Anagarika Dharmapala, who spearheaded a great national, religious, and cultural revival by re-establishing the Buddhist Sasana in India and reclaiming Buddhist holy sites like Bodh Gaya and Sarnath from other religious groups, was remembered on his 161st birthday. The commemoration and meritorious deeds ceremony were held at the Sawara Lanka Jee Viharaya in Japan on the 17th, led by the Chief Sanghanayake of Japan and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society, Ven. Banagala Upatissa Nayake Thera, with the participation of the resident Sangha and the Dayaka Sabha (lay devotees’ committee).
“Anagarika Dharmapala’s 161st Birthday Celebrated in Japan”
During the event, Ven. Banagala Upatissa Nayake Thera stated that it was a day to remember two great sons of Sri Lanka: Anagarika Dharmapala and the country’s first Finance Minister and later first Executive President, J.R. Jayewardene, who became the chairman of the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust after Dharmapala.
The Venerable Thera also extended birthday wishes to the current Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, as his birthday fell on the same day.
The event was attended by Ven. Yatawara Praggnarama Thera, Ven. Henegedere Seelabhadra Thera, Ven. Mottunne Angirasa Thera, Ven. Galaboda Assaji Thera, and Ven. Koswatte Palitha Thera, as well as many lay devotees.
