- Migettuwatte Gunananda Thera
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Migettuwatte Gunananda Thera Religion Theravada Buddhism School Theravada Personal Born February 9, 1823
Mohottiwatta (Migettuwatta), Balapitiya, Sri LankaDied September 21, 1890 (aged 67)
Colombo, Sri LankaSenior posting Based in Deepaduttaaramaya, Kotahena, Colombo Title Waadibhasinha (Lion in oratory) Religious career Teacher Thelikada Sonutthara Thera Migettuwatte Gunananda Thera or Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thera (February 9, 1823, Balapitiya – 21 September 1890, Colombo) was a Sri Lankan Buddhist orator. He is known for leading the Buddhist side in debates that occurred between the Buddhists and the Christians in Baddegama, Udanwita, Waragoda, Liyanagemulla, Gampola, and in the most famous of the debates in Panadura. As a result of the debates Buddhism in Sri Lanka saw a revival.[1] After reading a pamphlet on the debates published in United States, Henry Steel Olcott arrived in Sri Lanka in 1880.
Contents
Early life
He was born 1823 in a village called Migettuwatta or Mohottiwatta near Balapitiya to a rich buddhist Salagama caste family.[1][2] He was taught first by his parents and shown oratory skills since young age. He had a close contact with a Roman Catholic priest who resided nearby church, and the child gained the knowledge in the Bible and Christian doctrine.[3] He had an intention of becoming a Christian priest but change his mind after came into contact with Buddhist monks of the nearby temples. He was ordained at age of twenties in Dodanduwa Gala Uda vihara by Venerable Thelikada Sonutthara Thera, the chief incumbent of the temple. His eloquent first sermon he made in the night he ordained the people gathered in the temple exclaimed that the young thera will prosper the Buddhism in the country and pledged their support in his religious work.[2][3] He gained proficiency in Buddhism and oriental languages while he was in the temple.
One day while he was reading a magazine Bauddha Sahodaraya (Sinhalese Buddhist Brotherhood) he learned that Buddhists in Colombo is subject to religious discrimination by the Christians.[3] Disturbed by the news Gunanada thera decided to moved to Colombo, and reside in Deepaduttaaramaya in Kotahena, which happened to be the first Buddhist temple in Colombo with a history of 300 years.[4] From there the thera begin his speeches in defending Buddhism against arguments raised by the Christian missionaries.
Great debates
The Christian missionaries were propagating the religion through the pamphlets and the books. Rev. D.J. Gogerly of the Wesleyan mission published Christian Pragnapthi in 1849.[1][5] Gunananda thera replied with Durlabdi Vinodini in 1862 for Buddhists. Hikkaduwe Sumangala thera wrote Christiani Vada Mardanaya and Samyak Darshanaya in 1862-63. Soon after publications were replaced by public debates.
Baddegama debate was originated from an argument arises in between a young monk name Sumangala and a Christian priest in temple of Baddegama.[1] Gunananda thera and many other monks such as Bulatgama Dhammalankara, Sri Sumanatissa, Kahawe Nanananda, Hikkaduwe Sumangala, Weligama Sri Sumangala, Pothuwila Gunaratana participated in the debate.[3] The debate was not held face-to-face. This is because of the manner of the behavior of the Christian debaters would lead to conflicts, the Buddhists as the majority would naturally be blamed. Considering the situation the two parties agreed to carry out the debate in the writings. First the writings are done in Baddegama, though later writings were carried out in Galle. Waragoda debate also held in 1865.[5]
Third debate was conducted in Udanwita in Hathara korele present day Kegalle District. The Creator, the redeemer and the Eternal heaven were the debating topics.[1] The debate was carried out in 1 February 1866. John Edwards Hunupola (Hunupola nilame), was the debater who represented the Christian side, was a former Buddhist monk and a convertee to Christianity.[5] As agreed before the debate Gunananda thera published the summary of the debate.[2] In response Hunupola nilame also published his own version of summary. Gunananda thera issued more publications to counter the Hunupola nilame's summary. There is no records of Liyanagemulla debate, the only Known fact about the debate is that it held in 1866.[1][2]
As the spirit of the debating rose in Buddhist side and Christian side, both parties agreed to debate in Gampola on June 9 and 10 of 1871. Gunananda thera showed his oratory skills in this debate and in appreciation the crowd cried in joy.[3] The crowd paraded Gunananda thera around the Gampola town. After the thera delivered several sermons round various places in Gampola, people arranged a procession taking the thera to the Peradeniya railway station and send the thera back to Colombo. There people collected the sum of £75 to print the sermons the thera delivered.
Panadura Debate
All these debates culminated in the most notable of all debates, Panadura debate two years after the Gampola debate in 1873. The cause for debate arose when Rev. David de Silva delivered a sermon on the Soul at the Wesleyan Chapel, Panadura in 12 June 1873.[5] Gunananda thera delivered a sermon a week later criticising the points raised by Rev. David de Silva. The two parties signed an agreement on 24 July 1873 to hold another debate at Panadura. Though this not the only reason of the debate.[3] The debating on religious points arose more than 10 years ago.
The Christian may have thought that the Buddhists were not educated and hence could be easily defeated in a debate.[3] Therefore this could be a miscalculation on the part of Christians. The Buddhist monks are familiar with Pali and Sanskrit texts like Nyaya Bindu written by Dignāga and Tarka sastra by Dharmakirti, which were written on art of debating, were not hesitate to accept the challenge of debating in public.[3]
The debate was held in 24th and 26 August in 1873 at the site where the Rankot Vihara stands today.[1][5] The ablest debaters were summoned on the side of the Christians. Gunananda thera was the debater on the side of the Buddhists while Rev. David de Silva and Catechist S.F. Sirimanna represented the Christian side. The debate revolved around the topics ranged from the nature of God, the Soul and resurrection, to the concept of Karma, Rebirth, Nirvana and the principle of Pratītyasamutpāda or dependent origination.[1] Dr. K.D.G. Wimalaratna, Director of National Archives wrote;
Rev. David de Silva, a fluent speaker in Pali and Sanskrit addressed the audience of around 6000-7000 and only a very few understood him. In complete contrast was Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thera who used plain language to counter the arguments of the opponents.[5]Dr. Vijaya Samaraweera in his article "The Government and Religion: Problems and Policies c1832 to c1910", stated;
The Rev. Migettuwatte Gunananda proved himself to be a debater of very high order, mettlesome, witty and eloquent if not especially erudite. The emotions generated by this debate and the impact of Migettuwatte Gunananda's personality had lasting effects on the next generation of Buddhist activities. Migettuwatte Gunananda's triumph at Panadura set the seal on a decade of quiet recovery of Buddhist confidence. In retrospect the establishment of the 'Society for the Propagation of Buddhism' at Kotahena, and the Lankaprakara Press at Galle would seem to mark the first positive phase in this recovery.[5]At the end of the second day of the debate the jubilant crowd uttered "sadhu, sadhu".[1] The Christians were not pleased the noise the Buddhists audience were making. When atmosphere became heated Migettuwatte Gunananda thera raised his voice and ordered "everybody should be silent". After that remark the crowd were dispersed without making any further scenarios.
Impact of the debate
The impact of the debate was phenomenal in both locally and internationally. Locally it was the principal factor behind reviving the identity and pride of Sinhala Buddhists.[1] Internationally, it was instrumental in making awareness of Buddhism in the west. The editor of Ceylon Times newspaper John Cooper, arranged Edward Perera to write a summary on the debate and thousands of copies of the translation were published. This translation was published as a book, Buddhism and Christianity face to face by J.M. Peebles in United States with an introduction in 1878.[6] After reading a copy of the book Henry Steel Olcott, the co-founder of the Theosophical Society came to Sri Lanka in 17 May 1880.[1] With arrival of colonel Olcott the activities of the revival movement accelerated. Olcott had described Gunananda thera as;
“ the most brilliant Polemic Orator of the Island, the terror of the missionaries, with a very intellectual head, most brilliant and powerful champion of the Sinhalese Buddhism.[4] ” Rev. S. Langden, who was present when the thera spoke in the Panadura debate remarked;
“ There is that in his manner as he rises to speak which puts one in mind of some orators at home. He showed a consciousness of power with the people. His voice is of great compass and he has a clear ring above it. His action is good and the long yellow robe thrown over one shoulder helps to make it impressive. His power of persuasion, shows him to be a born orator.[4] ” Gunananda thera continued work to revive the Buddhism in the country and had published many Buddhist periodicals which included Riviresa, Lakmini Kirana and Sathya Margaya.[4] The thera was also served in the committee that designed the Buddhist flag in 1885.[7]
Migettuwatte Gunananda Thera died in 1890 September 21 at about 11.00 am at the age of 67.[2]
A Buddhist flag flying in Beijing.
See also
- Buddhism in Sri Lanka
- Ven.Weligama Sri Sumangala Thero
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Wijenayake, Walter (2008-09-20). "Ven Migettuwatte Gunananda". island.lk. The Island. http://www.island.lk/2008/09/20/features3.html. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
- ^ a b c d e (Sinhala) Dharmabandu, T.S. (2002). Pancha Maha Waadaya. Colombo: Gunasena Publishers. pp. 172–176. ISBN 955-21-0043-7.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Kariyawasam, Prof. Tilak (Tuesday, 19 August 2003). "Ven. Migettuwatte Gunananda Thera - the debator par excellence". dailynews.lk (Daily News). http://www.dailynews.lk/2003/08/19/fea05.html. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
- ^ a b c d Rajapakse, C. V. (Saturday, 25 January 2003). "Ven. Migettuwatte Gunananda Thera, the indomitable orator". dailynews.lk (Dailynews). http://www.dailynews.lk/2003/01/25/fea05.html. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
- ^ a b c d e f g Ranatunga, D. C. (2003-08-24). "That controversial clash". sundaytimes.lk (The Sunday Times). http://sundaytimes.lk/030824/plus/9.html. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
- ^ "Buddhism and Christianity face to face...". amazon.com. amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/Buddhism-Christianity-face-discussion-Migettuwatte/dp/B00087SZHU. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
- ^ "Flag of faith flies high". ananda100.org. Ananda College. http://www.ananda100.org/articles\flag_of_faith.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
Categories:- 1823 births
- 1890 deaths
- Buddhist writers
- Theravada Buddhism writers
- Theravada Buddhist monks
- Sri Lankan Buddhist monks
- Buildings and structures in Panadura
- Panadura
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