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| Sunday, 22 May 2005 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Anagarika Dharmapala : A shining light
Born on September 17, 1864 to a rich and influential family in Colombo, he was named Don David Hewavitarane. He was the son of H. Don Carolis and Mallika Hewavitarane. Even as a child, David lived his life according to the Buddhist way. Very soon, he came under the influence of two great Buddhist leaders of the time, Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera and Migettuwatte Sri Gunananda Thera. This made him develop a great attachment to Buddhist monks. In 1880, at the age of 16, David got an opportunity to meet Colonel Henry Steele Olcott and Madam Blavatsky, who were in the Buddhist movement. This meeting drew him to a life of religious dedication. In 1884, against the wishes of his father, Dharmapala, as he came to be known, was taken by Madam Blavatsky to Adyar. Later returning from India, he resided at the Theosophical Society Headquarters. In 1886 when Colonel Olcott and C.W. Leadbeater came to Sri Lanka to collect funds for the Buddhist Education Fund, Dharmapala was a junior clerk who had a sound knowledge of English, Sinhalese and Pali and, in addition, had mastered the Buddhist scriptures. Soon he joined Colonel Olcott and Leadbeater in their campaign to set up Buddhist schools. He gave up the wealth, prestige and the comforts of a home life and adopted the name Anagarika which means homeless. He also adopted the simple attire of a Buddhist devotee and became a religious propagandist. He visited remote villages through which he gained an insight into the difficult life patterns of local villagers. This made him realise the fact that the greatness of a nation depended mainly on the happiness and serenity of the rural villagers. Anagarika Dharmapala's services to Buddhism were many. The most outstanding aspect in his life was the active part he played to resuscitate Buddhism in Sri Lanka and his contribution to the nationalist movement. He campaigned for these worthy causes amidst difficulties.He first made his name internationally when he attended the World Parliament of Religion held in Chicago, USA in 1893. His vast knowledge of the Dhamma enabled him to win over many converts. Anagarika Dharmapala, whose foremost thoughts were the love for his country and religion, had a truly international outlook. His activities were not limited to the land of his birth; he inspired men and events of other countries as well. His untiring struggles in India to reclaim Buddha Gaya for the Buddhists is an outstanding example of his principles, transcending barriers of race and nationality. He was in the forefront of national and Buddhist movements for 47 years. He founded the Mahabodhi Society on May 31, 1891. His weekly publication, Sinhala Bauddhaya, was a powerful organ of Buddhist opinion, which guided and inspired the nation's religious and national campaigns. Anagarika Dharmapala worked tirelessly to create many charitable institutions, maintain hospitals and schools; and lay foundations for spreading Buddhism and help all those in need. He started publishing the splendid Buddhist journal The Mahabodhi in 1891. To continue his mission for the future generations, he established the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust in 1930, during which year he was also ordained as a monk. Anagarika Dharmapala's service is of much historical significance both to India and Sri Lanka, and even today, we are guided by some of his views. He died in 1933 at Saranath, India . ************* The American who revived Buddhism in Sri Lanka
Colonel Olcott was an American who came to Ceylon (as Sri Lanka was then known), and did a great service to restore Buddhism to its due place, and to set up schools for the education of Buddhist children. The Vesak month is the most appropriate time to write about him. It was on May 17, 1880, 125 years ago, that he set foot in Sri Lanka, stepping off a ship in Galle, which was the port of call for ships then. One of the first things he did was to go to the Wijayananda temple in Weliwatta, Galle and formerly become a Buddhist by repeating the thisarana and pansil. From that day onwards, he worked closely with the Buddhist monks and laymen who were working hard for the revival of the religion and the Buddhist way of life.Olcott realised that to achieve this goal, it was very necessary to educate the younger generation according to the teachings of the Buddha. At this time, education was in the hands of missionaries belonging to sects such as Anglican, Methodist and Roman Catholic. Col. Olcott was the prime mover in setting up the Buddhist schools - Mahinda College, Galle, Ananda College, Colombo and Dharmaraja College, Kandy. Olcott played a big role in getting the Government to declare the Vesak full moon day as a public holiday. He met the British Governor Sir Arthur Gordon and others, over the matter, and the holiday was declared in 1885. He also had a hand in the designing of the Buddhist flag which was hoisted for the first time on the historic Vesak Day, April 28, 1885. The flag that was first designed was narrow and long. Olcott pointed out that the width of the flag was not in proportion to its length and on his advice, the flag was redesigned to the dimensions we see now. The lighting of lamps in Buddhist homes on Vesak Day was also one of Olcott's ideas. What made Olcott come to this little known island, far off in the Indian Ocean? He had read in an American newspaper about the great debate of Panadura in 1873 between Buddhists and Christians, which had aroused his curiosity and urged him to come to Ceylon to help in the revival of Buddhism. He was at that time, a Theosophist. Theosophy was then a new movement following Hindu and Buddhist teachings, with universal brotherhood as the aim. The Southern States of the United States of America wanted to breakaway and form their own Confederation and started a war in April 1861. The then President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a state of insurrection and called for volunteers to fight the Southern States. Olcott, who was then 29 years old (he was born on August 2, 1832), joined the army and fought for the government. It was in recognition of his services in this war that he was made a Colonel. After working hard for two decades for the revival of Buddhism and to get the British Government to give Buddhists their rightful place in society, Colonel Olcott left for India and spent his last years at the Theosophical Society Headquarters in Adyar, Madras. He passed away on February 17, 1907. Before the Government took over schools in 1961, February 17 was a holiday for all Buddhist schools, as a mark of respect for, and in remembrance of,Olcott's service to Buddhist education. - Sumana Saparamadu |
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We have heard about many religious and national leaders who dedicated
their lives for the betterment of our Motherland. One such inspiring
leader was Anagarika Dharmapala. His noble life was committed to national
and religious causes which he served with a deep sense of patriotism. So
it is appropriate that we commemorate him this week. 
You may have seen a statue of a bearded man in front of the Fort
Railway Station, looking down on the stream of vehicles and pedestrians
travelling along Olcott Mawatha. He is Colonel Henry Steele Olcott, under
whom this road is named. 
