Religious rites for the late Most Venerable Yalagamuve Dhammissara Thero, Acting Chief Prelate of Udarata Amarapura Sect, Chief Sanganayaka of Japan, Chief Incumbent of Shōzan-ji Sakamuni International Buddhist Centre, Hachioji, who passed away on March 13, 2024, were held in Tokyo. On March 17 , Theravada Buddhist Rites were conducted by a representative group of Venerable 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 Most Venerable Dhammissara Thero, facilitated the conduct of religious rites according to the Theravada tradition at the Zentoin Temple.
The Thirty-Eighth Chief Priest Venerable Shoutetsu Ashikaga and the Thirty-Ninth Chief Priest Venerable Shouson Ashikaga of the Unryuji Temple, instrumental in the establishment of the Shōzan-ji Sakamuni International Buddhist Centre, conducted Japanese Buddhist religious rites, before the remains of the late Most Venerable Dhammissara Thero were transported to Narita Airport for dispatch to Sri Lanka.
The Condolence Message issued by President Ranil Wickramasinghe was read by Ambassador Rodney Perera on both solemn occasions. In his message, President Wickramasinghe, on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka, extended his heartfelt condolences while respectfully acknowledging the dedicated service of the late Most Venerable Dhammissara Thero to the Buddha Sasana, efforts in spreading the Buddha’s teachings throughout Japan and providing guidance to the Sri Lankan community. The President of Sri Lanka recognized the establishment of the Shōzan-ji Sakamuni International Buddhist Centre by the late Venerable 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 Rodney Perera, in his remarks, recalled his close association with the late Most Venerable Dhammissara Thero and the guidance he had received from the prelate. The Goodwill Mission to assist victims of the earthquake in Noto Peninsula undertaken last month, for instance, Ambassador Perera recalled, stemmed from his last in person meeting with the late Most Venerable Dhammissara 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 at any given time.
Ambassador Perera expressed his profound appreciation to all Head Priests of Unryuji over the years for the support extended to the late Most Venerable Dhammissara Thero throughout his monastic life in Japan and for providing a place for Theravada Buddhists in Tokyo. He also thanked for the support extended by Reverend Oishi Kiko, Chief Priest of Zentoin Temple to the late prelate.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Perera stated that the late Most Venerable Dhammissara Thero acted as an educational and cultural bridge between Japan and Sri Lanka, having contributed immensely and selflessly to the betterment of Japanese and Sri Lankan societies. Thus, the loss of the Venerable Thero is immeasurable.
On 19 March, the remains of the late Most Venerable Yalagamuwe Dhammissara Thero, were transported to Sri Lanka aboard UL454 from Narita Airport.
May Most Venerable Yalagamuwe Dhammissara Thero attain the supreme bliss of nibbana.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Tokyo
21 March 2024
