Prof Bellanwila Wimalaratane Thera is 71:

A beacon of light

Premasara Epasinghe

Most of the names of our villages, cities and towns become popular when they are linked with the names of outstanding, scholarly learned, noble and pious Buddhist monks.

For example Totagamuwa with Rahula, Balangoda with Ananda Maitriya, Madiha with Pannasiha, Walpola with Dr Rahula, Weliwitiya with Soratha, Kotagama with Dr Vachissara, Mawittara with Revata, Ittepana with Dhammalankara, Kotugoda with Dhammavasa, Pallegama with Hemaratana, Aluthwewa with Soratha etc. The list goes on.

The name of Bellanwila and the two Buddhist renowned monks- Dhammaratana and Wimalaratana are inseparable.

These two names are closely linked with the name Bellanwila. Another important feature, is that they are brothers.

Rarely or sometimes, it may be the first time in the Sasana's history that two members – two brothers of the same family who are educated, entered the Order and serving Buddha Sasana in a big way.

Professor (Dr) Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera of Bellanwila Temple, Anu Nayake of Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagridharma Maha Sangha Sabhawa of Shyamopali Maha Nikaya will be 71 years on April 14.

His parents were Omathage Paul Perera of Bellanwila and Pallage Dona Buthsilana de Silva of Panadura.

They were blessed with six sons, namely Oliver, Tudor, Herbert (Ven Bellanwila Dhammaratana Thera), Gilbert (Professor (Dr) Bellanwila Wimalaratna Thera, Edmund and Kapila. The parents were so fortunate and accrued a great merit in their Samsaric journey in donating two of their sons to Buddha Sasana.

Today, they are exemplary Buddhaputras, who are committed to uplift Buddhism, here and abroad.

Venerable Bellanwila Dhammaratana Thera is the elder brother of Professor Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera.

He is the Chief Sanghanayake of Singapore and the patron of the Buddhist library in Singapore.

Gilbert Perera (Ven Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera) first attended Vijayaraja Vidyalaya, Nikape, Dehiwala and later for higher studies he attended Piliyandala MMV Piliyandala.

He entered the Order at the historic Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya on February 28, 1958. His Teacher or Guru Hamuduruwo was the great personality Nayake Thera, late Bellanwila Somaratana, who ushered the “Golden Era of this Temple”.

Dr Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera received higher ordination about 50 years ago.

He held the position of Principal of Paramadhamma Chetiya Pirivena, Ratmalana, lecturer at Teachers Training College for Buddhist Monks, visiting lecturer of University of Sri Jayawardenapura (1980-81) and lecturer (1981-1995), associate professor at Sri Jayawardenapura University (1995-2003) and visiting professor at School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, UK (1997-98).

He obtained his PhD from the University of Lancaster, UK in 1980.

Ven Wimalaratana Thera was a brilliant academic.

After obtaining a BA (General) Degree in Pali, Sinhala and Economics at Vidyalankara University in 1965, he obtained an Honours Degree in Pali language and Literature from University of Vidyodaya, currently the University of Sri Jayawardenapura in 1972. Professor (Dr) Bellanwila Wimalaratana Nayake Thera served as a Board Member in many Academic and Social Institutions.

The learned monk, served as a Member of the senate, University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Member of the Board of Management, NIE, Member of Academic Committee, Buddhist and Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya, Secretary General of World Buddhist Sangha Council (from 2000), Chairman Sri Lanka Community Development Foundation, Bellanwila (from 1981).

Further, Dr Bellanwial Wimalaratana Nayake Thera served as the Secretary General of the Prestigious Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagridhamma Maha Sangha Sabhawa of Shyamopali Maha Nikaya from 1986 to 2009 and currently the Venerable monk is the Anu Nayake.

Added to it he is the President of the Sri Lanka Council of Religions for Peace.

Professor Dr Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera enriched Buddhist literature by writing many books in Sinhala and English. He also translated a number of books. Undoubtedly, Professor Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera is one of the great Buddhist scholars who wrote many books in Sinhala and English. He is a Venerable monk who contributed immensely for the propagation of Buddhism here and abroad.

Among the Research Publications and books he compiled in English were Buddhism Society and Environment (1989), Concept of Great Man in Buddhist Literature and Iconography, Singapore (1994), Buddhism among other Religions (2000) and Facets of Buddhism.

Erudite scholar monk Dr Wimalaratana wrote the following books in Sinhala: Buddha Sampradaya, Sanskrutiya (1984), Bududahama Saha Venat Agam (1989), Budupilimaya Mudra Saha Asana (1991), Buddha Pratima Kalava Saha Budupilimaye Vikashanaya (1995), Prajaparamitta Sahityaya (2001), Vihara Lipi Saraniya (2006), Bududahama – Sahityaya Saha Kalawa (2006), Budupilimayata Pera Buduhamuduruwo (2010) and Buddha Puda Puja Sanskrutiya (2013).

There are about four translations to his credit which are Anguttara Nikaya Sinhala Translation Volume I – 1990 (Co-Translator, K Narampanawa, Manasa Sinhala Translation of Mind Unshaken – Valters (1992), Samyutta Nikaya Translation (Co-Translator K Naranpanawa) (1987), Minisage Agama (2000).

Professor (Dr) Bellanwila Wimalaratana Nayake Thera is a bold and dynamic monk who always stands for fair play and justice. This learned monk is respected all over the world for his academic prowess and erudition. He is dynamic and committed to spread the Buddhist Doctrine all over the world. He is an eloquent Dhamma preacher.

This great Buddhaputra is also a social service worker and a good samaritan. The Community Development Foundation at the Bellanwila Temple was started by Dr Bellanwila Wimalaratana where they provide vocational education free of charge for school leavers. Affiliated to it is an Elders Daycare Centre.

The Bellanwila Temple conducts health camps monthly for the needy people. Then, there are Sunday schools in both Sinhala and English in the Temple premises. Once a year the Bellanwila perahera, one of the greatest cultural pageants in Colombo, is planned and organised under the stewardship of this learned monk.

The monies collected in the adjoining car park which amounts to millions of rupees annually, is deposited in a separate account and it is given to the needy for surgery and medical care.

Venerable Sir, on your 71st birthday I go down on my knees and worship you wishing you long life, reciting the last three stanzas from Jinapanjara.

Sabbava Mangala
Mupaddava Dunni – Mittam
Sabbiti Roga Gahadosa Masesa Ninda
Sabbantaraya Bhaya
Dussupinam Akantam
Buddhanu, Dhammanu Sanghanu Bhava
Pavarena Payatu Nasam

All ill-luck, misfortunes, ill-omens, diseases, evil planetary influences, blame, dangers, fears and undesirable dreams... May they all come to naught by the power of noble Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.

Chiran Jayatu!