The Most Venerable Wewaldeniye Medhalankara Thero
From TheBuddhism.Net
The Chief Incumbent of the Shasanawardhana Pirivena, Meerigama and the Head of the Ramanna Sect of Bhikkus (Ramanna Nikaya), the Most Venerable Wewaldeniye Medhalankara Thero passed away at the age of 103.
His passing away is a great loss to the Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Venerable Thero was truly a star who shined the Buddhist Order with his virtue,wisdom and eloquence. He was bestowed with “Shasana Shobhana”, “Shri Saddharma Wagishwaracharya”, “Siri Saranankaropayena Wanshawathaya’ and “Sahithya Chakrawarthi” by the Sri Lankan Buddhist Order and the Government for his dedicated services to the Buddhism in the country.
Venerable Wewaldeniye Medhalankara Thero
Ven. Thero was born on the 7th December 1909 at Millawala, Wewaldeniya. He was ordained as a samanera in the name of “Wewaldeniye Medhalankara” on the 26th May 1922 at Abhayagiri Poorwarama Vihara, Anuradhapura.
Ven. Kathaluwe Seelawansa Thero and Ven. Kadiragama Sumanasara Thero were his preceptors.
Ven. Thero had his basic education at the Vidyananda Maha Pirivena, Nittambuwa, where he acquired proficiency in Pali and Sanskrit languages and Abidhamma (the scriptures of Theravada Buddhism).
After the passing away of his teacher, Ven. Kadiragama Sumanasara Thero, Ven. Medhalankara Thero became the chief incumbent of the Shasanawardhana Pirivena, Meerigama.
Ven. Thero became fully ordained as a Bhikku on the 12th June 1930. He considered discipline very highly during his lifetime. He was truly a Buddha’s disciple with his plain lifestyle and modesty. He was never affected with his titles and status. He always woke up at dawn and swept the temple compound before worshiping the Buddha, and in the night, ended the day with pirith chanting.
Ven. Thero was appointed to the administrative assembly of the Ramanna Nikaya, where he held several important posts such as “Anuvijjaka” (Examiner), “Jeshtanuvijjaka” (Chief Examiner), “Sannalekhaka” (Statistician) and “Adhikarana Sanghanayaka”, ending up as the 12th Head of the Nikaya after the passing away of most venerable Poththewela Pannasara thero on the 28th March 1998.
Beside his religious work, the social service he did to the country and its people is immense. Maha Bodhi children’s orphanage and Seth Sevana orphanage for the Elders at Meerigama, Meerigama Sinhala Traders’ Association, Meerigama Central College which he started with the help of Mr. D.S. Senanayake, Wewaldeniya Maha Vidyalaya, Bathalawa Junior school, Shasanawardena Sunday school and Montessori are some of them.
Ven. Thero was instrumental in building new temples and further developing the existing ones all over the country. Buddhangala Monastery at Ampara, Nagalakanda Mahasen Monastery at Minneriya, Seethaeliya Gangaramaya at Nuwara Eliya, Abhyagiri Poorwarama Viharaya at Anuradhapura are some of them.
Ven. Thero’s fame spread far and wide among the Buddhist countries for his great religious and social work. Ven. Thero passed away on the 29th August 2012. His last rights would be performed on the 3rd September at the D.S. Senanayake central College, Meerigama with full state honors.
May the most venerable Wewaldeniye Medhalankara Thero Attain Nibbana!
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The Most Venerable Wewaldeniye Medhalankara Thero was one great Buddhist master in the Theravada tradition.
He has spent his entirely serving others in his religious work, the social service and helping in the developing of temples all over the country. His passing was a great lost to the people of Sri Lanka and in the Buddhist world as his great religious and social work were known by many among the Buddhist countries .
May his successor continue with his great work and may Ven Thero have a good rebirth.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.
It is rejoicing to see a person spend their life in the service of others 🙂
Very nice article sharing about a great master in the Theravada tradition. Although their tradition and practice do not emphasize on the Guru-student relationship, but just like in any Buddhist practice, having great gratitude and acknowledging the greatness of the person that teaches us the Dharma must be celebrated.