Most Venerable Agga Maha Pandita Kotugoda Dhammawasa Nayaka Thera indisputably heads the long life of great ecclesiastical luminaries that have much illuminated the universally esteemed Sangha community of Sri Lanka. To put it very simply, in order to be in line with his most simple and down-to-earth lifestyle, he is an excellent role model for all members of the Sangha community.
Even his family background shows that it did not have much affluence or very high social status to prepare a special foundation for the siblings. His parents, Haramanis Rodrigo and his devoted wife Selestina Rodrigo, was a well-to-do family to bring up the siblings consisting of four sons and two daughters.
The family did not come within the higher-brackets of influencing. Yet, it had nurtured extremely good human and spiritual qualities which it generally bestowed on the siblings. It appears that one who benefitted most by this parental legacy was the last of siblings, a male who saw the light of the day, Sirimevan Rodrigo. This was on January 26, 1933.
This youngest child did not show any special qualities, but showed his inclination to nurture good disciplined qualities. He displayed interest to visit the village temple where resided Chief Incumbent Ven. Kotugoda Pemananda Nayaka Thera. Young Sirimevan thoroughly enjoyed the company of the Nayaka Thera, who got Sirimevan admitted to the Buddhist mixed school in Kotugoda, managed by the Buddhist Theosophical Society. Now this school is known as Kotugoda Rahula Maha Vidyalaya.
The most significant event that took place during this time was the admission of young Sirimevan into the discipleship of Ven. Unavatune Dhammapala Thera, who was the Chief Incumbent of Sri Dharmapalaramaya in Mount Lavinia. Since his admission, the novice came to be known as Kotugoda Dhammawasa.
Residing in the temple in Mount Lavinia, the novice monk attended the Paramadhammacetiya Pirivena in Ratmalana in 1952, and subsequently joined the Vidyodaya Maha Pirivena in Maligakanda, where he deeply studied the Tripitakas and also acquired knowledge in Pali and Sanskrit. At the Maligakanda Pirivena, as a young student, he had the opportunity of meeting and associating eminent Venerables of the time such as Most Ven. Kalukondayave Pannasekara Nayaka Thera, Most Ven. Welivitiye Sorata Nayaka Thera, Most Ven. Walane Sitthissara Thera, Most Ven. Paravahara Vajiranana Nayaka Thera and other equally eminent Venerables. His acquaintance with Ven. Narada Thera and Ven. Piyadassi Thera opened the doors to his missionary activities.
Our great prelate received Higher Ordination in July 10, 1954. At this auspicious ceremony, Most Ven. Beruwala Siri Sumangala Sirinivasa Mahanayaka Thera served as the ‘Uppajjhaya’, and Most Ven. Ambalangoda Dhammakusala Mahanayaka Thera, Most Ven. Moratuwe Sasanaratana Anunayaka Thera and Most Ven. Moratuwe Pemaratana Thera served as the ‘Kammacariyas’.
With the conferment of Higher Ordination, it appeared as it had begun his luminary and ecclesiastical ladder. By around 1960s, he had already a number of scholarly articles to his credit. Gradually he developed into a ‘sought after’ writer in important Buddhist themes. This literary bent of his led him to establish the Bauddhodaya Association at Sri Dharmapalaramaya, Mount Lavinia gaining a strong foothold in the field of writing. He ventured to publish a ‘Vesak Annual’, which was put out of the press for free distribution. Among his popular writings are: Nivanata Maga’, ‘Ketumati Rajadhaniya’, ‘Kosala Raju DutuSinia’, ‘Dhammo Have Rakkhati Dhammacari’ and so on.
All his writings were Dhamma-related subjects, especially focusing on ethical themes and events and narratives. By then he has had developed a very lucid and audience -captivating language style. This made him a regular contributor to Sinhala newspapers on subjects related to ethics, and anecdotes leading to readers to direct their attention to psychology which he purposely did to draw the attention of the readers to develop mental solace.
As he greatly admired missionary services of Venerables such as Narada Thera, and Piyadassi Thera, he gradually devoted his time to the dissemination of Dhamma in foreign countries - not only Asia but even in the West. So, he did travel much in India, Nepal, China, and Japan etc. These missionary activities took him to Germany, the United Kingdom and America too. With his lucid presentation of Dhamma, he was able to address both the heart and the head of listeners and win great admiration of the large audience.
His real forte was preaching. This potential was in him from his young days, but later it blossomed much to take him to very high potential as a preacher, and often many describe him as the “most appealing preacher”. This ability was known not only as a pleasant and eloquent preacher, but also as a compassionate and soft communicator of the Dhamma which made him win both applauds as well as general donors who were ready to willingly contribute to his services. Upali Dharmasramaya in the vicinity of Kataragama, is one such Dhamma-disseminating centre. This ability of him shed much light on Sri Dharmapalaramaya, making it a sort of cynosure not only of Buddhist devotees, but also of devotees of the other faiths who were interested in listening to his soothing style of preaching that makes listeners experience a deep feeling of serene joy.
He undoubtedly is a tireless worker. He did not care about his health, but cared more about the devotees and multifaceted audience who wished to listen to him, so often putting aside even medical advice, he had undertaken to go distances to meet and talk to those who eager to lend their ears. Travelling for this purpose, perhaps, he uses a therapy he adopted to control his physical and mental weariness. This is the ‘bottle of medicine’ for him to overcome fatigues as well as aches and pain in the body. This therapy makes him work hard, disregarding his personal problems, always focusing his mind on good, benefit and welfare of others. This contributed to his selfless services that bring happiness, solace and mental peace to others. This quality has made him come closer to the devotees who flocked around him wherever he went. His soft rather melodious tone of speech, perhaps, itself soothes the mind of the people, bringing some pacification and relief to them. These qualities made him extremely adorable.
All his adorable qualities, soften and dedicated services to uplift the Sasana contributed immensely to the gradual elevation of his position and stand in the Sangha community. Most Ven. Kosgoda Dhammawasa Thera who very carefully followed the progress demonstrated by Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera after much consideration urged him to accept the Co-Secretary post in the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya. The latter considered and, very soon demonstrated his capabilities and his ability to shoulder greater responsibilities. When he was subsequently elevated to the position of General Secretary all members collectively and unanimously endorsed his appointment.
The Sangha community was completely satisfied with the way the Most Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera managed the affairs as the General Secretary and the members eagerly prevailed upon him to accept the highest position - the President. After serving in that capacity for a considerable period of time, he was elevated to the still esteemed position of ‘Mahopadhyaya’.
He was appointed to the most elevated position of Supreme Maha Nayaka Prelate which fell vacant due to the passing away of the Most Ven. Dauldena Nanissara Maha Nayaka Thera of the Sri Lanka Amaparapura Niakaya. The highest ecclesiastical appointment was made on May 26, 2017.
“I, who adore him greatly, wish him better health and long life to continue his invaluable services to the Sasana, to the devotees, and to all who come to him for advice and guidance.”
(The writer is the Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies
- Kelaniya University.)
