Felicitation to mark 85th birthday and 50 years in
US:
Thera devoted entire life to Dhamma propagation
Ven. Udawatte Nanda Nayake Thera
Born to Ekanayake Mudiyanselage Punchi Bandara Nilame and Herath
Mudiyanselage Lokumenike on October 07, 1927 in a family of seven in
Thumpane of Galagedara, the Ven Henepola Gunarathana Nayake Thera at his
young age received education in Dehideniya Primary College and
subsequently entered the monkhood under the tutelage of Ven. Karmacharya
Kiribathkumbure Sonuttara Mahanayake Thera, the incumbent of Malandeniya
Sri Vijayarama Pohoyamalu, Weuda, Kurunegala at the age of 14.
Ven Henepola Gunarathana Nayake Thera |
He received his primary education from Vidyasekera Pirivena, Gampaha
Bandiyamulla and entered Peliyagoda Vidyalankara Maha Pirivena for
higher education and subsequently received the Higher Ordination in 1947
at the Mangala Uposathagara Seema Malakaya of Malwatte Mahaviharaya. At
the invitation of Most. Ven. Madihe Pannaseeha Thera, Ven. Dr. Henepola
Gunarathana Thera visited the First Theravadi Buddhist Temple in
Washington – USA where he held the General Secretary post from 1968 to
1988 and ascended to the position of President there. During this period
Ven. Nayake Thera engaged in the propagation of the Buddhism in the USA
and several other countries.
Having admitted to a world renowned university in Washington Ven.
Nayake Thera penned a research book on Buddhist ways of meditation for
which work he was awarded a Doctorate and thereafter engaged in teaching
the Buddhism in George Town University and many other Universities for
more than 10 years as a lecturer.
The experience gathered through preaching the Buddhism and Vipassana
Meditation in almost every State of the United State of America made the
Ven. Nayake Thera think of the urgent need of a Training Centre to teach
Theravada Buddhism, which prompted the registration of a dedicated
Dhamma Centre with the government.
A portion of land located in Virginia more than 100 miles away from
Washington was purchased for the purpose in 1984 and an Aranya Senasana
was put up on a land in extent of 10 acres and later it was possible to
purchase some other portions of adjoining lands. This place consists of
a large meditation hall, a shrine room, a library, a conference hall and
accommodation for both bhikkus and bhikkunis.
Sri Lankan devotees residing in distant States visit this seat of
meditation with alms and beverages to be offered as was the practice in
Sri Lanka.
In appreciation of the religious mission performed by Ven. Henepola
Gunarathana Nayake Thera, the honorary title of ‘Sri Sonuttara
Gunarathana’ and the position of Chief Sanghanayake of America was
conferred on Ven Nayake Thera by the Most Venerable Mahanayake Anunayake
Karaka Sangha Sabhawa of Mahaviharaya Chapter of the Syamopali
Mahanikaya in 1996.
The government of Myanmar conferred the honorary title of ‘Aggamaha
Pandita’ on Ven. Gunarathana Thera.
Devoting the entire life for religious interests of the people living
in India, Malaysia, Europe, Australia and Africa the Most Ven. Nayake
Thera has undertaken a noble mission following the teachings of the
Buddha ‘Maniwatta Abhikkama’ (continue to proceed) facing many untold
hardships, being away from the motherland, with perseverance: making use
of every moment available for some productive purpose. Ven. Nayake Thera
wrote and published a number of books in English and Sinhala.
He has ordained more than 25 Americans and taught ‘Samatha’ and
‘Vipassana’ meditation to many people abroad.
A felicitation ceremony has been organized in appreciation of the
services rendered by Ven. Gunaratana Nayake Thera towards the
Buddhasasana of Sri Lanka and throughout the world by his first disciple
Ven. Katugasthota Uparathana Nayake Thera, incumbent of Maryland
Buddhist Temple in Washington, America, Dr. in Sinhalese Language and
Civilization – Foreign Affairs Ministry of the State Department of
America, Advisor of Buddhist Affairs in Washington American University
and the Chief Sanghanayake of America Ven. Talgaswewe Seelananda Thera
in collaboration with the Meditation Society Performance Board and the
subscribers in the vicinity of Washington along with ambassador of Sri
Lanka in Washington Jaliya Wickramasooriya, deputy ambassador Esala
Weerakoon and the staff.
An all night Pirith chanting was held on October 6 and an alms giving
(Dana) on the following day and a felicitation ceremony in the
afternoon.
The writer is an ex-parliamentarian, resident of Maryland Buddhist
Temple – Washington, North America. |