Buddhist monk Ven. Ahangama Thero who campaigned for welfare of animals passes away
Posted on April 10th, 2018
Shenali D Waduge
It is unfortunate that we gather to remember & honor people when they are no more. It is only upon the passing away of Most Venerable Ahangama Ananda Nayaka Thera, the Chief Incumbent of Sri Vijayaramaya, Wellawatte that his meritorious acts are being shared among all those who are unware.
This picture will forever be etched in our hearts & minds of a cow saved by Ven. Ahangama Ananda thero be thanked for saving his life by bowing down in gratitude.
He was one of the leading members of the Amarapura Nikaya who dedicated his life to social service in particular caring of patients in hospitals both in & out of Colombo. His social services have included but not confined to military personnel without limb, families of soldiers who had sacrificed their young lives, helping pregnant mothers with medicines and the acts of compassion towards animals.
However, it is Ven. Ananda’s metta & compassion towards animals stands out. He rescued hundreds of cattle from slaughter with the support of many like-minded people. He was the advisor to ‘Meth Saviya”, he was President of the Munidasa Cumaratunga Foundation. He was also involved in the recent Dengue Eradication program initiated by the Presidential Secretariat.
The Ven. Thero also took part in a pinkama ceremony saving a herd of cattle from the slaughterhouse held at the Wellawatte Police Station.
Cattle saved by the Ven. Thero were gifted to the Security Forces Headquarters – Jaffna (SFHQ-J) who in turn distributed six families in the North for agricultural purposes thus providing shelter for the cattle plus a means of livelihood for the people. This was right livelihood put into practice.
http://www.army.lk/news/511-brigade-coordinates-cattle-donation
Most Venerable Ahangama Ananda Nayaka Thera, the Chief Incumbent of Sri Vijayaramaya, Wellawatte passed away on Friday 6th April 2018 & the cremation took place on 9 April 2018 at Henry Pedris Park, Colombo 5.
The world has very little time or space to highlight people who do meritorious acts. These are not sensational enough news however, Ven. Ahangama Ananda thero will leave a void to be filled by both clergy & laymen to continue the compassionate teachings of Buddha and put into practice metta & karuna as well as initiate right livelihood programs instead of killing to make money and profit.
Shenali D Waduge
April 11th, 2018 at 4:49 am
May he rest in peace, a great Buddhist and Human Being. Anyone who cares for the welfare of animals is alright in my book. It is only way for humans to get to a more humane society. Also the world must some how get off their dependence on animal products for food. We are all guilty of this. Its something that humans in the 21st century should strive for to wean ourselves off animals for food source in the past in may have been understandable, but now must have alternatives to meat. So that Animals can live. Humans will live longer and be healthier. Animals can live without fear of being somebodies next meal.
April 11th, 2018 at 8:55 am
Wonderful example here set by the Ven Thero ! May he attain the great Bliss of Nirvana.
May hundreds, nay, thousands, follow his example to raise Lanka high in the Hearts Way forward.
April 13th, 2018 at 1:03 am
May the Venerable Ahangama attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana! May his wanderings in Samsara be short, fruitful and merciful!