"The father of bhikkhunis".Ven.Tallale Dhammaloka, one of the most senior bhikkhus of Amarapura Sect in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (srē läng`kə) [Sinhalese,=resplendent land], formerly Ceylon, ancient Taprobane, officially Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, island republic (2005 est. pop. passed away unexpectedly while attending a conference in Singapore on Dec. 31, 2003. His body was flown back to Sri Lanka and the cremation cremation, disposal of a corpse by fire. It is an ancient and widespread practice, second only to burial. It has been found among the chiefdoms of the Pacific Northwest, among Northern Athapascan bands in Alaska, and among Canadian cultural groups. took place on Jan. 5. 2004. The Sri Lankan bhikkhunis rightly considered him "the Father of bhikkhunis" for his constant support on the ordination ordination: see ministry; orders, holy. and establishment of Bhikkhuni sangha sangha: see Buddhism. sangha Buddhist monastic order, traditionally composed of four groups: monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen. Established by the Buddha, it is the world's oldest body of celibate clerics. . He published a book to counteract the misconceived mis·con·ceive tr.v. mis·con·ceived, mis·con·ceiv·ing, mis·con·ceives To interpret incorrectly; misunderstand. mis ideas against the acceptance of bhikkhuni sangha. He put his belief into practice by actually organized various ordinations for women specially international bhikkhunis. Ven.Dhammaloka organized my first ordination in 2001 where I was ordained or·dain tr.v. or·dained, or·dain·ing, or·dains 1. a. To invest with ministerial or priestly authority; confer holy orders on. b. To authorize as a rabbi. 2. in the uposatha hall of Tapodanramanya where he was the abbot. On the same year, one day he just appeared at our temple with Ven.Somalankara, it was indeed happy surprise to all of us. He wanted to see with his own eyes if we live according the dhamma vinaya and whether I was committed. Apparently he was satisfied with what he saw. After having completed my two-year requirement as samaneri and sikkhamana, I again requested him for higher ordination. First he wanted me to attend an international ordination which is going to take place in 2004. With Mrs.Ranjani de Silva sil·va also syl·va n. pl. sil·vas or sil·vae 1. The trees or forests of a region. 2. A written work on the trees or forests of a region. we insisted that I should receive my full ordination in February 2003, the only reason was that we did not belief that my mother, Ven.Bhikkhuni Voramai Kabilsingh who was already in her 95th year would wait much longer. So he arranged a special ordination for me in Feb. 2003, Soon after, my mother passed away peacefully Jule 24, 2003. Again unexpectedly, he came to visit and paid respect to the body of Ven.Mother on Aug. 12, 2003. It was a Thai custom to keep the body for a hundred days. On that day it happened to be a full moon, having already recited the patimokkha, we invited him to give Ovada (instruction) to the international bhikkhuni sangha staying with us during the vassa (rain retreat). The Venerable Grand Father, as our people called him, was happy to see that the bhikkhuni sangha has established in Thailand. Madam Ranjani attended the "cremation and reported that there were 250 bhikkhunis attending the ceremony to honor him. The number of the bhikkhunis might even out number the monks. And it was clear to the monks that he supported the bhikkhuni ordination both in Sri Lanka as well as abroad. On Jan. 3 after hearing of his sudden departure I could not attend the cremation in person, but at the temple we conducted a ceremony to dedicate ded·i·cate tr.v. ded·i·cat·ed, ded·i·cat·ing, ded·i·cates 1. To set apart for a deity or for religious purposes; consecrate. 2. our merit to him. We bow to him with gratitude for his far-sightedness to help the bhikkhuni sangha to come to fruition.... a heritage from the Buddha himself. |
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