Maharagama Dhammasiri thera :

Completing half a Century in Bhikkuhood

While fulfilling virtues such as Seela behaviour and physical discipline as if feeling these are the real ordained attitudes in the subject of Buddhasasana, because of the Bhikkhus who had understood that their duty is to make those who are unpleasant, pleasant and increasing the pleasantness of those who are already pleasant, the Sasana will be more and more strengthened. The Buddha preached that the life of a Bikkhu fulfilling education and virtues is complete like gold and that education without virtues is futile. (Seelena anupethassa suthenantho ne vijjathi).

The Most Venerable Maharagama Dhammasiri thera, the Viharadhipathi of Washington Buddhist Viharaya, Viharadikari of Maharagama Bhikkuni Training Centre and the Chief Sangha Nayake of North America, who is engaged in the great religious service of propagation of Dhamma in Eastern and Western countries and living such an exemplary monastic life, completes 50 years of Bhikkhuhood this month.

He was born to a respectable family in Maharagama and had his early education in a village school. His interest to be a Bhikkhu could have been due to a merit accrued from a previous birth that he had the fortune of getting admission to Maharagama Dharmayatanaya at the age of 10 years.

During a period of six months he had the fortune of becoming a novice monk under the mentors, the Most Venerable Maddihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayake thera and the Most Venerable Ampitiye Siri Rahula. In 1971 he received his Higher Ordination.

Ven Dhammasiri thera well read Sinhala, Pali, Sanskrit and Thripitaka under the guidance of several Pundit Bhikkhus and was appointed Vajiraramadikari in Anuradhapura in 1972 and in 1975 as the administrator at Maharagama Siri Vajiragnana Dharmayatanaya.

Since then for 12 complete years he promptly worked for the progress of Dharmayatanaya while understanding well the distinctive responsibilities entrusted on him.

The service rendered by him in fulfilling the unique aspiration of the Most Venerable Maddihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayake thera in bequeathing the world with Bhikkhus respecting principles was appreciable.

The service that he rendered as an external lecturer at Maharagama Training College with the intention of departing Samsara too should be appreciated.

He arrived in Washington Viharaya in 1987 and became the General Secretary of the Buddhist Vihara Society in Washington and in 1988 he succeeded Ven Dr Henepola Gunaratana as the President of the Vihara.

It should be specially mentioned here the efforts that Ven thera made for more than two decades among Americans in propagating Dhamma. The service that he rendered by moving in various provinces lecturing and providing religious knowledge through conduct of classes, discussions and training for mediation was very effective. He has also held series of lectures at many universities in the United States of America.

The interview that he had with Cathedral Age of National Cathedral of Washington in 2003 on kindness and loving-kindness was very popular.

In 2003, he was bestowed with the position of Chief Sangha Nayake of North America in recognition of the exemplary service that he had rendered to Sasana for the expansion of Dhamma and the progress of Sasana, in countries such as Canada, England, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand while stationed in Washington Viharaya and meeting with people belonging to various nationalities and propagating the message of Buddha and converting them as the followers of the Buddha.

I believe that the Most Venerable Maharagama Dhammasiri thera has portrayed through his life the virtues of Maha theras belonged by ancient Theravada Bhikkhu clan. Many virtues that should be instilled in a person who is clever in achieving progress (sakko-uju-suju-suvacha-mudu-anathimani) are in Ven Dhammasiri thera which is inseparable from his life.

The thera’s needs were very limited. As such he was pleased with what he had. He did not crave for ‘myself’. As such he didn’t have conflicts with others. He was flexible.

Appreciates simple life. Thus less expenditure for him and can be easily fed.

Whoever comes to meet him, he had the innate quality of pleasing that person with a smile and pleasant words. Seela is not style. It is sober and noble lifestyle. That alone paved the thera a way to prevent from committing harm or pain or disgrace anybody. I believe his quality of treating everybody in equal manner as a great characteristic. This state of asceticism with simple qualities made him an unassuming person.

It is suitable to consider a good-natured ordinary person of un-subdued passions, as a humble one, according to Dhamma.
Ahankaro Bhawaskanda
Sohankaro nu thortha
- Scholar Nagarajun

The name and body appeared as a result of pride. Pride is said to be fake when defined. The manner that Skanda or emptiness becomes fake, the pride which is arising from Skanda, the emptiness too is fake. A noble ordinary person will become an unassuming being, says Scholar Nagarjunapadayp in Rathnaveli.

There is no doubt that Maharagama Dhammasiri thera became an unassuming person having had understood the philosophy of emptiness. The manner that the branches of a tree full of fruits bend down, the thera too has suppressed his pride.

This un-blemished character while shouldering many responsibilities in the capacities as Viharadikari of Maharagama Bhikkhu Training Centre, Viharadhipathi of Washington Vihara and Chief Sanganayake of North America and motivated for humane service will complete 50 years this month, as a Bhikkhu. In recognition of his service the Sasana Sevaka Samithiya of Maharagama Dharmayatanaya and Janavijaya Foundation have organised a series of religious events.

I wish Ven Dhammasiri thera long life to serve hundred years in Bhikkhuhood with the Blessings of the Triple Gem.

Jeevyath Preethya Sukang Shasvad
Pararthakerane rathang
-Weihene Pannaloka Maha thera
Rajakeeya Pundit, Sri Sumangala Vidyawathansagha Chief Sanga Nayake, Canada