Ven. Dr. Pategama Gnanarama Maha Thera felicitated

Nirmala Samarasinghe

A ceremony was held at Purvarama Viharaya, Purvarama Place, Colombo 12 on September 23 at 9.30 a.m. to felicitate Ven. Dr. Pategama Gnanarama Maha Thera, Principal, Buddhist and Pali College, Singapore and Viharadhipathi, Purvarama Viharaya, Colombo 12 on his receiving D. Litt (Honoris Causa) Degree from Sri Lanka Buddhist and Pali University. Ven. Agga Maha Panditha Davuldena Gnanissara Maha Nayake Thera of Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Ven. Rekawa Gunasiri Maha Nayake Thera of Amarapura Sri Saddhamma Yukthika (Matara) Maha Nikaya, Ven. Professor Ittademaliye Indasara Maha Thera, Mahopadyaya of Sri Lanka Buddhist and Pali University and many other prominent members of the Maha Sangha participated in this ceremony.

Born on December 6, 1931 to parents R. G. Silva, a businessman and S. S. E. Karunatilleka, a schoolteacher, 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, Viharadhipathy 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 Saddhama Yukthika (Matara) Maha Nikaya.

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 PhD degree from University of Magadha.

From 1961 to 1966 he worked as a 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 adviser of Ti-Sarana Buddhist Association, Singapore, Principal, Ti-Sarana Dhamma School, Singapore, Councillor and Religious adviser, 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 Sevena, Siyambalape, Viharadhipathy, Aluthkade Purvarama Bodhi-malu Viharaya and Price Place Purvarama Bodhi-malu viharaya. 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.

Ven. Dr. Pategama Gnanarama Maha Thera’s books published in Singapore

English

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

Sinhala

1. Parinirvanayata pasu Siyawas Tunak
2. Jataka Sahitya Vimarshana
3. Mulbudusamaya ha Vivarana Getalu.