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| Soma
Hamuduruwo had a mission to fulfil The Maha Nayaka Thera was over ninety years old when he passed away. Soma Hamuduruwo was 54. He had just started his mission. He had a long way to go. Yet he was stilled at a time when people had begun to appreciate what he was doing and positive results were evident. I met Soma Hamuduruwo the day before he went to Russia, October 10, to be exact. He was keen to make the trip because his writings were being appreciated by a totally unexpected quarter. Authorities of a Russian university had been so impressed by his book on the qualities of the Buddha, 'Buddha Stupa' that they had decided to confer on him an honorary doctorate and offer him a visiting professorship. "I will be back in two weeks," he told us. I recollect the day 'Buddha Stupa' was launched at the Sri Maha Bodhi on April 18, 1997. At the Vajirarama in Anuradhapura we prepared the 'kiri pindu dana', the traditional offering of specially prepared milk rice for alms early morning. Getting up at 4 a.m., under Soma Hamuduruwo’s direction, a team led by one of his close 'dayakas', Harris Wijesinghe prepared the 'dana'. Just as much as Harris takes great pains in dressing a bride, he saw to it that the cooking of the 'dana' was done meticulously with the greatest care and veneration. We all wore masks, refrained from talking and followed every step in the cooking process in the traditional way, using sandalwood and other rare types of firewood. At the crack of dawn, the 'dana' was offered at the Sri Maha Bodhi after which the book too was offered, first to the Bodhi and thereafter to Madihe Maha Nayaka Thera. Soma Hamuduruwo's fellow monks from the Maharagama Dharmayatanaya and 'dayakas' took part in the simple ceremony. I distinctly remember a light shower falling at the auspicious hour. The previous evening we had gathered in the garden at Nuwara Wewa rest house where under a tree Soma Hamuduruwo delivered a sermon in moonlight, reminding us of how the Buddha used to preach to the masses in His day. Ours was a close relationship for the past two decades. Many were the occasions we met during the days when Soma Hamuduruwo was not a public figure. Whenever he wanted to go outstation either to visit a temple or deliver a sermon, we would prepare the 'dana' and start off. The 'dana' would invariably be taken near a stream or at a lonely spot by the roadside under a tree. He would always carry his alms bowl with him. He also liked to go on 'pindapatha', particularly in the remote villages, and eat whatever was offered by simple folk. After his first visit to Australia on the invitation of some of his youthful dayakas whom he had closely associated with during the days he was in charge of 'Thurunu Saviya' - the youth programme at the Dharmayatanaya, he told us that although he was convinced that he could do a great service by way of propagating the Dhamma, his knowledge of English was not adequate. He sought our advice on how best he could improve his English. Promptly we arranged for a tutor (a veteran teacher from Mattakkuliya) who, though a non-Buddhist was most willing to oblige. He volunteered to come to Vajiraramaya and teach him. After a few weeks, he was happy with the progress. "He was one of the best students I ever had," teacher Paul told me. "He was so interested in learning. He would record the lessons and study them thoroughly before the next lesson. He would diligently do the homework. It was a pleasure to teach him." The tutor was so impressed that at the end of the lessons, he was keen to invite him home for a 'dana'. He and his wife prepared the meal and respectfully served him the way 'dana' is served in any Buddhist home. They continued their association and Soma Hamuduruwo made it a point to contact him whenever he came to Sri Lanka from his missionary work in Victoria. Once the lessons were over, Soma Hamuduruwo was confident that he would be able to perform his mission - teaching the Dhamma to non-Sri Lankans in Australia. Once he brought back a video cassette and wanted my comments on how he had spoken during an inter-religious dialogue over Victoria TV. Several religions were represented and the main topic of discussion was how each religion looks at the concept of god. Having listened
to the discussion I felt so proud that Soma Hamuduruwo was able
to deliver his arguments in a most convincing and confident manner
in English. I told him so and insisted that I was not trying to
flatter him but genuinely felt that he was good. While he was an accomplished preacher on the radio, he broke fresh ground over TV when he started 'Anduren Eliyata' on ITN trying to show the way for people to get out of darkness and find light. When the TV authorities did not like some of the things he said, they stopped the programme and TNL grabbed the opportunity to continue it under the title 'Nena Pahana' - the lamp of wisdom. These programmes had an extremely wide viewership. He never moved away from the teachings of the Buddha in these discussions and quoted always from what the Buddha had taught. His knowledge was so vast that in answering listeners' queries, he would quote from the Dhamma promptly without referring to any text. Soma Hamuduruwo was a staunch believer in meditation. Amidst his busy schedule he would take a week off and go to a solitary place and meditate. He had a favourite 'kutiya' in Maha Oya. Whenever he could, he spent 'vas' in an 'aranyaya' in Pallepola, away from busy urban life. In recent years
he took time off to spend at least a week in Buddha Gaya meditating. He was a superb
organiser. The way he arranged the distribution of water and other
needs of the villagers in the deep south during the drought two
years ago was a fine example of his capabilities. Lorryloads were
distributed under his supervision. Soma Hamuduruwo had a mission - to make society a better place to live in. How did he try to achieve this? By simply explaining 'Pan Sil'- the Five Precepts and convincing people how easy it was to follow them. Many misinterpreted the views he expressed on gods and other personalities whom Buddhists blindly follow. He was only explaining clearly as to how these have no place in Buddhism and how every Buddhist should depend purely on the 'Ti-sarana' - the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha. He taught how bodhi poojas should be conducted in a meaningful manner rather than merely pouring water to the Bodhi tree. ''Walk round the bodhiya clockwise chanting 'Budu guna' and each time you finish a round, sprinkle a little water to it. Once you finish, chant Pirith thus making it a meaningful exercise," was his advice. A little booklet with relevant stanzas was available for those who wished to memorise and conduct the 'bodhi pooja' in this manner. Soma Hamuduruwo
was a 'kalyana mitta' - one who took you along the correct path
and was by your side when you needed him most. Never did he fail
to drop in and chant 'Pirith' whenever he heard that a member of
the family was sick. He was a 'Dhamma friend' who always put you
on the right track in keeping with the teachings of the Buddha.
He was an ever-willing 'Dhamma kathika' capable of preaching eloquently. |
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Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. All rights reserved. |
A
little over three months ago, we mourned the passing away of the
Most Venerable Madihe Pannasiha Maha Nayaka Thera. Today we mourn
the passing away of one of his most illustrious pupils, Gangodawila
Soma Thera who, following the footsteps of the great teacher, spent
the last few years in trying to mould the people to live according
to the basic principles of Buddhism.
