Well known and always affectionately referred to as, 'Apey (Our) Panditha Hamuduruwo', peacefully passed away on 7th August 2014, at the ripe old age of 97, in Sri-Lanka, at Raja Maha Vihara University Pirivena, Horana, where he was the Chief Incumbent. Honours bestowed on him were numerous. But none more important to him than the accomplishment of his life's mission to teach the sublime Buddha Dharma, whenever and wherever the opportunity presented itself, with an audience, interested only to listen and learn.
Even during his trips back and forth from bestowing blessings on a patient in hospital; 'alms giving ceremony'; Inter-Faith meeting; funeral to administer last rites; local school to teach Buddhism; 'Pirith chanting ceremony' and chatting to devotees in his capacity as the Religious Director, Thames Buddhist Vihara (where he served for nearly 20 years), the topic of conversation would always steer towards a weighty, but useful, tenet of Buddhism. Often emphasised and purposely repeated were the immense value of learning to be in the 'present moment', practising 'choice-less awareness' and being able to understand the glaring reality, that humans are only short-term 'tenants', and things that we use must never be misused but left behind in better or same condition. He once declared he had nothing to protect, other than his robes and bowl. He sincerely meant what he said, as it was the absolute truth.
The Venerable's face beamed with infectious enthusiasm, when conducting Sunday Pujas, taking part in Dharma discussions, wisdom dialogue sessions (which he organised at Thames Buddhist Vihara), teaching Pali language and of course, he was in his element teaching and conducting Buddhist meditation. Being a dedicated disciple of the Buddha, his life-long yearning to take the message to four corners of the world, took him to many countries, where his deep knowledge, coupled with incessant practice of the Dharma and meditation, made him comfortable, relaxed and totally concentrated wherever he went. His proficiency in languages, especially English helped him to assimilate new knowledge to explore scientific principles in his endeavour to elucidate complex sections of the Dharma.
His abiding humility, unassuming nature and uncompromising modesty took many people who sought his spiritual guidance, literally by surprise. Despite his fame and worldwide respect earned as an erudite Buddhist Scholar, he acted as if 'he was still a 7 year old novice Buddhist Monk'. This is in fact what the former Head of the London Buddhist Vihara wrote commenting on the character of the Most Ven. Horana Pannasekera Nayaka Thera.
We are confident that the Venerable has been already reborn in a sublime abode, an environment, where he will be able to purify the mind, freeing it from all impurities, to go beyond pain and pleasure, to access the fundamental nature of reality and finally to experience the bliss of Nirvana. This is the fervent wish and hope of every devotee who had the pleasure of knowing 'Apey Panditha Hamuduruwo' during his tenure at the Thames Buddhist Vihara and thereafter.
A traditional 'Mathaka Wasthra' Puja will be held on Sunday 10th August at Thames Buddhist Vihara to bestow merit.
Madawala Hemananda
Most Ven. Horana Pannasekera Nayaka Thera (A tribute)
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