Erudite monk who guided many on the path of meditation
Ven. Na uyane Ariyadhamma Anu Nayaka Thera: Showing the way
Saffron-robed monks and nuns in their hundreds carrying sprigs of white flowers solemnly walked along the red carpet at Parliament grounds to pay their last respects to one of the most erudite Maha Theras in modern Sri Lanka, the Most Venerable Nauyane Ariyadhamma Anu Nayaka Thera of the Sri Ramanna Nikaya. Well -versed in the Burmese tradition of meditation, the Maha Thera’s serenity, composure and loving kindness were evident in his personality.
Watching the proceedings over national television thousands of miles away, I went back several years when we used to pay occasional visits to the forest monastery at Na uyana, off Kurunegala past Melsiripura to pay homage to this most revered monk.
Stretching over several hundreds of acres in the hilly terrain, the solitary forest hermitage was the abode of the Anu Nayaka Thera for many decades. Facilities were also provided for hundreds of monks interested in leading an isolated life meditating to do so undisturbed. The Maha Thera guided them along the path enunciated by the Buddha in his teachings to realise the ultimate objective of reaching ‘nirvana’.
The monks live in ‘kutis’ away in the jungle spending their time meditating. They come down the pathways around 10 in the morning to gather at the assembly hall, fall in line and walk through the green canopy of trees on ‘pindapatha’ carrying their alms bowls. The ‘dayakas’ are ready in the alms hall with the ‘dana’. They line up, with a dish to serve the monks as they come along. Leaving behind a single monk to deliver a short sermon and convey merit, the others return. The monks hardly do any talking. They are so disciplined to strictly follow the ‘Vinaya’ rules the way meditative monks should do as preached by the Buddha.
In the early days Ariyadhamma Anu Nayaka Thera led the monks and often delivered a sermon prior to the ‘dana’. Later on he stayed in his ‘kuti’ and we were allowed to pay homage to him. With a serene smile adorning his face, he always spent the little time reminding us of the words of the Buddha. We made sure not to spend time discussing anything other than the Dhamma.
Among the great admirers of the Anu Nayaka Thera was Ajahn Brahmavamso who, on his visits to Sri Lanka, used to pay a courtesy call on the Anu Nayaka Thera and spend at least one night at the Na uyana monastery. He found the environment in the forest hermitage most conducive to teaching. Ajahn Brahm spent time late into the night discussing the Dhamma with the monks, most of whom invariably happened to be foreign monks who had come to study the Dhamma in the ideal surroundings they preferred. Having been brought up in the Thai forest tradition himself, Ajahn Brahm greatly admired the manner in which Na uyana monastery was being managed providing the ideal environment to lead a solitary life in the Dhamma.
I have closely observed how much the Anu Nayaka Thera concentrated when delivering a sermon. He would take the ‘vatapatha’ closer to his face, close his eyes and start the sermon. I have only seen him open his eyes at the end of the sermon.
We were fortunate in participating at the special Buddha pooja he used to conduct at the Ruvanveli Seya in Anuradhapura. Thousands flocked for these ‘pinkamas’ and there was pin drop silence throughout the pooja.
Treading a solitary path at the Na uyana forest monastry. Pic by Sarath Perera
The Anu Nayaka Thera having formed the Sri KalyaniYogasrama Samstha organisation to spread meditation, set up forest monasteries in remote parts of the country. I remember visiting Elle Kanda forest monastery off Matara once to plan a visit by Ajahn Brahm to conduct a programme for the laity and the clergy in ideal peaceful environs.
He rarely appeared in public or posed for photographs; just once I ‘caught’ him in my little camera on a visit to Na uyana.
One of Sri Lanka’s greatest meditation masters, the Anu Nayaka Thera, while maintaining the forest tradition, ensured taking the practice of meditation to the wider society.
Having been ordained in 1957 when he was 18 and received higher ordination two years later, he learned the Burmese language and studied under Ven. Nyaninda Sayadaw when the latter was in Sri Lanka in the 1960s. He later visited Myanmar on several occasions to study ‘abhidhamma’ and practise meditation. He mastered the art of meditation under Burmese meditation masters and spread the practice for the benefit of the clergy and laity in Sri Lanka.
He was awarded the title of ‘Mah kammahncariya’ (‘Great Meditation Teacher’) by the Government of Myanmar as recognition of his services in teaching Dhamma and meditation but being the simple monk he was, preferred not to be overawed by such titles.
In addition to his own practice the blessings of several thousands of clergy and the laity who were beneficiaries of his great service over a period of nearly 60 years in robes will ensure that the path of the Most Venerable Ariyadhamma Maha Thera would be a clear and smooth one until he reaches the ultimate goal.