Rerukane Chandawimala Thero

Last updated
Rerukane Chandawimala Thero
Rerukane Chandawimala Thero.jpg
Most venerable Rerukane Chandawimala Maha Nayaka Thero
TitleMaha Nayaka of Swegin Chapter
Professor of Abhidharma
Sahithya Chakrawarthi
Pravachana Visharada
Personal
Born
Rubel Gunawardhana

(1897-07-19)19 July 1897
Died4 July 1997(1997-07-04) (aged 99)
Pokunuwita, Kalutara District
Religion Buddhism
Nationality Sri Lankan
School Theravada
LineageSwegin Chapter, Amarapura Nikaya
EducationBurmese Buddhist monastic education
Senior posting
TeacherU. Vinayalankara Thera

Rerukane Chandawimala Thero was a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk and author. A personality of Sri Lankan Buddhism in the 20th century, he has been regarded as one of the finest scholars of Tripitaka, the sacred canon of Theravada Buddhism. [1] [2] He was also a Buddhist meditation master, professor of Abhidharma and a former Maha Nayaka of the Swegin chapter of the Amarapura Nikaya. [3] [4] Rerukane Chandawimala Thero was a highly reputed author of Theravada Buddhism, especially on Abhidharma. His books are considered as text books by other authors as well as students.

Contents

Early life and education

Rerukane Chandawimala Thera was born on 19 July 1897 in the village Rerukana in Kalutara district, western Sri Lanka. His lay name was Rubel Gunawardene. The eldest of a family of 06 children, Rubel's parents were Don Bastian de Paules Gunawardene and Munasinghage Podi Nona. After having his school education at Veediyagoda school up to grade 2, young Rubel entered the order of Buddhist monks as a Samanera (novice monk) on 8 January 1906. His teacher was Burmese Buddhist monk U. Vinayalankara Maha Thera who resided in Pokunuwita temple those days. [3]

Rerukane Chandawimala Samanera left Sri Lanka on 27 January 1908 to receive his monastic education in Burma. [3] After having monastic education for 10 years he received his higher ordination Upasampada on 26 October 1917 at ‘’Dhammikarama Seema malaka’’ in Burma. During his stay in Burma, Rerukane Chandawimala Thera had a good education on Tripitka, specially on Abhidharma (Buddhist Meta Physics) and Buddhist meditation. Rerukane Chandawimala Thero returned to Sri Lanka in 1918.

Work and honours

Rerukane Chandawimala Thero started writing books at the age of 29. His first book was ‘’Niravana Vinishchaya’’ (Judging the enlightenment). He soon became the chief prelate of the Pokunuwita temple and thereafter devoted his entire time for meditation, Buddhist literary works and to solve the problems on Buddhist philosophy presented to him by the other monks and laity. He authored more than 30 highly reputed books on Buddhism. His work on Abhidharma and Vipassana mediation gained him high respect and reputation. Chandawimala Thero also served as a master and instructor to his students as well as others who were interested in Buddhist meditation. [5]

Rerukane Chandawimala thero received lot of honorary titles and degrees for his service to the Buddhism. [6] He received the honorary degree of ‘’Sahithya Chakarawarthi’’ (emperor of literature) from Vidyalankara University in 1963. Vidyalankara University also offered him the honorary post of professor of Abhidharma. In addition to those degrees he also received the Panditha degree conferred by the ’’ Pracheena Bhashopakara Samagama.’’ Rerukane Chandawimala thero became the Mahanayaka of Sri Lanka Swegin chapter of the Amarapura Nikaya in 1976. In 1995, he received the titles ‘’Pravachana Visharda’’ and Amarapura Maha Mahopadyaya Shasana Sobhana at the age of 98.

Criticisms

The reliability of Professor Rerukane Chandawimala Thero is rarely questioned since he is a scholar of Burmese tradition of Theravada Buddhism, having lived and learned in Burma for a decade since the age of 10. On return to Thero's birth country, Sri Lanka he wrote many damma books especially on Abhidharma (Sanskrit) or Abhidhamma (Pali) .

In "Upasampada sheelaya (Virtues of Upasampada)" (1930?), Professor Rerukane Chandawimala Thero characterized certain unholy acts by ordained, well established Theravada monk a minor digression. Thero prescribed that a simple private discussion will purify the monk, who act against the precepts prescribed in damma. Such a private discussion would nullify demerits of undisciplined act the Thero wrote in Upasampada sheelaya (Virtues of Upasampada) book. [7]

Death and funeral

Rerukane Chandawimala thero died on 4 July 1997, due to natural causes at his temple in Pokunuwita at age 99. His funeral was done according to the last will and the instructions he has given to his pupils in the early 1980s. Maha Nayaka thero requested for no state funeral, no publicity in the media, no banners, no ringing of his temple bell and stated that all he had wanted was for his body be cremated within the temple premises, with no coffin. [4] He also requested not to keep his body more than 24 hours after his death and his funeral was conducted according to his last will and instructions in a very simple manner. Rerukane Chandawimala thero had used a rough wooden bed to sleep on and his bodily remains was carried on an equally rough wooden structure and cremated in a rough wood pyre, bereft of any decoration. [1] Rerukane Chandawimala Thero was the Maha Nayaka of the Swegin chapter of Amarapura Nikaya for a period of over two decades from 1976 until his death in July 1997.

Books (selection)

The following are some of the notable books written by Rerukane Chandawimala Thero. [8] [9]

Related Research Articles

Theravāda is the most commonly accepted name of Buddhism's oldest existing school. The school's adherents, termed Theravādins, have preserved their version of Gautama Buddha's teaching or dhamma in the Pāli Canon for over two millennia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero</span> Sri Lankan Buddhist monk and scholar

Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero was a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk who was one of the most distinguished scholars and expositors of Theravada Buddhism in the twentieth century. He was highly respected by Sri Lankan Buddhists, who believed that he had achieved a higher level of spiritual development. Sri Lankan Buddhists also considered Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero as a Bodhisattva, who will attain Buddhahood in a future life.

Rāmañña Nikāya was one of the three major Buddhist orders in Sri Lanka. It was founded in 1864 when Ambagahawatte Saranankara, returned to Sri Lanka after being ordained by the Neyyadhamma Munivara Sangharaja of Ratnapunna Vihara in Burma. It was one of three Sri Lankan orthodox Buddhist monastic orders, along with Siam Nikaya and Amarapura Nikaya. On 16 August 2019, the Amarapura and Rammana Nikaya were unified as the Amarapura–Rāmañña Nikāya, making it the largest Buddhist fraternity in Sri Lanka.

Sangharaja is the title given in many Theravada Buddhist countries to a senior monk who is the titular head either of a monastic fraternity (nikaya), or of the Sangha throughout the country. This term is often rendered in English as 'Patriarch' or 'Supreme Patriarch'.

The SiamNikaya is a monastic order within Sri Lankan Buddhism, founded by Upali Thera and located predominantly around the city of Kandy. It is so named because it originated within Thailand. The Siyam Nikaya has two major divisions and five other divisions within these two major units. The Malwatta and Asgiriya chapters have two separate Maha Nayakas or chief Monks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amarapura Nikāya</span> Sri Lankan Buddhist monastic order, originated from Myanmar

The Amarapura Nikaya was a Sri Lankan monastic fraternity founded in 1800. It is named after the city of Amarapura, Burma, the capital of the Konbaung dynasty of Burma at that time. Amarapura Nikaya monks are Theravada Buddhists. On 16 August 2019, the Amarapura and Ramanna Nikaya were unified as the Amarapura–Rāmañña Nikāya, making it the largest Buddhist fraternity in Sri Lanka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nyanaponika Thera</span> Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhist monk and scholar

Nyanaponika Thera or Nyanaponika Mahathera was a Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhist monk and scholar who, after ordaining in Sri Lanka, later became the co-founder of the Buddhist Publication Society and author of numerous seminal books and articles on Theravada Buddhism. He mentored and taught a whole generation of Western Buddhist leaders such as Bhikkhu Bodhi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madihe Pannaseeha Thero</span>

Most Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Mahathera was an eminent Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, who was the Mahanayaka of Amarapura sect from July 13, 1969, until his death on September 9, 2003.

Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṁsthā, also known as the Galduwa Forest Tradition is an independent part of the Sri Lankan Amarapura–Rāmañña Nikāya Buddhist ordination line, with their headquarters in Galduva, Kahawa, Ambalangoda. They keep a strict standard of Vinaya, recognised as the strictest standard of any major organisation in Sri Lanka. It is the largest forest sect of the Sri Lankan Sangha. Their monks are easily recognized by the palm-leaf umbrella they use and by the habit of wearing the Sanghati whenever they walk outside the monastery boundaries. Remarkably for Sri Lanka, all castes are accepted for ordination. Foreign monks, who wish to become resident at one of their monasteries, are usually expected to undergo the so-called "Dalhi-Kamma" at Galduva, a short ceremony meant to reconfirm the validity of their original Upasampada according to Galduva standard. After that they are accepted according to their normal seniority.

Thero is an honorific term in Pali for senior bhikkhus and bhikkhunis in the Buddhist monastic order. The word literally means "elder". These terms, appearing at the end of a monastic's given name, are used to distinguish those who have at least 10 years since their upasampada. The name of an important collection of very early Buddhist poetry is called the Therigatha, "verses of the therīs".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhikkhu Analayo</span> Buddhist monk, scholar, and meditation teacher (born 1962)

Bhikkhu Anālayo is a bhikkhu, scholar, and meditation teacher. He was born in Germany in 1962, and went forth in 1995 in the Theravāda monastic tradition Sri Lanka. He is best known for his comparative studies of Early Buddhist Texts as preserved by the various early Buddhist traditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weliwita Sri Saranankara Thero</span> Last Sangharaja of Sri Lanka

Weliwita Asaranasarana Sri Saranankara Sangharaja Thero or popularly Weliwita Sri Saranankara Thero was a Buddhist monk, who was the last Sangharaja of Sri Lanka. He was the pioneer in the revival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, after the decline of the religion in the 17th and 18th centuries. Saranankara Thero was bestowed with the a title by king Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe in 1753, the same year he received the Upasampada and re-established the Upasampada in Sri Lanka with the help of Mahasangha in Siam. He is also credited with the establishment of Silvath Samagama, a union of monks who lived in accordance with the Buddhist monastic discipline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera</span> Buddhist monk and one of the pioneers in Sri Lankan Buddhist revival movement

Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera was a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, who was one of the pioneers of Sri Lankan Buddhist revivalist movement in the 19th century. He did a great service to improve the Buddhist Education in the country and was the founder of Vidyodaya Pirivena, Maligakanda in 1873, which was granted the university status later in 1959 by the Government of Sri Lanka. A veteran author and a fiery orator, he was a major figure in the Panadurawadaya, a religious debate held between Christian missionaries and Buddhist monks in 1873 at Panadura, Sri Lanka. He was well versed in Sinhala, Pali, Sanskrit, English, Buddhism, history, arithmetic, and archaeology and was one of the primary sources of information on Buddhism for the success of the Panadura debate.

Mahanayaka theros are high-ranking Buddhist monks who oversee and regulate the Buddhist clergy in Theravada Buddhist countries. The title Maha Nayaka translates to English as 'Great Leader' and it is considered to be a very important position held by a monk in a Theravada Buddhist country. It is usually bestowed upon the senior Buddhist monks who are appointed the chief prelates of monastic fraternities known as Nikayas.

Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thero was a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, who was the 20th Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya chapter of Siyam Nikaya. He was presented with the religious title of Agga Maha Pandita by the government of Myanmar on March 7, 2007, in recognition of his contribution to the purification, perpetuation and propagation of Buddhism. His complete title was Most Venerable Agga Maha Panditha Udugama Sddharmakirthi Sri Dhammadassi Rathanapala Buddharakkhithabhidhana Mahanayaka Thero.

Sri Lankan Forest Monks' Tradition claims a long history. As the oldest Theravada Buddhist country in the world, several forest traditions and lineages have existed, disappeared and re-emerged circularly in Sri Lanka. The current forest traditions and lineages in Sri Lanka have been influenced by the Burmese and Thai traditions which descend from the ancient Indian and Sri Lankan traditions.

Agga Maha Pandita Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thero was an eminent Sri Lankan Buddhist monk. He was the supreme Mahanayaka of Sri Lanka Amarapura–Rāmañña Nikāya and was the chief incumbent of Sri Dharmapalaramaya, Mount Lavinia.

Venerable Ampitiye Rahula Maha Thero also known as Ampitiye Sri Rahula Maha Thero, and alternatively spelled as Ampitiye Rahula Maha Thera, was a Sinhalese Buddhist monk. He held the position of Chief incumbent at the Maharagama Sri Vajiragnana Dharmayathanaya and served as a senior advisor to the Supreme Council of the Amarapura Dharmarakshitha Maha Nikaya until his death. He was known by the honorific title "Loku Hamuduruwo".

Most Ven Aggamaha Panditha Napane Pemasiri Thero also spelt either as Napane Premasiri Thero or Napane Pemasiri Thero(2 January 1922/1923 – 17 November 2020) was a Sri Lankan Sinhalese Buddhist monk. He served as the 13th head of the Ramanna Nikaya since September 2012 and also served as the chief incumbent of Menikhinna Hurikaduwa Vidyasagara Privena. He was ordained on 8 July 1933.

References

  1. 1 2 R. M. A. B. Dassanayake. "Lessons from a simple event". The Island. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  2. Ven. Meemana Suseema Thera. "True essence of Buddhism". The Nation. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "Rerukane Chandawimala Thero". www.thiryak.org. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  4. 1 2 Upali Salgado. "Men of compassion and simplicity". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  5. Sachitra Mahendra. "This moment's revolution". Daily News. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  6. Wettasinghe, Janaka. "Biography of Rerukane Chandawimal thero-part 22". Budu Sarana (Lake House). Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  7. [page 33, ප්‍ර‍ථම පාරාජිකාව, "අනුපසම්පන්න වීම ඉතා පහසුය"; https://pitaka.lk/books/upasampada-sheelaya/4.html, by Dr. M. A. B. Prashantha.]
  8. Buddhist books (Rerukane Chandawimal thero)
  9. Rerukane Chandawimala Maha Thero - Books 21 collection