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| Balangoda Ananda Maitreya | |
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| Information | |
| Dharma name(s): | Ven. Balangdoda Ananda Maitrey thero |
| Born: | August 24, 1896 Sri Lanka |
| Place of birth: | Balangoda, Sri Lanka |
| Died: | July 18, 1998 (aged 101) |
| Religion: | Buddhism |
| School(s): | Theravada |
| Website | |
Balangoda Ananda Maitreya (August 24, 1896 – July 18, 1998),[1] a Sri Lankan scholar-monk, was a personality of Theravada Buddhism in the twentieth century. Through his meditations, he was believed to have achieved the highest level of spiritual development within the Sri Lankan sangha (Buddhist monastic order). He lived a modest life in a secluded monastery, however, so is little known outside his native country.
Ananda Maitreya Thero wrote nearly fifty books on sutras (scripture), vinaya (monastic discipline), on abhidhamma (metaphysics), and on Pali and Sanskrit grammar. His book, Sakyasimhavadanaya hevat Buddha Charita (The Life of the Buddha), is considered a textbook. He wrote the book Dhammpada, which can also be found in English. Unusually for a Theravada teacher, he publicly studied practices of other traditions, especially esoteric yoga. This is understandable when one realizes that he was a theosophist as well as a Buddhist, Ananda Maitreya Thero was known to have practiced meditation to reach Jhana and he was awarded the title 'Abidhadja Maharattaguru' by Thailand to praise his great achievements in Buddhist meditation and Buddhist literature. Buddhists believed him as a Bodhisattva. Ananda Maitreya thero has done great service for Buddhism throughout his life.
Ananda Maitreya Thero was the first Dharmarcharya at Nalanda College Colombo when it was first established in 1924. Also the Venerable Thero named it 'Nalanda' and chose 'Apadana Sobhini Panna' meaning 'wisdom beautifies character' as Nalanda College's motto.
Furthermore, he along with Ven. Narada Thero from the Vajirarama Temple and Ven. Madiye Panyaseeha thero from the Maharagahama Dharmayathana was and still is one of the foremostly revered and respected monks in the country. His work and sacrifices with the Great Anagarika Dharmapala was one of the steering forces of the upholding of Buddhism in the country at one stage. Ven. Ananda Maitreya thero was considered to be having a extremely highly developed mind, being just short of enlightenment. People all over the country has experienced his powerful spiritual blessings in many more ways than one. His teaching and life have been an inspiration to many aspiring monks and laymen. The humbleness of his character is clearly shown, when he publicly stated that he had no liking whatsoever for titles and awards, but that he was rather accepting it to satisfy the presenter. He quotes my Great Sakyamuni Gautama Buddha in his speech saying "I often remind myself of My Great Buddha's preaching in the Sanyuktha nikaya of the Abhidamma pitaka of the worthlessness and futileness of the craving of awards, titles and commanding positions."
[edit] Books Published
- The Dhammapada: The Path of Truth: Softcover, Wisdom Pubns, ISBN 0932156045 (0-932156-04-5)
[edit] References
- ^ Yodhasinghe, Lionel (1998-07-20). "State Funeral for Ven. Ananda Maitreya" (in Sinhala). Daily News. http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/bam.html. Retrieved on 2008-09-06.
- Souvenir, that was released to mark the 60th anniversary of Nalanda College Colombo in 1986
[edit] External links
- Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maitreya: A Personal Appreciation by Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi
- [1]Ananda Maitreya Thero.jpg
![[1]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ananda_maitreya_thero.jpg){kind=link}
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