Madawela Punnaji (1929-2018)

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Madawela Punnaji (1929-2018)

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https://dhammawiki.com/index.php/Madawela_Punnaji



He taught the Dhamma all his life, especially after becoming a monk (he was a physician prior to ordaining). He continuously gave Dhamma talks, almost up to the day of his death.



I was very fortunate to have known him as a teacher and kalyana-mitta.
:candle: :candle: :candle:
:bow: :bow: :bow:
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Re: Madawela Punnaji (1929-2018)

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:candle: :candle: His teachings had a great impact on me as well.
A dying man can only rely upon his wisdom, if he developed it. Wisdom is not dependent upon any phenomenon originated upon six senses. It is developed on the basis of the discernment of the same. That’s why when one’s senses start to wither and die, the knowledge of their nature remains unaffected. When there is no wisdom, there will be despair, in the face of death.

- Ajahn Nyanamoli Thero
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Re: Madawela Punnaji (1929-2018)

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings,

:candle: :candle: :candle:

:anjali:

Metta,
Paul. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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Re: Madawela Punnaji (1929-2018)

Post by pegembara »

A great teacher indeed.

:anjali:
And what is right speech? Abstaining from lying, from divisive speech, from abusive speech, & from idle chatter: This is called right speech.
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Re: Madawela Punnaji (1929-2018)

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:candle: :candle: :candle:
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Re: Madawela Punnaji (1929-2018)

Post by justindesilva »

Listening to his sermons on utube was a pleasure to gain knowledge especially relevant to science and buddhism.
May he be blessed with Nirvana.
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Re: Madawela Punnaji (1929-2018)

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See: 2:06 Bhante Punnaji with Pope Francis. (back in year 2015)
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Re: Madawela Punnaji (1929-2018)

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Re: Madawela Punnaji (1929-2018)

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Remembering Bhante Madawela Punnaji
By Ven. Dr. Walpola Piyananda, Maha Nayaka Thera

I personally and all who knew him were saddened to hear of the passing of our Venerable Dr. Madawela Punnaji.Venerable Dr. Madawela Punnaji

He made a lasting impression on everyone he met. He certainly was not the average Sri Lankan Theravadan monk, who becomes a novice in his teens or pre-teens and then has his entire education and life dedicated towards practicing as a Buddhist monk, which he continued until his death at age 89, when he passed away with his mind and his voice as sharp and as clear as ever.

Bhante Punnaji was highly educated in both Western science and Buddhism. He was in fact a practicing physician for many years before deciding to dedicate himself to a life as a Buddhist monk.

He became one of the foremost meditation teachers in all of Buddhism. He was an iconoclast – indeed, many traditional Sri Lankan Buddhists and even Buddhist monks were sometime uncomfortable with his teachings -- but he backed up everything he said with his own experience and his research.

He was totally dedicated to the truth, and he found that truth in Buddhism. He was quite taken with Western Psychology and the relationship between psychology and Buddhism was an ongoing them for him. He wrote countless articles and books on these subjects while maintaining a steady schedule of meditation classes and retreats.

Bhante Punnaji traveled extensively until his last years, rarely staying in one place too long. Fortunately, one place he came back to time and again, starting from its founding in 1980, was Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara. He wrote many of his articles here with the assistance of some of our Western disciples. He conducted retreats, taught some yoga, and continued his own research throughout his life.

Yes, Bhante Punnaji was his own man: he wasn’t afraid to express ideas that ran counter to traditional thinking, but it was always supported by his vast knowledge, and never did he do anything to bring Buddhism or the Sangha into disrepute. While I personally did not always agree with his ideas, I realized the importance of the discussion he brought up. And there is no denying that many of the Western disciples as well as Asian Buddhists who practiced meditation with him felt he was the best meditation teacher they had ever encountered.

He left a fairly extensive body of writing, books and articles, which are timeless and which will be sure to influence future generations of meditators. Many will miss that twinkle in your eye.

Thanks for all your years of service to Buddhism and to mankind.
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Re: Madawela Punnaji (1929-2018)

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Re: Madawela Punnaji (1929-2018)

Post by SDC »

It was an honor to have learned from him, and on the one occasion I met with him, he was incredibly gracious and humble. Truly a great monk.

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“Life is swept along, short is the life span; no shelters exist for one who has reached old age. Seeing clearly this danger in death, a seeker of peace should drop the world’s bait.” SN 1.3
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Re: Madawela Punnaji (1929-2018)

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:candle: :candle: :candle:
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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