Fifth death anniversary of Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Nayaka Thera:

The exemplary monk of the Buddhist Order

by Ven. Madihe Sugathasiri Thera

In the history of our nation we often come across illustrious Buddhist prelates who have exhibited their patriotism , excellent leadership., debating acumen and erudition and also those who rendered yeomen service for the uplift of Pirivena and Buddhist education in this country.

Among those whose names had been etched in our glorious past were Asarana Sarana Saranankara Sangharaja Thera, Wariyapola Sumangala, the patriotic bhikkhu who vehemently protested against the British rule in Kanda Uda Rata, Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thera of Panadura, debater par excellence educationists like Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala and Ratmalane Sri Dhammarama Nayaka Theras and many others.

In recent times Bambalapitiya Vajirarama became the focal point from where Buddhist missions were undertaken to propagate the “Buddha vachana’ in many countries both in the East as well as the West, trained by the most venerable Pelane Sri Vajiragnana Maha Nayaka Thera, himself an exponent of the Tripitaka Buddha Dhamma.

These missions became a reality when Bhikkhus like Narada Maha Thera, Piyadassi Maha Thera and others toured the length and breadth of the countries abroad focusing energies on the actual practice of the sublime Dhamma in daily life.

While the senior monks were on missionary activities the Ven Madihe Pannasiha Thera remained in the temple learning the rudiments of the Dhamma under the tutelage of the Nayaka Thera, Ven. Vajiragnana. In later years, he became a well-known figure both here and abroad not only for his erudition but also for his piety and strict observation of the vinaya.

He was born in Madihe, a village in Matara on June 21, 1913 as the youngest member of the Pandita Gunewardena family. His father was James Carolis Pandita Gunewardena and Bella Angelika Dherasekara was his mother. His father named him Tennyson Wilmot.

He started his schooling at Paramulla Methodist Mixed School where his father was the Principal. His father was a Christian by faith while the mother was an ardent Buddhist. This mixed marriage of the parents did not deter the children becoming Buddhists following the footsteps of the mother.

While still a very young child Wilmot displayed a love for religious activities arising from the close anociation of his mother with the Buddhist temple in the neighbourhood. He was ordained a monk in 1926 at Devagiri Vihare, Kamburugamuwa with the Weragampita Siri Revata Maha Thera being his Acharya. He was named Madihe Pannasiha.

After six months of primary monastic training and education at the feet of his teacher, he was sent to Vajirarama for further training.

At this renowned academic centre under the guidance of Ven. Palane Vajiragnana Thera he studied the tenets of the Buddha Dhamma with aplomb. He received his higher ordination in 1933. The scholarly writings of the Ven. Thera on many subjects of current interest are a true testimony to his eminence as a scholar.

Dharmayatana at Maharagama which provides training for Bhikkhus far and wide is a living symbol of his dedication, foresight and leadership. Today, it is known nationally and internationally as a centre of Buddhist learning and propagation. Ven Pannasiha has produced a very distinguished set of pupil monks who are rendering a great service here as well as in foreign countries.

The Most Venerable Madihe Pannasiha Nayaka Thera was appointed as the Maha Nayake of the Amarapura Sri Dharmarakshita Nikaya. He may have been one of the youngest to hold the prestigious position. The Ven.

Pannasiha Thera has travelled widely in India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, the United States, Canada, Europe, Indonesia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom on Dharmaduta missions and at times to set up temples in those countries.

None of the high positions he has held in the order of monks had affected Ven. Thera in leading the life of a pious and simple monk discharging his duties to lay disciples as well as to Buddhist monks.

It is said that the Mahanayaka had compassion for insects. He used to feed black ants by keeping a plate full of sugar daily in his room. He was involved in many religious and social activities and was fearless in expressing his views on matters affecting the people and the country irrespective of the rank or the position of the persons he was addressing.

Sri Lanka has lost a true patriot, a Buddha Putra who steadfastly believed, first, the man should be built before the country.’’ Today, Sri Lanka has become poorer with the passing away of the saintly pious, simple, upright and fearless monk accessible to all.

A Pinkama to mark the fifth anniversary of the demise of the Most Venerable Mahanayaka of the Amarapura Nikaya, Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Nayaka Thera was held at the Sri Varjiragnana Dharmayatana, Maharagama on September 7.

(The writer is the Research Assistant of Post Graduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya.)