Ven. Walpola Rahula Commemoration Program

 Most Venerable Prof. Walpola Sri Rahula Thera

Passing away of the most Venerable Professor Walpola Sri Rahula Thera, a strictly principled learned monk, on 19th September 1997 is an irreparable lost to the nation.  He rendered a great service uplifting the level of Buddhist studies in the world by writing books and articles, delivering lectures and speeches and teaching in various universities. He particularly, engaged in uplifting the level of education in Sri Lanka by supporting the free education movement in 1940s and working as the Vice Chancellor at Vidyodaya University. By the time he passed away he was 91 years old. According to his last will his last rites were conducted in a very simple and serine manner at 'Ketumati' Buddhist Study and Research Institute, Kotte and cremation was held at Borella Kanatta crematorium on the following day of his demise.

First commemoration program of Ven. Walpola Rahula was held at Kelaniya University in December 1997. Dr. George Bond of North Western University delivered the Commemoration Oration. A collection of articles by Ven. Rahula was published under the title of Humour in Pali Literature and other Essays by Walpola Rahula and launched at the same event. 

Second commemoration program was held in 2003 at Buddhist Study and Research Institute, now called 'Walpola Rahula Institute for Buddhist Studies' off Parliament road Kotte where Ven. Rahula lived during his last years. Prof. Y. Karunadasa delivered the keynote address.   

The third and the grand level commemoration program is scheduled to be held on 3rd July 2014 at BMICH Colombo. This commemoration program will mark the beginning of the long running programs designed by 'Walpola Rahula Institute for Buddhist Studies' based on Ven. Rahula's vision . Therefore we try our best to reach and establish contacts with those people who admire Ven. Rahula, his vision and principles. As the pupil of Ven. Rahula, I, very earnestly request all of you to help us by introducing such people and supporting us to take forward the good vision and mission of my 'Guru' Most venerable Prof.Walpola Sri Rahula Thera.

Ven. Galkande Dhammananda

(Pupil of Ven. Walpola Rahula)

Tentative Program on the 3rd July 2014
1. Welcome address
2. Screening of the documentary on Ven. Walpola Rahula (22 minutes)
3. Launching of the website www.walpolarahula.org
4. Keynote address by Prof. Asanga Thilakarathne
5. Vote of thanks
6. Refreshment

Works in progress related to the forth coming Commemoration Program  
1. Producing the documentary: Collecting information, paper cuttings, photos, videos, audios and recording voice clips from those people who have associated with Ven Rahula.

2.  Creating the website: most of the information gathered for the documentary will be used here.

3. Type-setting a small souvenir book with some pictures and important quotations from Ven. Rahula's speeches and writing,s and with a list of future educational and socially related projects going to be run by 'Walpola Rahula Institute for Buddhist Studies'.

   You can contact us:
1. Ven. Galkande Dhammananda:
    Walpola Rahula Institute for Buddhist Studies
    Buddhist Institute Avenue,
    Parliament Road Kotte, Sri Lanka.
    email: galkandedhammananda@gmail.com

Works in progress - Long running programs

1. Training program for Buddhist monks to provide leadership to the community as a member of the clergy whose primary duty is to practice and disseminate Dhamma (the message of the Buddha). (One year Diploma Program) (Designing of the syllabus is in progress now).   

The course Content

1.1 Language Skills: Tamil and English 

1.2 Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy 

1.3 Introduction to Buddhist Meditation

1.4 Psychological Counselling with special emphasis to cross cultural issues

1.5 Historical Development of Buddhist Monasticism and an overview of current Buddhist practice.

1.6 Contemporary society and culture (Local & Global)

1.7 National and International role of Buddhist Monastics as Messengers of Peace. (Field Work: One month of living in and working experience in a community that is marginalized by mainstream society.)

To go to the page Ven. Rahula, the VC