The Legend of a Great Man Hidden in the Colombo Cemetery – By Dr. Gamini Kariyawasam
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When I entered the Colombo cemetery to attend the last rites of a friend, after the cremation, I felt a mysterious interest in walking through the burial ground. From Mr. Chanaka Perera, the caretaker of the Colombo cemetery at that time, I learned that the cremated remains of a special person were also buried there. These are the remains of the great Rev Dharmapala, who awakened the entire Buddhist world from its slumber.
Rev Dharmapala’s cremated remains lie quietly in the Colombo cemetery at Dampal Vehera House. This historical monument is located next to the Hindu burial ground in the Colombo cemetery. It is made of black stone in accordance with the Sanchi tradition of India. Dampal Vehera House, a beautiful and majestic creation, was overgrown with jungle when we visited. Miraculously, a small bud had sprouted from the base of the tomb. On the pedestal in the middle of the tomb, a small casket containing the ashes of Rev Dharmapala was visible.
We feel that it is a national crime that the Veherage, where the cremated remains of such a great man are buried, has become overgrown in the isolated Colombo cemetery. The Buddhist path he taught to the nation and the world should be a vision instilled in the minds of our current generation. For that reason, we believe his cremation site should be restored to a place where people can see it regularly. The most suitable location for that would be Dharmapala Mawatha, where his name is remembered, Viharamahadevi Park (the semi-circular vacant lot in front of Sathutu Uyana), or the place where he worked. I would like to bring this to the attention of those responsible: that the Colombo Maligakanda should be the Mahabodhi Vihara.
As we stood near Dampal Vehera House, we were reminded of the mission of this noble man. He is highly respected as a social and religious reformer, a freedom fighter, and a wise leader with humanitarian qualities. As a national leader, Anagarika Dharmapala did much for the betterment of the country. He was born on September 17, 1864, in the village of Hitthetiya, Matara, to Don Carolis Hewawitharana and Mallika Dharmagunawardena, a wealthy businessman and his wife.
Don Carolis Hewawitharana and Mallika Dharmagunawardena are parents
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Anagarika Dharmapala had two brothers, Charles Alwis and Edmund, and one sister, Engalthina Hewavitarana.
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At the time of Anagarika Dharmapala’s birth, Sri Lanka was under British colonial rule, and the education system was predominantly known as “missionary education.” Most Sinhalese and Tamil students attended English-medium schools, many of which were affiliated with Christian churches. These institutions prioritized the teaching of Christianity alongside the English language.
Anagarika Dharmapala, like C.W.W. Kannangara, received his early education in Catholic schools. Reflecting on the education system of his time, Dharmapala criticized it as lacking national identity.
The young Don David Hewawitharana became Anagarika Dharmapala, who dedicated not only his youth but his whole heart to Sinhala Buddhism. By traveling through the villages of Sri Lanka, he sought independence for the motherland from the imperialists and, at the same time, tried to uplift Sinhala Buddhism. Addressing the Vision Society of America, his statement that the Buddha’s teachings would guide science in the future is being confirmed today. What is dynamics but identity? Even the smallest particle of the atom consists only of elements like apo, tejo, vayo, and patavi. Today, the West is accepting that “Chitta Pari Shuddiya” (mental purity) is the path to human liberation. Rebirth is being researched, and there is a firm belief in karma. Buddhism spread in the West with the powerful voice of Rev Dharmapala.
Rev Dharmapala began to wave the Buddhist flag, first spread by the Buddhist Federation of Japan during a gathering. When he visited Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India, he saw the Mahantas (priests) decorating the Buddha’s image in Hindu theistic style. He raised the cry, “Buddhists, rise up! Save Buddha Gaya!” and created global Buddhist awareness, eventually reclaiming Buddha Gaya for the Buddhists.
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To support his mission, Dharmapala founded the Maha Bodhi Society and started the newspaper Sinhala Baudhaya.
The tremendous service he rendered in a short period of time is astounding. One might wonder if it was even possible. It seems like anyone else would have needed two or three lifetimes to accomplish what he did. He achieved this through his disciplined mind, body, and speech as a person who had reached a certain level of meditation.
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The vehicle in which Dharmapala traveled from village to village to spread the practice of Buddhism is a symbol of his relentless work. He built the Mulagandhi Kuti Vihara in India and became Siri Deva Mitta Dharmapala with the desire to bring nirvana not only to himself but to all beings. He later obtained ordination with the intention of attaining Buddhahood in his next life. If so, he must have entered the true path.
If ever there was a perfect example of a social movement centered around an individual, it is Anagarika Dharmapala and the modern national and Buddhist revival that he initiated and from which we still benefit today. However, the great man of that era seems to have been forgotten. The Dampal Commemorative Temple, built in the Colombo cemetery to bury his ashes brought from India, remains neglected. I would like to draw attention to the fact that while statues of Dharmapala are being erected, roads named after him, and ceremonies held in his honor, the resting place of his ashes is being forgotten.
By visiting the following link, you can listen to Nanda Malini’s beautiful song about Dharmapala.
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Significant Dates in Dharmapala’s Life
Birth: September 17, 1864
Ordination: July 13, 1931
Establishment of Maha Bodhi Society: May 31, 1891
Death: April 29, 1933
By visiting the link shown here, you can listen to Nanda Maliniya’s beautiful song about him
Before the 161th birth anniversary of Dharmapala on September 17, 2025, the entire nation is undoubtedly waiting for the intervention of the Honorable Minister of Buddhasasana and the Maha Bodhi Society to restore Dampal Vehera House to a suitable place where people can pay their respects.
To conclude, I would like to summarize the contributions made by Anagarika Dharmapala:
Building a new educational mindset.
Restoring Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka and India.
Reestablishing Buddhism in India and spreading it worldwide.
Leading the people in the struggle for national freedom.
Providing guidance to build national leadership.
He has stated on several occasions that the Mahavamsa should be used as a guide for the survival and well-being of the country. Rev Dharmapala also emphasized that knowledge of history would provide valuable guidance to local leaders in making long-term decisions about the country’s future.
You can also listen to Dharmapala’s voice through the following link
Dr. Gamini Kariyawasam
gaminee@gmail.com
