Ven. Dr. Pategama Gnanarama Maha thera felicitated:
Founder of Buddhist and Pali College in Singapore
*******
Born on December 6, 1931 to parents
R.G. Silva, a businessman and S.S.E. Karunatilleke, a school teacher, at
a small hamlet Pategama near Balapitiya, the child was named Ranmuthu
Piyasiri. He received his primary education at Ampe Junior School,
Balapitiya. In November 1945 he was ordained as a novice at Purvarama
Viharaya, Dias Place, Colombo by his teacher, Viharadhipathi Ven.
Abidhammika Welithara Pannananda Maha thera.
*******
Nirmala SAMARASINGHE
Sri Lanka Buddhist and Pali University conferred D. Litt (Houoris
Causa) Degree on the Ven. Dr. Pategama Gnanarama Maha thera, principal,
Buddhist and Pali College, Singapore and Viharadhipathi, Purvarama
Viharaya, Purvarama Place, Colombo 12 at the annual convocation of the
University held at the BMICH on August 22. A significant event at the
ceremony was the awarding of Ph.D Degree to one of his students of
Singapore.
Felicitation ceremony
A felicitation ceremony was held at Purvarama Viharaya on the 23rd
presided over by the Ven. Agga Maha Panditha Davuldana Gnanissara Maha
Nayaka thera of Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Ven. Rekawa Gunasiri
Maha Nayaka thera of Amarapura Sri Saddhamma Atika (Matara) Maha
Ven. Dr. Pategama Gnanarama Maha thera |
Nikaya, Ven. Professor Ittademaliye Indasara Maha thera,
Mahopadyaya of Sri Lanka Buddhist and Pali University, Ven. Professor
Bellanwila Wimalaratana Anu Nayaka thera, Kotte Chapter of Siyamopali
Maha Nikaya, Ven. Brahmanawatte Seevali Anu Nayaka thera, Ven.
Maduluwawe Sobhitha Nayaka thera, Ven. Professor Kandegoda Wimaladhamma
thera, Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Anu Nayaka thera and other prominent
members of the Maha Sangha and Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha,
Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka,
Professor Daya Edirisinghe of Kelaniya University and Colombo’s District
Secretary P.A.J. Sylvester and a deputation of Singapore Buddhists were
among those present.
Born on December 6, 1931 to parents R.G. Silva, a businessman and
S.S.E. Karunatilleke, a school teacher, at a small hamlet Pategama near
Balapitiya, the child was named Ranmuthu Piyasiri.
He received his primary education at Ampe Junior School, Balapitiya.
In November 1945 he was ordained as a novice at Purvarama Viharaya, Dias
Place, Colombo by his teacher, Viharadhipathi Ven. Abidhammika Welithara
Pannananda Maha thera. He received his monastic education at Vidyodaya
Pirivena. For some period he attended Olcott College which held classes
in the afternoon session at Ananda College. He received higher
ordination in 1956 at Kalu Nadi Uda Kukkepa Sima-malaka of Amarapura Sri
Saddhamma Yukthika (Matara) Maha Nikaya.
Buddhist philosophy
He entered the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya and obtained B.A.
Degree in 1961. In 1966, he obtained BA (Hons) degree from University of
London. From Vidyodaya University of Ceylon he obtained MA degree in
1968, and in 1986, he obtained Ph.D degree from University of Magadha.
From 1961 to 1966, he worked as an assistant teacher and then as a
school principal. From 1967-1992, he was a lecturer in Buddhist
Philosophy and Pali at Sri Jayawardenapura University. From 1984 to
1992, he was the first principal of Saddharmakara Buddhist and Pali
College at Panadura. From 1977 to 1992, he was the visiting lecturer in
Comparative Religion and Buddhist Philosophy at University of Kelaniya.
From 1992-1993, he was the religious instructor at Maithri Viharaya,
Penrose Street, Sun Valley CA 91352 USA.
Ven. Maha thera was instrumental in inaugurating Buddhist and Pali
College in Singapore in 1994 and was the principal from then onwards.
This institution is affiliated to the Buddhist and Pali University of
Sri Lanka. He is the Chief Religious Advisor of Ti Sarana Buddhist
Association, Singapore, Principal, Ti Sarana Dhamma School, Singapore,
Counsellor and Religious Advisor, Singapore Buddhist Federation,
Counsellor, Shan You Counselling Centre, Singapore, Religious teacher
and Advisor, Singapore Buddhayana Organization, Chief of the Editorial
Board and religious teacher, Singapore Buddhist Meditation Centre,
Executive Member, World Sangha Council (hq at Taiwan), President,
Purvarama Welfare Scheme, Colombo, President, Sri Lanka-German
Fellowship (hq Colombo), Life Member, Oriental Studies Society, Patron,
Isura Lama Sevana, Siyambalape, Viharadhipathy, Aluthkade Purvarama
Bodhi-malu Viharaya and Price Place Purvarama Bodhi-malu Viharaya.
Religious ceremonies
He is instrumental in constructing a five storeyed building with a
dagaba on the top floor for ‘Ti-Sarana Religious and Educational Centre’
at Purvarama Viharaya with the help of patrons from Singapore and Sri
Lanka. He inaugurated ‘Vidya Niketha Pirivena’ at Purvarama Viharaya in
2005.
He has travelled widely for conferences, religious ceremonies and
Dhamma-dutha work to India, Myanmar, Indonesia, Cambodia, the Maldive
Islands, Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong,
Taiwan, Laos, South Korea, Japan, China, Mongolia, UK, Cyprus, Germany,
Austria, France, Switzerland, Malta, Italy, Egypt, Australia and USA.
He has fostered his chief student, Ven. Pategama Anuruddha thera who
is capable of taking care and handling the Viharayas and institutions in
the absence of Maha thera.
He has authored the following English books which were published in
Singapore:
1. An approach to Buddhist Social Philosophy
2. The Mission Accomplished
3. Aspects of Buddhist Sociological Thought
4. Essentials of Buddhist Philosophy
5. The Therapeutic Value of Loving Kindness
6. The Woman’s Social Role Redefined
7. The Buddhism on Human Dignity
8. Bhikkuni Sanghamitta
9. Glimpses of Buddhist Wisdom
10. Blueprint of Free Inquiry and Personal Verification
11. The Charter for an Ideal Society
The following three Sinhala books were also authored by him:
1. Parinirvanayata Pasu Siyawas Tunak
2. Jataka Sahitya Vimarshana
3. Mulbudusamaya and Vivarana Getalu.
May our Maha thera live many more years and foster the Sambuddha
Sasana. |