Chief Sanghanayaka of Nuwara Kalaviya, Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera assumed duties as the Chief of Anuradhapura Atamasthana by the Atamasthana Working Committee. Ven. Hemarathana Thera succeeds the late Ven. Dr Pallegama Sirisumana Dhammarakkitha Thera.
Sri Lanka’s treasures bear the hallmarks of impressive history, culture and heritage. Since the times of the stone age, the country has seen many civilisations, as well as invasions, rise and fall. Anuradhapura, a city now declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the global sphere and a sacred site at home is the first in the line of several kingdoms: Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Kurunegala and Kotte.
Since the introduction of Buddhism, the Mahavihara tradition became the mainstream establishment in Anuradhapura. The tradition heavily influenced and, thus, shaped the island nation’s civilisation. The bhikkhus had duties shared. Some adopted the forestine routine to attain spiritual freedom, whereas their counterparts continued to lead the community life guiding the laymen towards worldly as well as spiritual excellence.
The tank (wewa), pagoda (dagoba), village (gama) and vihara (temple) not only became the keywords of a flourishing Buddhist tradition; they were the elements integral to each other.
Classic examples
The bhikkhu community who took over the task of guiding their lay counterpart triggered some controversy. As theoreticians would often suggest, mingling with the lay who dwell in the sensual pleasures would affect the renunciate lifestyle. As a result, certain bhikkhus came to be known as cheevaradharis (robe bearers) for their lifestyle spent against the Buddha’s teachings. Living a renunciate’s life among those who have not renounced the life is quite tough.
This was so in the case of the community-based monks who took permanent residence at temples. But we can confidently say some venerable bhikkhus have overcome that challenge to follow the Buddha’s path while being a guiding force to the laity. Plus, they made use of the lay tools to encourage the community to renunciation.
The lay tools include aesthetic activities. Since the Anuradhapura kingdom, we have come across revered bhikkhus who engaged in literary activities in order to inculcate spiritual interest in the community. Ven. Dharmasena and Vimalakiththi Theras who authored Saddharma Rathnavaliya and Saddharmarathnakaraya are classic examples.
The study of Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera is now the chief custodian of the eight sacred sites in Anuradhapura is significant against this backdrop. The Ven. Thera epitomises the tradition which represents the kingdom lineage initiated in Anuradhapura. He is among the few bhikkhus with songwriting erudition, for one. He represents the lineage of community bhikkhus who brought their artistic skills into play in order to popularise the Buddha’s teachings among the lay crowd.
Origins
Venerable Hemarathana Thera hails from Pallegama, a village that borders Dambulla and Anuradhapura in Matale District. He entered the robes together with his predecessor Venerable Dr. Pallegama Sirinivasa Thera. Born on June 15, 1954, to parents K. Kiribanda and Karuna Kumarihamy of Karadagolla Walauwa, he was named Karadagolle Walavve Nandaratna. The little boy was first schooled at Boolagala Junior School. As the school was quite short of supply, the youngster was later admitted to Welihene Maha Vidyalaya. Nandaratna had his last lay education at Kandalama Pallegama Siddhartha Maha Vidyalaya. He left the school at Garde 8.
On May 9, 1968, Nandaratna had his head shaved to undertake the going forth in front of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to live the life of a Buddhist renunciate among ordained bhikkhus. Nadaratna became Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera – the first step in a journey of a thousand miles.
Since then, Ven. Hemarathana Thera took up residence in Ruwanweli Maha Seya. He received his basic education at Thuparama Maha Vihara Pirivena. Then in 1972, he entered Maligakanda Vidyodaya Pirivena to master oriental studies. He sat for his Advanced Level examination at Sandalanka Sastrodaya Pirivena in 1975 and entered his next academic destination, Kelaniya University.
He left the university with a special degree in archaeology in 1978. Ven. Hemarathana Thera entered Vidyodaya Pirivena, Maligakanda in 1971 with Ven. Sirinivasa Thera. Ven. Kalukodayave Pannasekara Thera held the principalship of this religious academy back then. The Ven. Thera returned to Anuradhapura upon completing his academic venture. And in 1982 he entered Maha Vihara Pirivena to take up a teaching position. He was promoted to the position of principal 10 years later.
Custodianship
Ven. Hemarathana Thera was also the representative of the Central Cultural Fund for Atamastanaya. On August 15, 1997, Ven. Pallegama Hemaratana Thera was entrusted with the sacred custodianship of Ruwanweli Maha Seya. Ruwanweli Maha Seya is cherished among Buddhists as it shelters the enshrinement of two quarts or one Drona of the Buddha’s Relics.
Reverently known as Maha Seya, Ruwanweli Maha Seya is among the seven other sacred sites premised in the venerated city, which is altogether known as Atamastanaya: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Thuparamaya, Lovamahapaya, Abhayagiri Dagoba, Jetavanaramaya, Mirisaveti Stupa, and Lankarama.