Tu Viện Quảng Đức105 Lynch Rd, Fawkner, Vic 3060. Australia. Tel: 9357 3544. quangduc@quangduc.com* Viện Chủ: HT Tâm Phương, Trụ Trì: TT Nguyên Tạng   

Buddhism, Lectures and Essays

22/06/202013:23(Xem: 7046)
Buddhism, Lectures and Essays

Ven Balangoda Anandamaitreya-2

Buddhism
Lectures and Essays
By Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero


Ven Balangoda AnandamaitreyaVen. Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero

Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero (Sinhala: අග්ග මහා පණ්ඩිත බලංගොඩ ආනන්ද මෛත්‍රෙය මහා නා හිමි;23 August 1896 – 18 July 1998) was a Sri Lankan scholar Buddhist monk and a personality of Theravada Buddhism in the twentieth century.[3][4] He was highly respected by Sri Lankan Buddhists, who believe that he achieved a higher level of spiritual development through meditation.[2][5] Sri Lankan Buddhists also considered Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero as a Bodhisattva, who will attain Buddhahood in a future life.

Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero lived a modest life and did a great service for the propagation of Buddhist philosophy. In recognition of his valuable service at the Sixth Buddhist council held in Burma, the Burmese government conferred on him the title "Agga Mahapandita" (Chief Great Scholar) in 1956. Later in March 1997, the Burmese government conferred on Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero the highest Sangha title, "Abhidhaja Maharatthaguru" (Most Eminent Great Spiritual Teacher), which is equivalent to Sangharaja, in honor of his unique service to the Buddhist religion.[3][6]

Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero was born on 23 August 1896 in Kirindigala, Balangoda, to the family of N. A. Matthias Appuhamy (Maddumahamy) and B. Heenmanike.[2] His birth name was Punchi Mahattaya aka William. Because Punchi Mahattaya's mother died when he was 14 days old, he was brought up by his father's brother and his wife.[2] Punchi Mahattaya had his primary education at Kumara Vidyalaya, Balangoda.

At the age of 15 he had decided to enter the order of Buddhist monks and was ordained as a Samanera at the temple Sri Nandaramaya, Udumulla, Balangoda on 2 March 1911.[2] He was ordained under the guidance of Daamahana Dhammananda Thero and Deniyaye Seelananda Thero was his primary teacher (Upaadhyaayanwahanse). Balangdoda Ananda Maitreya Thero received his Upasampada on 14 July 1916 at Olu Gantota Udakukhepa Seema, Balangoda.[5]

Thero continued his studies after becoming a monk and later became a scholar in Buddhism and languages. Thero entered Ananda College, Colombo in 1919 and became a teacher of the same school in 1922.[5] Unusually for a Theravada teacher, he publicly studied some other traditions, such as Mahayana Buddhism, mantra and esoteric yoga. This is understandable when one realizes that he was a theosophist as well as a Buddhist. He was a self learner in most of his areas of studies.

Ananda Maitreya Thero was the first Dharmarcharya (teacher of Buddhism) at Nalanda College Colombo, when it was first established in 1925. It was Thero who named it 'Nalanda' and chose Apadana Sobhini Panna meaning wisdom beautifies character as Nalanda College's motto, which is still being used.[5] Later he became the professor of Mahayana Buddhism at Vidyodaya University, Sri Lanka. He was appointed to the post of Dean, Faculty of Buddhist Studies in 1963. On 1 October 1966, he was appointed to the post of Vice Chancellor at the same university.[5]

Ananda Maithreya Thero's first overseas Dhamma journey was to Kerala, India in 1926. He opened the Sri Dhammananda Pirivena, Colombo in 1930. On 18 January 1954, Thero was appointed to the post of Sangha Nayaka of Sabaragamu-Saddhammawansa Nikaya and in the same year he participated in the Sixth Buddhist council held in Myanmar. On 2 September 1969, Ananda Maitreya Thero was appointed as the President of Amarapura Sangha Sabhā of Sri Lanka.

Ananda Maitreya Thero was famous for his achievements in Buddhist meditation. He was known to have practiced both Samatha meditation and Vipassana meditation to a great extent and was considered to be having a highly developed mind through his meditation. Many Buddhists have experienced his powerful spiritual blessings in many more ways than one. His teachings and life have been an inspiration to many aspiring monks and lay followers.

Ananda Maitreya Thero along with Narada Thero and Madihe Pannaseeha Thero was and still is one of the foremostly revered and respected Buddhist monks of the twentieth century in Sri Lanka. His work and sacrifices with Anagarika Dharmapala was one of the steering forces of the upholding of Buddhism in Sri Lanka at one stage. Thero also traveled to many countries in the world for the propagation of Buddhism. Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero died at 11.40 p.m. on 18 July 1998 at the age of 101.[5]

Degrees and titles
In 1955, the Government of Myanmar (then Burma) conferred him the title Agga Maha Pandita (Great Chief Scholar) to honour his unprecedented service at the Sixth Buddhist council.[7] To honor his unique service to the Buddha Śāsana, Myanmar also conferred him the highest Sangha title, Abhidhaja Maharatthaguru (Most Eminent Great Spiritual Teacher), which is equivalent to Sangharaja in 1997.[7] Ananda Maithreya Thero received the Thripitaka Vaagishwaracharya Pravachana Visharada Raajakeeya Panditha honorary degree from the Government of Sri Lanka. In addition to that, Nayaka Thero has received two honorary titles, Saahithyasuuri from Vidyodaya University and Saahithya Chakrawarthi from Vidyalankara University.

The humbleness of Maha Nayaka Thero's character is clearly shown, when he publicly stated that he had no liking whatsoever for titles and awards, but that he was rather accepting it to satisfy the presenter. He quoted Lord Buddha in his speech saying "I often remind myself of My Great Buddha's preaching in the Sanyuktha nikaya or the Abhidhamma Pitaka of the worthlessness and futileness of the craving for awards, titles and commanding positions".
Survey of writings
Ananda Maitreya Thero wrote nearly fifty books on sutras (scripture), vinaya (monastic discipline), on abhidhamma (metaphysics), and on Pali and Sanskrit grammar.[7] His book, Sakyasimhavadanaya hevat Buddha Charita (The Life of the Buddha), is considered as a textbook.[7] Most of his books are written in English and Sinhala languages.

Meditation on breathing
Easy steps to English
Life of the Buddha
Bhavana Deepaniya
Sambodhi Prarthana
A Hand Book of Spoken English
Dhamsabhava
Sathara Paramarthaya
Buddha Dharmaya
Vidharshana Bhavanava
Meditation Sur La Respiration
Maithree Bhavanava
Anaphana Sathi Bhavanava
Shamatha Bhavanava
Udanaya
Ananda Maitreya Thero translation of the Dhammapada is published internationally.

The Dhammapada: The Path of Truth: Softcover, Wisdom Pubns, ISBN 0-932156-04-5

 


Ven Balangoda Anandamaitreya-3
CONTENTS

Ven. Balangoda Anandamaitreya

 

Subject

1 – The Buddha and his teaching (a speech)

2 – Household life (a speech)

3 – Meditation (a speech)

4 – Bodipakkhiya-dhamma (an essay)

5 – The taking of Refuge (a speech)

6 – What did the Buddha teach? (a speech)

7 – Family Life (a speech)

8 – Defilements of man (a speech)

Four factors of self progress (a speech)
Samatha-meditation and first Jhana

9 – Two modes of speech (a speech)

10 – The Buddhist way to world peace (an essay)

11 – Nibbana (a speech)

12 – Development of Divine States (an essay)

13 – Abhidhamma (a series of talks)

14 – Anapana-sati (an essay)

Index

Ven Balangoda Anandamaitreya-5
FOREWORD

Ven. Balangoda Anandamaitreya

I visited England for the first time during July 1973 at the request of U. Myat Saw, a Burmese gentleman and passed my Vassa lent in his Buddhist Centre at Oken Halt in Farmoor near Oxford. During this time, I happened to give every Saturday afternoon a talk on some Buddhist topic. After the rainy retreat was over, I returned to Shree Lanka.

Again, once more, at the request of Mr. and Mrs. Jacksons of Bedford, I happened to go to England in 1979, and according to their arrangements did I give a series of talks on Buddhism to the Buddhist and non-Buddhist groups in Oxford University, Cambridge University, Nottingham University, Lancaster University, Samatha-vihara at Manchester and the Buddhist monastery in Chithurst and many more places. From that onward, several times I visited Europe and America giving talks on Buddhism. Thus nearly 14 years from 1979 I travelled in England, Scotland, France, Sweden, Canada and USA at the requests of Buddhists over there, giving talks and holding discussions over Buddhist subjects. Only a few of my talks have been published in periodicals like Middle way (of British Buddhist Society) and the majority remains only in manuscripts.

Mr. Ariyadasa Weeraman of Samayawardhana Press showed a keen interest in publishing them in book-form and the outcome is the present volume the first one of a series of volumes of this kind. This first volume contains some of my talks and essays on meditation-methods and the like.

The reader of this booklet may find a series of talks given at Amaravati Vihara (of British Sangha Order) in Great Geddesden. This volume contains only the talks about Citta (Consciousness) and the talks describing Cetasikas (Mental Characteristics), Rupa (matter) and the like might he find in the succeeding volumes of this same series.

Here it will not be amiss to mention the name of the publisher, Mr. Ariyadasa Weeraman, due to whom some of my talks and writings have thus come out to satisfy the needs of those who are interested in gathering some knowledge of Buddha-dhamma.


B. Anandamaitreya Thera

Shree Nandarama,
Udumulle,
Balangoda,
Shree Lanka.

05. 11. 93

 

 

 

Typing for Quang Duc Homepage in Melbourne, Australia:
Quảng Đại Thắng (Brendan Trần) & Quảng Đại Khánh (Nathan Trần)
 https://quangduc.com/a68742/buddhism-lectures-and-essays


 

Gửi ý kiến của bạn
Tắt
Telex
VNI
Tên của bạn
Email của bạn
17/06/2019(Xem: 19258)
The Catering Unit of Minh Quang Retreat in Sydney, Australia has offered good services in a very solemn and deliciated manner and its very first meal reminded me of the nice smell of the Bowl of Rice of Fragrance in the old times.
24/04/2019(Xem: 10649)
Chanting - The Heart Sutra in English - Su Co Giac Anh
13/04/2019(Xem: 5462)
Every Step Is Peace and Joy_Most Ven. Thich Thong Phuong_Veb. Hue Can_7-08-2018
13/04/2019(Xem: 4801)
8 Lectures on Dharma_Most Ven Thich Thanh Tu_Ven Hue Can_7-08-2018
08/04/2019(Xem: 5625)
Being a so-called Westerner in this life, I'm often asked the question, "What are the main reasons you have chosen to practise Buddhism?". In answering this type of question, I normally give varying answers of varying lengths depending on who is asking and for what reason they are asking the question.
03/03/2019(Xem: 11380)
oin us in Melbourne for our annual AGM and Sangha get-together. Please click the button below to access more information, to download the flyer and to register for the ASA IN MELB 2019
29/01/2019(Xem: 11955)
HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR 2019 Year of the Pig Welcome to our LUNAR NEW YEAR EVE: Monday: 4/2/2019:From 6pm to mid-night), the program includes: Vegie Food Stalls , Prayers for everyone’s Ancestors , Repantance Ceremony, Cultural performances, Lion Dance & Firecrackers; Prayers for World Peace & Family Well-Being. All welcome, come & go at your own pleasure! Buddha Blessings & Our Best Wishes to you & your family
04/12/2018(Xem: 17170)
Within a tree, there is a flower Within a rock, there is a flame Dedication for Most Venerable Thich Nhu Dien on the ceremonial event of his 70th birthday, and 40 year-milestone for Vien Giac Temple to be established in Germany Bhikhhu Thích Nguyên Tạng Translated into English by: Dr Tâm Tịnh, Hoa Chí & Hoa Nghiêm “Within a tree, there’s a flower, within a rock, there’s a flame” is the dharma taught by Zen Master Dao, recalled by Most Venerable Thich Nhu Dien during his dharmic teachings to which I had good fortune to attend in his dharma-propagating journey to the United States of America in 2006 when I acted as an assistant to him.
13/07/2018(Xem: 11254)
Smartphone Overuse, Youth Suicide and Buddhism as a Healing Source, Youth suicide is disturbingly rising. Ashley Welch, in her article “What’s behind the rise in youth suicides?” (2017), gave some insights into the trend. The author mentioned potential causes for this trauma and notably pointed to “the correlation between the rising popularity of smartphones and increased rates of suicide and depression among young people” (para. 17). Although Welch did not offer a clear reason for the correlation, this point raises an awareness of an irony. We, as readers, may wonder, “How can such a wonderful entertaining device cause that terrible thing?” In this paper, I will discuss the roots of this pain, and then suggest Buddhism as a healing source.
27/06/2018(Xem: 11024)
Why Aren't We Teaching You Mindfulness? AnneMarie Rossi, Founder and CEO of BeMindful Harvard conducted a research study and they tracked more than 1,000 people from birth until age 32 looking for what made someone successful. What common characteristic or trait was seen in a successful individual? It wasn't their race, what language they spoke, what neighborhood they grow up in, or how much money their parents had. It wasn't how well they did on standardized tests or even their IQ. It was self-control; those who were successful, who had good careers, financial stability, loving relationships, and physical health. Those who were successful, were the ones who could focus, pay attention, and regulate their emotions.
facebook youtube google-plus linkedin twitter blog
Nguyện đem công đức này, trang nghiêm Phật Tịnh Độ, trên đền bốn ơn nặng, dưới cứu khổ ba đường,
nếu có người thấy nghe, đều phát lòng Bồ Đề, hết một báo thân này, sinh qua cõi Cực Lạc.

May the Merit and virtue,accrued from this work, adorn the Buddhas pureland,
Repay the four great kindnesses above, andrelieve the suffering of those on the three paths below,
may those who see or hear of these efforts generates Bodhi Mind, spend their lives devoted to the Buddha Dharma,
the Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Quang Duc Buddhist Welfare Association of Victoria
Tu Viện Quảng Đức | Quang Duc Monastery
Most Venerable Thich Tam Phuong | Senior Venerable Thich Nguyen Tang
Address: Quang Duc Monastery, 105 Lynch Road, Fawkner, Vic.3060 Australia
Tel: 61.03.9357 3544 ; Fax: 61.03.9357 3600
Website: http://www.quangduc.com
http://www.tuvienquangduc.com.au (old)
Xin gửi Xin gửi bài mới và ý kiến đóng góp đến Ban Biên Tập qua địa chỉ:
quangduc@quangduc.com