Ampitiye Rahula Maha Thero

Ven. Ampitiye Rahula Maha Thero also known as Ampitiye Sri Rahula Maha Thero also spelt as Ampitiye Rahula Maha Thera (24 December 1913/1914 – 17 February 2020) (Sinhala: අම්පිටියේ ශ්රී රාහුල හිමි) was a Sri Lankan Sinhalese Buddhist monk.[1] He served as the Chief incumbent of Maharagama Sri Vajiragnana Dharmayathanaya and senior advisor of Supreme Council of the Amarapura Dharmarakshitha Maha Nikaya until his death.[2] He was nicknamed as the Loku Hamuduruwo.[3]

Ven.

Ampitiye Rahula Maha Thero
අම්පිටියේ ශ්රී රාහුල හිමි
TitleChief incumbent of the Maharagama Sri Vajiragnana Dharmayathanaya
Personal
Born
Dharmadasa

(1963-07-29)29 July 1963
Ampitiya, Kandy, Central Province, Sri Lanka
Died17 February 2020(2020-02-17) (aged 106)
ReligionBuddhism
ParentsSimon Rajapaksha (father)
Karuna Rajapaksha (mother)
SchoolTheravada
EducationSt. Mary's College, Kandy
Dharma namesVen. Ampitiye Rahula Maha Thero
Military service
Nickname(s)Loku Hamuduruwo

Biography

He was born as Dharmadasa on 24 December 1913/1914 at Ampitiya, Kandy. He pursued his primary and secondary education at the St. Mary's College, Kandy.[4] His parents were conventional Buddhists who were extremely devoted to Buddhism and sent him to a Dhamma school in Alukgolla Raja Maha Viharaya.[5]

He entered the Order of the Sangha on 4 May 1936 at the age of 22 and received his higher ordination at Udakukkhepa Seema Malakaya at Kelaniya on 30 July 1936. He attended the hermitage affiliated with the University of Peradeniya under the guidance of Madihe Pannaseeha Thero. He was also taught basics of Buddhism by Palane Vajiragnana Thero and Ahangama Sri Pragnaloka Maha Thero. In 1948, he became the Principal of Vajirarama Dhamma School.

He also taught Dhamma to undergraduates in Sinhala and Tamil at the University of Peradeniya and was also instrumental in establishing a Buddhist temple in the University of Peradeniya.[6] Maharagama Dhammasiri Thero, Gangodawila Soma Thero and Thirikunamale Ananda Thero were some prominent students of him. In 1958, he co-founded the Maharagama Bhikku Training Centre along with his guru Madihe Pannaseeha Thero.[7]

Death

He died on 17 February 2020 in the morning at the age of 106.[8][9] His funeral was held on 20 February 2020 and it was attended by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.[10]

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References
  1. "Multiplicity Of Cults In The Name Of Buddhism". Colombo Telegraph. 2020-05-25. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  2. "Most Venerable Ampitiye Rahula Maha Thero (106) passed away". www.news.lk. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  3. "Loku Hamuduruwo". www.island.lk. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  4. "Loku Hamuduruwo reaches 100th birthday". archives.sundayobserver.lk. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  5. "Beacon of light fades away". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  6. "The reason behind Buddhist temple in the Peradeniya University". www.island.lk. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  7. "Most Ven. Ampitiye Rahula Maha Thera passes away". Daily News. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  8. "Most Ven. Ampitiye Rahula Maha Thero passes away at the age of 106". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2020-02-17. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  9. "අම්පිටියේ ශ්‍රී රාහුල නාහිමියන් අපවත් වෙයි". Hiru News. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  10. News, P. M. D. (2020-02-20). "President attends cremation ceremony of Most Venerable Ampitiye Sri Rahula Nayaka Thera". President's Media Division. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
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