Funeral of Amarapura Nikaya Anunayake marked in Japan
Religious rites for the late most venerable Yalagamuve Dhammissara Thero, Acting Chief Prelate of Udarata Amarapura Sect, Chief Sanganayaka of Japan, Chief Incumbent of Shozan-ji Sakamuni International Buddhist Centre, Hachioji, who passed away on March 13, were held in Tokyo. On March 17, theravada buddhist rites were conducted by a group of buddhist clergy from Sri Lankan buddhist temples throughout Japan at the Zentoin Buddhist Temple in Hachioji. On the following day, religious rites according to the Japanese buddhist tradition, were held at the Unryuji Buddhist Temple in Hachioji. Both events took place in the presence of a large number of Sri Lankan and Japanese devotees.
Reverend Oishi Kiko, Head Priest of the Zentoin Buddhist Temple, given his close association with the late thero, facilitated the conduct of religious rites according to the theravada tradition at the Zentoin Temple. The thirty-eighth Chief Priest Ven Shoutetsu Ashikaga and the thirty-ninth Chief Priest Ven Shouson Ashikaga of the Unryuji Temple, instrumental in the establishment of the Shozan-ji Sakamuni International Buddhist Centre, conducted Japanese buddhist religious rites, before the remains of the late thero were transported to Narita Airport.
The condolence message issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe was read by Ambassador Rodney Perera. The President, on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka, extended his condolences while acknowledging the dedicated service of the late thero to the Buddha Sasana, efforts in spreading the Buddha’s teachings throughout Japan and providing guidance to the Sri Lankan community.
The President recognised the establishment of the Shozan-ji Sakamuni International Buddhist Centre by the late Ven Shoumei Ashikaga of the Unryuji Temple as a gesture of gratitude to Sri Lanka for contributions made by late President J R Jayewardene at the San Francisco Peace Conference in 1951.
Ambassador Perera recalled his close association with the late thero and the guidance he received from the prelate. The goodwill mission to assist victims of the earthquake in Noto Peninsula undertaken last month, Ambassador Perera recalled, stemmed from his last in person meeting with the late thero. On that occasion, the late prelate had mentioned that both the Ambassador and he with their respective backgrounds in Japan since 1989 and having benefitted from experiences and support from the people of Japan, should explore ways to reciprocate to Japan Sri Lanka’s deep gratitude as a means of solidarity.
Ambassador Perera expressed his appreciation to all head priests of Unryuji for the support extended to the late thero throughout his monastic life in Japan and for providing a place for theravada buddhists in Tokyo. He thanked the support extended by Rev Oishi Kiko, Chief Priest of Zentoin Temple to the late prelate.
Ambassador Perera stated that the late thero acted as an educational and cultural bridge between Japan and Sri Lanka, having contributed selflessly to the betterment of Japanese and Sri Lankan societies. The loss of the venerable thero is immeasurable.
On March 19, the remains of the late thero were transported to Sri Lanka aboard UL454 from Narita Airport. May Most Venerable Yalagamuwe Dhammissara Thero attain the supreme bliss of nibbana.