|
|
|
| Sunday, 5 February 2006 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Ven Pandit Rekadahene Chandajothi Nayaka Maha Thera felicitation by Sri Lal Kumarasiri It is a great privilege for me to write a few words about the exemplary life of Ven. Pandit Rekadahene Chandajothi Nayaka Maha Thera and his dedicated service rendered to the religion, the bhikku order and the society at large. The Nayaka Thera was born eight decades ago in January 24, 1920 in Rekadahena, Kahaduwa, a picturesque small village situated in the A.G.A's division Bentara - Elpitiya. He descends from a respectable Buddhist family and his father was Kariyawasam Bodhitantri Erolis Upasaka and mother named Nallaperuma Alpinona Upasika. Nayaka Thera entered the bhikku order at the age of nine and obtained higher ordination in siyam Maha Nikaya Malwathu Chapter in June 1941. His teacher was Ven. Ampegama Sri Piyadassi Maha thera, a very learned prelate who has written very valuable books on Dhamma, namely "Balawathara Shadakara Warnana", "Kachchayana Wakyawa", and "Kurudharma Jathaka" are some of his excellent literary work. Ven. Rekadahene Nayaka Thera was awarded and highly appreciated by the chief active committee of Sangha Sabha for his early literary work "Padyava bodhini Samathakuta wannana" handed over at the event of his higher ordination. He was a bright scholar at Vidyaloka Pirivena, Galle, under the guidance of great teacher, Ven. Pandit Weliwitiye Sri Punnasara Nayaka Maha Thera, He obtained his English education from the leading institutions such as Vidyaloka Vidyalaya, Galle, Gnanodaya Vidyalaya Kalutara, and Lawrence College, Colombo, He qualified for university education in 1948, in English medium. He was appointed as the Principal of Sastrodaya Pirivena Sanda Lankawa in 1950, where he was able to uplift the standard of the institution considerably. He could complete his academic qualifications at the University of Bihar, obtaining M.A. in Pali. Nayaka Thera served many leading Buddhist educational institutions such as Ananda College, Colombo, KU/Indulgoda Kanda M.V., G/Wanduramba Central College, and G/Ampegama M.V. as a teacher of Dhamma and also an instructor of English Language. The most outstanding master pieces of his literary work are the several books published in 1990s. Namely "Buddhism" its history and civilization and "Buddhist Concise Dictionary." Ven. Chandajothi's desire to engage in socio - economic activities remains unsaturated by organising scholarships to the children from low-income families, and scheme for free distribution of spectacles and organising health clinics. Ven. Chandajothi who has a rare combination of scholarships and love of
humanity, now completing on score years can truly be acclaimed as "Anuttaram
Punnakkhettam." |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
