Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala Thera:

To follow in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessor

By Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Nayaka Thera

As far as I know, till about the 1970s there was only one Buddhist monastery in England with Sri Lankan Buddhist resident monks. That was the London Buddhist Vihara. The situation has rapidly changed since then, and at present there are over fifteen such Buddhist monasteries.

Besides these monasteries where Sri Lankan Buddhist monks reside, and there are numerous other Buddhist monasteries belonging to different schools and traditions of Buddhism; Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana.

These are located in different regions of England. Unlike before, now Buddhist missionary activities are vibrantly operating in England as well as in Europe. In each of these monasteries there are fair numbers of resident monks.

The original objective in establishing Buddhist monasteries in England was to impart the Buddha’s teaching to the Westerners. However, this objective has now got widened and Buddhist monasteries function as the main centres that provide all religious services to expatriate Sri Lankans. This is understandable.

On the one hand, it is these Sri Lankan Buddhist expatriates that support and patronize these monasteries where Sri Lankan monks reside. On the other, these monks duty bound to provide the religious services needed by them.

Besides, it is only through these monasteries that are in a position to educate and enlighten the second and third generation members of these expatriates about their distinct identity.

Hence, these monasteries usually organize numerous activities and programs to achieve this objective. This is why almost all such monasteries conduct Dhamma Schools, classes to teach Sinhala language and dancing, music etc. of Sri Lankan origin, and also hold Vesak celebrations, New Year celebrations, Independence celebrations etc.

In spite of these new trends and developm ents the London Buddhist Vihara has not deviated from the original purpose and objective. It has and is always focused on Buddhist missionary activities to bring Buddhism close to the Western people.

This is very well seen from the yeoman services rendered by pioneer resident monks such as Ven. Dr. Paravahera Vijiragnana Nayaka Thera, Ven. Mirisse Gunasiri Nayake Thera, Ven. Piyadassi Nayake Thera. The services rendered in this regard by Ven. Professor Hammalawa Saddhatissa Nayaka Thera is excemplary.

With his affable nature and his eloquence as a preacher and a teacher he was able to fulfil his objective in a commendable manner. Being a renowned scholar, he was able to secure in Universities and also to compile valuable treatise on Buddhist, thus bringing the Buddha’s message to a large educated western audience and a wide circle of readers.

At that time there were not many Buddhist monks is England and, hence, there was no practice of conferring Nayake-ships on them. However, an exception was made in the case of Ven. Professor Hammalawa Saddhatissa Nayaka Thera. He was held in such high esteem by all three sects of Sri Lanka, namely, Siyam, Amarapura and Ramanna, he was appointed by total consensus of all three sects as the Sangha Nayaka of Europe and Great Britain.

Ven. Dr. Medagama Vijaranana Nayaka Thera succeed Late Ven. Professor Saddhatissa.

The Malwatta chapter of the Siyam Maha Nikaya appointed him the Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain. Ven. Dr. Vajiranana was a Buddhist missionary in the true sense of the word. While attending to the daily routine work of the Vihara, he showed special concern and interest in missionary activities in the Western World.

As he was well equipped for this purpose, he quite successfully performed missionary activities and contributed immensely for the spread of Buddhist in the West.

His stature as a missionary was such that it was not an easy task to find a successor to him when he passed away leaving the Headship of the London Buddhist Vihara vacant.

The Anagarika Dharmapala Foundation did the right thing by appointing Ven. Bogoda Seelawimal as the Head of the London Buddhist Vihara. This Venerable was really the protege of Ven. Dr. Medagama Vajiranana. The experience he gained working under the guidance of Ven. Dr. Vajiranana has stood in good steed for him.

This is clearly seen from the way he is handling the affairs of the London Buddhist Vihara, as well as the dedicated services he is rendering to manage the affairs of the Buddhist Society in conducting a Theravada Buddhism course and the annual workshop under the auspices of this society. In fact, it is Ven. Seelawimala who has for a long time being engaged in conducting meditation programmes in the Vihara.

These programmes as well as his weekly Dhamma classes and discussions speak eloquently for his capability and commitment to his onerous undertaking.

In fact the decision of the Executive Committee of the Malwathu Chapter of the Siyam Maha Nikaya to appoint Ven. Seelawimala to the esteemed position of Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain that fell vacant with the demise of Ven. Dr. Medagama Vajiranana is very appropriate and highly commendable.

This really will serve as an inspiration to Ven. Seelawimala from whom much can be expected in the future.

I bless Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala on his esteemed appointment and wish him strength and courage to discharge the onerous duties of his new high position and also to continue the exemplary services rendered by his illustrious predecessor.