The Sri Lankan nation was left numb, if not, absolutely petrified with shock and intense sorrow as the news about the untimely death of Most. Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera was beamed through electronic media on Friday (12) evening. Needless to say, fluttering yellow flags alone amply testify how close he was to all segments of our society.
Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera, the embodiment of Buddhist morality and paragon of virtue, emerged the champion of Sinhala-Buddhist cause as the most outstanding and controversial religious leadership in the last decade particularly because of his outspokenness and straightforwardness.
His role as the most leading Buddhist communicator of modern times, social reformer cum defender of the Sinhala-Buddhist identity and its rights, came into prominence during his series of electronic media and public discussions, debates and sermons attended.
His erudition, enriched with scientific psycho-analytical perspectives that were unfolding in our contemporary times, continued to be a beacon of hope for the common masses since his ocean of knowledge on Buddhist canons, scriptures and literature remained unchallenged, well-respected and thoroughly logical.
Buddhist revivalist
Quite identical to the 19th century Buddhist revivalist, Anagarika Dharmapala, who inspired and aroused Sri Lankan Buddhists from apathy and led them towards socio-cultural awareness, highlighting the importance of preserving archaeological ruins, a nation's heritage and places of Buddhist worship, late Ven. Soma Thera followed in the footsteps of his erstwhile Gurus Most Ven. Madihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayake Thera and Most Ven. Ampitiye Rahula Nayake Thera.
That was; "First mould men into real men, if we are to develop the country." That was what Ven. Soma Thera exactly did and tried to do as the most effective communicator of recent times.
As the dominant Buddhist preacher in contemporary times, he spearheaded an unrelenting effort, combined with the sustained campaign, "Jana Vijaya Foundation" through which he assembled thousands and thousands of youth in the island who were yearning for a morally rich Buddhist leadership. That was only one beginning for his vision.
More importantly, publication of a newspaper on Dhamma and Buddhist way of life, he wanted his message to be taken to grassroots level. From every corner of the island, youths dedicated to the unfailing observance of five precepts taught in Buddhism, flocked and rallied round him in veneration and began to follow his teachings.
Non-alcoholism was a key-word in him. This itself was a remarkable achievement at national level by this great monk who visited so many very remote areas for Dhamma preaching throughout the whole year. Hundreds now in tears relate these stories of self-reformation, as witnessed by this writer in the precincts of Maharagama Sri Vajiragnana Dharmayatanaya after death struck this great Bhikku.
Views on deities
His epoch-making assertions, particularly against public worship of assortments of deities, among many other issues he raised, evoked enthusiasm as well as wrath from some sections but Ven. Soma Thera, true to his convictions, was defiant and went against the beliefs of the high and mighty of the land.
Self-confidence taught in Buddhism was the only god for him. In pursuit of his noble ideals, his unswerving efforts revolutionized Buddhist psyche and disposition, to such an extent that some Buddhist temples even rid those places of deity worship after his rational lectures.
Wasn't this tantamount to a radical change in the human psyche? Undeterred Ven. Soma Thera talked over fast encroaching cults and pantheon into premises of Buddhist worship, citing examples and posed numerous questions to us, the audience.
His perception in this regard reminds this writer how once the well-known western scholar Professor Gombrich attached to the Oxford University in one of his books on "Popular Buddhism "during 1970s saw this same phenomenon in Sri Lanka in similar vein like Ven. Soma Thera exactly did and how he documented the complex nature of pantheism and encroaching cults in Sri Lankan Buddhist worship.
Ven. Soma Thera's entry into this domain of mysticism and mythology, not only encouraged Buddhists all over to seek for broader dimensions and rational views but also made them re-think closely their pragmatism and introspection. This immensely helped Buddhists to adhere to the correct practices of devotion after his detailed analyses.
In his popular TV programmes, "Anduren Eliyata" and "Nena Pahana", watched by millions, he never trimmed words to express what he frankly meant on a particular subject, nor did he at any time abstain from submitting a positive and viable alternative that could help one get out of an impasse or any problem that plagues someone.
His simple advocacy was to encourage the inquirer to seek refuge purely in Buddha and Triple Gem, not in mystic powers appealing for mere worldly gains. This stance in Ven. Soma Thera was unprecedented and unheard but was well-received by the masses in the recent history of Sri Lanka. As a result, many households publicly depicted the Buddhist motto: "May Buddha bless this Home" instead of devil masks used to be hung at doorsteps, thus bringing the Buddhist image onto the right track.
Social reformer
Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera, the socio-cultural reformer of our times, to his credit, was explicit in his criticism levelled against corrupt politicians and statesmanship. At times, electronic media was taboo to him. His outright assertions, meant to help create a statehood ruled in accordance with Buddhist principles of righteous living, were food for thought and some politicians, it was said, were accepting what he said in secret.
National and religious issues, in his view are interwoven and could not be isolated from the body politic of the country since it was finally the bounden duty of the state to give pride of place to Buddhism, as enshrined in the constitution. Morality was the key to any righteous society, he argued. Stimulus he gave in this direction was overwhelming and result-oriented.
To prove his points, he traced umpteen examples of corrupt practices even by name, in some media exposures, and like his Guru Madihe Pannaseeha did, he pointed a finger at errant miscreants with compassion. Ven. Soma Thera wanted all patriotic men to resist and make decision-makers drop such foul practices for the benefit of the masses in the country. It is worth mentioning here how he voiced concerns on sacred Dighavapiya ruins and sat face to face with political stalwarts like late Mr. Ashroff.
True to his deep-rooted convictions, Ven. Soma Thera after his higher ordination in 1976 selected a monastery in remote Mahaoya, Ampara where he meditated in seclusion for some time and learnt the pulse of the farming communities in those areas, taking maize, kurakkan, etc. as his alms from villagers. Inspired by his compassion, he was an asset to these villagers, who were pressed for their daily needs and survival.
Erudition
Though still 55 years of age, Ven. Soma Thera, who inherited and cultivated all signs of Pandithya (erudition and scholarship) during a span of about ten years, will be best remembered as the one and only Dhamma preacher par excellence. Volumes of Dhamma texts he knew by heart were amazing and not second to any other erudite scholars.
His simplicity, exclusively depicted in verbal and non-verbal communications both in discourses and books he authored, was fondly grasped by onlookers and readers alike in view of their presentations. He turned out to be the householder during media discussions, irrespective of day or night. He exemplified many incidents using Sinhala diction in a very professional manner.
Reasons attributed to his ascent to the mantle of fondness and popularity as the most popular orator are thus manifold and need careful thought and future research. His rather unmatchable virtue of the cheerful equanimity, adorned often with a serene smile, more often reminded his followers of the great qualities, Metta, Karuna and Muditha of their Enlightened One.
This great monk's clarity in perceptions, pitch and intonation in his verbalizations, no doubt prompted his audience to be glued to TV sets at homes because the masses to a large degree felt that they found expression for their worldly, social and political problems through Ven. Soma Thera, who during many interviews was flooded with a barrage of questions that confront the public at large.
It was only on Monday (15) along with many other books, printed by the Nedimala Buddhist Cultural Centre, his newest book "Beauty of The White Lotus" was released at BMICH after paying a tribute to his memory by organizers. His novel approach to preaching as well as for simple writing no doubt impressed his followers.
He never went in search of laurels or honours for what he preached or wrote. However, it was claimed that a doctorate was to be conferred on his latest product "Buddha Stupa" in Russia in recognition of his contributions to Buddhism where he passed away.
His simple explanations on difficult and varying Buddhist perspectives and concepts enlightened the public en masse and were fascinating. In some instances authorities had to stop traffic when thousands began to flock to listen to him in temples and other public places when he conducted sermons.
The aching void left by his sudden departure is unbridgeable and will continue to be felt by millions of Sri Lankans for years and years to come. What his departure reminds us is the fact that time is ripe for island-wide Buddhists to re-evaluate and re-think of our collecti
