October 30-- Buddhists in the country must be on the alert to safeguard the religion and the Sangha who follow the footsteps of the Buddha, Chief Incumbent of Dharmapalaramaya, Mount Lavinia, Ven. Aggamaha Panditha Kotugoda Dhammawasa Anunayake Thera said.
Migettuwatte Gunananda Thera is a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk famous for his speeches and debates against the Christian missionaries during the colonial period. Photo: www.peaceinbuddha.org
An administration without political differences is necessary to strengthen peace and harmony which has been established defeating terrorism in the country by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, he said.
Political differences among the public and the leaders cause hardship and obstruction to the society and the development of the country, he said.
Ven. Dhammawasa Anunayake Thera was addressing the Maha Sangha and the public at the opening of the Ven. Wadibasinha Megattuwatte Gunananda Nayake Thera Memorial Hall constructed on the land where the Panadura Debate was held.
Provincial Health, Indigenous Medicine, Child Care and Women Affairs Minister Jagath Angage opened the Memorial Hall amidst the chanting of Seth Pirith.
Ven. Dhammawasa Anunayake Thera said the quality of the Maha Sangha was diminishing slowly due to various unknown reasons, followed by certain members of the Maha Sangha.
Ven. Dhammawasa Anunayake Thera described details of the Panadura Debate held on August 24, and 26, 1873 on the land called Dombagahawatta, belonging to Panadura philanthropist Jeramias Dias. The debate was held between Buddhist monks and missionary leaders during the British regime and gained worldwide publicity.
Rankoth Viharaya, Panadura, Chief Incumbent Ven. Professor Kahapola Sugatharatne Anunayake Thera who is also a lecturer at the Kelaniya University said as a result of the Panadura debate, Buddhism became an international religion and Colonel Henry Steel Olcott of the United States of America visited the country and also Panadura in 1884.
Later, Olcott who embraced Buddhism, did much for the development of the religion. Discussions were held among National Heroes like D.B. Jayatilleke, David Hewavitharana and Anagarika Dharmapala, he said.
The Memorial Hall had been constructed as an act of gratitude to Ven. Wadibasinha Megettuwatte Gunananda Thera who was responsible for holding the Panadura debate, assisted by Panditha Ven. Gunarathana Nayake Thera of the Rankoth Viharaya, Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera and Ven. Waskaduwe Sri Subu Thera.
Provincial Minister Angage paid a tribute to the Maha Sangha and the public present at the premises to commemorate the occasion.
He said: We are celebrating the 140th anniversary of the Panadura Debate of 1873 which is a memorable occasion.
One hundred Bikkhus and Bikkhunis were offered gilanpasa during the ceremony.