Amarapura Maha Nikaya appoints Ven. Maithree Moorthi Nahimi as Supreme Patriarch

Ven. Maithree Moorthi Nahimi was born on 1 October 1946 in the village of Karagoda, Uyangoda, in the Kamburupitiya area, Matara District, Southern Province

His formative education near the Vidyodhaya Monastic College in Maligakanda provided valuable exposure to distinguished Buddhist scholars, shaping his spiritual and intellectual development

The Venerable Thero bears a charismatic persona with a natural, effortless talent for captivating audiences

On the 26th of November 2024, a momentous occasion unfolded for the Sri Lankan Buddhist community, marking a significant chapter in the nation’s spiritual history. The Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithree Moorthi Maha Nāhimi, a revered figure known for his profound contributions as the retired Vice Director of Education, the esteemed chief of Sri Dharmānanda Buddhist Monastic College in Miriswatta, Balangoda, and the chief abbot of the Rāssagala Vihāra Sector within the Amarapura Buddhist Sect, was appointed as the Uththareethara Maha Nāyaka (Supreme Patriarch) of the Amarapura Maha Nikāya. This esteemed Buddhist sect, renowned for its enduring legacy within the nation’s Buddha Shāsana, represents over thirteen thousand Buddhist bhikkhus across more than four thousand vihāras (Buddhist temples) spanning twenty-two diverse sectors.

The United Amarapura Sangha Council was formally established in the mid-twentieth century, marking a pivotal moment in the history of Sri Lankan Buddhism. This significant achievement followed the re-assimilation of the majority of sangha sectors within the Amarapura Maha Nikāya, which had previously faced fragmentation due to societal challenges and philosophical debates rooted in differing interpretations of Buddhist Dharma. The monumental effort to unite the disbanded factions of the Amarapura Maha Nikāya reached its zenith in 1967, when the Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maithree Maha Nāhimi was elected as the first chairperson of the United Amarapura Sangha Council. His leadership, spanning a five-year term, laid a strong foundation for the council’s future. Following his tenure, the esteemed position was succeeded by Kosgoda Dhammāwansa Maha Nāhimi and later by Madihe Pangnaseeha Maha Nāhimi. The latter’s remarkable contributions to the cause were celebrated with profound respect, culminating in him being honored with the distinguished title of Uththareethara Maha Nāyaka (Supreme Patriarch) is a testament to his enduring dedication and service to the Buddhist community.

Following in the illustrious footsteps of Madihe Pangnaseeha Maha Nāhimi, the Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithree Moorthi Maha Nāhimi became the fifth individual to be honoured with the esteemed title of Uththareethara Maha Nāyaka (Supreme Patriarch). His life’s journey is one of profound inspiration and dedication.

On the 1st of October, 1946, in the serene village of Karagoda, Uyangoda, nestled in the Kamburupitiya area of the Matara District in Sri Lanka’s Southern Province, a little boy was born, bringing immense joy to his parents, Mr. D.S. Weeraman Abeywickrama and Mrs. Munasinghe Wickramaratne. This child, the second of eight siblings, would grow up to embody wisdom, compassion, and spiritual leadership, ultimately ascending to the revered position of Most Venerable Uththareethara Maha Nāyaka (Supreme Patriarch) Karagoda Uyangoda Maithree Moorthi Maha Nãhimi.

The young boy began his formal education at Karagoda Uyangoda Mahā Vidyāla, where he completed his primary studies up to the sixth grade. Later, at the encouragement of his godfather, who was the head of the renowned Samayawardhana Printing Press in Māligakanda, Maradana, he enrolled at Mahābodhi Vidyalaya in Colombo. There, he continued his education up to the tenth grade, laying the foundation for his future intellectual and spiritual pursuits. The Samayawardhana Printing Press, one of Sri Lanka’s foremost publishers of esteemed Buddhist literature, was strategically located near the Vidyodhaya Monastic College in the Maligākanda region. This proximity was no coincidence, as Vidyodhaya was widely regarded as one of the finest Buddhist monastic institutions in the country. Renowned for its exceptional educational standards, it was often considered more akin to a university than a college, attracting some of the brightest minds in Buddhist scholarship. During this time, the young boy had the privilege of interacting with and learning from some of the most brilliant Buddhist scholars of the era, including luminaries such as Baddegama Piyarathana Nāhimi, Welivitiye Sōratha Nāhimi, Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Maha Nāhimi, and Kalukondayawe Pangnāsekara Maha Nāhimi. These formative experiences not only enriched his knowledge but also shaped his character, setting him on the path to becoming a revered spiritual leader.

Having reached the appropriate age for higher ordination (Upasampadā), he took the profound step of fully embracing the life of a Buddhist monk on the 17th of July, 1971.

In heartfelt appreciation of his exceptional contributions to the Buddhist Shāsana, numerous organisations, groups, and Buddhist sects have bestowed upon the Venerable Nāhimi a series of distinguished titles, such as Ananda Maitreya Wanshālankāra, Prawachana Keerthi Sri Saddharmāchārya, Sambuddha Shāsana Keerthi Sri, Keerthi Sri Tripitaka Wishārada, and Paryāpthi Shāsana Dwajāgra.

The Venerable Thero bears a charismatic persona with a natural, effortless talent for captivating audiences. The Maha Nāhimi leads a life deeply rooted in the principles of Dharma and Buddhist philosophy, embodying mindfulness, compassion, and humility, making ‘SanghaShōbhana’ an ideal title to describe his grace.

May our Most Venerable Uththareethara Maha Nãyaka (Supreme Patriarch) of the Amarapura Maha Nikãya (Buddhist sect) be blessed with a long life, radiant health, and boundless prosperity. May his dedication to the Lōka Shāsana flourish, and may he continue to inspire and uplift all those around him with his wisdom and compassion.
The writer is the Chief Sangha Nayaka of America and is an Aggamaha Panditha.