Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhitha Thera
Encyclopedia
Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhitha Thera is the Chief Incumbent (Chief Priest) of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
and Head of the Buddhist and Pali Faculty of the University of Kelaniya
.
. He is the fifth in the family of four brothers and two sisters. Brothers are Upali, Nimal, Nihal and Sunil and the sisters are Sudharma & Pushpa.
studying Buddhist Philosophy and French language. Thereafter Sangharakkhitha Thera was awarded a two year scholarship to study at the Sorbonne University to gain a postgraduate degree in French language. After which going on to gain a Masters and doctorate from the University of Delhi
.
Returning to Sri Lanka, Sangharakkhitha Thera started lecturing at the University of Kelaniya, Faculty of Buddhist and Pali, later becoming a Professor
. Sangharakkhitha Thera was appointed chief incumbent of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara in 1992.
Sangharakkhitha Thera started a special Pirivena
to teach Buddhism in the English language and has taken laudable steps to encourage the monks who are on missions all over the world.
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara or Kelaniya Temple is a Buddhist temple in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, seven miles from Colombo. The Chief Incumbent is Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhitha Thera....
and Head of the Buddhist and Pali Faculty of the University of Kelaniya
University of Kelaniya
The University of Kelaniya is a state university of Sri Lanka. Situated just outside the municipal limits of Colombo, in the ancient and historic city of Kelaniya, the University has two major campuses, seven locations, six faculties and four institutions....
.
Early life
Educated at the Royal College, Colombo, He was born to Appuhami Dassanayake and Podihamine Dassanayake of Kollupitiya,ColomboKollupitiya
Kollupitiya is a major city in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The name Kollupitiya comes from the name of a chief from Kandy who had unsuccessfully attempted to dethrone the last king of Kandy. During the period of British and Dutch administration, a brewery had commenced in Kollupitiya which converted...
. He is the fifth in the family of four brothers and two sisters. Brothers are Upali, Nimal, Nihal and Sunil and the sisters are Sudharma & Pushpa.
Priesthood
Becoming a monk in the 1960s under the guidance of the then chief incumbent of the Kelani Temple Ven. Thalewela Vijitha Dhammarakkhitha Thera, Sangharakkhitha Thera studied scripture at the Gangarama Temple in Hunupitiya and obtained graduated from the Vidyalankara Campus of the University of CeylonUniversity of Ceylon
The University of Ceylon was the only university in Sri Lanka from 1942 until 1972. It had several constituent campuses at various locations around Sri Lanka. The University of Ceylon Act No. 1 of 1972, replaced it with the University of Sri Lanka which existed from 1973 to 1978. In 1978 it was...
studying Buddhist Philosophy and French language. Thereafter Sangharakkhitha Thera was awarded a two year scholarship to study at the Sorbonne University to gain a postgraduate degree in French language. After which going on to gain a Masters and doctorate from the University of Delhi
University of Delhi
The University of Delhi is a central university situated in Delhi, India and is funded by Government of India. Established in 1922, it offers courses at the undergraduate and post-graduate level. Vice-President of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari is the Chancellor of the university...
.
Returning to Sri Lanka, Sangharakkhitha Thera started lecturing at the University of Kelaniya, Faculty of Buddhist and Pali, later becoming a Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
. Sangharakkhitha Thera was appointed chief incumbent of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara in 1992.
Sangharakkhitha Thera started a special Pirivena
Pirivena
Pirivena is a monastic college for the education of Buddhist priests in Sri Lanka. These have been the centers of secondary and higher education in ancient times for lay people as well. Today 561 Piriven are founded and maintained by the Ministry of Education...
to teach Buddhism in the English language and has taken laudable steps to encourage the monks who are on missions all over the world.