Appreciation for a unique personality: Dr. Welamitiyawe Sri Kusaladhamma Nayake Thera

By Eng. Dimuthu Punsara Colambage

Lecturer, University of Moratuwa

punsarauom@gmail.com

The Most Venerable Tripitakavageeshwaracharya, Upadhyaya, Aggamahasaddhammajotikadhaja, Dr. Welamitiyawe Dharmakeerthi Sri Kusaladhamma Nayake Thera, Parivenadhipathi and Director of Vidyalankara Pirivena, Peliyagoda and Chancellor of University of Kelaniya, Chief Sangha Nayake of Colombo- Chilaw two divisions who passed away after a brief illness at the age of 84, the funeral is scheduled to take place at the Independence Square today (31) with full state honours. The nayake thera was a prelate having led an exemplary life of a disciplined and selfless religious leader can be described as a great prelate who was prudent, wise, erudite and learned in the Dhamma according to the discourse of the Buddha.

Ven. Thera was a great prelate endowed with a unique personality of his own. Over 30 years he had provided the leadership to Vidyalankara Pirivena, Peliyagoda, the crest jewel of Education for the Buddhist monks. He was a great Buddhist prelate who has rendered an enormous religious service over a long period of seventy years to uplift the Buddhist education in Sri Lanka. He was the guide of all religious and socio-cultural activities launched in affiliation with Vidyalankara tradition.

Vidyodaya Pirivena in Maligakanda and Vidyalankara pirivena in Peliyagoda are the two main reputed Buddhist educational institutions in the country. Vidyalankara pirivena was founded on Nov 1, 1875, by Most. Ven. Ratmalane Sri Dharmaloka Maha Thera, a prominent Buddhist scholar in 19th century. The parivenadhipathi position was succeeded by great scholars of Most Ven. Ratmalane Sri Dharmarama Nayake Thera, Lunupokune Sri Dharmananda Nayake Thera, Kiriwattuduwe Sri Pragnasara Nayake Thera, Yakkaduwe Sri Pragnarama Thera and Nattandiye Sri Pragnakara Nayake Thera. The seventh parivenadhipathi position was conferred to our speaker, the Most Ven. Sri Kusaladhamma Nayake Thera in 1990.

Vidyalankara Pirivena has functioned over period of 146 years as a great seat of Buddhist learning which has spread its fame not only Sri Lanka but also over the world. The pirivena is carved the name in gold as a reputed centre of education renaissance of Sri Lanka. As one of the main Buddhist educational institutes, the pirivena has contributed for the betterment of the country, nation, Buddhism and oriental studies including Sinhala, Pali, Sanskrit languages. They have initiated a separate tradition in their academic works which is called as Vidyalankara tradition. Ven Kusaladhamma Nayake thera tried his best to protect and continue the Vidyalankara tradition to future.

Eighty-four years ago, on Feb 20, 1937 a son was born to the family of Palihawadana Arachchilage John Sinyo and Ratnayake Mudiyanselage Gunamalethana who were residing at the village of Welamitiyawa in Kurunegala district. He was the third of the family with seven children and named as Tikiri Banda. It may be due to the merits accumulated over a ling cycle of Sansara, Little Tikiri Banda was destined to enter the Buddhist order of Sangha at a later date and handed over his responsibilities to Hurukgamuwe Gunaratana thera, chief incumbent of Hurukgamuwa Raja Maha Viharaya. Due to the untiring efforts of Most Ven. Yakkaduwe Sri Pragnarama Nayake Thera, then parivenadhipathi of Vidyalankara Pirivena, little boy was taken to Vidyalankara Pirivena,.

The boy was lucky to see and participate to the prestigious tripitaka sangayana in Vidyalankara Pirivena in 1950s. At the end of Tripitaka Sangayana, he was ordained as a novice monk under the tutelage of Most Ven. Kiriwattuduwe Sri Pragnasara Nayake Thera, parivenadhipathi of Vidyalankara Pirivena and first vice chancellor of Vidyalankara University. At the pirivena, he was able to enrich his young life as a buddhist monk in close association and company of most learned and celebrated Buddhist monks of caliber of Ven. Kotahene Pagnakeerti Thera, Walpola Rahula Thera, Bambarende Siri Seewali Thera, Hedipannala Pragnaloka Thera, Degammeda Sumanajoti Thera, Etulgama Dewarakkitha Thera etc. The novice monk was higher ordinated at Malwathu Maha Viharaya, Kandy in 1957.

When Vidyalankara pirivena was elevated to the university level in 1959, Ven. Kusaladhamma Thera was eligible to enter the university as a member of the first student intake due to the excellent academic records in piriven life. After completing the Bachelor of Art degree in Sinhala, he was invited to the academic staff in the university. Ven. Thera refused the invitation and started his career as a teacher of his own alma mater, Vidyalankara Pirivena in 1963. Later he was appointed as the inaugural director of Pannipitiya Vidyalankara Pirivena, an affiliated branch pirivena of his almamater.

In 1983 Ven. Kusaladhamma thera was nominated to the next parivenadhipathi position by Vidyalankara council due to the recommendation Most. Ven. Yakkaduwe Pragnarama Nayake Thera., After the demise of of Ven. Pragnarama thera In 1986, Ven. Kusaladhamma thera was eligible to become the head master of the pirivena, but paying respect to the teachers, Ven. Kusaladhamma thera handed over the parivenadhipathi position to Nattandiye Pragnakara Nayake Thera, one of his teachers who was alive in those days. Thus, Kusaladhamma thera was appointed as the director of the pirivena.

In 1990, Ven Pragnakara thera was passed away and then Ven. Welamitiyawe Sri Kusaladhamma thera was elevated to the parivenadhipathi position. The supreme sangha council of Malwatta chapter of siam sect conferred the prestigious positions of Chief Sanghanayake of Colombo Chilaw two divisions and Upadhyaya position with ‘Tripitaka Vageeshwaracharya’ and ‘Dharma Keerthi Sri’ titles. As the chief monk of western Sri Lanka, Ven. Nayake thera rendered a great leadership to the Sri Lankan sangha community. While serving as the Upadhyaya of Malwathu Maha Viharaya, he hold the leadership of upasampada ceremonies of thousands of novice monks.

Ven. Thera was appointed as the chancellor of Kelaniya University in 1997 by the President of Sri Lanka. Kusaladhamma thera made the reputation of the names of Vidyalankara pirivena and Kelaniya university known world ever. In addition to being the principal and director of Vidyalankara Pirivena, Nayake thera became the chief incumbent of more than 40 temples including Ratmalana Purana Viharaya, Hunupitiya Wijayasundararamaya, Waragoda Bodhirukkharamaya, Keragala Padmawathi Pirivena, Dematagoda Dharmaprasada Viharaya, Nattandiya Vidyaratna Pirivena, Galahitiyawa Weluwanaramaya, Batapota Sarananda Pothgul Viharaya, Gonawala Wardhanaramaya.

Most Venerable Nayaka Thera has become famous for his qualities of humbleness and friendliness. He accepted all the invitations for Dhamma sermons, almsgivings, opening ceremonies throughout the country without concerning his health conditions. Nayake thera helped thousands of disable people to protect and secure their lives.

The people of our country are familiar with his name do much. It is not necessary to reiterate that the venerable thera had performed an enormous service on behalf of the country and the religion. The voice he raised on behalf of the Sinhalese Buddhist was unique.

The selfless services rendered by Most Ven. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Nayake Thera, brought greater light to the Buddha Sasana. His actions portrayed a most efficient and esteemed personality. The Most Ven. nayake Thera earned the respect of the Maha Sangha by his tireless efforts towards the unification of the three Maha Sangha chapters. Most Ven. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Nayake Thera was a mine of knowledge. His pleasant charismatic personality, along with his humbleness added colour to his brilliance. May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.