http://dailynews.lk/2016/11/14/features/98981
Ven. Dr. Kakkapalliye Anuruddha Nayaka
Thera
Erudite Pali scholar and Buddhist
educationist
Three years have elapsed from the time of
passing away of internationally famed Sri Lankan scholarly Buddhist monk
Venerable Kaakkapalliya Anuruddha Nayaka Thera.
He was ordained during his childhood,
obtained his primary education from Maliyadewa Vidyarakshaka Pirivena in
Kurunegala, subsequently pursued his higher education at Vidyalaynkara Maha
Pirivena, Peliyagoda and earned his Rajakeeya Panditha degree.
He later entered the University of
Peradeniya and continued his studies in English and earned a special degree in
Pali with honours.
After completing his higher studies, Ven.
Anuruddha Thera served as a lecturer at Vidyalankara Pirivena, becoming very
popular amongst the student population.
In 1959, when the Vidyalankara Pirivena was
elevated to university status, he was appointed as a lecturer in the Department
of Pali Studies.
After a few years of dedicated service, Ven
Anuruddha won a scholarship to enter Lancaster University in England and
indulged in a research on ‘Buddhist Social Philosophy’, an area hitherto none
had attempted to expound, and obtained his Doctorate in Philosophy.
While he was serving as a senior lecturer
at Vidyalankara University, Sri Lanka Buddhist and Pali University was
established and Ven. Kaakkapalliye Sri Anuruddha Nayaka Thera was chosen as its
first Vice Chancellor.
He organised this new Buddhist University
very successfully and took every endeavour to establish it on a firm footing.
This pioneering service alone is adequate to indicate the success he achieved
in his life.
Venerable Kaakkapalliye Anuruddha Thera was
a distinctive Bhikku personality, empowered with the knowledge needed for the
era. Being knowledgeable does not mean one is an expert in traditional
languages and religious philosophies.
Bhikkus are living in a complex era where
they will not be able to serve the country and nation with these expertises
alone. Humanity is living in an era where modern science, technological
advancements and religious and philosophical forces have created a very
impulsive and a challenging situation.
A Bhikku who fails to identify, understand
and grasp these situations may not be able to perform meaningfully for the
betterment of the Sasana.
A Bhikku who has gained awareness of these
current trends will only be able to convey the message of the Buddha to the
modern world. In view of this Venerable Kaakkapalliye Anuruddha Thera was a
very knowledgeable and erudite Monk. He possessed a very wide knowledge in
traditional languages and religious philosophies. He was an honoured product of
university education.
It is not incorrect to say that Venerable
Kaakkapalliye Anuruddha Thera was one of the fewest Bhikkus in Sri Lanka who
possessed in-depth knowledge in oriental and occidental languages, science of
methodologies and a balanced knowledge in inter subject issues.
Venerable Anuruddha Thera received his
higher ordination under his mentor and the chief incumbent of Vidyalankara
Pirivena Venerable Kiriwaththuduwe Pragnasara Nayaka Thera and became a part
and parcel of Vidyalankara, upholding the traditional values of this great
institute. Venerable Anuruddha possessed an exemplary personality.
Though not very tall, in the midst of
gatherings, he appeared to be a person with an enormous physique. He had the natural
gift of excellent oratory. He had a personality that pleased all around him. He
had a sensitive heart when in a painful situation. He had the courage and
confidence to express his views without fear or favour.
Venerable Anuruddha Thera can be described
as the supreme product of the Vidyalankara tradition.
Considering the erudition and the service
to the Sasana of Venerable Anuruddha Thera, the Maha Nayaka Thera of the
Malwatta Maha Vihara and its Sangha Sabha, appointed him as the Chief Sangha
Nayaka of Sath Korala Maha Disawa. The main objective of Venerable Anuruddha
Thera was to produce a group of Bhikku and Bhikkuni well disciplined in Dhamma
who could sustain the Sasana. He founded an institute called Sathi Buddha
Shiksha Anyathanaya’ for this noble purpose.
Buddhist organisations in Hong Kong, Taiwan
and Singapore made generous donations for this Institute and they also
established a library here.
Prior to fruition of most of these noble
expectations and ambitions, Venerable Anuruddha Thera passed away. Inspite of
this, we are pleased to state that the administrative body of the ‘Sathi Buddha
Shiksha Ayathanaya’ has taken every step to continue the great services to the
Sasana and the Dhamma doctrinal work without any interruption.
The third death commemoration ceremony of
Venerable Anuruddha Nayaka Thera fell on November 5.
May he attain the eternal bliss of Nibbana.
Ven. Dr. Kumburugamuwe Vajira Nayaka Thera,
Chancellor, University of Sabaragamuwa