Asoka Weeraratna called Deveni Dharmapala
Posted on November 19th, 2025
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Asoka Weeraratna was called the “Deveni Dharmapala” (Second Anagarika Dharmapala) for his monumental contributions to the revival and international spread of Buddhism, particularly in the West. This comparison is drawn due to the significant parallels between his life and work and that of the influential 19th-century Buddhist revivalist Anagarika Dharmapala.
The accolade was publicly bestowed upon him by the late Venerable Bellana Gnanawimala Maha Nayaka Thero during a commemoration of Weeraratna’s death anniversary.
Key similarities and contributions
Buddhist missionary work in the West
- Anagarika Dharmapala: A pioneer in taking the Buddha’s teachings to the West, he famously addressed the 1893 World Parliament of Religions in Chicago.
- Asoka Weeraratna: He spearheaded the first Buddhist mission to Germany in 1957. He founded the German Dharmaduta Society in 1952, paving the way for the spread of Buddhism in Europe.
Renouncing lay life
- Anagarika Dharmapala: He renounced his worldly life at age 66 to enter the Sangha, becoming Venerable Devamitta Dharmapala.
- Asoka Weeraratna: Following Dharmapala’s example, he also renounced his successful lay life at age 53 to ordain as a forest hermit, becoming Venerable Mitirigala Dhammanissanti.
Revival and preservation of Buddhist structures
- Anagarika Dharmapala
: Founded the Maha Bodhi Society in 1891 and is credited with recovering and restoring the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites.
- Asoka Weeraratna
: Established the Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya, a forest hermitage dedicated to meditation. This helped revive the tradition of serious meditation practices in Sri Lanka.
Personal sacrifice
- Both men came from materially comfortable backgrounds but made immense personal sacrifices to serve the Buddha Sasana. This willingness to “let go and go forth” sets them apart from many other Buddhist figures.
The comparison is a recognition of Asoka Weeraratna’s legacy as a true successor to Dharmapala’s missionary zeal and commitment to propagating the Dhamma internationally.
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