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Ven Pallegama Hemaratana Thera turns 59

The Chief Sangha Nayaka - Nuwara, Kelaniya and Viharadhipati, Chief Priest of the most venerated Ruwanweli Maha Seya, the pious, highly respected, dynamic and artistic monk Venerable Pallegama Hemaratana Thera, turned 59 on June 15.

Pallegama is a hamlet, bordering Dambulla and Anuradhapura in the Matale District. Most of the names of the island become famous, when that particular name of a village is linked or coined with a name of a pious, outstanding, erudite and scholarly Buddhist monk. Few examples are Weliwitiya-Soratha, Yakkaduwe Pragnarama, Kalukodayawa Pannasekera, Mawittara Sri Rewata, Bellanwila Dr Wimalaratana, Ittepana Dhammalankara and the list goes on.

The specialty of village Pallegama was that it produced a number of monks who became "Viharadhipatis of Atamastana", namely Thuparama, Jayashrimahabodhi, Ruwanweliseya, Lankarama, Abhayagiriya, Jetavanaramaya etc. Therefore, Pallegama and Anuradhapura Atamastana are inseparable. At present, Chief Incumbents or Viharadhipathis of Jayashrimaha Bodhi and Ruwanweliseya are Most Venerable Pallegama Sirinivasa and Pallegama Hemaratana Nayaka Theras respectively.

Most Venerable Pallegama Hemaratana Nayaka Thera's 59th birthday was on June 15. He was born on June 15, 1954. His parents were K. Kiribanda and Karuna Kumarihamy of Karadagolla Walauwa. They named this sweet little baby K W Nandasena. He had his education at Bulugala Junior School, Pelwehera Junior School Kandalama and Pallegama Siddhartha Maha Vidyalaya.

There was a Chieftain at Pallegama by the name of Wijekoon. Nandasena fondly addressed him as Arachchi Atta. He was a highly respected senior citizen of Pallegama. Wijekoon, was a very close associate of "Atamastanadhipati" of Anuradhapura at that time Most Venerable Pallegama Dhammarakkhita Nayaka Thera or the High Priest of the most venerated leading eight temples (Atamastana) of Anuradhapura.

Once, this famous Nayake Thera Dhammarakkhita, the High Priest, requested Weerakoon to find four boys from the village of Pallegama, to be ordained at Mahaviharaya, Anuradhapura. Wijekoon selected four boys. Out of this four, Pallegama Dhammarakkhita Thera picked two boys, namely Jayatilake and Nandasena.

Today, the elder boy Jayatilake is the Atamasthanadhipati High Priest in charge of the eight leading temples (Atamastanaya) of Anuradhapura. Nandasena, is the Viharadhipathi or the High Priest in charge of the world famous Religious Edifice - Ruwanweliseya or Swarnamali Maha Chaitya Rajaya.

Ven Pallegama Hemaratana Nayake Thera is a versatile and pious Buddhist monk. This dynamic Bhikku is a great social service worker, poet and a lyricist. He obtained a Degree in Archaeology from the University of Kelaniya.

This compassionate, kindhearted monk, Ven Pallegama Hemaratana Thera earlier, had his Pirivena Education at the Vidyodaya Pirivena, Maligakanda, Colombo.

Ven Pallegama Sirinivasa Thera "Atamasthanadhipati" and Ven Pallegama Hemarathana Nayake Priest of Ruwanweliseya, entered the order on the same day May 9, 1968. Further, these two obtained their Higher Ordination (Upasampada) also, on the same day July 5th, 1975.

From the advent of Buddhism, during the reign of Devanampiyatissa, Mahaviharaya in Anuradhapura became the epic centre of Theravada or Hinayana Buddhism. It enriched the lives of the people. A new civilization dawned. Culture, fine arts, sculpture and architecture flourished. They were nurtured by the tank (wewa) and pagoda (dagaba). During the time of Buddhagosha Thera's arrival at Mahavihara in the 5th century, Sinhala literature flourished.

Some of the books written during this period were Maha Attakatha, Maha Paccheriya Attakatha, Kurund, Attakatha, Sinhala Dhammapadatta Katha, Translations of Sutra, Sinhala Bodhivamsa and Sinhala Daladavamsa. Buddhagosha Thera, who wrote Visuddhi Magga once stated that he heard women singing melodious songs during the harvesting seasons.

Ven Pallegama Hemaratana Nayaka Thera was an extraordinary monk. He is a leading creative poet. His books of poetry were Pahana Nivi Dolosmahe (1988), Athithaya Sihinayak (2004), a collection of lyrics titled Seetala Gangula Wagai (2009).

At last year's film festival, Ven Pallegama Hemaratana Nayaka Thera won the Most Creative Lyric Writer's Award for the film "Mahindagamanaya", for the lyric - Sansare me bara podi evathalanne enne - Nivan mage doradhakinna enna enna enna pama novi enna .

This song is sung by reputed artist Karunaratne Divulgane, Governor of North Central Province and Uresha Ravihari. The Music Director was Rohana Weerasinghe.

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha's two chief disciples were Sariputta and Moggallana. They grew up together. They were known as Upatissa and Kolotha before entering the order. Similarly, Jayatilake and Nandasena were two close friends from the village of Pallegama. They entered the Buddhist Order as Venerable Pallegama Sirinivasa and Pallegama Hemaratana.

Today, Pallegama Hemaratana Nayaka Thera is the Chief Sanghanayake, Nuwara Kalawiya, Viharadhipathi Chief High Priest Ruwanweliseya and an Executive of Mahavihara Pirivena, Anuradhapura and a member of the Director Board of Mahavihara Project Anuradhapura.

On Pallegama Hemarathana Nayake Thera's 59th birthday, we worship him and wish him long life.

May the Triple Gem Bless you Venerable Sir!

Chiran Jayatu!

 

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