Gangodawila Soma Thero Explained

Gangodawila Soma Thero
Native Name:ගංගොඩවිල සෝම හිමි
Native Name Lang:si
Birth Date:1948 4, df=yes
Birth Place:Gangodawila, Sri Lanka
Death Place:Saint Petersburg, Russia
Nationality:Sinhalese
Religion:Buddhism
Denomination:Theravada
School:Amarapura Nikaya Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte
Chief incumbent of Buddhist Temple Victoria (Australia)

Gangodawila Soma Thero (24 April 1948 – 12 December 2003) was a bhikkhu (Buddhist monk) from Sri Lanka. Following tradition, he used the name of his birthplace, Gangodawila, in front of his name; thero is a term for an elder monk. Soma thero followed the example set by his teachers, Madihe Pannaseeha Thero and Ampitiye Rahula Maha Thero and was both a learned monk and a social reformer. The cause of his death remains in dispute.

Teachings

Before his return to Sri Lanka, the knowledge and the practice of the Dhamma had dwindled within Sri Lankan society. The practice had been diminishing for centuries following the rule of King Rajasinghe I. The great Buddhist revival programs had been rejuvenating the practice since the Kandyan kingdom into the mid-20th century. But following civil unrest, political instability, and war during the last 3 decades of the 20th century, the practice was again becoming forgotten. During that crucial time, Soma thero started propagating the Dhamma, creating a new enthusiasm among the people.[1] [2]

He worked to teach Sri Lankan people the importance of diligence. He spoke of the importance of relinquishing sleepiness or "Thina-middha" and paying attention when listening to the Dhamma. He also spoke on the importance of observing the Five Precepts. He emphasized letting go of false views and beliefs, such as worshipping deities over the Buddha.[3]

He also gave worldly advice, such as the importance of learning the English language.

Soma thero was a proponent of vegetarianism and he spoke against killing animals for meat.

Death

Gangodawila Soma Thera of the Vajiraramaya Maharagama died in St. Petersburg, Russia on 12 December 2003, at age 56. He was in Russia to accept an honorary doctorate conferred by the Russian Government. He was rushed to a hospital in St Petersburg after a heart attack. He underwent two emergency operations.

The circumstances of his death aroused suspicion. Some accused certain political parties of Sri Lanka whilst others accused born again Christians. A Special Presidential Commission was appointed to investigate this tragedy by President of Sri Lanka.[4] [5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thero - බුද්ධ රශ්මි - Buddharashmi . 2021-01-31 . en-US.
  2. Web site: 11 January 2016 . Ape Soma Hamuduruwo - අද ගැන එදා දුටු අපේ සෝම හාමුදුරුවෝ . 2021-02-02 . si.
  3. Web site: Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thero - Importance of Observing the Five Precepts - YouTube . live . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/c0dkCE8Kp2g . 2021-12-21 . 2021-01-31 . youtube.com.
  4. Web site: Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan president warns against anti-Christian violence.
  5. Web site: Asian Tribune . 12 November 2017 . 12 November 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171112185813/http://www.asiantribune.com/node/14650 . dead .