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Kala Korner - by Dee Cee

Recognising three scholar monks
Amidst a host of politicians gaining recognition by way of commemorative stamps at regular intervals, it was a welcome change to see stamps being released in memory of three scholar monks who have done yeoman service in the interests of the Buddha Sasana and Buddhist literature. The three learned monks are Ven. Raddelle Sri Pannaloka Anu Nayaka Thera, Ven. Prof. Hammalawa Saddhatissa Nayaka Thera and Ven. Talalle Siri Dhammananda Maha Nayaka Thera.

Ven. Raddelle Sri Pannaloka Anu Nayaka Thera (1909-1994) who was ordained at the age of 16 had his early education at Siddhartharamaya at Walana, Panadura and later joined the Vidyodaya Pirivena at Maligakanda. He won several scholastic awards during his monastic education crowning it with a 'Shastrapati' (Master's degree) from the Vidyodaya University (later Sri Jayawardenapura) in 1962. He served on the teaching staff of the Vidyodaya Pirivena for 35 years. Having served as Principal of the Sri Perakumba Pirivena, Kotte, he took over the reins as Vice Chancellor of the Bhikkhu University in 1980.

He also served on literary and religious bodies -the Sri Lanka Sahitya Mandalaya, Tripitala Translation Board, Mahavamsa Editorial Board and the All-Ceylon Buddhist Congress. He was chief incumbent of Poorvaramaya, Kirulapone and two other temples. His services to his Nikaya were acknowledged when he was appointed Chief Sangha Nayaka of Sabaragamuwa (his birth-place was Radella in Ratnapura district) by the Sri Kalyani Samagridhamma Maha Sangha Sabha in 1950 and later elected Anu Nayaka Thera of the Chapter.

Among his publications was a research study on 'The Buddha and the Brahmin Community'. The Asgiriya Chapter of the Siyam Nikaya conferred on him the title of 'Tripitaka Vagishwaracharya'.

Professor Hammalawa Saddhatissa Nayaka Thera (1914-1990) was a learned monk proficient in Pali, Sanskrit, Sinhala, Hindi and English. He read for his Ph.D in the University of Edinburgh (1963) and also earned a D.Litt. His reputation as a scholar and an exponent of Buddhist teaching was known the world over with nearly two dozen well known publications made available in English, German, French, Spanish, Finnish and Japanese.

He was best known for his service as head of the London Buddhist Vihara, the only Buddhist temple in Britain when he went there in 1957. His charismatic personality coupled with his deep knowledge of the Dhamma enabled him to generate sufficient interest in Buddhism at an international level.

Ven. Saddhatissa was Professor of Pali and Buddhist Studies at Benares Hindu University (1956-57), lecturer at the London University (1958-60) and Professor at the Toronto University (1966-69). He was a visiting lecturer at the Oxford University (1973) and also lectured in several European and American universities as well as those in Korea and Japan.

Ven. Talalle Dhammnanada Maha Nayaka Thera (1918-1997) was the head of the Amarapura Sirisaddhammawansa Sect and chief incumbent of the Jayasekararamaya, Kuppiyawatta, Maradana. Hailing from Talalla in the Matara District, he was ordained when he was 14 years old and received his higher ordination eight years later. He joined the Vidyodaya Pirivena for his higher studies and was invited to join the tutorial staff.

He received his Master's degree (1967) from the Vidyodaya University and D Litt in 1978. He has 17 literary publications to his credit and was highly acclaimed as a learned monk. He was a member of the Council of the Post-Graduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies and served in numerous State institutions on religious and cultural affairs. He was a most sought after preacher and his Dhamma sermons were highly appreciated.

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