Most Ven. Ambewela
Pangnasara Chief Incumbent Thero completes 87 years.
In the context of a dearth of meritorious clergy and
laity, capable of serving not only for the good of the present and future world
but also for the upliftment of race-religion and nation, Ven. Ambewela
Pangnasara, the Chief Incumbent, who is devoted for active, honest, genuine and
spiritual service is undoubtedly a living charismatic personality and an
example worthy of emulation by entire society.
Born on 2nd May 1926 into a high cast
family of Ambewela Keppetipola in Badulla district, this child K.M Gunasekera
entered into priest-hood on 15th
October1937, under the auspices of Sri Sumangala Somananda Chief Incumbent Thero
of Subadrarama Temple Palugama and assumed the Buddhist name of Ambewela
Pangnasara Thero With unflinching obedience to his teachers, adorned with far
sightedness - patience and untiring efforts, the young Thero sought his basic
education at Badulla Vidyoththansa Pirivena and went on to follow higher studies
at Sri Lanka Vidyodaya University, which was regarded as “ Knowledge
Treasury” and also with valuable
association ,guidance and advice of a circle of scholastics monks who shined
with PhD. in philosophy - Masters of Tripitaka
-Dhammadara and Vinayadara, this Thero, continued his education most
satisfactorily. Having gained B.A from Sri Lanka Vidyodaya University, Ven.Pangnasara
Thero strived to improve the Buddhist education of children and thereby got
appointed to the post of Buddhist Lecturer in Mampe-Piliyandala Sri Sobhita
Maha Vidyalaya. Subsequently, the Thero joined the public service and served as
a Teacher in several Central Schools and also as Principal and continued an
educational career, promoting education of a vast number of students, thus
doing a devoted and vital service to the society. The Thero commenced his
teaching profession in 1961 from Bakamune Vidyalaya, Polonnaruwa, and ended
same in 1986 when he retired from Piliyandala Central School and from the
Education Service too.
When the Ven.Thero was serving as a teacher, he was
respectfully conducted to Suwarapola village at Piliyandala, where a Buddhist
monastery was built out of his own expenses and rendered yeoman service to
villagers of the area by residing in the same monastery of the village. The
Thero pioneered an electricity project which was a great necessity for the
village, and Dhamma Nikethanaya was first supplied with electricity during a
short period. Ven.Ambewewa Pangnasara
Thero is always busy in conducting Buddhist
activities, namely Bana preaching - conducting meditation programmes - sil
campaigns thereby building up a environment friendly life in the village. Even
up to the present moment, the Thero is activating a number of Alms giving
campaigns with the willing participation of villagers who contribute to
enormous merit and similar Buddhist activities. The Damma Nikethanaya commenced in the 1970 decade
as a small monastery, and it is a fully-fledged large Vihara today. A few monks now reside at Buddhaloka Maha Viharaya
which stands as a living monument to the untiring efforts, dedication and sound
leadership of our Nayaka Thero, who has thus gifted an invaluable legacy to
residents of this village.
In keeping with the welfare of all Sri Lankans, the
Thero has launched a service of writing verses of awakening Blessings and
reading of horoscopes, which aspects have yielded excellent results. Ven.Ambewela
Pangnasara Thero has excelled as a convincing lecturer in Bana preaching and also
has exhibited his elegant skill in conducting sermons over the Radio and
Television. The Thero has undertaken tours abroad and in terms of Lord Buddha’s
, words “Charaka Bikkawe Charikan” he has recently travelled to a number of
countries, including America, in the mission of preaching Buddhist philosophy
in these countries.
The Chief Incumbent of Suwarapola ,Piliyandala
Buddhaloka Maha Viharaya, Sri Saddharma - Acharya Mahopadya - Shyamopali Maha Sector,
Chief Incumbent of Uva chapter Most Ven.Thero Srimath Ambewela Pangnasara will step into 87th
year on 02nd May 2012. We bless the Mahanayake Thero to be hale and
hearty and wish long life with blessings of the Triple Gem.
Mervyn R. Perera.
