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Simple living and forthright views

As he completed his 90th year yesterday (June 21), the Most Venerable Agga Maha Pandita Madihe Pannasiha Maha Nayaka Thera lay semi- conscious in the ICU in a private nursing home after major brain surgery. His pupil monks keep vigil day and night watching his slow but steady progress. Dayakas spend their time in the lobby waiting for news about his progress. In a number of temples, 'bodhi pujas' and 'seth pirith’ chantings are held every evening for his speedy recovery.

As I stood outside his cubicle in the ICU two days ago, my thoughts flashed across a near half century of the close association I had with him. I came to know him during the early days of my journalistic career on the 'Dinamina'. He was then residing at Vajiraramaya. Venerable Pelene Vajiranana Maha Nayaka Thera had passed away in September 1955 and two months later, Ven. Madihe Pannasila was elected Maha Nayaka Thera of the Sri Dhammarakshita Vansa Amarapura Nikaya, at the comparatively young age of 42.

Although such an exalted position is usually given to an elderly monk, Pannasiha Maha Thera possessed all the necessary qualifications to hold such a responsible title. The vast majority of the electoral college accepted him as a devoted, learned and committed member of the Sangha who was capable of leading their sect. At the secret ballot held among the monks belonging to that sect, he had received 152 preferences as against the other nominee's 32. The presentation of the 'Akta Patra' - the Act of Appointment - for an exalted position of this nature is usually done with the participation of the head of state or a prominent cabinet minister. Madihe Maha Nayaka Thera insisted that he preferred to accept it from the most senior monk in the Nikaya. Accordingly, at a ceremony presided over by Venerable Kiriwaththuduwe Sri Pragnasara Nayaka Thera, the highly respected head of the Vidyalankara Pirivena, the Act of Appointment was handed over by Ahangama Siriwimalasara Maha Thera, the most senior monk present.

The document, signed by five monks who were over eighty years of age belonging to the Nikaya was read by brother monk and Lekhakhadhikari of the Sect, Venerable Weligama Gnanaratana Maha Thera.

To move closely with the Maha Nayaka Thera has been a rare privilege. It has also been a valuable learning process. Simplicity, equanimity and forthrightness are among his great qualities. As the Maha Nayaka Thera's biographer, Professor Asanga Tillekaratne mentions in his well compiled work, Madihe Maha Nayaka Thera constantly recalled the Buddha's words that we must not rush into action. 'Think far, have patience before you act' was his advice. He also firmly believed that the world cannot be reformed by mere talk or mere advice. "Those who are genuinely interested in the welfare of fellow human beings and in reforming society must do so by example. Don't preach what you don't practise. If you preach, be prepared to practise," was what he told his pupils.

At the outset, the Maha Nayaka Thera identified two priority areas-the need to set up a bhikkhu training centre and the unification of the Amarapura Sect. He worked hard and felt consoled that he could achieve both during the early years of his term as Maha Nayaka Thera.

The opening of the Siri Vajiranana Dharmayatanaya on April 21, 1958 at a house on Lake Road in Maharagama, later named Sri Vajiranana Mawatha. The unification of the Amarapura Nikaya too became a reality and after several elderly monks acted as head of the Nikaya for some years, Madihe Maha Nayaka Thera was handed over the position in May 1978.

The service he rendered in getting the voice of the Sangha heard in national issues is enormous. He was fearless in letting the powers that be hear his views on every single national issue. From the time he was invited to participate in the Sangayana held in Burma (1954-56), he has actively taken part in all major activities relating to the Sasana.

Many are the ways in which he made Buddhism a practical way of life at the Dharmayatanaya. Poya day became a disciplined, planned 'sil' day. In addition to 'bana' sermons, laymen were invited to lecture on social issues. The devotees were also encouraged to organise and participate in social welfare activities. He built houses for the poorest of the poor and spent long hours travelling far to preach to them. The Dharmavijaya Foundation founded by him has turned out to be a leading social service organization.

His concept of the 'Thurunu Saviya' for over 14s has become a model for youth organizations. In addition to establishing several branch institutions in places like Matara, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala and Kandy, the Maha Nayaka Thera was also instrumental in establishing the Washington D.C Buddhist Vihara in 1966. Spreading the Dhamma worldwide was also one of the Maha Nayaka Thera's priority areas. Starting with the World Buddhist Directory which was compiled and published in 1984, the Colombo branch of the Sasana Sevaka Society manages an active International Buddhist Information and Research Centre disseminating information via 'Mettanet', an internet and e-mail facility.

This is just a glimpse of the impressive record of Madihe Maha Nayaka Thera's service to the Sasana during his 77 years as a monk. Our fervent hope is that he will recover soon to continue his great service to humanity.

May the blessings of the Triple Gem be with him!

-D. C. Ranatunga