Ven. Prof. Dhammavihari (Formerly Jotiya Dhirasekera) (1921-2010)
by Danny Fisher
This from the Buddhist Scholars Information Network (H-Buddhism):
Ven. Prof. Dhammavihari (Former Prof. Jotiya Dhirasekera) the author of Buddhist Monastic Discipline passed away during the early hours of this morning in Sri Lanka. He was 89 years old.
He was the Professor of Pali and Buddhist Studies in University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and the University of Toronto, Canada. He was also the Editor in Chief of the Buddhist Encyclopedia following the footsteps of his Guru, Late Prof. G.P. Malalasekera and the Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies (PGIPBS), University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. He was a prolific writer and a researcher of Buddhism who not only studied Pali texts but Sanskrit, Chinese, Thai and other Buddhist texts in his endeavor to understand the words of Lord Buddha.
Out spoken and forthright in his opinions, he was my guiding light in Buddhist art, who helped me to see art as an extension of Buddhism. He will be missed greatly.
May he attain Nibbana !!
Bindu Urugodawatte
Independent Scholar and Freelance Consultant
Read a full biography and download the Venerable’s publications here.
I had not seen this until just now, and thus had not realized that my old friend, Ven. Dhammavihari, is no more.
The venerable was a remarkable man who became a monk in 1990, at the age of seventy. When I saw him shortly after his ordination, he seemed to me to have the deportment of one who had been a monk for decades, so naturally did he fill the shoes (or sandals) of a monk.
We sometimes disagreed in the interpretation of the Dhamma and its practical applications, but I always had a high regard for him. He lived the monk’s life honorably for twenty years and had become a guide and spiritual friend to many Sri Lankan Buddhists in Colombo and also overseas (especially in Australia).
I spent time with him when he was 80 years of age and was impressed with his vigor, his youthful enthusiasm, and his lively intellect. I was also pleased to meet him at the conference of bhikkhunis in Hamburg, in 2007, and was glad to know that (contrary to the view of his teacher and fellow monks) he supported the ordination of women as bhikkhunis.
I was his student on the subject on the History of Pali literature and development, in late 2008 when I was studying for my Masters in Buddhist Studies at International Buddhist College in Hatyai,Thailand, when was a visiting Professor to the University.He was for sure a scholar of high profile He even promised us (class students) another round on his pet-subject on Vinaya. But ……. Certainly I feel sad about his retirement of this life. Anyway,that’s what life is all about.