Sunday Times 2
Religious ceremonies to mark historic Panadura Wadaya at Rankoth Viharaya
Several religious ceremonies will be held to mark the 145th anniversary of Panadura Wadaya (the Panadura Debate) at the Rankoth Viharaya in Panadura, the temple which played the foremost role in facilitating the debate and became a centre of the Buddhist revivalist movement.
The Venerable Prof Kahapola Sugatharathana Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Viharaya and Anunayaka of the Amarapura Nikaya, said that to mark the anniversary of the historic debate held on August 26 and 28, 1873, special religious ceremonies would be held in memory of the Ven. Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thera who, with his superior oratory and debating skills, defended Buddhism.
“The Panadura debate took place at a time when Buddhism had been relegated to a dismal state in the country and there was little freedom for the Buddhists to practise their faith. It was under these circumstances that the Buddhist monks stood up against the oppression. The Panadura debate was the culmination of a series of debates. The debate included topics such as the nature of God, the concepts of Karma, rebirth and Nirvana. By the time the debate concluded, the Ven. Gunananda thera was hailed as the victor and his oratory left a lasting impact on the country,” the chief incumbent said.
The debate began on August 26, 1873. As the following day was a Sunday and those of the Christian faith had to attend church, the debate was continued on August 28. The widely covered event drew a large crowd.
The success of the Panadura debate and the wide media coverage it received inspired Henry Steele Olcott, a United States citizen, to come to Sri Lanka in 1880, and join the Buddhists struggle for their rightful place in the Island.
The Ven. Prof. Sugatharathana Thera said that as the anniversary of the Pandura debates was being commemorated, the message he wished to send out was that there was much to be done to strengthen Buddhism in the country.
History was made 145 years ago at the Rankoth Viharaya. Inset: Chief Incumbent the Ven. Sugatharathana Thera