Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena paid respectful felicitations to bhikkhus who were awarded titles by the Republic of Myanmar at the Temple Trees last week.
Ven. Prof .Kamburugamuwe Vajira Thera was bestowed the highest title - Abhidajamaha Rattaguru. Several other bhikkhus also received titles.
Myanmar’ prestigious title Aggamahapanditha was awarded to Ven. Omare Kassapa Thera, Ven. Inguruwatte Piyananda Thera and Ven. Prof. Muwaatagama Gnananada Thera and the title Saddhammajyothikadaja has been awarded to Ven. Getaberikande Rathanasara Thera.
The Premier said, “Myanmar by awarding our leading monks has not only recognised their immense services to Buddha Dhamma but also conveyed a deep message to the world about the need for propagation of the teachings of the Buddha globally again.”
He recalled the vast contribution made by Ven. Prof. Kamburugamuwe Vajira Thera for nearly 80 years. He has etched a significant mark among the most erudite monks produced by Dhamma institutes such as Vidyalankara and Vidyodaya Privenas.
The Prime Minister said these erudite monks brought pride to the nation and their recognition internationally during the Vesak season celebrated by the entire country has given more illumination to the Buddha Sasana. Premier Gunawardena said that the teachings of the Buddha are prevalent even after 2,600 years and it has helped to strengthen close religious and diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
He said the assistance provided by Myanmar and Siam, today known as Thailand in the formation of the Syam, Ramanna and Amarapura sects to revive and strengthen Buddhism is highly appreciated.
“Vidyalankara Pirivena and the University have become universal centers where Pali and Sanskrit scholars gathered and spoke in those languages and taught Buddhist studies. Professor of Oxford University Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, who later became President of India visited Vidyalankara and exchanged views and spoke with the Vice Chancellor and other academic monks, not in English, but in Pali and Sanskrit,” he said.
The Ven. Maha Sangha, Ministers Bandula Gunawardena, Vidura Wickremenayake, State Minister Sisira Jayakody, Parliamentarians Yadamini Gunawardena, Ranjith Bandara, Jagath Kumara and Myanmar Ambassador Han Thu, Buddhasasana Minstry Secretary Somaratne Vidanapathirana were also present.