Englishman ordained at Vijeyananda temple

By D.G.Sugathapala

Colombo, Nov. 3 (Daily Mirror) - A British national Gareth Thompson (58), entered the order of Bhikkhus at Weliwatta Vijeyananda Pirivena temple by the name of Ven. Englanthaye Buddhdasa Thera.

He had been a teacher in England who often visited Sri Lanka and had close relations with Vijeyananda Pirivena. During the Tsunami disaster, he had implemented several relief programmes with the Chief Incumbent of Viyeyananada temple Ven. Thawalama Siddhath.

He entered the order under the tutelage of the Head of Vijeyananda Pirivena, Ven. Nakiyadeniye Gnannotthara Thera.

It is of significance that the American national and champion of the Buddhist revival Col. Henry Steel Olcott, embraced Buddhism at Weliwatta Vejeyananda temple in 1880. He was the founder of Vijeyananda Dhamma School, the first Buddhist Dhamma school in Sri Lanka.

Mahasangha, including Chief Incumbent of Vijeyananda Temple Ven. Thawalama Siddhath Thera, and Retired Director of Pirivena Education Ven. Hulandawe Soratha Thera were present at the occasion.