Founder's Day and commemoration of Venerable Pinwatte Sri Devananda Thera

In the 2,500 years of Buddha Sasana, there were many learned, erudite, disciplined and righteous bhikkhus, who enlightened the Buddha Sasana. An immense service was rendered for the sustenance and uplift of the Buddha Sasana by those Venerable theras.

There were great bhikkhus of such calibre in the recent past too and a perfect example was the late Most Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Pinwatte Sri Devananda Nayaka Thera, Parivenadhipathi of Panadura, Pinwatta Saddhammakara Pirivena, who passed away 22 years ago.

The Venerable Devananda Thera being an erudite and a learned Nayaka thera rendered a yeoman service to sustain and nurture the Buddha Sasana, during his bhikku life, which an ordinary person is unable to fulfil in his lifetime.

He was born on August 07, 1920 according to his previous merits, as the fifth son of S.J. de Silva of Pinwatta, Panadura. He entered the Sasana on May 23, 1945, under the tutelage of Saddhammakara Parivenadhipathi and Mahanayaka Thera of Amarapura Sri Saddhammawansa Mahanikaya, Most Venerable Pohaddaramulle Gnanananda Thera.

Venerable Dewananada Thera received his higher ordination at the Sewjin Seema Malakaya adjoining the famous Maha Kappina Walawwa.

The Venerable Thera was able to pass the Rajakeeya Panditha degree in a short period of time and presented a thesis titled 'Visuddhi Magga Ganthi'. He was not prejudiced like some of present day ones with his youthfulness and education. Instead he became more disciplined and righteous as a fruitful tree.

Because of these valuable qualities his erudite teacher made him a teacher of the Saddhammakara Pirivena, its Principal and later the Parivenadhipathi.

He was courageous enough to lead the vehement protest against the acquiring of historic 'Pandura Wadaya' land and was able to defeat the move with the help of clergy and laity of the area, and to maintain it as a free area. A centenary celebration was also held in the land under his leadership.

The Nayaka Thera held several positions, even though leading a busy life in his religious and social services, such as a member of Sahithya Mandalaya, committee member of Prachina Bhashopakara Samithiya, Joint Secretary of Amarapura Suddhammawansa Nikaya and several other high positions in various other such organisations.

He was able to complete every task started by him except establishing Buddhist and Pali University and completing the Ata-visi Muni Seya. He made several learned and erudite student bhikkhus and a lot of intimate friends, who were capable of carrying on his tasks after him.

Venerable Thalalle Meththananda Nayaka Thera, who became Viharadhipathi after the demise of Venerable Devananda Thera, was able to complete the tasks left behind by Ven. Devananda Thera. Venerable Dr. Thalalle Gnanaloka Thera, former Parivenadhipathi, was a tower of strength to Venerable Meththananda Thera for these tasks.

The 22nd Commemoration Pinkama of Venerable Rajakeeiya Panditha Pinwatte Devananda Thera and issuing of commemorative stamps of the first Head of Pinwatte Saddhammakara Institute of Buddhist and Pali University Kuppiyawatte Jayasekararamadhipathi Amarapura Siri Saddhammawansa Maha Nikaya Maha Nayaka late. Venerable Thallale Dhammananda Nayaka Thera and the Nikaya Anunayaka Mount Lavinia.

Thapodhanaramadhipathi Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Thallale Dhammaloka Nayaka Thera will be held on March 13 at the Pinwatta Saddhammakara Pirivena organised by the Parivenadhipathi and Working Director and Western Province Chief Adhikarana Sangha Nayaka Venerable Thallale Meththananda Nayaka Thera, with the participation of other Mahanayaka Theras.

Posts, Telecommunications and Up Country Infrastructure Development Deputy Minister Rohitha Abhayagunawardena and several other guests will participate.