In early and mid-20th century, Abhidhamma was practically little known in Sri Lanka except for among few scholars who had the knowledge of Pali language. It was during this time that Ven. Yagoda Dhammaprabha Thera went to Myanmar (then Burma) and learned Tripitakaya, practice of tranquility (Samatha) and vipassana (Insight) meditation and most importantly, detailed learning of Abhidhamma with special attention to Patthana Dharmaya which is the most difficult part of the Abhidharmaya to comprehend. For this, he had to undergo extensive training under the forest dwelling scholar monks of that country, under trying conditions existed at that time. While in Miyanmar he was trained in Tripitaka at the Tripitaka College, Abhidharma and Patthanaya at Patthana Ashram and extensive meditation training at Sasana Seytha Bhavana Ashram.
On his return to Sri Lanka in 1961 he formed The Patthana Dharma Sabhawa with the help of fellow erudite bhikkhus and lay devotees. Among those who were associated with him in establishing the Dhamma Sabhava were, the Most Ven Prof. Rerukane Chandawimala Maha Nayaka Thera and Agga Maha Panditha Balangoda Ananda Maithriya Maha Nayaka Thera.
He also coordinated annual Patthana recitation at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises, Anuradhapura, during the Poson season. It is worthy to mention here that Buddha spent the first seven weeks after enlightenment in and around the Bodhi tree at Buddha Gaya spending time recapitulating the vast knowledge and wisdom he gained in the process of attaining Buddhahood. He spent the fourth week in a special enclosure (Rathanaghara) done by devas, going through the Abhidharmaya and towards the latter part of this period, while recapitulating Patthana Dharmaya, the six coloured halo (Shad Varna Buddha rashmi mala) appeared around Buddha due to the extensive joy he experienced as a result of the realization of the depth of the dhamma he comprehended. The Patthana Dharma Sabhava is continuing this recitation of Patthana Dharmaya at Anuradhapura, immediately preceding the Poson full moon day, uninterrupted for the past 56 years.
The Maha Thera also went to all corners of the country, conducting dharma desana, meditation training of fellow bhikkhus and lay devotees and most importantly propagating Abhidhamma and Patthanaya.
The most Ven. Yagoda Dharmaprabha Thera spent the latter part of his life in writing Dhamma books in simple Sinhala language so that Dhamma reaches the ordinary people who are not conversant in Pali. Some of the books that were authored by the Maha Thera include Vidarshana Guru Potha, Patthana Desana Saraya, Patthana Dharani Panna Vibhanga Varaya, VisuddhiVipassana and Sitha Sirurasaha Nivanahevath Dhamma Sangani.
Ven. Dhammaprabha Thera was honoured by The Most Ven. Maha Nayaka of the Malwattha Chapter of the Siam Maha Nikaya, Amunugama Rajaguru Sri Vipassi Maha Nayaka Thera by conferring the saasanika title ‘Abhidhammika Vagisvara’, in recognition of the relentless service he had done to promote and re-establish Abhidhamma in Sri Lanka. The title was presented by Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake on December 17, 1965.
The Most Ven Yagoda Dharmaprabha Nayaka Thera passed away on April 18, 1993 creating a void that was almost impossible to fill. However, his erudite pupil Rev. Korathota Wessabhu Thera stood up to the challenge and took over the mantle of the Dharma Sabhawa and performed the most difficult task of continuing the unfinished work started by the late Maha Thera and further expanding the promotion of the religious and educational activities. It is noteworthy to mention that he was one of the 10 children ordained at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises in Buddha Gaya on March 14, 1982 by the late Thera.
The activities conducted currently by the Dharma Sabhawa include,
1. Conduct of Abhidhamma classes and training the students for Abhidharmacharya and Abhidharma Visharadha degrees
2. Tripitaka education
3. Pali classes
4. Poya day meditation programmes and the Thesaththa Gnana Dhammadesana series conducted by Rev Korathota Wessabhu Thera.
5. Vipassana meditation programmes on every Wednesday conducted by Rev Kalubowila Amathagaveshi Thera.
Annual Patthana Dharma Recitation at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Premises, Anuradhapura.
Conducting annual Abhidharma conventions with the participation of erudite Abhidhamma teachers.
Provision of scholarships annually to poor students in remote areas. Publication of Dhamma books and booklets regularly, Provision of accommodation to resident monks and also visiting monks from remote monasteries, travelling to Colombo for their medical needs.
Provision of accommodation and other basic facilities for student monks from remote monasteries who enrol in Colombo based Pirivenas and other educational institutes, andRegular meditation retreats conducted at the Bodhi Grama Bhavana Temple, Aluthgama Bogamuwa, Yakkala.
In addition to improving these services, the Dharma Sabhawa is planning to establish a fully equipped library and a project to preserve the rare Dhamma texts and the Pali canon.
The Dhamma Sabhawa will conduct the annual Patthana recital this year too at Anuradhapura, in a special enclosure build to the north west of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, near the Rathanagaharaya from June 4 to 6 from 6 pm to 10 pm. Also, the Patthana Dharmaya will be explained in simple language during the procedure. There will be Seela Bhavana programs on June 5 and 6 to be conducted concurrently.
(The writer is Honorary Secretary, Patthana Dharma Sabhawa)