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達摩為教忘軀不顧己
難陀法幢高豎度群生
馬來西亞與新加坡佛教最高領袖達摩難陀法師於八月三十一日在馬來西亞往生，享壽八十七。佛教界哀悼從此失去一位善知識。
1919年三月十八日出生於斯里蘭卡，12歲出家為僧，達摩難陀法師說法54年。1952年派駐吉隆坡的十五碑佛寺，他的教化深入淺出，對象不分老少，是位多產作家，同時致力於促進和平與馬國宗教間之和諧。1965年，達摩難陀法師被公推為馬來西亞與新加坡南傳最高領袖。
他和上人是至交法友，1978年上人率團訪問馬來西亞時，達摩難陀法師曾請教上人，對於佛教分出南、北二乘的看法。上人不加思索地回答：「佛教的道理，根本不分派別；只因後人不明真理，南、北二乘才各立門戶，互相排斥。我們為什麼要骨肉相殘？大乘說小乘太小，小乘也不尊敬大乘法師。其實誰在佛教中挑撥離間，就不是一個佛教徒！不要說大乘、小乘，連一乘也沒有！因為我們自私自利，損人利己，只懂讚己謗他，這就是戰爭的起因。」
達摩難陀法師於1979年應邀參加萬佛聖城開光大典，上人當時對參訪的馬來西亞信眾指示「每一個人都要去聽達摩難陀法師的說法，你們都要多親近這位難陀法師；你們親近他比親近我更好。你們不要憂愁，不要說離開萬佛城了就沒有人親近了；你們在馬來西亞惟一的可親近的，就是這個達摩難陀法師。現在不單在馬來西亞，在我的看法，在全世界沒有比他再清廉了，不願意佔人家的便宜。」
達摩難陀法師在祝詞中說：「因為缺乏了解、缺乏寬容、缺乏耐心，出於誤解和無明，造成現今人類行為大為失控。法界佛教大學這樣的機構之成立，正是為盲愚開啟眼目、端正視聽…，祝福法大化育世界各地人士…，謹代表佛教界祝願：國運昌隆，人民安樂，三寶加被，諸位安樂！」
上人稍後在致贈達摩難陀法師榮譽博士學位時說：「達摩難陀法師從馬來西亞不遠萬里來，我們法界大學對這位老人是特別歡迎，所以頒贈給這位法師榮譽哲學博士。今天你們各位來，在這兒參加這個典禮，大家都要一同來法界大學學習，也都跟著這位達摩難陀法師來學習。我們共同到這個法界佛國去，想要到法界佛國，先要到萬佛城；萬佛城就是法界佛國的一個駐在的辦事處。所以你們每一個人想要成佛，不到萬佛城、不來這個法界大學讀書，那是去不了的；所以今天這個機會是很好的。……」
1988年，上人訪問馬來西亞時，達摩難陀法師提供十五碑佛寺傳幽冥戒，有600多個牌位設立，盛況空前。
1995年，達摩難陀法師悼念上人圓寂的文中，無限感慨地指出：「在與上人交往之間，我對於上人待人的謙虛、睿智，做事時孜孜不倦、充滿活力，對人的溫和親切，是無邊地敬仰。……雖然上人是北傳正法的法師，卻展現出宏大的開放胸懷，了解佛陀教義超越性的精隨。
上人雖沒有受過英語教育，卻能將佛法崇高的教義帶到西方，因而啟發了東、西方人士跟隨他嚴謹自律和專心致志的精神，來學習佛法。
上人不僅致力於神聖的教化工作，同時也建立了壯觀的萬佛聖城，並發展成西方佛法的象徵。聖城不只是禮拜、打坐的中心，也是一所佛教大學，也是一個聞名的佛教研究翻譯中心。這個中心的工作成就，將使未來千千萬萬的有情眾生都蒙受利益。」
達摩難陀法師因病纏身，進出醫院數次。雖然高齡且自去年健康不佳，他仍在廟裏每週講法三場。今年七月十日勉力堅持為大眾開示後，次日即入院。
法師法化不分教內教外，激勵人心向善，弘揚和平與和諧，不遺餘力。由於他的努力使得佛教在馬來西亞大放光彩，他個人更是馬國現任佛、耶、印、錫克教等宗教執委會的主席。
達摩難陀法師一生為佛教獻生命，鑽研教義，出版70本著作，影響遍及世界。親和之為人，深長的法緣，慈悲愍世的胸懷，所有受其恩澤者對他的離世都依依不捨。誠盼他的典範啟發後進，使佛法大興！
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Dhamma sacrificed himself for the Teaching, taking no heed of himself.
Nanda raised high the Dharma banner, rescuing the multitudes.
The Chief High Priest of Malaysia and Singapore, Venerable Dr K. Sri Dhammananda, passed away in Malaysia on August 31, at the age of 87. The Buddhist community mourned the loss of a great leader.
Born on March 18, 1919 in Sri Lanka, Ven. Dhammananda became a novice monk at 12 and was subsequently involved in Buddhist missionary work for 54 years. In 1952, he was invited to Malaysia to reside at the Buddhist Vihara in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur to teach Buddhism. He used simple language to teach the Dharma to both young and old and was a prolific writer. He emphasized the importance of peace and promoted interreligious harmony in Malaysia. In 1965, Ven. Dhammananda was acknowledged the Chief High Priest in Theravada Buddhism of Malaysia and Singapore.
Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananada and the Venerable Master Hua were good Dharma friends. When the Venerable Master led a delegation to Malaysia in 1978, Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda asked him how he viewed the two schools, southern and northern, of Buddhism. Without thinking, Master Hua replied, “Buddhism originally had no sects or factions. It was only because later generations misunderstood the truth that the two schools formed and rejected one another. Why do we harm each other when we are siblings? The Mahayana accuses the Theravada of being too small and the Theravada doesn’t respect Mahayana Dharma Masters. Actually, anyone who causes dissension and finds faults with others is not a Buddhist. We speak of the greater vehicle and the lesser vehicle, but actually there isn’t even one vehicle! By being selfish and self-benefiting, denigrating others to benefit ourselves, praising ourselves and slandering others, we are planting the causes for war.”
In 1979 Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda was invited as a distinguished guest to the Opening Ceremony of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (CTTB). The Venerable Master told his disciples from Malaysia, “Everyone should go to listen to his lecture and draw near to this Dharma Master frequently. Drawing near to me is not as good as drawing near to him. Don’t worry that you will have no one to learn from when you are away from CTTB. Ven. Dhammananda is the only person that you can draw near to in Malaysia. In my opinion, not only in Malaysia but also in the world, there is no one who is more impeccable in integrity than he, for he is unwilling to take advantage of others.”
In his blessings, Ven. Dhammananada said, “The behavior of humankind has gone so far it is uncontrollable. It is due to lack of understanding, lack of tolerance, lack of patience, due to misunderstanding and ignorance. A religious institute like Dharma Realm Buddhist University is opened to open the eyes of those who are blind in this world, who cannot see a thing in proper perspective…I hope this Buddhist institute can contribute a lot to educate people all over the world. …On behalf of the Buddhist Community, we pray and hope that this country will prosper and may peace and happiness prevail among the citizens here in this country through this Buddhist institution. May the blessings of the Triple Jewel be upon you. May you all find peace and happiness.”
Later in the ceremony, Ven. Dhammananda was presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from Dharma Realm Buddhist University. The Venerable Master said, “We give special welcome to Ven. Dhammananda, who has come all the way from Malaysia, and present him this Honoary Doctorate of Philosophy. All of you participating in this ceremony should study at the Dharma Realm Buddhist University (DRBU) and learn from Ven. Dhammananda. We shall go to the Buddhaland of the Dharma Realm together. In order to go there, you first have to come to CTTB . CTTB is the office of the Buddhaland of the Dharma Realm. If you wish to become a Buddha, you cannot make it if you do not come to CTTB to study at DRBU. Today is a good opportunity…”
In 1988, when the Venerable Master visited Malaysia, Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda offered the Buddhist Vihara as the site for him to transmit the Precepts for the Deceased. At that time over 600 plaques were set up for that ceremony.
In 1995, in his eulogy at the Veneraable Master Hua’s Nirvana ceremony, Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda pointed out in grief, “Throughout my association with him, my respect and admiration for his humility, intelligence, dedication, energy and warmth knew no bounds. …Although he was an orthodox follower of the Mahayana School of Buddhism, he nevertheless displayed a great openness of mind and recognized the transcendental essence of the Teachings of the Enlightened One. Although not English educated, he was able to bring the sublime teachings of the Buddha to the West and thereby inspired both Easterners and Westerners to follow his discipline and devotion to the study of the Dharma.
“He devoted his tremendous energy not only towards the noble task of teaching, but also to that of developing the more tangible, physical aspects of Dharma Practice. His greatest contribution in this area was the building of the magnificent edifice called the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, which will long endure to symbolize the presence of the sublime Dharma in the West. It is not only a place of worship and a meditation centre; it is also a University and a renowned Buddhist Research and Translation Centre. Many millions of sentient beings will benefit from the work done at this centre for a long time to come.”
Ven. Dhammananda had been in and out of hospital because of a series of health complications. Despite his advanced age and failing health, he continued giving three Dharma talks a week and insisted on giving his last sermon on July 10 at his temple. The next day, he had to be admitted to hospital.
Through his teachings, Ven. Dhammananda urged people to practice virtue and promoted peace and harmony among all people of all faiths. His effort sparked Buddhism in Malaysia and he was the current President of the Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism.
During a life devoted to Buddhism, he authored 70 publications and had a worldwide impact. His agreeable personality, profound affinity with people, and benevolent mind made his passing very hard for those who were benefited and inspired. We hope his example will inspire later generations and cause the Buddhadharma flourish!
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