddha took pivotal steps to fortify the Buddhist order, designed to disseminate the Dhamma across millennia. The anointment of Sariyuth-Mugalan Maharahat as Chief Disciples and the strategic appointment of other monks aimed at the enduring continuation of the Sambuddha order. This age-old tradition, initiated during His time, persists through the ages under the patronage of kings, prime ministers, and ministers, notably within the hallowed halls of the Mahā Vihāra Vamsika Mahāvihāra. Carrying forth this noble duty, on the full moon day of the ninth month in the Buddhist year 2548, corresponding to the calendar year 2005, February 23, an academic tribute is humbly offered to the Most Venerable Niyangoda Dharma Keerthi Sri Sangharakshita Vijitasiri Anunāyake Thero by Sathipattana magazine for his appointment as the Anunāyaka of Malwatu Mahā Vihāra sect of Siam Mahā Nikāya by the President of Sri Lanka.
Our esteemed Buddhist monk was born on the 26th of November in 1948, in ancient Moragoda Kōrala in the fertile, luxuriant, and beautiful village area of Galasiyapattuwa, Hārispattuwa in the Central Province of the ancient upcountry area that was sanctified by the blessings and majesty of the noble tooth relic. Hērath Rājakarunā Vāsala Mudiyansēlāgē Kudābandā Niyangoda Principal of Niyangoda village of Sārasiyapattuwa, popularly known as Tumpanē, who worked in charge of state documents of the royal palace, and who belonged to an ancient classical lineage, and Sārasiyapattuwa Molagoda Rājakarunā Atapattu Vāsala Mudiyansēlāgē Bisō Menikē teacher were the virtuous parents of this honourable monk.
The virtuous journey of this devout soul, marked by gentleness and kindness from an early age, commenced at Sri Piyadassi College, Molagoda, and Vijaya College, Matale. With the blessings and approval of His devout parents, this pious child entered the esteemed priesthood on May 26, 1964, at Niyangoda Purāna Mahā Vihāraya in Sārasiyapattuwa. Initiated into the disciplehood through pupillary succession (Sisyānu Sisya Paramparā), our revered monk became the spiritual heir of Ginigathpitiye Sri Sangharakshita Nāyaka Thero, the third pupil of Bōdhisattva Gunōpēta Welivita Pindapatika Asarana Sarana Sarankara Sangharāja Thero. Endowed with an innate gift for learning, our esteemed monk pursued knowledge and wisdom at Sri Dharmaloka Pirivena, Niyangoda, under the guidance of Sāhitya Cakravartī Sārabhauma Pandita Yakkaduwe Sri Prañārāmābhidhāna Nāyaka Thero, Parivēnādhipati of Peliyagoda Vidyālankāra Pirivena, and at Sri Ratanasēla Parivēnasthāna under Rajakeeya Pandita Bamunugedara Sri Seelanandābhidhāna, Parivenādhipati of Wǟgama Ratanasēla, the Adhikarana Sangha Nāyaka of the North-West Province.
Entering the University of Peradeniya in 1968, our revered monk earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974, followed by a Post Graduate Diploma from the same esteemed institution. The auspicious Vesak full moon day of May 1970 marked a significant milestone as our monk received higher ordination (upasampatti) at the Mangala Uposathāgāra of the Malwatu Mahā Vihāraya, Kandy. Under the guidance of the Most Venerable Wimala Keerthi Sri Sumana Pandita Sirimalwatte Ānandābhidhāna Mahā Nāyaka, Anunāyaka at the time and present Mahā Nāyaka, and with Karmācāryas including the Most Venerable Nahiniwela Sri Sumana Sobhitābhidhāna Mahā Thero of Malwatu Vihāra and the Most Venerable Bambaradeniye Sri Medhānandābhidhāna Mahā Thero, our revered monk stepped into the sacred realm of monkhood.
Post his university education, our esteemed monk, driven by the noble goal of sharing knowledge, served as a Dhamma teacher from 1976 to 1994. His dedicated efforts illuminated the minds of numerous students in institutions such as Sri Nālandā Pirivena, Colombo-Hunupitiya Gangārāma Vihārastha Gnāneswara Pirivena, Nu/Ginigahena Madhya Mahā Vidyālaya, Girihāgama Niyāmaka Vidyalaya, Paranagama Mahā Vidyālaya, Maha/Mahaweli Mahā Vidyālaya, and Kingswood College, Kandy.
In 1979, our esteemed monk assumed the role of Chief Incumbent of Girihāgama Sri Sumangalārāma Vihāraya, showcasing his wisdom and leadership. Recognizing his exceptional contributions, the Most Venerable Sirimalwatte Wimala Keerthi Sri Ānandābhidhāna Mahā Nāyaka appointed him as the Karmācārya of Malwatu Mahā Vihāraya in 1976. Further, on September 6, 1986, the same Mahā Nāyaka appointed him as a member of the Supreme Council of the Sangha (Kāraka Mahā Sangha Sabhā) of Malwatu Mahā Vihāraya.
Notably, the Most Venerable Rambukwelle Sri Dharmarakshita Vipassyābhidhāna Mahā Nāyaka appointed our monk as the Assistant Registrar of the Supreme Council of the Sangha on January 25, 1990, and later, on January 03, 1993, bestowed upon him the position of Secretary of the same Sangha Sabhā. Recognizing his exemplary service, the same Mahā Nāyaka entrusted him with the role of Senior Kāraka Sangha Sabhika of the Supreme Council of the Sangha, and from 1991, our esteemed monk took charge of holding offerings (Thevāva) for the Relic Chamber of Sri Daladā Māligaya.
In his capacity as Secretary of the Supreme Council of the Sangha (Kāraka Mahā Sangha Sabhā) of Malwatu Mahā Vihāraya, our monk executed national, religious, social, cultural, and educational responsibilities with utmost responsibility and care. His stewardship contributed to the fame and appreciation garnered by Malwatu Mahā Vihāraya. Additionally, his dedication played a pivotal role in the development of the Malwatu Mahā Vihāraya, the enduring existence of the Sambuddha order, and safeguarding the honor of Malwatu Mahā Vihāraya in critical situations.
Furthermore, our esteemed monk was actively involved in drafting the Malwatu Mahā Vihāraya Development Plan, overseeing its proper implementation. His commitment extended to the maintenance of the dormitory for student monks, construction of modern buildings, creating a scenic environment, procuring necessary resources, and enhancing facilities. The esteemed monk’s tireless efforts bore fruit in producing a cadre of monks with degrees ranging from Pracīna and Pandit to Bachelor and Masters, thus contributing significantly to the religious mission of the Buddhist order.
Ven. Dr. Shāstrapathi Rajakeeya Pandita Vedaruwe Ānanda Murthi Sthavira of Sri Sangharāja Pirivena, Kandy, is ably assisted in his diverse religious and social endeavors centered around the Malwatu Mahā Vihāraya by esteemed students such as Ven. Dr. Shāstrapathi Rajakeeya Pandita Aratumadille Chandrānanda Sthavira of Mārathugoda Vidumina Pirivena, Shāstrapathi Rajakeeya Pandita Galahitiyāgoda Dhammarathana Thero, the Chief Incumbent of Uhana Galahitiyāgoda Abhayagiri Vihāraya, Ven. Dr. Pandita Meegalewe Nandarathana Thero of Beligammana Vidyāwardena Pirivena, and Ven. Rajakeeya Pandita Mūdiyala Anōmadassi Thero, along with other devoted students.
Noteworthy among the monks ordained under his guidance is Ven. Gunarathana Thero of Kirivandeniya, and others including Ven. Sumangala Thero of Kotagama and Ven. Pandita Vägala Gnānavimala Thero. Venturing beyond borders, Ven. Dr. Vedaruwe Ānanda Murthi Sthavira has been an ardent proponent of Dhamma propagation in countries such as India, Nepal, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, China, and England. His international renown has fostered positive relationships between Sri Lanka and these nations. Sermons delivered to both local and international scholarly audiences have garnered widespread acclaim. Recognizing his academic and social contributions, Peliyagoda Vidyālayankāra Pirivena honored him with the title “Sthavira Vamsālankāra Sāsana Keerthi Sri” on December 7, 2003. Further acknowledgment came in the form of a Doctorate Degree in Buddhist Literature from the ”Dae Gu Sa” Buddhist Studies Institute in Korea on August 25, 2002.
A pivotal moment in his religious life unfolded on June 7, 2004, as he ascended to the position of Anunāyaka of the Malwathu Sect of the Siam Mahā Nikāya, endorsed by the Supreme Council of the Sangha (Kāraka Mahā Sangha Sabhā). Guided by his wisdom, knowledge, and virtue, people from Sri Lanka and abroad have found solace in his counsel.
Wishing Ven. Dr. Vedaruwe Ānanda Murthi Sthavira continued good health and a long life in his unwavering commitment to religious and social missions, which have garnered recognition and respect worldwide. His association with esteemed spiritual leaders like His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, adds to the global impact of his endeavors. May the flame of Saddhamma, embodied by his kindness and compassion, illuminate the lives of people worldwide, dispelling the darkness that surrounds them.
By Asiri Ellage
© Satipatthana Magazine