Sri Lankan monk who became a beacon to America

Sisira Wijesinghe

Ven. Dr. Katugasthota Uparathana Thera, Chief Sanganayaka of North America, is the Founder of Veatin International Buddhist Centre, and lecturer in Sinhala at the Official Language Department of America.

The third son born to parents Jamis Dias Pandigama and Weerasinghe Arachchige Sanuhamy of the village called Diyabeduma of Polonnaruwa was of extraordinary mental capacity from his very early childhood. As the third child in a family of 12 brothers and sisters before long he realized the responsibility he has towards his family and which fact itself made him think in righteousness way, and show good behaviour.

He more often meditated on futile bond that hovered around the life of a person. The result of every incident brought forth a question to him. When he was a youth his mind was attracted towards one single clear objective.

Primary education

While pursuing primary education at Irahanda Ketuvewa Vidyalaya, Diyabeduma, this lad was fortunate enough to reach his noble objective. Though there are no short cuts to virtues the lad A.W. Pandigama was destined to enter the noble path.

This mission was made possible when he met Most Venerable Kiribathkumbure Sonuththara Nayaka Thera who had been related to this youth and taken by the Nayaka Thera to Malandeniya Sri Vijayaramaya of Mavathagama. He never thought that his departure for asceticism would be the first step towards illuminating the world with the light of Dhamma. This child, while studying at Maldeniya Vidyalaya was taken by Ven. Marudeniya Rathnapala, a disciple of Sonuththara Nayaka Thera to Bodhirukkarama at Ranwalagedera of Kurunegala. As a result the child was ordained at the temple on November 17, 1966 by the name of Katugasthota Uparathana Thera who received his higher education at both Kurunegla Maliyadeva Vidyarakshaka Maha Pirivena and University of Kelaniya, imparted his knowledge of Dhamma to Buddhist people in Sri Lanka.

Making the Buddha's teaching “Charatha Bhikkane Charikan Bahujana Hithaya Bhaujana Sukaya a reality most Ven. Katugasthota Uparathana Nayaka Thera arrived in America in May 1981. This was on an invitation by the then Chief Incumbent of Washington Buddhist Vihara, Dr. Henepola Gunarathana Thera.

After serving the Buddhist community in Washington for eight long years, Nayaka Thera entered the Columbia University for higher studies. It is praiseworthy that the Thera amply realized the value of knowledge and responsibilities of a Buddhist monk, shared such knowledge with the world.

Sri Lankan identity

From 1989 the Nayake Thera functioned as Advisor on Buddhism and meditation at the University of America and also as a lecturer in the Sinhala language in the Official Language Department of America.

The Nayake Thera has undertaken many programmes for the propagation of Buddhism in America and also held a number of high positions in that country.

In 1996, the Nayake Thera established the International Buddhist Centre in the State of Maryland and carried out several programmes to promote Buddhism and protect the Sri Lankan identity.

In a society where Buddhism and priesthood are betrayed for personal gains, the Nayake Thera spent his wealth and time for the benefit of others. This fact cannot be hidden from anybody who closely associates him.

The prime objective of this monk is to assist underprivileged students in remote difficult areas of Sri Lanka and those deprived sections of our people in America, with the help of Sri Lankan well-wishers who live in that country.

Among meritorious programmes launched by Ven. Uparathana, are the 'Mayurapura Housing Scheme' in Hambantota, donation of contact lenses to the Kurunegala General Hospital, scholarships to students affected by the tsunami and providing financial assistance to needy Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka are worth mentioning. Establishment of 'Katugasthota Foundation' and Uparathana Paaramitha Foundation with a view to rendering Saasanika, religious and social service to Sri Lankan society are other praiseworthy steps initiated by the Thera.

Most Venerable Uparathana Thera may you live long to propagate the Dhamma the world over.

The writer is the Media Secretary to the Prime Minister