By Dipen Barua Courtesy Buddhistdoor.net

The celebrated Buddhist scholar Prof. Yakupitiyage Karunadasa, widely known as Y. Karunadasa, died in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 26 April. He was 92 years old. Prof. Karunadasa was best known for his extensive research on Early Buddhism and Theravada Abhidhamma.

Prof. Karunadasa was a towering figure in Buddhist studies—a brilliant scholar, a compassionate teacher, and a true embodiment of the Dhamma he dedicated his life to studying and sharing,” the University of Hong Kong’s Centre of Buddhist Studies Alumni Association highlighted. Through his profound works on Early Buddhism and Theravada Abhidhamma, his insightful lectures at the Centre of Buddhist Studies, and his gentle wisdom, he inspired generations of students in Hong Kong and beyond. (HKU Centre of Buddhist Studies Alumni Association Facebook)

Prof. Karunadasa held the position of professor and later professor emeritus at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, and was a former director of its Post-graduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies. He also served as a visiting professor at prestigious institutions such as the University of London, the University of Toronto, the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the Buddha-Dharma Centre of Hong Kong, and as the Numata Chair at the University of Calgary. 

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Prof. Karunadasa’s notable publications include The Theravada Abhidhamma: Its Inquiry into the Nature of Conditioned Reality, The Buddhist Analysis of Matter, and Early Buddhist Teachings – The Middle Position in Theory and Practice.

At HKU, Prof. Karunadasa taught at the Centre of Buddhist Studies (CBS) as the MaMa Charitable Foundation Visiting Professor. Following his passing, the HKU Centre of Buddhist Studies Alumni Association expressed their grief on social media, stating: 

It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of loss that the Hong Kong University Centre of Buddhist Studies Alumni Association (HKU CBSAA) learned of the passing of our esteemed teacher, Professor Y. Karunadasa, on 26 April 2026.

CBS alumnus Prof. Ujjwal Kumar, who heads the Department of Buddhist Studies at the University of Calcutta, India, remarked: He was an excellent teacher in my life, who offered a profound perspective on how to study and reflect upon Theravada Buddhism. I offer my heartfelt tribute of reverence. May he attain Nibbana.” (Ujjwal Kumar Facebook)

Prof. Karunadasa held several esteemed administrative roles at the University of Kelaniya, serving twice as dean of the Faculty of Arts and once as dean of the Faculty of Humanities. As professor emeritus, he made significant contributions to the understanding of Buddhist philosophy, including analyses of Dhamma theory, the nature of matter, cognition, and the middle path between extremes.

I first met Prof. Karunadasa as an undergraduate at the University of Kelaniya, where he was then Head of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies,” remarked Prof. G. A. Somaratne, a Sri Lankan scholar who is teaching at CBS. In the lecture hall he combined an astonishing command of Early Buddhism and Theravada Abhidhamma with clarity and gentleness. He did not merely expound texts; he opened for us a way of thinking—disciplined, critical, and at the same time deeply grounded in the Dhamma.” (G.a. Somaratne Facebook).

Dr. Amrita Nanda, a student and teaching assistant of Prof. Y. Karunadasa, who is also teaching at CBS, shared: Beyond his academic achievements, his humility and graciousness made him one of the most respected and loved professors in the field.” (Amrita Nanda Facebook)

Born in Sri Lanka in 1934, Prof. Karunadasa graduated from the University of Ceylon in 1958, earning a First Class Honours Degree in Pali, which also garnered him the Woodward Prize and a research scholarship for his exceptional performance. He furthered his studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London, where he became the inaugural recipient of a Postgraduate Studentship in Oriental Studies in 1960. He completed his PhD in Indian Philosophy in 1963, focusing his thesis on the Buddhist analysis of matter. In 1974, he was awarded a Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship at SOAS.

Prof. Karunadasa’s publications, articles, and editorial contributions have significantly influenced ongoing discussions in Buddhist scholarship, particularly concerning contemporary issues such as Sri Lankan monastic politics. His critiques of political involvement have informed debates on sangha autonomy amidst ethnic conflicts and conversions.

In recognition of his contributions, he received an honorary DLitt from the University of Kelaniya in 2002 and was honoured with the title of Sri Lanka Sikhamani by the President of Sri Lanka in 2005 in acknowledgment of his significant contributions to his homeland. He also played a key role in co-founding the International Buddhist College in Thailand. 

See more

Ujjwal Kumar Facebook
Amrita Nanda Facebook
G.a. Somaratne Facebook
Y. Karunadasa (Grokipedia)
HKU Centre of Buddhist Studies Alumni Association Facebook

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