Postal stamp to commemorate Gangodawila Soma Thera

The year 2024 marks the 76th birth  anniversary of a distinguished Buddhist monk who served as the former headmaster of the Maharagama Siri Vajiraranana Dhamma School, and the director of the Bambalapitiya Siri Vajiranana Dhamma School

Soma Thera’s primary aspiration was to propagate the Dhamma, according to the needs of the time, following in the footsteps of his teachers, Aggamaha Pandita Most Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Mahanayaka Thera and the Most Venerable Ampitiye Sri Rahula Nayaka Maha Thera 

The Sri Lanka Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts, Postal Headquarters, Colombo,  recently issued a new postage stamp in the denomination of Rs. 50.00 to commemorate the Most Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera.

So far, commemorative stamps have been issued among the Vajiraramavasi Sangaparapura,  commemorating the Most Venerable Theras,  Palane Vajiragnana, Narada, Madihe Pannaseeha and Gangodawila Soma.

This event was held at Siri Vajirarama Dharmayatanaya, Maharagama, and Rajakeeya Panditha Aggamahapandita, Most Venerable Thirikunamale Ananda Thera presided.  Supreme Court Judge Yasantha Kodagoda and former Principal of Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo, Senior Educationist Ms. M.N. Edussuriya and  Post Master General Mr. Sathkumara, addressed the gathering. 

This event coincided with the Dhamma School Thurunu Saviya Rajatha Jayanthi charity event, marking the 25th anniversary of the founding of Thurunu Saviya which was re-established under the name Dhamma School Thurunu Saviya.

The year 2024 marks the 76th birth  anniversary of a distinguished Buddhist monk who served as the former headmaster of the Maharagama Siri Vajiraranana Dhamma School, and the director of the Bambalapitiya Siri Vajiranana Dhamma School. He was also the inaugural Viharadipathi of the Shakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara in Australia and the founder of the Janavijaya Foundation.

Presenting to the audience the text of the reasons for issuing this commemorative postage stamp,  the Postmaster General said, “Soma Thera has more than enough qualifications to issue such a commemorative stamp.”

Pioneering role

Most Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera played a pioneering role in the initial Thurunu Saviya organization initiated by Aggamaha Pandita Most Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Mahanayake Thera. 

Soma Thera’s primary aspiration was to propagate the Dhamma, according to the needs of the time, following in the footsteps of his teachers, Aggamaha Pandita Most Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Mahanayake Thera and the Most Venerable Ampitiye Sri Rahula Nayaka Maha Thera. He contributed  to national, religious, and social services utilizing both electronic and print media. Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera was instrumental in effectively communicating the correct Dhamma message to society through various avenues of  mass media. Soma Thera authored numerous theoretical works, such as Buddha stupa, a guide for Buddhanussathi meditation, Rahula Matha, Yasodharavata etc., providing valuable religious insights to a world in need.

“Morality Leads to the Prosperity of a Nation” was his cornerstone for religious and national mission. He courageously expressed his views to liberate people from various superstitions and guide them on the righteous path to  Buddhism, exemplifying the virtues of being a monk. He believed and always emphasized that the deterioration of a country’s morality would hinder its progress. He was firm that the protection of Sinhala Buddhists was fundamental to the preservation of both the  nation and religion. Despite facing absurd insults and threats to his life, Soma Thera remained steadfastly committed to social service activities. 

Deep religious knowledge

The sudden passing away of Soma Thera, who was endowed with deep religious knowledge, evangelism, attitudes, a self-sacrificing devotion to public welfare, fearless criticism, nationalism and focus on the advancement of the Buddhasasana, was a significant loss both domestically and internationally.”

The Most Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayake Thera always admonished that Sinhala Buddhist children should be well educated on  Buddhism, in addition to education being given currently at Dhamma schools. Ven. Thera’s famous motto was “We cannot build a righteous society and righteous country without disciplining the man first. Maha Nayake Thera  acted upon that theme in a manner that benefits  and quality of Buddhist education was  preserved. He always strived to give the best education to children at Dhamma Schools in order to build a society full of virtues.

Supreme Court judge, Yasantha Kodagoda, addressing the gathering said, “We study Buddhism for transcendental healing, that is to attain  Nirvana at the earliest  possible. But according to karmic results, to enable so we have to go through the  journey of samsara numerous times in lay life. On this journey, we have to proceed successfully being engaged in various professions and we have to face various challenges and obstacles. In this journey, it is important for us to follow the Noble Eightfold Path as admonished by the Buddha. Thus, practicing Dhamma helps us to succeed in our mundane  lives too.

Buddhism is just a part of our culture and way of life. We should focus on replacing Buddhism in our daily activities too. Our Sinhala Buddhist children have very little knowledge of an extremely important and essential tool in order to live successfully in modern society and conquer the modern world. It is the knowledge of the English language which  is the reality of the modern world. We are just a member of the universe. To interact with other countries, English is the main medium of communication in spheres of commerce, politics, finance, economy etc. I point out this lapse, which must  be corrected, ‘English  is the only successful tool.’ Ours is a small, but multi-ethnic and multi-religious country. This tool is very essential to live successfully in the modern society and to work successfully.

 Invitees at the event

Therefore, if the curriculum of the Thurunu Saviya Organization is amended  one day, I request that the English language is added to the curriculum of Thurunu Saviya, and the children be given the opportunity to learn English language without any deficiency.”