rapa
12-18-2006, 05:59 PM
Head of London Buddhist Vihara, Most Ven. Dr. Vajiragnana had passed away at early hours of Friday morning.
Ven. Vajiragnana who is a respected Buddhist scholar had palyed an important role in "Dharmaprachara" in the UK and the outside world. He was the Head of London Buddhist Vihara since 1984.
As a respect to Rev. Vajiragnana's service for the understanding between followers of all faiths, the hounarable monk was included in New Year's Honours List 2006, and was appointed O.B.E.
Queen awarding OBE to Ven. Dr. Vajiragnana.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/images/2006/12/20061215122354queen.jpg
the Ven. Dr. Vajiragnana was included in New Year's Honours List 2006, and was appointed O.B.E.
Ven. Vajiragnana was a frequent commentator on Buddhism and social affairs of Sri Lanka. He contributed to BBC radio and Television programmes to increase awareness of Buddhism and his motherland.
Ven. Dr. Vajiragnana was ordained as a novice monk (bhikkhu) in the village temple of Hippola on 23 March 1943 at the age of 14 years and received his higher ordination at the Malwatuvihara in Kandy on 11 May 1949 at the age of 20.
He received his initial monastic education at Hippola, before proceeding to the Pratiraja Pirivena in Agalawatte for two years of further studies, followed by nine years at the Vidyodaya Pirivena in Colombo.
In 1955 he attained the degree of Pandit from the Oriental Studies Society.
Buddhist Scholar
In 1961 he continued his education in India, completing a two-year diploma course at the Sanskrit University of Benares, and an M.A. in Sanskrit at the Jadavpur University of Calcutta.
He returned to Sri Lanka to continue to teach at the Pirivena Teachers' Training College in Ratmalana.
In 1966 he came to Europe for the first time, when he was appointed Assistant Bhikkhu at the London Buddhist Vihara, which is the oldest Buddhist monastic institution in the West.
Despite the many differences in culture and language, Ven. Vajiragnana established a programme of classes in Buddhism and the Pali language which attracted much interest from native British people who were not born as Buddhists.
In 1974 he became the religious director of the British Buddhist Association.
In 1980 he was invited to return to Sri Lanka as the principal of the Pirivena Teachers' Training College in Ratmalana.
Then in 1984 he came back to the United Kingdom as Head of the London Buddhist Vihara.
One of his first duties was to revive and expand the teaching programme, and 1986 he was invited to start teaching a course on Buddhism at Birkbeck College, which is the extra-mural department of the University of London.
Bringing Buddhism to the West
Throughout his time in the U.K., Ven. Dr. Vajiragnana has worked tirelessly to spread the Buddha's teachings throughout the Western world, constantly emphasising the Buddhist virtues of tolerance and respect for the beliefs of others.
In 1987 he was invited to become a founder member of the InterFaith Network for the U.K. Its aim is to promote and develop mutual tolerance and respect between the different faiths and philosophies followed by the varied communities living in the United Kingdom. I
For 20 years he has represented the Buddhist faith at the annual Commonwealth Day Observance in Westminster Abbey.
He has also been asked to represent the community at royal functions, such as the celebration of H.M the Queen's Golden Jubilee and the 100th birthday celebrations of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
He was a guest at the enthronement of the Rt. Rev. George Carey as Archbishop of Canterbury in 1991, the opening Service of the 13th Lambeth Conference in Canterbury in 1998 and had many, informal meetings with Dr. Carey to discuss interfaith matters.
Relentless work
He was also invited by Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Tony Blair MP to attend an emergency meeting of religious leaders to discuss matters relating to the religious and political disturbances arising from the destruction caused in America on the 11th of September 2001.
He has represented the Buddhist community at the annual Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
He is the author of many books, pamphlets and articles concerning all aspects of the Buddhist faith.
Ven. Vajiragnana who is a respected Buddhist scholar had palyed an important role in "Dharmaprachara" in the UK and the outside world. He was the Head of London Buddhist Vihara since 1984.
As a respect to Rev. Vajiragnana's service for the understanding between followers of all faiths, the hounarable monk was included in New Year's Honours List 2006, and was appointed O.B.E.
Queen awarding OBE to Ven. Dr. Vajiragnana.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/images/2006/12/20061215122354queen.jpg
the Ven. Dr. Vajiragnana was included in New Year's Honours List 2006, and was appointed O.B.E.
Ven. Vajiragnana was a frequent commentator on Buddhism and social affairs of Sri Lanka. He contributed to BBC radio and Television programmes to increase awareness of Buddhism and his motherland.
Ven. Dr. Vajiragnana was ordained as a novice monk (bhikkhu) in the village temple of Hippola on 23 March 1943 at the age of 14 years and received his higher ordination at the Malwatuvihara in Kandy on 11 May 1949 at the age of 20.
He received his initial monastic education at Hippola, before proceeding to the Pratiraja Pirivena in Agalawatte for two years of further studies, followed by nine years at the Vidyodaya Pirivena in Colombo.
In 1955 he attained the degree of Pandit from the Oriental Studies Society.
Buddhist Scholar
In 1961 he continued his education in India, completing a two-year diploma course at the Sanskrit University of Benares, and an M.A. in Sanskrit at the Jadavpur University of Calcutta.
He returned to Sri Lanka to continue to teach at the Pirivena Teachers' Training College in Ratmalana.
In 1966 he came to Europe for the first time, when he was appointed Assistant Bhikkhu at the London Buddhist Vihara, which is the oldest Buddhist monastic institution in the West.
Despite the many differences in culture and language, Ven. Vajiragnana established a programme of classes in Buddhism and the Pali language which attracted much interest from native British people who were not born as Buddhists.
In 1974 he became the religious director of the British Buddhist Association.
In 1980 he was invited to return to Sri Lanka as the principal of the Pirivena Teachers' Training College in Ratmalana.
Then in 1984 he came back to the United Kingdom as Head of the London Buddhist Vihara.
One of his first duties was to revive and expand the teaching programme, and 1986 he was invited to start teaching a course on Buddhism at Birkbeck College, which is the extra-mural department of the University of London.
Bringing Buddhism to the West
Throughout his time in the U.K., Ven. Dr. Vajiragnana has worked tirelessly to spread the Buddha's teachings throughout the Western world, constantly emphasising the Buddhist virtues of tolerance and respect for the beliefs of others.
In 1987 he was invited to become a founder member of the InterFaith Network for the U.K. Its aim is to promote and develop mutual tolerance and respect between the different faiths and philosophies followed by the varied communities living in the United Kingdom. I
For 20 years he has represented the Buddhist faith at the annual Commonwealth Day Observance in Westminster Abbey.
He has also been asked to represent the community at royal functions, such as the celebration of H.M the Queen's Golden Jubilee and the 100th birthday celebrations of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
He was a guest at the enthronement of the Rt. Rev. George Carey as Archbishop of Canterbury in 1991, the opening Service of the 13th Lambeth Conference in Canterbury in 1998 and had many, informal meetings with Dr. Carey to discuss interfaith matters.
Relentless work
He was also invited by Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Tony Blair MP to attend an emergency meeting of religious leaders to discuss matters relating to the religious and political disturbances arising from the destruction caused in America on the 11th of September 2001.
He has represented the Buddhist community at the annual Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
He is the author of many books, pamphlets and articles concerning all aspects of the Buddhist faith.