Fifty years in monkhood:

Ven Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera felicitated

Sisira WIJESINGHE

TRIBUTE: Teachings of the Enlightened One formally came into being as Sasana two thousand five hundred and fifty years ago after the five ascetics (Pasvaga) who listened to Gautama Buddha at Saranath became the first to be ordained as Buddhist monks, largely due to the religious awakening that was generated at that time after Prince Siddhartha turned the beacon of hope for the worldly and spiritual development.

The Order of Monks, since this phenomenon in Saranath blossomed into an immortal chapter of Buddhism. Monks as propagators and protectors of what their Great Guru preached and practised emerged prominent.

With this foundation taking root in India, the Buddha went about delivering his practical Doctrine across India and wholly entrusted the task of educating the public to the fast swelling community of Monks.

Pali, being one of the main languages of the ancient Prakrit family, directly related to Sanskrit, in which the Buddhist holy texts were largely documented, added significance to Buddhism as it was widely used as the medium of communication.

The founding basis for documentation of His Great Teaching ensued afterwards and saw the light of the day.

Scholarly work

Sri Lankan monkshood with its world-renowned erudition or the scholarship, as very well documented in all historical ola chronicles, and also in other subsequent print materials, offers ample evidence to suggest that erudite Pandits of the times, took every possible effort to preserve the essence of His doctrine by way of documenting Dhamma.

Volumes of Buddhist chronicles with Tripitaka, brought from India, as the crowning dossier of Buddhist doctrine followed and became popular.

Significantly, Sri Lanka on her own later produced simplified interpretations such as Samanthapasadikawa (Pali), Kankavitharani (Pali), Sumangalavilasanee (Pali) preparing the ground work for more works like the Mahaattakatawa (Sinhala), Kurundiattakata (Sinhala), etc, all authored by members of the erudite Sangha community.

In our contemporary times, late Dr. Walpola Rahula Maha Thera with his wealth of academic knowledge rose to his full height by producing an assortment of Buddhist publications of highest standards that later turned best sellers even in foreign soils.

Similar Bhikku scholars of the same calibre like late Ven. Piyadassi Thera, Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maithriya Nayake Thera, Ven. Ampitiye Rahula Thera, Dr. Kirinde Dhammananda Nayake Thera, Dr. Hewenpola Gunaratana Nayake Thera, Dr. Meegoda Pannaloka Thera, Ven Thiranagama Ratanasara Thera, et al by way of their scholarly works added significance to the world of Buddhist academia.

In this long list, in my opinion, our protagonist, Ven Professor Bellanwila Wimalaratana Nayake Thera, Viharadhikari at Bellanwila Viharaya and Chancellor, Sri Jayawardenepura University, more important than anything else of his religious, social and cultural roles, carves a niche for himself in the annals of Buddhist literary works because of his academic contributions to the researchers of Buddhist history and its essence of teaching.

This piece of writing, I strongly believe, would therefore serve a fitting tribute to his erudition at a time Venerable Wimalaratana Nayake Thera completes his fifty years in illustrious monkshood. A series of commemorative functions to bless the learned monk are now on at the temple precincts with the apex at BMICH today (March 9).

Our monk's widely referred treatise, "The Concept of A Great Man" (Maha Purisa) was after all a well-researched and comprehensive treatment of this great dimension, much debated among scholars of Buddhist art of sculpture.

Taking a very contrasting attitude, our Venerable author, through this book extracts and refers various textual contexts in the backdrop of the Vedic period that speaks of Mahayana and Heenayana traditions of Buddhist schools of thought.

This book, seen also as a sort of the gradual evolution of the said concept draws many parallels and speaks volumes of our Nayake Thera's deep knowledge on the symbols (mudras) depicted in Buddha statues. Our Thera has a great taste for writing.

Similarly, his newspaper serialized translation of the British book "Unshaken Mind" some time ago, judged by the popular readership, served an eye-opener to the Buddhists of this country. It consisted of an analytical description of the Mind seen in the light of Buddhist teachings.

Ven. Wimalaratana Thera, who loves to devote most of his leisure time for academic work, has to-date authored more than fifteen books on varying aspects of Buddhism covering spheres such as comparative religions, Buddhist traditions and culture. A few of his latest volumes are to be released today.

Socio-cultural role

Ven. Wimalaratana Thera's outspokenness in issues related to governance, society, culture and more importantly, politics of the day, is another exceptional area of significance to the common masses, because only a handful of monks remain to be seen apolitical nowadays in our society, unaffected by the evils of political manoeuvring.

He is a monk who would not mince words and is explicit in his forthright criticisms, no matter how mighty the subject is. His outright assertions on various issues as a socio-cultural reformer of our times, is a source of strength and inspiration not only to fellow-Sangha community but also to others who love this country.

It is also interesting to note our Thera, despite his busy schedule was also instrumental in actively contributing to many forums including the formation of the Congress of Religions in Sri Lanka which brought leaders of all major denominations under one umbrella where religious concerns over an issue are jointly articulated and action taken.

Missionary work

His overseas Dhamma missions, particularly as one of the co-presidents in the World Sangha Council, headquartered in Indonesia, bring credit to Sri Lanka as the pristine seat of Theravada Buddhism.

Our Thera's commitment to the cause according to many a Sri Lankan member-monk is admirable and praiseworthy in view of his presentations at august assemblies.

To his credit, our Venerable Thera has travelled overseas far and wide for delivery of Dhamma lectures on innumerable occasions, for many of which he has been invited as a guest lecturer.

Irrespective of the day's workload, our Thera never fails to listen to the tales of woe of the public who visit him at the temple from morning hours.

Some reach him in search of employment, others for multifarious requirements and financial assistance. His patient hearing, though it is very time-consuming at times, relieves the client to a great extent with a possible solution or a piece of advice, extended by our protagonist.

Listening to others, regardless of the person's social status or any other index, he believes, is a requirement in our socio-cultural context because one comes to him with a view to finding an alternative relief or a remedial measure. This interaction has left him in a good stead.

Sometimes resident monks inside the temple have to wait for hours to speak to our Nayake Thera.

His concerns for the well-being of the laity as well as villagers at Bellanwla and its surroundings are better heard during the times of a family's loss. Our Thera comes forward to meet a considerable share of the funeral expenses.

That is also done by the Thera himself directly calling the funeral undertaker, in most cases even without any knowledge of the bereaved family. His simple and charming attitude in this manner provides solace to the bereaved and fosters relations further.

Our Thera's experience of happiness and tranquillity in work is another interesting feature that we, dayakas very often witness during the conduct of various Pinkamas and other humanitarian projects. He also cracks light jokes and takes things in lighter vein and innocently enjoys the moment.

So much so is his interest towards arts and other cultural aspects. He is one among the few monks who always volunteers to offer a hand of assistance and friendship to artists, no matter whether they are dramatists, actors, vocalists or otherwise.

The Vihara has been open throughout for their projects. Contrary to popular belief, our Thera always prefers a simple life with a chew of betel, and sits on writing some academic papers for hours without a wink of sleep.

This writer has seen how our Thera went on compiling tutorials for the benefit of his university students until late night. Hardly, he minds taking medicine even for a severe ailment in spite of medical advice because our Thera does not want to disappoint anyone or anything that has been undertaken well in advance for the next day.

All those undertakings by our Thera receive the fullest blessings of the Viharadhipathi, Ven Bellanwila Dhammaratana Nayake Thera who resides in Singapore.

Religious services

Venerable Wimalaratana Thera conducts the temple affairs to the best satisfaction of the Buddhist pilgrims and devotees and offers a variety of religious services to all those who tread on this sacred Vihara premises.

Our Thera with his foresight founded the vocational training centre for unemployed youth many decades ago before everybody else began such projects across the country.

Today, hundreds of families continue to receive those benefits. The newest wing that added to his humanitarian vision was the ongoing housing projects at Godagama, Peraliya where tsunami victims were to receive some 40 houses donated under the aegis of our Thera.

In recognition of all those contributions of our Thera, the Dayaka Sabha in cooperation with other organisations in the area unanimously agreed to honour him during a series of ceremonies that began on Friday, March 3 and culminates today at the BMICH. Let me also join others by saying "Chiran Jayatu, Our Bhante." May you live long to serve the Sasana!

(The writer is Sri Lanka Army Media Adviser)