Ven. B. Seelawimala:

The New Head of the London Buddhist Vihara

by Ven. Professor Bellanwila Wimalaratana Chancellor, Sri Jayawardhanapura University

London Buddhist Vihara is a hallowed centre of Buddhism in the Western world. Its Headship is indeed a position of much importance and prestige. This position which fell vacant after the passing away of Most Venerable Dr. Medagama Vijiragnana has now been filled by Ven. B. Seelawimala.

Appointed by Dharmapala Trust which is solely responsible for management of London Buddhist Vihara. He indeed is worthy of this appointment and it augurs well for the London Buddhist Vihara (L.B.V.) which is serving as the nerve centre of Buddhist activities in the Western World.

Ven. Seelawimala is from Bogoda, a remote village in the Kurunegala district. Being the son of devoted Buddhist parents and he himself being religiously inclined from childhood, entered the order at the age of 14 years under the tutorship of Ven. Balalle Seelaratana Nayaka Thera, the then chief incumbent of Palagala Purana Vihara at Polgahawela as well as the chief Adhikarana Sangha Nayaka of Dambadeni - Hatpsttuwa.

Thereafter in 1964 for his primary education he entered the Heramitigala Shastralankara Pirivena, Pilimatalawa and did his studies diligently under close supervision of its Principle Ven. Pinnawela Chandajothi Nayaka Thera, who happened to be a close relation of his.

As he was intelligent and diligent student, he obtained admission to the University of Peradeniya in 1971 and obtained the M.A. degree, studying under the well-known Professor of History Leslie Gunawardhana, working on a subject dealing with influence of Hinduism on Buddhism.

In the meantime he joined the teaching profession and served in number of schools including Hindagala Maha Vidyalaya and Dharmaraja College, Kandy.

It was in 1992, on the invitation of Most Ven. Dr. Medagama Vajiragnana, that Ven. Seelawimala opted to join the L.B.V. as a resident monk. There he was fortunate to come under the direct influence of two of most eminent scholar monk and Buddhist missionaries.

One was Ven. Professor Walpola Rahula, a constant visitor to the L.B.V. and the other Ven. Dr. Vajiragnana himself an experienced dhammaduta. Under their guidance and direction Ven. Seelawimala soon sharpened his qualities as a Dhammaduta and well sought after Dhamma communicator.

In the meantime he utilizing his experience regarding Buddhist meditation which he primarily obtained under the well-known Meditation Master Godwin Samararatne of Nillabe, began teaching meditation to Britishers.

To further his acquaintance with meditation he trained under most Ven. Dr. Henepola Gunarathana Nayaka Thera at his Meditation Center in Western Virginia. Thus he equipped himself to serve larger number of devotees who sought his advice and guidance. Ven. Seelawimala is a very affable and modest bhikku who normally shuns publicity.

He is a silent worker who does his best, committed to discharging duties vested upon him. He is little known though he is actively associated with a number of societies in Britain, and is a sought after speaker at schools and university forum on Buddhism and affiliated subjects.

He is also a scholar monk who has contributed a number of articles to reputed journals and serves as the Buddhist chaplain in the West Middlesex University Hospital and Ealing Hospital. Besides, he serves as the secretary of the Sri Lankan Sangha Council in Britain.

The experience he did gain under the able Headship of his predecessor Most Ven. Dr. Medagama Vajiragnana, as the Deputy Head (L.B.V. - since 2002) and Acting Head (L.B.V. after the demise of his predecessor) will certainly stand in good stead for him to successfully navigate the flagship of Buddhist activities in the western world namely, the London Buddhist Vihara.

We invoke upon the blessing of the Triple Gem to enable him to be dynamic and far-sighted in carrying forward the good service he is already engaged in.