K. Sri Dhammananda (born Martin Gamage, 18 March 1919 – 31 August 2006) was a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, scholar, and was an especially prominent figure for Buddhism in Malaysia.
K. Sri Dhammananda | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Title | First Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia (1963-2006) |
| Personal | |
| Born | Martin Garmage 18 March 1919 Matara, Sri Lanka |
| Died | 31 August 2006 (aged 87) Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Subang Jaya, Malaysia |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| School | Theravada |
| Education | Banaras Hindu University |
| Senior posting | |
| Based in | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Successor | Kirinde Sri Dhammaratana |
Early life
editBorn in the village of Kirinde in Matara, Sri Lanka, Dhammananda spent most of his life and career in Malaysia. He was ordained as a novice monk (samanera) at the age of 12 and was fully ordained in 1940. After arriving in Malaya in 1952, now part of Malaysia, Dhammananda established himself as a leading Theravada Buddhist monk in the region and was appointed as the Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia.[1] He was also influential to the nearby Singaporean Buddhist community. In 2000, Dhammanada was honored with the Aggamaha Saddhammajotikadhaja award by the Myanmar government.
Death
editDhammananda died on 31 August, 2006 at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre in Selangor, Malaysia.[2] It was claimed that there were auspicious signs including lights and auras around the funeral site.[3]
References
edit- ^ Simon, Marilyn (4 June 2018). "Love and kindness, key to harmonious living". Herald Malaysia. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "Loving Monk". The Buddhist Channel. 6 September 2006.
- ^ "Odd Sighting At Dhammananda's Cremation". The Buddhist Channel. 7 September 2006.
External links
edit
- Dhammananda home page
- Dhammananda, K. Sri (1964). What Buddhists Believe (PDF). Buddhist Mission Society of Malaysia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2013. Retrieved 2 November 2008.
- Books & Articles by K Sri Dhammananda
- Archive: Funeral of the late Chief Venerable K Sri Dhammananda