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by Ven. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Nayaka Thera

The Dipaduttamarama temple

History records that there is a treasured cultural, social and religious bond between Thailand and Sri Lanka. Out of the population of 60 million people 95% are Buddhists. The Thai Buddhists pay attention to religion. They give preference to the religion above anything else. The Royal family, the king and the queen are devout Buddhists. Thailand is full of Buddhist viharas and stupas, magnificently built. Gold-plated Buddha statues are in abundance in Thailand.

Thailand is a fast developing country; highways, buildings, shops and office complexes and airports are properly maintained. Although the Thais lead a busy life they are yet well mannered. The Thais have a special admiration and affection for Sri Lanka, its people and they highly respect the Venerable Mahan Singh of Sri Lanka. The restoration of the Higher Ordination (Upasampada) was instituted by no less a person other than Venerable Upali Mahan Thera of Thailand. This year we are celebrating 250 years of the revival of the Higher Ordination and the founding of the Syamopali Maha Nikaya of Sri Lanka.

History records that Prince Prisdang Chumsai (Jumasai), a grandson of King Rama the third visited Sri Lanka in 1896 and was ordained a Buddhist monk under tutelage of the erudite and the famous monk, Most Venerable Waskaduwe Sri Subuthi Maha Nayaka Thera.

The Prince was named Venerable P.C. Jinavarawansa thera and he later became the Chief-incumbent (Chief Abbot) of the Dipaduttamaramaya Temple in Kotahena, Colombo. He has the unique distinction of being the first foreigner to become an incumbent of a Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka.

From that day onwards Dipaduttamaramaya was known to the people of Sri Lanka as the "Thai Temple". In addition to this the temple provides residence to the Thai monks who come to study the Buddha Dhamma and practise mediation.

The venerable monk from the Royal Thai Family took a great interest to promote Buddhist education and was instrumental in establishing the Sri Gunananda Vidyalaya (College) with the premises of Dipaduttamarama Thai Raja Mahan Viharaya. King Ananda Mahidol, the former king, Bumibol Adulyadej the present king and the members of the Royal family never fail to visit Dipaduttamarama Thai Raja Maha Viharaya whenever they come to Sri Lanka. In 1999 Princess. Prof. Chulaborn paid a special visit to the Dipaduttamarama Thai Raja Maha Viharaya on her official visit to Sri Lanka.

Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe who is keen in promoting economic, cultural and religious ties between the two countries is very wise in extending an invitation to Dr. Thakshin Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand, to visit Sri Lanka. Dr. Shinawatra is considered to be a person with rare qualities.

The Prime Minister has a good educational background, having graduated from the Police Cadet Academy in Thailand in 1973, obtaining a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from the Eastern Kentucky University, U.S.A. and a Doctorate in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston University, U.S.A. The Prime Minister married Madam Khunying Potjarman who comes from a very respectable family in Thailand in 1949. The Prime Minister who leads an exemplary married life is a father of two daughters and one son.

In 1987 he founded the "Shinawatra Computer and Communication Group". In 1994 he became the Minister of Foreign Affairs and in 1995 he rose to be leader of the "Dharma" party, and became the Deputy Prime Minister in 1998. He established the "Thai Rak Thai" party and became its leader. Dr. Shinawatra who obtained many a great victory became the Prime Minister of Thailand on February 9th 2001.

The Prime Minister devotes his time and energy to promoting IT knowledge among the younger generation and is the adviser to several such institutions, viz "W 1992 Asian Businessman of the Year", "Kiya Hiyod Jakdao", "1993 Outstanding Telecom Man of the year", to name a few.

As a well mannered person and a humanitarian, the services he is rendering to combat drug abuse and underworld gangs are highly laudable. Many attempts have been made by interested parties to prevent him from carrying out efforts for the eradication of drug abuse and the activities of underworld gangs. The Prime Minister has never succumbed to these threats. This is a quality to be admired. The Prime Minister of Thailand is an example for a country like Sri Lanka and other Asian countries to emulate.

During his short visit to Sri Lanka, his visit to Dipaduttamarama Purana Thai Raja Maha Viharaya in Kotahena, Colombo today of special significance. In keeping with the traditions, the visit to this temple is a great occasion for the people of Kotahena and for the people of Colombo in general as this is the only temple in Sri Lanka, which has a past record of many close ties with Thailand.

May the Noble Triple Gem Bless the family of the Prime Minister, the people of Thailand and the Prime Minister.

Sabbe Satta Bhavanthu Sukhithattha!

(The writer is the Chief-Incumbent, Dipaduttamarama Thai Raja Maha Viharaya and The Judicial Sangha Nayaka of Colombo.)

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