Preceptor of Ven. Ñāṇavimala Mahāthera and Ven. Bambalapitiye Gnanaloka Thero
Early Life and Ordination
Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayake Thero (1913–2003) was a towering figure in Sri Lankan Buddhism, revered for his unwavering commitment to the Buddha Sasana and national service. Born Benson Wilmot Pujithagunawardhana on June 21, 1913, in Madihe, Matara, he was the youngest of five children.
At the age of 13, he renounced lay life and entered the Buddhist monastic order on June 24, 1926, at Devagiri Vihara, Kamburugamuwa, under the guidance of Ven. Siri Sudhamma Jothipala Kavidhaja Vinayacharya Veragampita Siri Revatha Thera. Upon ordination, he received the name Madihe Pannasiha. He later became a pupil of Most Venerable Palane Siri Vajiragnana Mahanayaka Thera, the esteemed head of the Vajiraramaya Temple, Bambalapitiya, where he received higher ordination on June 9, 1933. His deep commitment to the Dhamma and his scholarly abilities made him one of the most respected monks of his time.
Leadership and Contributions to the Buddha Sasana
Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayake Thero was a fearless advocate for the preservation and propagation of Buddhism. In 1955, following the passing of Ven. Palane Vajiragnana Mahanayaka Thera, he was elected as the Mahanayaka Thera of the Sri Amarapura Dharmarakshita Nikaya. His leadership further expanded in 1969, when he played a pivotal role in uniting the various sects of the Amarapura Nikaya, becoming the first Supreme Patriarch of the United Amarapura Nikaya. His leadership ensured the continued strength and unity of Sri Lanka’s monastic tradition.
Education and Institutional Development
A visionary leader, Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayake Thero was deeply committed to education and monastic training. In 1958, he co-founded the Maharagama Sri Vajiragnana Dharmayatanaya, which became a premier center for monastic training. Over the years, this institution has remained central to the education of monks. His belief in education extended to the laity, reflected in the Daham Pasala (Sunday School) programs and regular Sil observances he initiated for the public.
International Engagement and Buddhist Propagation
Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayake Thero’s influence reached far beyond Sri Lanka. He traveled extensively to China, Nepal, Burma, England, the United States, Japan, Vietnam, and several other countries, spreading Theravāda Buddhism and establishing Buddhist centers abroad. In 1965, he founded the Washington Buddhist Vihara, marking a significant milestone in introducing Theravāda Buddhism to the United States. His efforts strengthened the international Buddhist network, ensuring the teachings of the Buddha reached practitioners worldwide.
Social Service and National Leadership
Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayake Thero was deeply concerned with social issues and national welfare. In 1979, he founded the Dharma Vijaya Foundation, aiming to transform Sri Lanka into a Dhamma Dīpa (Land of the Dhamma) by promoting ethical living, education, and social welfare. He also spearheaded the Thurunu Saviya movement, which focused on youth empowerment and rehabilitation, particularly in response to drug addiction and social unrest.
His leadership played a crucial role in national policy discussions, advocating for the government takeover of Buddhist schools, the recognition of Poya days as public holidays, and the protection of Buddhist heritage. His fearless stance on moral and social issues earned him immense respect from both the monastic and lay communities.
Recognition and Legacy
For his outstanding contributions, Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayake Thero received numerous academic and national awards, including an honorary Ph.D. from the University of Peradeniya in 1987 and the Agga Maha Pandita title from Myanmar in 1996. His passing on September 9, 2003, marked the end of an era, but his legacy lives on through the institutions he founded and the thousands of monks and lay practitioners he inspired.
An Inspiration
Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayake Thero also played an instrumental role in the lineage that led to the founding of the Sri Sambuddha Mission Charitable Trust. In 1994, recognizing Shanaka Dharmakeerthi’s (Ven. Gnanaloka Thero’s lay name) sincere commitment to practice, Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayake Thero facilitated his initial stay at Polgasduwa Island Hermitage, issuing the necessary approval letter. This was made possible due to his long-standing connection with Vajiraramaya Temple, Bambalapitiya, which was the family temple of Ven. Gnanaloka’s grandmother.
He served as the preceptor (Upajjhāya) to both Ven. Ñāṇavimala Mahāthera and Ven. Bambalapitiye Gnanaloka Thero. When Ven. Ñāṇavimala received ordination in 1955, it was under the guidance of Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayake Thero. Decades later, inspired by Ven. Ñāṇavimala’s teachings, Ven. Gnanaloka Thero also received ordination from him within the Sri Amarapura Dharmarakshita Nikaya. After the initial training at the Bhikkhu Training Center in Maharagama (Siri Vajiragnana Dharmayatanaya), Ven. Gnanaloka was granted permission by his preceptor to return to Polgasduwa Island Hermitage, where he would continue his monastic journey.
Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayake Thero was not only a distinguished monastic leader but also a guiding light for Sri Lankan Buddhism. His contributions to education, social welfare, national policy, and international Buddhist propagation continue to inspire monks and laypeople alike. Through the Sri Sambuddha Mission Charitable Trust, we honor his memory, ensuring that his teachings continue to benefit future generations, just as they have shaped the present.