Chief Incumbent Thero
Venerable Wattegama Dhammawasa Nayaka Thero
He is friendly, sincere, humble, and devout. He has no enemies and
shows no envy and is a symbol of compassion and loving-kindness. He is
a religious as well as an intuitive social worker who is on standby to
rescue and help the victims of natural disasters. He is an exemplary
teacher who turns out many of the finest and brilliant students in
Dhamma who are now scattered all over the world serving the Buddha
Sasana. He is a craftsman and a master builder who can renovate and re-
build aging structures, and take up challenges to turn brick and mortar
into new complexes and monasteries. He has long served the Buddha’s
Dispensation as an emissary or cultural attaché by establishing
monasteries in many countries. Above all, he is a committed Bhikkhu
upholding the monastic vows and actively engaged in sowing the seeds of
peace and harmony on foreign soil.
This versatile and virtuous character is none other than our most revered
Wattegama Dhammawasa Nayake Thero – The Chief Incumbent of Sri
Lankarama Maha Vihara and the President of the SLBM as well as the
Cardinal Monk (Sangha Nayake) of Australia for the Amarapura Sect.
Since his arrival at our monastery in 1994, he has been working
strenuously with his pupils, fellow-associates and the laity to transform
our temple to a prestigious Buddhist Precinct to be crowned as the
epicentre of Theravada Buddhism in the State of Queensland. As a
recognition of his eminent service to the Buddha Sasana of Sri Lanka and
abroad, in 2010, he was elevated to the rank of Cardinal Monk of Central
Province, Sri Lanka.
After becoming the President and Chief Incumbent of SLBM, our Nayake
Thero has made a magnificent effort to revive the monastery and
consolidate the congregation. His leadership and guidance gave a big
boost to the morale and confidence of the people, and this in turn made a
lasting impact on the community.
There is no doubt that he has left deep tracks on Australian soil, and carved a niche for the advancement of pristine
Theravada Buddhism in this country. It is said that Buddhism is currently the fastest growing religion in Australia, and
it appears that this trend is set to continue.
