|
he is also well-known for his simple and comprehensive
books and booklets on Buddhism such as the series on "Why
Worry," "Why Religion," "Why Religious
Tolerance," "Why Buddhism," "What Buddhists
Believe" and many other publications of the Buddhist Missionary
Society which is serving Buddhist communities in various parts of the
world.
As
a lecturer on Buddhism, the Venerable One has traveled widely in the Far
East particularly in Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong. For the past decade or
so his efforts have been mainly directed towards welfare and educational
activates especially among the young Buddhists: of Malaysia and receptive
elders in the Buddhist community; As spiritual advisor to many Buddhist
societies and youth organizations throughout the country, he provides them
with, many inspiring talks and encouragement equipping them with the
necessary knowledge, skills, and mental attitudes to use in the practical
and peaceful; dissemination of the Buddhadharma. His regular Dharma talks
and discussions with University students and other youth from secondary
and tertiary institutions have been well received.
His
rich experience and successful efforts in introducing the message of the
Buddha in a non Buddhist country like Malaysia has provided him with
greater Insights to the needs of newcomers to Buddhism in various parts of
the world. For some time, he had conceived the idea of a training center
to provide the necessary organizational skills needed for the ever
increasing number of Buddhist organizations in various parts of the world.
This long cherished dream of his was realized with the recent
establishment of the Paramadhamma Buddhist Institute in Sri Lanka. This
Institute is primarily aimed at providing a balanced approach for the
effective development of organizational skills for both the bhikhus and
the laity.
Venerable
Dhammananda's great missionary effort has been recognized by the Sino
American Buddhist Association by his appointment as one of the trustees of
the Dharma Realm Buddhist University. The first official engagement on the
Venerable Dhammananda's tour of the United States was to join the
Celebration of Opening the Light on Kuan Yin Bodhisattva and the
Dedication of the Dharma Realm Buddhist University at the City of Ten
thousand Buddhas on. November 4th. As an Honored Dharma Master, the
Venerable Dhammananda helped perform the official functions of the day and
consented to deliver addresses and instructional talks during his several
day visit at the City. (The text of his speech during Ceremonies at the
Gate appears in News from the Dharma Realm, this issue).
The
60 year old Venerable Nayaka Thera was ordained at the age of twelve and
received his Dharma education at the Vidyalankara Pirivena, the well known
Oriental Buddhist Institute in Sri Lanka. Later he entered the Benares
Hindu University in India for higher studies and was engaged in the
dissemination of the Dharma in India before he left for Malaysia and the
countries in the Far East.
Owing
to the invaluable services he has rendered to the Sasana, the Maha Sangha
Sabha of the Malwatta Chapter of Sri Lanka honored him, in 1965, with the
title of Dharmakirthi Sri and appointed him as the Chief Sanghanayaka of
Malaysia.
On
November 4, 1979, following the Opening of the Light on Kuan Yin
Bodhisattva, the Venerable Dharma Master Dhammananda was awarded Dharma
Realm Buddhist University's first Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy in
ceremonies led by Chancellor Hua, Trustee Carol Ruth Silver, Vice
President Ronald Epstein, and Professor Wu-yi, Chairperson of the
Philosophy Department. |
