14 December 2022 12:02 am Views - 806
Podi Hamuduruwo always gave priority to promote the temple where he was ordained rather than promoting his own name
Poojacha pujaniyanam - Honour those who are worthy of honour; that is the highest blessing. The birth anniversary of Most Reverend Galaboda Gnanissara Thero (Podi Hamuduruwo), the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple and the Chief Sangha Nayaka of Colombo Nawa Korate and Nawa Totamune, falls on December 14, 2022 and this article was compiled in his honour.
The Gangaramaya Temple was built by Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera, a pioneer in Sri Lanka’s Buddhist revivalist movement. His illustrious students such as Devundara Sri Jinaratana Thera, Mahagoda Sri Gnanissara Thera and Devundara Sri Vachissara Thera have headed this temple at different times.
Gangaramaya and Podi Hamuduruwo are as inseparable as the tree and its bark and the institution under his leadership has been a beacon light that has guided and enriched the society at large. Blessed are all those who had lived in this temple or been associated with it in some way. I consider it a great privilege and fortune to have stayed even for a short period in the shelter of this great institution under the abled and illustrious leadership of Podi Hamuduruwo.
His way of life has been unique and unprecedented: his words are simple, but forthright and resolute. I have never seen him being seated in one place and wasting time, instead he attended to many things while being always on the move, but he was very attentive and focused. Often he would sit on a stepping stone of the temple and talk to the villagers who came from far off places and collect information for a newspaper article he would write. Through such writings he often brought the common man’s problems to the attention of the country’s leaders.
Venerable Thera is so simple he never had a separate plate or cup reserved for him. He would come to the Dana Salawa and partake his meals using one of the common plates. He is kind towards all animals, be it elephants, birds or other creatures. He would pay those who bring captive birds like parrots to Colombo for sale and take them near the temple’s Bo tree and release them deriving much pleasure.
Though he had much resources, under his purview, he never had a personal bank account and always believed in things common to all. He collected many culturally important valuable antics, but it was mainly with the intention of displaying the pride of the nation and not for personal glory.
He established and promoted many welfare facilities for the common good of both clergy and the laity. Hostel facilities for bhikkus (Buddhist priests) from all nikayas, educational and training institutes, nurseries for children, pirivenas, printing facilities, pilgrim’s rests, orphanages, tree planting campaigns are some of the examples of his social work.
He never wasted time and even during a foreign trip he would use the flight time to write an article for a newspaper. Thus, having completed the work of ten generations during his life time, he can be quite content in the evening of his life.
I have never seen him being seated in one place and wasting time, instead he attended to many things while being always on the move, but he was very attentive and focused. Often he would sit on a stepping stone of the temple and talk to the villagers who came from far off places and collect information for a newspaper article he would write. Through such writings he often brought the common man’s problems to the attention of the country’s leaders
The Buddha Sasana Ministry was set up under his guidance. He was also instrumental in getting the government to issue free uniforms to school children and expanding the garment industry into the rural areas. He was never affiliated to any political party, but had the courage and wisdom to advise all political leaders in power.
Gnanissara Thera never cared for racial, caste or religious differences and when he started the Navam Maha Perahera he united the youth of all communities in the City of Colombo, while also giving many opportunities to both up country and low country artistes.
His contribution was great in times of national calamities. During the North East war he distributed free agricultural equipment and dry rations to people in the border villages and also looked after the welfare of soldiers and provided material support to the accident ward of the National Hospital. During the times of youth unrest he started many vocational training programmes to ensure a secure future for the school leavers.
Podi Hamuduruwo always gave priority to promote the temple where he was ordained rather than promoting his own name. Once in a religious function instead of mentioning the names of each and every monk separately he said we all are monks of Gangaramaya. Thus examples set by him in his life are important guidelines for the future generations of Buddhist monks.
He never got his family members involved in his work and instead often repeated Buddha’s words, ‘Viswasa Parama Gnathi’ and acted in a way trust is built among his fellow bhikkus and students. With that kind of trust he could easily get four or five hundred Bhikkus for any religious ceremony without much difficulty.
We are yet to see a monk who has done so much for the betterment of both the clergy and the laymen. An accomplished person in every sense, he is also endowed with a pleasant appearance and disposition. He also enjoyed the tremendous support of all the people who came into contact with him.
He always acted in a responsible manner; preserving the respect and the image of the bhikkus. Following Buddha’s way he advises the rulers but never tried to topple governments. Buddha instructed his disciples to obey the laws of the land and never had disputes with the rulers and as an exemplary monk Podi Hamuduruwo always followed this path.
Podi Hamuduruwo never feared to face challenges and managed to win over them without unwanted confrontations. He launched a satyagraha in front of the Indian High Commission to register his opposition to Indian air dropping of food parcels when the war irrupted in the North East.
It is a great pleasure to see during our lifetime, a great monk who has done so much for the good of the common man. We know for sure that he has not amassed any wealth for his own benefit, but has given up everything for the benefit of the ordinary masses. His life should be an example for today’s politicians who do everything to promote their own self-interests.
Nobody could challenge the image and lifestyle of Podi Hamuduruwo. He has built a kind of leadership that cannot be destroyed by anybody. We can only emulate it. We cannot imagine that our country will produce another person of this sort in the prevailing dismal social, political and economic conditions. The social environment in which Podi Hamuduruwo grew up is no more; what is left today is a society where selfish interests are above everything else.
‘Arogya Parama Labha’ was often cited by Podl Hamuduruwo in his sermons, but the destiny is such he fell ill a few months ago.
As Buddha preached, nobody in this world can disobey the laws of nature.
I wish him good health and long life! Happy birthday to Podi Hamuduruwo! May the Noble Triple Gem Bless you!
By Rajakeeya Panditha Madola Nandarathana Thera
Chief Incumbent of Sri Rajagira Viharaya, Kotahera, Avissawella and Chief Adhikarana Sangha Nayaka of Colombo District
Through his writings he often brought the common man’s problems to the attention of the country’s leaders