Sunday Times 2
A memorable meeting with Podihamuduruwo at Gangaramaya
View(s):I refer to the Sunday Times article by the Ven. Aggamahapanditha Dr.Walpola Piyananda, Chief Sangha Nayake of America on the Sri Gangaramaya temple’s chief incumbent, the Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Thera, popularly known as Podi Hamaduruwo, on the occasion of the Podihamaduruwo’s 77th birthday on December 14.
The Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple
In my article I would like to recount my experience with the Podihamaduruwo.
I have visited the Gangaramaya temple several times and have been captivated by its grandeur. Some eight years ago, my daughter Usha who is now domiciled in Canada, visited us with our two little grandsons.
After visiting my son who is working in a company adjacent to the vihara, we visited the temple. The magnificent temple has a vast array of Buddha statues, a large collection of ancient ola manuscripts, two or three priceless vintage cars including a Rolls Royce, a library, and a museum. As it was quite late in the evening, the museum was closed. The Podihamaduruwo learning that my daughter and grandsons were from abroad, instructed one of the priests to open the museum and show us around. We looked around the museum and were awestruck by the large and vast array of bejewelled and gilded gifts, wrist watches, coins from various countries, guns from the colonial era, porcelain ware, pottery, sofas, chairs and other items. There was also a young playful elephant in the yard which my grandsons were allowed to caress.
After we came out and thanked the Podihamaduruwo, he tied pirith threads on the wrists of all of us. We thanked the Ven. Thera and the other priests and left the temple with fond memories.
Vintage cars being displayed at the Gangaramaya museum
The Ven. Dr.Walpola Thera has described in detail the various and notable activities rendered by the Podihamaduruwo. The Gangaramaya temple is also rendering a yeoman’s service to the youth through its vocational training institute. Opposite the temple is the vintage car barn which has a vast collection of old cars such as Austin, Ford and Morris minor cars.
In front of the main temple adjacent to the road is an old steam roller of the by gone era, a printing press and many more.
A visit to the Gangaramaya temple will leave one not only with piety, but also with admiration for the good work of the Podihamaduruwo over the years.
While I wish the Podihamaduruwo all the best on having reached the 77th birthday, I also wish him good health and full recovery and trust that he will return to the country very soon to carry on with his noble work.
S. Nadarajah
snadarajahon@gmail.com