Message of Condolence: The Late Most Venerable Aggamahapanditha Napana Pemasiri Mahanayake Thero

My ultimate prayers for the attainment of the supreme bliss of Nibbana goes at this very outset as my final tribute, amidst extreme sorrow, for the late Most Venerable Aggamahapanditha Napana Pemasiri Mahanayake Thero, the 13th Mahanayake Thero of Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya (Great Assembly) and also the Chief Incumbent and Director of Menikhinna Vidyasagara Maha Pirivena, Hureekaduwa, Sri Lanka.  

A large number of religious honorifics, titles and plaudits were conferred upon the Most Venerable Mahanayake Thero such as “Vinayacharya”, “Vinaya Visharada”, “Siri Seelawansa Wansalankara”, “Shasana Keerthi Sri” and “Thripitaka Vagishwaracharya”, to name but a few, in recognition of the great religious and social service he rendered, who illuminated the firmament of Sri Lanka Sangha community as a true leader of Maha Sangha. Having been continuing in the position of Adhikarana Sanghanayaka (Prelate of the Sangha Judiciary) of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, he was eventually escalated to the position of Mahanayake in the same Nikaya, proving himself as an epitome of all virtues, morality and perfect discipline.

Let me recall especially on this sorrowful occasion how His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a world renowned spiritual leader, arranged a mid-day Dana (alms) for the whole Sangha delegates from Sri Lanka, lead by the Mahanayake Thero, who were attending a religious discourse on Sangha Vinaya (2015), organized by International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in New Delhi, India, for which I was also a participant. It was at that instance a special appraisal was made by His Holiness with a special emphasis regarding the morality of Sri Lankan Maha Sangha and I would like to take this opportunity at this sorrowful moment to highlight an unforgettable incident, which surprised everybody who were present, that time.

It was exactly at this time of making the above statement by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, that Most Venerable Napana Pemasiri Mahanayake Thero suddenly took a copy of ‘Prathimoksha’* out of the pocket of his Ansankada (inner robe that covers one shoulder), to the astonishment of all that present. By seeing this event which no one ever expected to witness, His Holiness gleefully made a special mention that it was no other than a living example to prove how Sri Lankan Sangha community maintained such a high degree of morality and discipline. Having noted that the book was badly worn out by constant usage, His Holiness was extremely happy to make a quick comment about the high degree of vinaya of the Buddhist monks of Sri Lanka.

Nevertheless, the many similar incidents provides ample testimony to prove as to how Mahanayake Thero relentlessly pursued his noble mission through his own strategies and vision, in his long journey of life, to take Sri Lankan Sangha community forward at the international level on many such occasions.

The name of the late Most Venerable Napana Pemasiri Mahanayaka Thero is well etched in the minds of Buddhist world because of his tremendous contribution, by precept and practice, towards the teaching of Lord Buddha that has influenced the culture of Sri Lanka and also at the international level. Therefore, I have no doubt that his passing away at this crying need of hour indeed a great loss to Sri Lankan and global sangha community and devotees.

May the Mahanayake Thero attain the emancipation of the supreme bliss of nibbana!

Damenda Porage

Chairman, The Buddhist Brotherhood

Deputy Secretary General, International Buddhist Confederation

*The Pratimokṣa (Sanskrit: प्रातिमोक्ष, romanized: prātimokṣa) is a book of rules (contained within the vinaya) governing the behaviour of Buddhist monastics (monks or bhikus and nuns or bhikhuṇīs). Prati means “towards” and mokṣa means “liberation” from cyclic existence (saṃsāra).