Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero
Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero (Sinhala: අග්ග මහා පණ්ඩිත බලංගොඩ ආනන්ද මෛත්රෙය මහා නා හිමිපාණන් වහන්සේ) (23 August 1896 — 18 July 1998) was a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk who was one of the most distinguished scholars and expositors of Theravada Buddhism in the twentieth century. He was highly respected by Sri Lankan Buddhists, who believed that he had achieved a higher level of spiritual development. Sri Lankan Buddhists also considered Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero as a Bodhisattva, who will attain Buddhahood in a future life.
Most Ven. Agga Maha Pandita Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero | |
|---|---|
Ananda Maitreya Thero | |
| Title | President of Amarapura Nikaya Vice Chancellor of Vidyodaya University Chancellor of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka Professor of Buddhism Abidhadja Maharattaguru Agga Maha Pandita Thripitaka Vaagishwaracharya Pravachana Visharada Raajakeeya Panditha Saahithyasuuri Saahithya Chakrawarthi |
| Personal | |
| Born | Punchi Mahattaya 23 August 1896 |
| Died | 18 July 1998 (aged 101) Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| School | Ananda College |
| Lineage | Amarapura Sect |
Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero lived a modest life and did a great service for the propagation of Buddhist philosophy. In recognition of his valuable service at the Sixth Buddhist council held in Burma, the Burmese government conferred on him the title of Agga Maha Pandita (Chief Great Scholar) in 1956. Later in March 1997, the Burmese government conferred on Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero the highest Sangha title, Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru (Most Eminent Great Spiritual Teacher), which is equivalent to Sangharaja, in honor of his unique service to the Buddhist religion.