Conferment of 'Aggamahapanditha' title on
Most Venerable Kotugoda Dhammavasa
Anunayaka Maha Thera

Ven. (Professor) Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera HONOUR: Most Venerable Kotugoda Dhammavasa Annunayaka Maha Thera of the Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha, is being conferred with the high ecclesiastical title 'Aggamahapandita' by the Myanmar government today.

The Annunayaka Maha Thera, who is the head monk of the Dharmapalarama, Mount Lavinia, has been performing a yeoman service to the Buddhasasana and leading an exemplary life as a monk for almost six decades. It is in recognition of his valuable service and appreciation of his admirable qualities as a monk that he is being honoured in this manner.

Most Venerable Kotugoda Dhammavasa Annunayaka Thera is one of the most popular and sought after Dhamma preachers of our time.

In fact, in certain respects he is unique as a Dhamma preacher, for unlike many others he is one who follows the age-old tradition of preaching, while at the same time maintaining a style of his own, using a language that is pleasant and meaningful and also a delivery which is very soothing to ear and appealing to heart.

This, perhaps is the result of the long training he has had as a preacher from young days, always obliging the invitations of the dayakas and delivering appropriate sermons.

His preachings clearly show his thorough understanding of the commentaries interpretation of the Dhamma from which he never deviates. Always he cites details from the commentaries and adds authority to his clear presentation of the Theravada teachings.

Unlike some who tries to be too clever and present novel interpretations, often with the intention of cutting a figure as rather non-traditional interpretations of the Dhamma, the Annunayaka Maha Thera always very strictly adhere to traditional, long-cherished interpretations. Yet, he is extremely clever in presenting these teachings in a way that is appealing to the present generation.

His preaching is so popular that there is no province, not even perhaps, a village which he has not visited to deliver Dhamma discourses. He is not known to decline any invitation for preaching with equal zest and enthusiasm he accepts the invitation from the President's House, as well as from the shanty in the beach close to his temple.

Unlike some well-known other preachers the Annunayaka Maha Thera lays no conditions when an invitation is extended for preaching.

He never resorts to gain cheap popularity by presenting debacle interpretations to doctrinal issues and rousing the curiosity of the listeners. He is totally dedicated to present the Buddha Dhamma in its true spirit, as it has been done by the well known erudite preachers of the past.

Besides, being a preacher of great excellence, he is also a writer who sincerely tries to make readers imbibe themselves with serene religious thoughts. With this objective in view he has, since 1960, annually published a booklet on the Vesak day providing food for thought for his readers.

These publications done in Sinhala deals with such appropriate themes as: The ways to happiness in both worlds, The way to Nibbana, The characterisation of the Tathagata, The Maitreya Buddha and so on.

He is also in the practice of publishing leaflets with the aim of drawing the attention of the readers to ethical issues. These publications done under the patronage of the Bauddhodaya Society is a worthy contribution of his to the dissemination of Dhamma.

The Amarapura Nikaya consist of a large number of sub-sects. However, the establishment of the Amarapura Sangha Sabha as the umbrella organisation, definitely contributed to the strengthening of the Sangha Community. The contribution made by Most Venerable Kotugoda Dhammavasa Annunayaka Maha Thera in forging this unity is extremely remarkable and commendable.

At present the Annnayaka Maha Thera is Secretary-General of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha. In this capacity he is rendering invaluable service for the progress of this Nikaya.

While tirelessly working to foster the Nikaya to which he belongs, he very effectively works to forge unity with other sects and works in cooperation with all major sects on matters affecting the Sangha Community, and the Buddha Sasana in general.

Therefore, the Annunayaka Maha Thera is held in high esteem and affection by the whole Sangha Community in Sri Lanka. He is also contributing much to foster inter-faith harmony and cooperation. As an active member of the Religious Congress he is engaged in performing much commendable service to bring about inter-faith harmony and cooperation.

He has visited many countries on the invitation of Sri Lankan expatriates living abroad and has done his best to quench their thirst for Dhamma knowledge. He is also engaged in helping to promote Buddhism in such countries as Thailand and Myanmar.

With this purpose in mind he is training novices got down from these countries. His close relationship with Myanmar is such that in the Tansit region in Yangoon there is a Temple called Lankarama established in his honour.

Thus, it is such a great Sri Lankan monk that is being honoured by the Government of Myanmar today by conferring on him the high ecclesiastical title 'Aggamahapandita'.

I very sincerely and earnestly wish Most Venerable Kotugoda Dhammavasa Annunayake Maha Thera good health and long life to enable him to continue his extremely admirable and invaluable service to the Buddhasasana.