Most Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Maha Nayaka Thera:

Devoted life to uplift Buddha Sasana

by Dr. K.D.G. Wimalaratne

On the occasion of unveiling a statue of Most Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Thera, on the 8th September 2012, by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, it is befitting to look back of the career and achievements of this sage who devoted his whole life in the uplift of the Buddha Sasana.

Distinguished lineage

The family beginning of the Pujitha Gunawardena goes back to Pujitha Gunasekara Arachiege Abeyhami and Andiris in the 18th century, when the Kandyan King Rajadhi Rajasinghe (1782-1798), bestowed the honorific titles, viz; Dheerasekara Arachi, Wasala Arachchi and the clan name, Pujitha Gunawardena, meaning "Respected for developing virtues" on Pujitha Gunasekara Archchige Don Adrian who married Sitinamaluwe Palliya Guruge Manikka. Grand child of this marriage, viz; Don Louis Pujitha Gunewardena married Hewaveraduwage Konnehami Wijeratne and had five children, the second in the family being, James Carolis Pujitha Gunawardena, also called "Maha Iskole Mahatmaya" who married Bella Angelina Dheerasekara, the parents of Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Maha Nayaka Thera.

The monk was born in the village Madihe, within the Four Gravets of Matara district. The happy parents produced two sons and three daughters, according to the father's wishes, named them Charlotte Stella, Charles Linden,Thomes Sansi, Arlot Kinsor and the youngest, Benson Wilmot, who was born on June 21st, 1913.

The paternal and maternal lineages of Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Thera produced eminent scholars such as Madihe Siri Sumitta Dhammkkandha Thera of the Pujitha Gunawardene family circle, who was the author of the poetical version of Ummagga Jataka, Sutanu Jataka, Daladapuda etc. and Carolis Pujitha Gunawardena (1854-1926), was associated in the designing of the Buddhist Flag, on 17th April 1885.

The Thera's maternal lineage also associated with a Sinhala scholar of the same period, viz; Disneris Dias Dhirasekera who was the author of "Vanadesi Sandesa" a political work. He was the storekeeper of the salterns of Hambantota, Kirinda and Bundala. The mother of Ven. Madihe Pannasiha, mentioned above was the daughter of Disneris Dias Dirasekera.

Although Pujitha Gunawardena and Dhirasekera families were devoted Buddhists, James Carolis Pujitha Gunawardena, Head Teacher of Methodist School, Paramulla, Matara, happened to be a Methodist. According to the autobiography of Ven. Madihe Pannasiha, the father became a Methodist, in order to hold a teaching post in a missionary school, as it was the order of the time. He lived and died as a Methodist, and was buried in the Madihe cemetery. The Methodist father spent his time for his teaching profession, while the Buddhist mother was engaged in brining up her children, according to the Buddhist way of life. As there was no Buddhist temple at the locality at that time, a temple was put up in a portion of land gifted by the Methodist father.

A separate Buddhist worshipping room was in existence in the house, and the preaching of Dhamma and alms giving to Buddhist were done. Occasionally, The Methodist priest made visits to the house, and they performed their religious observances in the house without creating any problems in the household.

Education

Benson Wilmot commenced his education in the English medium at St.Thomas' Girls High School, Matara, till 10 years of age, and was admitted to St.Thomas' Boys High School, Matara. Arrangements were made to send him to Mahinda College, Galle, where his elder brother, Charles Linden was attending, but owing to a sudden sickness, he could not remain at Mahinda and the mother insisted that he should be admitted to St. Thomas', Matara. The father spoke to the principal of this school and admitted him to that school.

At the age of 13 years he demonstrated an enthusiasm to enter the Buddhist order. The mother rushed to Devagiri Viharaya and met Ven. Weragampita Revata Maha Thera.

The Guru Deva of Ven. Palane Vajiragnana Maha Nayaka Thera, who very much liked that the young boy should be ordained under him, as Devagiri Vihara was founded by the descent of the Pujitha Gunawardena family, viz; Madihe Siri Sumitta Dhammakkhanda Maha Thera. Father of this Thera was Jacovis Pujitha Gunawardena.

Ordination

The ordination ceremony was held at Devagiri Vihara, Kamburugamuwa on June 24, 1926, in the presence of a gathering of relations and well wishers. The noted absentees were his father, and elder brother who were indisposed. At the ordination, Benson Wilmot was named "Madihe Pannasiha".

Ven. Palane Vajiragnana Thera, who was residing at Vajiraramaya, Bambalapitiya, visited his Guru and seeing Madhih Pannasiha. The young Samanera monk, decided to remove him to Bambalapitiya on January 26, 1927. The young monk came to reside at Vajirarama and received a Buddhist education, appropriate to lead a life of a true disciple of the Buddha.

Madihe Pannasiha received the higher ordination at Polwastuganga Seema Malaka, near Gangaramaya, Palene, on June 9th 1933, under the tutelage of Pelane Vajiragnana Maha Nayake Thera.

Vidya Visharada Title

The Colombo University College commenced a course of training, Diploma of "Vidya Visharada". Many who held the title "Rajakeeya Pandit" followed this course.

However, at the final examination Madihe Pannasiha Thera, fared better than some of his colleagues in the class. He also passed the first examination of "Prachena Pandit" in 1935.

Elected Maha Nayaka

On November 27th 1955, an election by secret ballot was held at Vajiraramaya, Bambalapitiya to select the Mahanayaka Thera to succeed Ven. Palane Vajiragnana Thera. Accordingly, Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Thera was elected the Maha Nayaka of the Amarapura Siri Dharmarakkitha Sect. The certificate of appointment of Maha Nayaka was handed over by the most elderly Maha Thera of the Nikaya, viz; Ven. Ahangama Wimalasara Nayaka Thera.

At the request of Sir Cyril de Zoysa and late R. Premadasa, former President of Sri Lanka and M.M.C. Colombo at the time, united all sects of the Amarapura Nikaya. The first United Vinaya Karma was held at Maharagama on 13-7-1969. Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Thera was made the third head of the United Amarapura Nikayas in 1985.

Buddhist committee

In April 1954 a committee was appointed by the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress composed of members from Buddhist clergy and the laity, in order to ascertain salient facts regarding the conditions and ways of Buddhist life. Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Thera was among the members of that committee, which issued its report on 4th February 1956, recommending important proposals to the Government on the development of Buddhism in the country.

Buddha Sasana Committee

The Governor General, Sir Oliver Goonethilake appointed a sasana commission on March 4, 1957, under chairmanship of Ven. Kalukondayave Pannasekera Maha Nayaka Thera and Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Thera was also a member of that commission which issued its report after visiting Buddhist countries abroad.

The valuable proposals of this report made the Thera to understand the plight of the Buddhists and their Education. He advocated that all assisted schools to be taken over by the Government and make all poya days public schools holidays instead of Sundays. This was accepted by the Government and gave effect on 1st January 1966.

National issues and Nayaka Thera

The Dudley Senanayake - Chelvanayakam Pact on 24.03.1965 which proposed Regional Councils (Rata Sabha) for Sri Lanka was opposed by Madihe Pannasiha Thera and Dudley Senanayake had to withdraw the Bill after discussing the adverse repercussions of the Bill with Maha Nayake Thera.

On all National Issues such as Insurrection of 1971, ethnic issues, educational and religious, the Thera advised the leaders with good intentions safeguarding the interests of the majority Sinhala Buddhist, while preserving the rights of the minorities. He always advocated the unity of the Sinhalese would lead to the unity of the whole Nation.

Sasana Sevaka Samithiya

The society was established on 21st July 1957, with the able assistance of Ven. Ampitiye Rahula Thera, in order to train Buddhist monks, propagate Buddhism all over the world, fashion the laity to accustom with the Buddhist way of life, and to make Sri Lanka a Dharma Dvipa once again. His prime motto was "To refine and discipline man to develop the country". The Thurunu Saviya and Dharmavijaya Foundation were the instruments to achieve this goal.

Buddhist preacher and writer

His aim was to propagate Buddhism not only in this country but also abroad. He visited many countries such as China, Nepal, and U.S.A. to name a few. In U.S.A. he established Viharas and carried out the task of enlightening the foreigners interested in Buddhist philosophy. Maha Nayaka Thera was a great exponent of Buddhism, with a simple style and an in-depth analysis. His profound knowledge in Sinhalese, Pali and Sanskrit helped him to analyse difficult understanding of Buddhist philosophy. The Maha Nayaka Thera was not only a theorist on Buddhist philosophy, but to a great extent a practitioner of the Buddhist way of life.

The Thera was not only a popular preacher, but also a prolific writer,. He wrote many books and articles, which were thought provoking and contained a mine of information. His fearlessness in expressing views on national matters and his devotion to a cause made him a respected Buddhist monk.

In his ninth year of remembrance on 8th September 2012, the ideal way of remembering this noble of Sri Lanka, would be to continue what the Maha Nayaka Thera advocated for a united Sri Lanka and as Island of Dharma Dvipa, where right, justice and peace will prevail.

May the Maha Nayaka Thera, attain the sublime bliss - Nibbana!

(The writer is a retired Director of the National Archives.)