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.

Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala Thera- The newly appointed
Chief Sangha Nayake of Great Britain |
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. |