Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero

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Most Ven.
Amarapura
Sect

Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero (

Buddhist monk who was one of the most distinguished scholars and expositors of Theravada Buddhism in the twentieth century.[3][4] He was highly respected by Sri Lankan Buddhists, who believed that he had achieved a higher level of spiritual development.[2][5] Sri Lankan Buddhists also considered Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero as a Bodhisattva, who will attain Buddhahood
in a future life.

Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero lived a modest life and did a great service for the propagation of

Sangha title, Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru (Most Eminent Great Spiritual Teacher), which is equivalent to Sangharaja, in honor of his unique service to the Buddhist religion.[3][6]

Biography

Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero was born on 23 August 1896 in Kirindigala, Balangoda, to the family of N. A. Matthias Appuhamy (Maddumahamy) and B. Heenmanike.[2] His birth name was Punchi Mahattaya a.k.a. William. Because Punchi Mahattaya's mother died when he was 14 days old, he was brought up by his father's brother and his wife.[2] Punchi Mahattaya had his primary education at Kumara Vidyalaya, Balangoda. He had his secondary education from Ananda College Colombo.

At the age of 15, he had decided to enter the order of

Upasampada on 14 July 1916 at Olu Gantota Udakukhepa Seema, Balangoda.[5]

Thero continued his studies after becoming a monk and later became a scholar in

self-learner
in most of his areas of study.

Ananda Maitreya Thero was the first Dharmarcharya (teacher of Buddhism) at

Vice Chancellor at the same university.[5]

Ananda Maitreya Thero's first overseas

Dhamma journey was to Kerala
, India in 1926. He opened the Sri Dhammananda Pirivena, Colombo in 1930.

On 18 January 1954, Thero was appointed to the post of Sangha Nayaka of Sabaragamu-Saddhammawansa Nikaya and in the same year, he participated in the

of Sri Lanka.

Ananda Maitreya Thero was famous for his achievements in

lay followers
.

Ananda Maitreya Thero, along with Narada Thero and Madihe Pannaseeha Thero, was and still is one of the foremostly revered and respected Buddhist monks of the twentieth century in Sri Lanka. His work and sacrifices with Anagarika Dharmapala were one of the steering forces of the upholding of Buddhism in Sri Lanka at one stage. There also traveled to many countries in the world for the propagation of Buddhism. Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero died at 11.40 p.m. on 18 July 1998 at the age of 101.[5]

Degrees and titles

Ananda Maitreya Thero at the 6th Buddhist council held in Burma

In 1955, the

Vidyodaya University and Saahithya Chakrawarthi from Vidyalankara University
.

The humbleness of Maha Nayaka Thero's character is clearly shown when he publicly stated that he had no liking whatsoever for titles and awards, but that he was rather accepting it to satisfy the presenter. He quoted

Abhidhamma Pitaka
of the worthlessness and futileness of the craving for awards, titles, and commanding positions".

Survey of writings

Ananda Maitreya Thero wrote nearly fifty books on

Pali and Sanskrit grammar.[7] His book, Sakyasimhavadanaya hevat Buddha Charita (The Life of the Buddha), is considered as a textbook.[7] Most of his books are written in English and Sinhala
languages.

  • Meditation on Breathing
  • Easy steps to English
  • Life of the Buddha
  • Bhavana Deepaniya
  • Sambodhi Prarthana
  • A Hand Book of Spoken English
  • Dhamsabhava
  • Sathara Paramarthaya
  • Buddha Dharmaya
  • Vidharshana Bhavanava
  • Meditation Sur La Respiration
  • Maithree Bhavanava
  • Anaphana Sathi Bhavanava
  • Shamatha Bhavanava
  • Udanaya

Ananda Maitreya Thero translation of the Dhammapada is published internationally.

  • The Dhammapada: The Path of Truth: Softcover, Wisdom Pubns,

References

  1. ^ "Religious and Cultural Relations". Aggamaha Panditha Awardees. Embassy of Myanmar Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 10 December 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e Fernando, Thilak (24 September 1994). "Face to face with late Ven. Aggamaha Panditha Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero". The Island – Saturday Magazine. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maitreya: A Personal Appreciation". Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi. 2009. Archived from the original on 29 April 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
  4. ^ "Famous People and the impact of the Theosophical Society". Katinka Hesselink. Archived from the original on 25 April 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Wijenayake, Walter (17 July 2010). "Most Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maithreya thera". Sri Lanka Guardian. Archived from the original on 16 August 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  6. ^ "Ajivatthamaka Sila (Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth) in Burmese Buddhism". Buddhist Group of Kendal. 2015.
  7. ^ a b c d Yodhasinghe, Lionel (20 July 1998). "State Funeral for Ven. Ananda Maitreya". Daily News (in Sinhala). Retrieved 6 September 2008.

Further reading

  • Dhammalankara, Iththapane. Budu Bawa Pathana Balangoda Ananda Maithreya Maha Naahimi (බුදු බව පතන බලන්ගොඩ ආනන්ද මෛත්‍රෙය මහනාහිමි), Sri Devi Printers (Pvt) Ltd (1992),

External links