A glimpse into the life of Rev. Ananda Maithriya

“Buddhist Master the Great” (Part 01) - an unusual book by Maithri Rathnayaka

This book is a compilation of the writer’s television interviews with Ananda Maithriya Thero, as well as press interviews and letters

Impressed with that horoscope reading, the monk began researching the subject

The book is about the celebrated scholar-monk Balangoda Ananda Maithriya Thero. But to give an idea as to who the author is might be a good idea at first, since Maithri Rathnayake is one of those industrious and gifted individuals who prefer to work away from high profile platforms and media limelight (even if he had spent a good part of his life in and out of TV stations).  

The author was born in the Badulla district and received his primary and secondary education there before graduating from Vidyalankara University in the arts. He worked as a graduate teacher and then as executive officer of the Sri Lanka Transport Board before undergoing training as a film maker at the State Film Corporation.   

While focusing on the subject of Naadi Vaakya, an ancient Indian  astrological system, it offers glimpses of the monk’s childhood

Working as a guest film director and script writer for the Government Film Unit, he made seventeen short films. In his subsequent TV career, he made eleven video documentaries. As a writer, he has written several short stories, four plays for radio dramas as well as literary criticism.  

This book is a compilation of the writer’s television interviews with Ananda Maithriya Thero, as well as press interviews and letters. While focusing on the subject of Naadi Vaakya, an ancient Indian astrological system, it offers glimpses of the monk’s childhood and progression from a young ordained monk to one of the most respected and best known preachers and exponents of Buddhist thought.  

The book (translated into English by K. A. Karunaratna) is in question and answer form. In his answers, Rev. Ananda Maithriya explains how an astrologer he met in India during a visit in 1951 introduced him to the esoteric world of Naadi Vaakya. Very impressed with that horoscope reading, the monk began researching the subject. What he discovered is shown with great clarity in this fascinating text.

The author can be contacted on 0719633422 
or email maithri.ratnayake@gmail.com