Imparting Dhamma since 1918 amidst the bustle of the city
The Dharma Salawe where the classes were held and left, the main building of the Siri Vajiraramaya. Pix by Ranjith Perera
The Siri Vajiraramaya Dhamma School, one of the country’s foremost centres imparting the teachings of Lord Buddha to students, marked 100 years yesterday, August 18. The Dhamma School came into being following the activism of leading revivalists such as Anagarika Dharmapala and Henry Steele Olcott who began to exert more influence in the country. Exasperated by centuries of colonial rule, Buddhists were looking to break free from the shackles of the colonizers and amidst this new found fervour, the Siri Vajiraramaya became a place that drew both adults and children eager to learn more of the Buddha’s teachings.
From a Dhamma School which began with a small group of students gathering under the shade of trees to learn the Dhamma from the most erudite and scholarly monks in the country at the 
time, the Siri Vajiraramaya Dhamma School has grown to a Dhamma School with over 2000 students who gather each Sunday in a more formal setting to further their knowledge of Buddhism.
“The Dhamma School at Vajiraramaya started on August 18, 1918 under the auspices of the Most Venerable Palane Vajiranana Maha Nayaka Thera. It was a time when there was a thirst to acquire knowledge of the Buddha’s teachings. By then colonial power was facing a tide of opposition while the fiery oratory skills of Anagarika
Dharmapala , Venerable Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera and Venerable Migettuwatte Gunananda Thera whose debating skills had gripped the people after the “Panaduravadaya (Panadura debates) had strengthened the Buddhist revivalist movement in the country,” Venerable Tirikunamale Ananda Mahanayaka Thera of the Vajiraramaya said.
Ven. Meegoda Subuthi Thera
The story of the Vajiraramaya Dhamma School is tied to Most Venerable Palane Vajiranana Mahanayaka Thera. In the 1880s, the Buddhists living around the Bambalapitiya area had formed a Dharma Samagama or Dhamma Society and later built a Dharma Salawa, a hall for preaching the Dhamma and constructed a small room with basic facilities. In 1901 they invited a young monk, Ven. Palane Vajiranana Thera to come and reside there. He had been brought in a procession from the Siri Suvisuddharamaya in Wellawatte where he was residing temporarily. As the temple became popular and more people began to flock to it, the need for a Dhamma School was discussed and it was set up in 1918, Ven. Tirikunamale Ananda Thera said.
Venerable Vajiranana Thera was succeeded by Venerable Narada Mahanayaka Thera who was known for his mastery of the English language, and under his guidance the Siri Vajiraramaya Dhamma School grew further in strength.
Ven.Tirikunamale Ananda Mahanayaka Thera
The Most Venerable Madihe Pannasiha Maha Nayaka Thera who followed, played a major role in inculcating Dhamma education in students. He formulated the five principles that the Dhamma School should be based upon.
These were: to observe the five precepts always and endeavour to observe the Eight Precepts on Poya (Full moon) days, endeavour to respect the Sangha, parents, teachers and elders, train to sustain a simple lifestyle and to promote good neighbourliness, develop restraint , good behaviour and a sound knowledge of the Dhamma and produce a generation of students who are kindled by devotion to the Buddha-Dhamma , inspired by what is indigenous, motivated by national pride and enlivened by the love for one’s language.
Most Venerable Palane Vajiranana Mahanayaka Thera
Venerable Meegoda Subuthi Thera who manages the Dhamma School at present said that the teachings of the Dhamma have evolved over the years and at present knowledge is imparted in a manner that captures the attention of the students.
The Dhamma School has also gone beyond its traditional role and devotes time to students so that those who may encounter psychological challenges that come with the fast paced lifestyle of today can overcome them through the knowledge of the Dhamma.
“Siri Vajiraramaya Dhamma School has had many illustrious students including Dudley Senanayake, J.R. Jayewardene and other prominent personalities. It remains an oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the busy city where students can come and learn the Dhamma with no distractions,” Venerable Tirikunamale Ananda Thera said.
| Centenary anniversary event today | |
| The ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of the Siri Vajiraramaya Dhamma School will be held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena, today Sunday (August 19) at the BMICH from 2 p.m. onwards.The keynote speaker will be the Vice Chancellor of the Sri Jayewardenepura University Professor Sampath Amaratunge. |
The Dhamma school in 1921: Among the young students are Dudley Senanayake and J.R. Jayewardene