“The loss of Soma Thera is a loss to Buddhists worldwide” says President [12/19/2003]

“ Ven. Soma Thera boldly and forthrightly presented the Buddhist view in building public opinion on national and religious issues. A distinct feature of a democratic polity is the selection of a correct path among diverse opinions. In that respect Ven. Soma Thera’s contribution is immense,” said President Kumaratunga on the sudden demise of the Chief Incumbent of Victoria Viharaya Australia, Ven. Gangoldavila Soma Thera.

“He is one of the great monks who appear rarely in the history of a nation. He was an erudite Buddhist scholar who could deliver very gifted sermons,” said the President in her message.

One of Sri Lanka’s best known, most outspoken and controversial Prelate’s sudden demise, occurred in St. Petersburg Russia last Friday, December 12, after undergoing two emergency operations following a heart attack.

The Thera was in Russia on an invitation by the Russian government to receive an honorary doctorate. He was 54 at the time of his demise.

Dousing of light that rekindled Buddhist religious fervour - Dr. Kodituwakku

Human Resource Development, Education and Cultural Affairs Minister Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku in a condolence message issued on the passing away of venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera said the original and independent thoughts expressed by Venerable Soma had set the stage for a new book of norms pertaining to modern day society.

The message said: 'Venerable Thera's demise marked the untimely dousing of a light which rekindled Buddhist religious fervour here and abroad. A bright pupil of Venerable Ampitiye Rahula Thera and the late Venerable Aggamaha Panditha Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayake Thera he reached eminence in his field in his country.

The epochal national and religious service of Venerable Pannasiha and the exploratory and meditational lifestyle of Venerable Rahula formed his guide book. Venerable Soma played a unique role in the cultural and religious lives of the people. He revived the 'Damsaba Mandapa' and summoned thousands of rural and urban folk to participate in them and the dhamma discourses and seminars conducted by him were highly successful.

The message added "I had a special liking to listen to the dhamma discussions conducted by Venerable Soma but there were times I did not agree with his viewpoints even though their flexible and creative nature was commendable" whenever I spoke to him over the phone and informed my stand over some of them he had the decency to listen to them patiently"

"However the untimely disruption of a dhamma river which began from the Vajiraramaya and spread through the Siri Vajiragnana Dharmayatanaya as far as Melbourne, Australia is a matter for grief.

"Venerable Soma's biography of five decades has proved that one's lifespan is not the proper yardstick to measure his or her gigantic services. While wishing Venerable Soma the eternal bliss of Nibbana I wish to express our deepest sympathies to Venerable Soma's mother who is residing in my Kaduwela electorate, the Bambalapitiya Vajiraramaya, the Maharagama Bhikkhu Madhyasthanaya and the late Thera's fellow bhikkhus in their time of grief."

Eminent bhikkhu who helped create more rational society - M.H. Mohamed

Minister of Western Region Development, M.H. Mohamed states in his message on the death of Gangodawila Soma Thera:

'On behalf of the Sri Lanka Islamic Centre, I wish to express our deepest sympathies on the untimely passing away of Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera, an eminent Buddhist scholar who worked tirelessly for the uplift of the Buddha Sasana and the country.

'Venerable Soma Thera was a very popular bhikkhu who addressed the younger generation who was able to bring them into the religious sphere. Venerable Soma Thera also gave leadership to many movements in the country and helped in creating a more rational society.

"With the passing away of the Venerable Thera not only the country lost an exemplary Bhikkhu but also a great religious leader who was able to guide the people on the correct path. I am sure that all the Muslims in the country are together with our buddhist brethren in this hour of grief."

'Versatile preacher and missionary'

President Bambalapitiya Flats Buddhist Society said in his message' of condolence:

'It was a great shock to hear of the passing away of Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera. The information is that he fell ill whilst on a visit to Russia and passed away after heart surgery despite the efforts of the doctors to save his life. That is Samsara and that is his lifespan.

'The Venerable Thera contributed immensely towards educating the Buddhists in regard to practices and rituals alien to Buddhism and the futility of praying to Gods for help which has no place in Buddhism.

'His practical approach to the teachings of the Buddha made him very popular and the people assembled in thousands to listen to his preaching, which influenced people to change their faith in such wrong practices. His TV programmes were equally educative and covered issues affecting everyday life to the people.

'The venerable Thera campaigned strongly against corruption and violence, whilst espousing the cause of social justice. He called a spade, a spade providing his leadership qualities.

Venerable Soma Thera, above all, was a versatile Buddhist preacher and missionary who contributed in great measure towards the propagation of Buddhism. He in fact, was a great Buddha Putra. His demise therefore is an irreparable loss to the country and Buddhism.

'We appeal to politicians, political parties and those calling themselves as patriots not to attempt to achieve political ends over the demise of this erudite Buddhist scholar monk as such attempts will only bring disgrace to Buddhism.

'May Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera attain the supreme Bliss of Nibbana'.

Erudite exponent of Dhamma - YMBA, Colombo

The message of condolence issued by the Colombo YMBA on the Demise of Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera said:

"We are deeply saddened and shocked over the sudden demise of the Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera.

"Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera, a distinguished pupil of the Late Agga Maha Pandita Most Venerable Madihe Pannasiha Maha Nayaka Thera, spent several years engaged in Dhamma activities in Australia where he was the Viharadhipati of Shakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara, Victoria, Australia.

"He returned to Sri Lanka some years ago and within a short period earned an islandwide reputation as an erudite exponent of the Buddha Dhamma. His special endeavour was to remind Buddhists of the importance of following the pure teachings of the Buddha without being diverted to extraneous practices.

"He also considered it his duty to safeguard the rights of the Sinhala people from the numerous threats they face.

"The popularity he earned in a comparatively short time is testimony to the impact his personality and activities had on the Buddhist public. His untimely demise is a great loss to the Buddha Sasana and to the country.

"May Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana."

Fearlessly awakened the Sinhala race

Message of condolence by Ven. Galagama Dhammaransi Thera, the Lekhakadhikari of Amarapura Mrammawansabhi Dhaja Siri Saddhamma Yukthika Nikaya of Sri Hathbodhi Viharaya, Narahenpita.

In a message of condolence on the demise of the late Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera states that the late Venerable Thera has entered the history of Sri Lanka as a son of the Enlightened One who observed to the very letter the Buddha's advice to "Go forth with compassion and wander through cities, villages and hamlets for the well-being of the many".

The late Thera possessed the capacity to be unbiased, conscientious and upright before all national and religious problems.

He was bona fide in principle, honest and straightforward, law abiding and pleasant in disposition.Piety, wisdom and erudition which are the main phenomena of a great Buddhist monk were conspicuous in the character of the late venerable Thera, it read.

In his discourses the late Thera often opened a dialogue for us to inquire from ourselves whether we are honestly Buddhists, and what are the characteristics of a Buddhist and by what yardstick are we to measure ourselves.

The late venerable Thera was merciless in attacking those who used religion as a cat's paw to fish in troubled waters and those who used religion as a white cloth to conceal one's sins.

Since the passing away of the late Vadibasinghe Migettuwatte Gunananda Nayaka Thera, the late Ven. Soma Thera is the next in line as a fearless Buddhist Monk who awakened the Sinhala Race, stated the message of condolence.

The sudden demise of a patriotic and religious Buddhist Monk of the calibre of the late Venerable Soma Thera is a great loss to the country and the Buddhist Order. May he attain the Bliss of everlasting peace, concluded the message.

Unbearable loss and grief to the nation

Message of condolence by Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando

Sudden demise of eloquent, amiable and well-disciplined prelate, Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera who clarified to the people the deep philosophy of Buddhism in simple terms to soothe the minds of Sri Lankan Buddhists and who acted to bring about religious renaissance among Buddhists by distinguishing Buddhism and mythical opinions, is an unbearable loss and a grief to the whole nation.

Ven. Soma Thera dedicated his life to build-up a virtuous society and preached Buddhists, particularly the younger generation, in a very interesting manner depicting the necessity of moulding one's life precluding liquor, gambling and misconduct.

Ven. soma Thera who carried out missionary activities not only in Sri Lanka but in other countries as well was well-respected by all communities for the manner he had pioneered Damma mission through both print and electronic media. I wish that this intelligent eloquent prelate who duly completed his religious duty, who had great qualities to the brim and who bid farewell to the country and its people today may blessed by the prayers of the whole nation and attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.

Tyronne Fernando, P.C., Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Great loss to all communities

Message of condolence by A. H. M. Fowzie MP

The sudden demise of Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera has brought shock and grief the whole country. It is indeed a great loss to men of all communities that an outspoken erudite scholar of the calibre of Ven. Soma Thera to leave all of us, as though somebody has robbed him away from us.

His demise, particularly at a time his preaching has stirred the nation towards decriminalisation of the society is most felt. He, by his preaching has wrought about a movement of renaissance by which he expected the society to be turned into a righteous society.

His words were such powerful that a large number of people, mainly Buddhists, have been influenced to change their lifestyles based on Dhamma. He preached the more pure form of Buddhism which strengthened the Buddhist Culture purifying it from all forms of other cultural encroachment. This made him look a more controversial figure. But in reality, this is what exactly the need of the hour, as far as all other religions too.

This would bring religions much less in conflict with other religions. In this, he shone out as a charismatic person who took Buddhism out of the confines of temples on to political stage, as well as to man on the street.

I conveying the deepest condolences of the Muslim community and that of myself personally, I wish to reiterate that my firm belief that the words of Ven. Soma Thera will be more powerful to change the society in the future although he is no more amidst us to give lead to his vocal campaign. This is indicated by the many hundred thousands of youths who flock in to pay homage to an inspiring preacher, leader and guide.

A. H. M. Fowzie, MP, Colombo District

Earned the love and affection of different faiths

Message of condolence from the All Ceylon Moors Association

"President of the A.C.M.A., Al Haj A. C. M. Shafeek, in a message of condolence released to the Daily News said: On behalf of the A.C.M.A., I wish to extend our sympathies on the sudden demise of the late Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera an erudite Buddhist scholar, who had earned the love and affection of not only the Buddhists of this country but also others of different faith, for his forthright views and bold expressions on matters concerning cultural and social aspects.

He campaigned and worked hard against social injustice, corruption and violence. A versatile preacher of Buddhism, he played a major role in transforming the religious lifestyle of the younger people which will be remembered by everyone."

Write about Ven. Soma Thero and e-mail ([email protected]) us.