On the passing away of the Most Ven. Rajakeeya Pandith Weihene Pannaloka Maha Thero, Chief Sangha Nayake of Canada and Gangabada Paththuwa, Galle and patron of the Washington DC Buddhist Vihara, a funeral ceremony was held on March 17 at The Lion of Wisdom Meditation Centre, Gaithersburg, Maryland.
The funeral rites for the Ven. Maha Thero was conducted in the presence of Chief Sangha Nayaka of North America, Ven. Maharagama Dhammasiri Thero and Ven. Wathuliyadde Rathanaseeha as well as Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States Mahinda Samarasinghe, officials of the Embassy and members of the Buddhist community, who organized the ceremony.
Several Sri Lankan and members of the clergy from other countries in addition to a large number of devotees also attended. Ambassador Samarasinghe along with the members of the clergy were associated in the traditional โmathaka wasthra pujaโ and โpan wadeemaโ rituals. Ven. Wathuliyadde Rathanaseeha delivered the opening address and messages of condolence on behalf of the Malwatte and Amarapura chapters were also read out during the ceremony.
In his address Ven. Maharagama Dhammasiri Thero recalled the years of service rendered to the Buddhist world by the 94 year old deceased prelate Most Ven. Pannaloka Thero. He said he had associated with Ven. Pannaloka Thero for over 60 years and had worked alongside him for 36 years in Washington DC. The late prelate had served as a teacher and principal nurturing younger generations. His deep knowledge and decisiveness made the conduct of affairs much easier.
In his remarks, Ambassador Samarasinghe said the Ven. Pannaloka was the epitome of a virtuous and holy priest. Hailing from Weihena, Baddegama in Galle, he was a repository of wisdom who led an exemplary life. An only child, he was fortunate to be ordained as a member of the Buddhist clergy at a young age and had eschewed all material things. The Ambassador related two incidents from his life which demonstrated his detachment from worldly possessions.
He showed no interest in regaining a sum of money which had gone missing and had expressed the view that the person who needed it should utilize it for their own ends. Similarly he donated his entire parental inheritance to a person who had cared for his mother in her final years. The Ambassador added that such an individual who showed no desire for material possessions and led an exemplary life would, he believed, attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka
Washington DC
19th March 2024
