The British captured our Motherland in 1815.
They tried to spread their religion and culture among the Sinhalese.
During this era a family lived in Hittatiya, Matara. It was the family of Don Carolis and Mallika Hewavitharana. On September 17, 1864 they had a son. They named him Don David Hewavitharana. He had two younger brothers. One was Charles Alwis Hewavitharana and the other was Edmund Hewavitharana.
Later, the family came to live in Kotahena, Colombo This was when Don David was a young boy and there was a lack of Buddhist schools for him to attend.
Don David Hewavitharana attended several colleges of which several were Christian colleges. Among them were St. Benedict‘s College, S.Thomas’ College and Royal College. The young David studied English and Christianity at these colleges. Later, he studied Sinhala, Pali and Buddhism. From his school days, Don David was a great orator. So, he was well known at school. As a young boy, Don David, got a chance to meet the great orator, Ven. Miggettuwwatte Gunananda Thera. He taught Don David the art of debate and also how to present facts according to the subject under debate.
Ven. Miggettuwatte Gunananda Thera led debates with the Christians. Young David was influenced by these debates. The news of the debates spread all over the world. After this, Colonel Henry Steel Olcott and a Russian lady, Madam Blavatsky came to Sri Lanka and met young Don David and Ven. Migettuwatte Gunananda Thera. Colonel Henry Steel Olcott started the newspaper Sarasavi Sandaresa. Later, the Buddhist newspaper called the Sinhala Bauddhaya was started by Don David Hewavitharana.
During the British period Sri Lankans didn’t get a chance to study in or open Buddhist schools. Don David Hewavitharana or Anagarika Dharmapala as he was later known played a major role in the establishment of Buddhist Schools and Dhamma schools in our country. Ananda College, Colombo, Dharmaraja College, Kandy, Mahinda College, Galle and Jinaraja College, Gampola are among the colleges established as a result of Anagarika Dharmapala’s efforts.
In 1894, David Hewavitharana went to India. On his return he changed his name to Anagarika Dharmapala.
Dharmapala means Protector of the Dhamma and Anagarika means the homeless one.
Anagarika Dharmapala travelled all over the country. He wanted to develop the Buddhist and Sinhala cultures. Anagavika Dharmapala always spoke about the country, Buddhism and the Sinhala language.
He advised people to never tell lies, not to eat beef or drink alcohol. He also called for support to save Buddha Gaya in India where the Buddha attained enlightenment.
Anagarika Dharmapala established the Mahabodi society . He established branches of the society in Madras, Calcutta, Buddha Gaya and Saraanath among other places.
Anagarika Dharmapala wanted to develop tours of sacred places and offer it to all Buddhists in the world. Some of these places are the birth place of the Buddha at Lumbini , Buddha Gaya, where the Buddha attained Buddhahood, Saranath where the Bhudda delivered the first sermon and Kusinara, where the Buddha attained the state of Parinibbana.
Anagarika Dharmapala spent most of his time in India.
In 1931, Anagarika Dharmapala was ordained as Siri Devamitta Dharmapala Thera.
He passed away on April 29, 1933 .
Anagarika Dharmapala‘s name is written in gold in our history and our memories.
Induwara Eikshana Liyanage
Gvade 5
Asoka college - Horana