Ven. Hurulunikawewe Sudhamma Thera
It is not easy to learn Japanese, speak it fluently and write it brilliantly. It is not easy to get established in Japan. It is not easy to institute a Sri Lankan Buddhist temple in Japan, propagate Theravada Buddhism and encourage meditation. It is not easy to win the hearts of Japanese people and the Asian community comprising Sri Lankans living in Japan. All these challenging tasks have been accomplished by a young monk, namely, Venerable Hurulunikawewe Sudhamma Thera, who is honoured with the title of ‘Chief Sangha-Nayaka of Japan’ by the Saddhammayuttika Chapter’ of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya.
A special function, chaired by the Most Venerable Gantune Assaji Mahanayaka Thera, is organised for July 16, 2023 at 3.00 pm at the National Youth Services Council, Maharagama to felicitate Venerable Sudhamma Thera and officially handover the credentials of ‘Chief Sangha Nayaka of Japan’ to him. General Kamal Gunaratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence is attending as the chief guest.
The main temple established by Ven. Sudhamma Thera in Japan is located near the legendary Fuji Mountain. One can spot the beautiful scenery of Mount Fuji when visiting the ‘Fuji Sugatha Vihara’ situated at No.3155, Kitayama, Fujinomiya-shi, Shisuoka Ken 418-0112, Japan. The other monastery started by him is ‘Kanagawa Sugatha Meditation Centre’ in Yokohama. Ven. Sudhamma Thera’s irresistible endeavour in building these centres has come to fruition by facilitating thousands of Japanese and Sri Lankans to visit and engage in meritorious activities including meditation.
Ven. Sudhamma Thera was born on the 5th of August, 1982 in Ankumbura, Kandy and grew up in Hurulunikawewa near Anuradhapura. His parents are Mr. E. D. Ranasinghe and Mrs. R. D. Chandralatha. He showed signs of a bright future even during his childhood. His ordination as a novice Buddhist monk took place at Ovilikanda Sri Vijayarama temple as a student of Ven. Ovilikande Sumanatissa Nayaka Thera. Monastic and literary education was carried out at Vidyananda Maha Pirivena in Matale. Later on, he came to the Mahamegharama temple in Maharagama and resided there under the guidance of Ven. Ankumbure Amarawansa Nayaka Thera. Thereafter Sudhamma Thera got the opportunity to enter the renowned Vidyodaya Pirivena in Maligakanda and completed his higher education.
Ven. Sudhamma Thera received his ‘Upasampada’ (Higher Ordination) on May 26, 2003 at the Simamalaka of Gangarama temple, Peliyagoda. He went to Japan on May 21, 2004 on the invitation of Ven. Yalagamuwe Dhammissara Nayaka Thera and resided at the ‘Shokanji Sakyamuni International Buddhist Center’ in Tokyo. During his stay there he began studying the Japanese language and after one year he was selected to the Rissho University in Tokyo for the Bachelor’s degree in Buddhist studies. He finished his degree and was named the best student in the field. In 2013 a temple was started in Fujinomiya by Ven. Sudhamma Thera with the help of generous devotees. The fully established and flourishing ‘Fuji Sugatha Vihara’ was instituted in 2018. A Meditation Centre was founded in Kanagawa in 2020.
Ven. Sudhamma Thera, possessing an impeccable character as a monk, is a shining example to all monastics. He prefers paying homage to the Buddha, going on alms round with a bowl (pindapatha), participating in Vinaya-recitations, engaging in meditation retreats and always heeds the advice of elderly monks.
Venerable Sudhamma Nayaka Thera has been engaging in many social service activities too, for which he has set up the ‘Sugata Kalana Mithuro Foundation’. Some notable activities are building 13 houses for homeless families, distributing learning material for schoolchildren, initiating scholarship programmes and constructing pre-school buildings.
Ven. Thalpawila Kusalagnana Thera