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K. Sri Dhammananda

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K. Sri Dhammananda
TitleFirst Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia (1963-2006)
Personal life
Born
Martin Garmage

(1919-03-18)18 March 1919
Matara, Sri Lanka
Died31 August 2006(2006-08-31) (aged 87)
Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
EducationBanaras Hindu University
Religious life
ReligionBuddhism
SchoolTheravada
Senior posting
Based inKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
SuccessorKirinde Sri Dhammaratana

K. Sri Dhammananda (born Martin Gamage, 18 March 1919 – 31 August 2006) was a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, scholar, and was an especially prominent figure for Buddhism in Malaysia.

Early life

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Born in the village of Kirinde in Matara, Sri Lanka, Dhammananda spent most of his life and career in Malaysia. He was ordained as a novice monk (samanera) at the age of 12 and was fully ordained in 1940. After arriving in Malaya in 1952, now part of Malaysia, Dhammananda established himself as a leading Theravada Buddhist monk in the region and was appointed as the Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia.[1] He was also influential to the nearby Singaporean Buddhist community. In 2000, Dhammanada was honored with the Aggamaha Saddhammajotikadhaja award by the Myanmar government.

Death

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Dhammananda died on 31 August, 2006 at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre in Selangor, Malaysia.[2] It was claimed that there were auspicious signs including lights and auras around the funeral site.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Simon, Marilyn (4 June 2018). "Love and kindness, key to harmonious living". Herald Malaysia. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Loving Monk". The Buddhist Channel. 6 September 2006.
  3. ^ "Odd Sighting At Dhammananda's Cremation". The Buddhist Channel. 7 September 2006.
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Buddhist titles
Preceded by
none
Honorary President of the World Fellowship of Buddhists
Served alongside: Hsing Yun

1995–2006
Succeeded by