The Most Venerable Aggamaha Panditha Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Ratanapala Mahanayaka Maha Thera
Born on 17 March 1930, in Udugama in the district of Kurunegala and ordained in 1944, the Most Venerable Maha Thera has served the Buddha’s world revered Tooth Relic housed in the Kandy Dalada Maligawa, the pinnacle of the devout Sri Lankan Buddhist places of worship for over 50 years. Both nationally and internationally known for his Buddha Sasana Seva Most Ven. Maha Thero was the patron of the newly established Sri Sambodhi Buddhist Meditation Centre UK (SSBMC UK) opened on the 01st of June 2014 by the Maha Nayaka Maha Thero himself as in the pictures.
Addressing the well-attended guests and the devotees from all over the world the Most Venerable Maha Nayaka Thero emphasised the great need to share the sublime Buddha Dhamma with the Western world especially at a time when the demand for the Buddha dhamma is increasing from all around the globe.
The Maha Nayaka Maha Thera offered the authentic Relics of the Buddha including the sacred cloth used to wrap the Most sacred Tooth Relic brought from the Kandy Dalada Maligawa as a mark of his sincere support and patronage to the Buddhists in UK and Europe. Maha Nayka Thero’s physical presence at the opening ceremony and his week-long stay at SSBMC which was almost about to be lost to the UK Buddhist community a few years ago was a most memorable occasion that all Buddhists fondly remember at the SSBMC.
The board of Trustees and the Dayaka Sabha have decided to hold a week-long vigil in memory of late Venerable Mahanayaka Maha Thera including Mathaka Vastra puja to be held at the SSBMC 84 Dacre Road E13 0PR on Saturday 11th of April and to hold a Mathaka Dhamma Desana and Sangika Dana to the Maha Sangha on 13th and 14th of April 2015 respectively.
May the Most Venerable Prelate attain the supreme Bliss of Nibbana!
May his immense service to the Sambuddha Sasana long continue!
May the world be blessed by the late Maha Nayaka Maha Thera always!
