History

දහම්පාසල් ඉතිහාසය

MOST VEN. THRIKUNAMALE ANANDA MAHA NAYAKA THERO

NOTICEBOARD

DHAMMA SCHOOL HISTORY

දැක්ම:

“සුනාථ ධාරෙථ චරාථ ධමෙමෙ”

(අසවු – දරවු- දම් හැසිරෙව් එදම්හි)

Vision:

“Sunatha Dharetha Charatha Dhamme”

The Daham Pasala where weekly Buddhist

Over 3,000 students attend the Siri Vajirarama Daham Pasala which has a proud record of over 90 years – 94 to be exact. Held every Sunday, the school has a teaching staff of 115.

Established in 1918 by the Most Ven, Pelene Vajiranana Maha Nayaka Thero, the school has been in existence without a break under the patronage of the illustrious chief prelates of Vajiraramaya. Devoted laymen and monks have served as heads of the school. The name of W E Perera is recorded as the head master of the school for a number of years from 1941. Among others who served in this capacity in later years were Ven. Ampitiye Rahula Maha Thero (1955), Ven. Dikwelle Mahinda Maha Thero (1962), Sirimevan Piyasinghe (1983) and Ven. Daranagama Kusaladhamma Thero (1991).

In 1993, Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thero was appointed director of the school by the Most Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Maha Nayaka Thero who was also chief prelate of Vajiraramaya. Ven. Kamburugamuwe Mahanaga Thero was appointed as head of the school which post he holds to this day. Sirima Hegoda functions as deputy head. In the staff are a large number of past pupils of the school.

In order to mould the younger generation into becoming useful future citizens, work in the school is done according to a planned programme. While teaching Buddhism and training the students for examinations conducted by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana takes pride of place, much attention is paid to religious and social services and cultural activities as well.

The students are encouraged to participate in meritorious activities, hospital service, helping the needy and other social service work. Among major projects undertaken in this area are:

Assisting Daham schools in difficult areas
Distributing dry rations, clothes and books in such areas
Starting a Dahama Pasala at Jayasekararamaya at Aselapura, Welikanda in Polonnaruwa
Supplying all necessities for Aselapura temple
Annual blood donation
Assisting needy patients
Identifying a children’s home and conduct Avurudu festival and distribute school uniforms & books

The students actively participate in cultural activities too. They sing Bhakti-gee during Vesak and Poson, and put up decorations for Vesak.

The present chief prelate, Ven. Tiricunamale Ananada Maha Nayaka Thero takes a keen interest in the progress of the school. The school has been restructured and a more efficient and effective administrative setup is now in place. Five units – Administration, Religious & Social Service, Examinations & Education, Welfare, and Cultural Affairs – have been established and the staff is encouraged to plan and manage each unit.

“THE MIND IS EVERYTHING. WHAT YOU THINK, YOU BECOME” -Lord Buddha

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