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 2^nd May 1926 into a high cast family of Ambewela Keppetipola in Badulla district, this child K.M Gunasekera entered into  priest-hood on 15^th 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 87^th year on 02^nd 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.