Anunayake's State funeral tomorrow

Most Ven. Nauyane Ariyadhamma Thera

The Anunayake of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, Most Ven. Nauyane Ariyadhamma Thera who passed away recently, will be accorded a State funeral in appreciation of his service to the sasana. The cremation will take place tomorrow at the Parliamentary sports ground.

Most Ven. Nauyane Ariyadhamma Thera passed away at a private hospital in Colombo at the age of 78.

Born on April 24, 1939 to a traditional Buddhist family in Kurunegala, the Ven. Thera had his early education at the Nilagama Government school.

His father's close association with the bhikkus in forest monasteries inspired him to join the sasana. He received higher ordination in July 1951. An erudite scholar, the Ven. Thera studied Dhamma under the tutelage of several learned bhikkus.

He had acquired proficiency in Pali and Sanskrit and was well versed in Pali cannon and Pali commentaries. He was a teacher at the Sri Kalyani Yogaswara from 1965 to 1995, later registrar and finally spiritual adviser and head of the organization.

Mastering mediation under Ven. Sayadaw U. A. cinna at the Pa-Auk Meditation Centre in Myanmar, the Thera introduced the Pa-Auk meditation system to Sri Lanka on his return to the country.In recognition of his credentials in Dhamma and meditation, the Myanmar government bestowed on him the title Maha Kamma Nanacariya (Great Meditation Teacher). The Ramanna Nikaya too had conferred on him titles such as Tripitaka Vagiswarcharya and Mahopadya. He had authored over 100 books and booklets on Dhamma and meditation.