President condoles on Nayake Thera's passing away

COLOMBO: Most Ven. Dr. Kirinde Sri Dhammananda Nayake Thera's services to the Buddha Sasana will be long remembered by all Buddhists, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday in a condolence message on the passing away of the Most. Ven. Thera.

His loss is irreplaceable, President Rajapaksa said.

The message: "It is with profound sorrow I heard of the death of Most Ven. Dr. Kirinde Sri Dhammananda Nayake Thera, the Chief Sangha Nayake of Malaysia and Singapore and the Chief Incumbent of Brickfield Buddhist Vihara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Born in 1919 in the village of Kirinda in Southern Sri Lanka he entered the Order at the tender age of 12. He received higher ordination at the age of 22.

Having received education at Sri Dharmarama Pirivena, Ratmalana and Vidyawardhana Buddhist Institute, Dehiwela, he entered the Vidyalankara Pirivena in Kelaniya where he specialised in Pali, Sanskrit and Buddhist Philosophy.

He entered the Benares Hindu University in India and finished both graduate and post-graduate studies. He obtained a Masters Degree in Indian Philosophy studying under eminent philosophers like Sri S. Radhakrishnan, who later became the President of India.

Engaging in Buddhist missionary activities he went to Malaysia and converted the Brickfield Buddhist Vihara in Kuala Lumpur to be the Headquarters of the Theravada Missionary activities.

He was an exemplary monk, a good preacher and an excellent writer. Over 50 books were written by him.

May he realise the supreme bliss of Nibbana."