Maha Sangha gave light of wisdom to our nation - NCP Governor

Walter Dayarathne - Anuradhapura District Special Correspondent

'When we look back at the events recorded in our national history we can clearly see that it was the Maha Sangha who had given the light of wisdom to our nation, said North Central Province Governor Karunaratne Divulgane.

The Governor was speaking at a meeting at Vijayapura Siri Vijaya Vidarsana Pirivena.

The aim of the meeting was to promote knowledge of literature and evaluate its value. An exhibition was also held.

The chief guest at the event was the Chief Prelate of Colombo-Chilaw regions and Vice Chancellor of Kelaniya University Ven. Dr. Velamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thera.

The Governor at the outset thanked the Parivenadhipathi Sangamaya of Anuradhapura-Vavuniya districts for organising the literary festival enabling to recall significant happenings in history and fashion the present, taking examples from such happenings.

He said "The Centre of Education in the East in the past was the Mahaviharaya.

Monks, even from abroad came to Mahaviharaya to learn Dhamma.

At that time there were learned monks in it who had the ability even to educate the whole of Asia.

The Governor said It becomes evident when we reminisce how Ven. Abhidhammika Godatha Thera was appointed as the Chief Justice by the King.

According to a stone script of King Mihindu IV, the monks who taught Dhamma had been remunerated with a salary commensurate with their service.

He said the "Description of a significant event pertaining to how monks were dedicated to give away the knowledge they acquire, is included in a book authorised by Prof. Sunil Ariyaratna, When Ven. Buddhadaththa Thera who came from India was returning to India, Atuwachari Ven. Buddhagosha Thera was sailing towards Sri Lanka.

When the two vessels met each other the elderly Ven. Buddhadaththa Thera handed his 'Panhinda' and 'Uragala' over to Ven. Buddhagodhsa Thera requesting him to translate the Sinhala Daham books into Pali language and distribute that knowledge to the world.

The Governor said with the dawning of the Kotte Era Pirivenas like Sunethradevi Keragala Padmawathie, Thotagamuwe Vijayaba became centres of education. However, as far as Mahanuwara Era is concerned, it was Ven. Veliwita Asarana Sarana Sarankara Thera who lit there the lamp of education.

He said 'Niyamakanda Pirivena founded by him was significant. Peliyagoda Vidyalankara Pirivena played a major role to provide education to many innocent children who until then did not have an opportunity even to touch a book. As such the service done by the Maha Sangha to the field of education through Pirivenas was immense, Governor Divulgane said.

The Vice Chancellor of the Kelaniya University and Head of Peliyagoda Vidyalankara Pirivena Ven. Dr. Velamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thera said, "People and Kings needed for the country were produced through pirivenas and the priviena education began in the country with the opening of the Mahaviharaya Pirivena.

Pirivena Education Director Ven. Walaswewa Gnanaratana Thera administered Pansil.

Ven. Nugethenne Pannananda Thera, Ven. Posonpura Dhammarama Thera, Ven. Mudagammana Anomaddassi Thera and former NCP Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake also spoke.

Ven. Pothane Dhammananda Thera, and many other members of Maha Sangha and former Provincial Minister H.B. Semasinghe and many other dignitaries participated.