The Tibetan Ven.S. Mahinda Thera

60th Death anniversary of Ven. S.Mahinda Thera falls today.

By C.P.Kuruppu

The poetry that rouses the nationalist sentiments is rare in Sinhala. But the foreigner S Mahinda should be given first place in expressing that sentiment in poetry. Rev. Mahinda’s poetic talents can be amply seen in the books he had written, namely Lanka Maata, Nidahas Dehena and Nidahase Mantraya says the popular poet and journalist of yesteryear Meemana Prematilaka in his ‘Sinhala Kavya Wansaya’.

Meemana is not alone but, many scholars share his view. Some say the Tibetan S Mahinda is more Sinhala than most of the contemporary Singhalese. He out shined the Singhalese literary galaxy of the time in his efforts to enliven patriotism, national pride, equality and national independence.

 

He was a pace setter to fight for the national independence to most of the Buddhist monks, Sinhala chiefs, writers and poets who collaborated with the colonial masters for positions and honours.

He identified himself as a Tibetan, presumably because Tibet was better known in Sri Lanka than his native Sikkim. He had used his name S. Mahinda as a pseudonym in Sri Lanka, leading to the belief that it was his real name. Although he was a foreigner we have acknowledged him as one of our national Heros.

He was born around 1901 in Sikkim, then a princely state on the foothills of the Himalayas and named Pempa Tendupi Serky Cherin. He had three brothers; the first would later become a lecturer of Calcutta University, the second would be the prime minister to the king of Sikkim and the third would join the Buddhist priesthood.

In 1911 the German Buddhist monk and Aranya Senadhipathi of Polgasovita temple at Dodanduwa, Rev. Gnanaloka went on a pilgrimage to Sikkim and Pempa Tendupi and his brother the Buddhist monk Punnaji, became friends with the Geman monk. Pempa Tendupi and Punnaji arrived in Sri Lanka with Rev. Gnanaloka in 1912. Pempa Tendupi was ordained as the Buddhist monk S Mahinda in Sri Lanka. He received a scholarship, with an annual allowance of six rupees, to study Buddhism here.

The two brothers stayed at the Polgasduwa temple and learnt Buddhism under Rev. Gnanaloka. S Mahinda was then sent to the Vidyodaya Pirivena in Maradana, and admitted to a school there to learn English. After this, he returned to the temple at Polgasduwa and learnt Sinhala and Pali languages.

With the outbreak of World War I, his mentor Rev. Gnanaloka, was arrested by the British rulers. His brother Sikkim Punnaji also appears to have died around this time, while S Mahinda was himself interned twice by the British.

He was later ordained into the Amarapura Nikaya as Sikkim Mahinda, although he used his name as S. Mahinda. He was re-ordained into the Shyamopali Nikaya on 16 June 1930, and obtained Upasampada that year itself.

The ill treatment that his mentor and he received under the British had strengthen his mettle and resolved to use his poetic talents to fight the British. S. Mahinda has written over 40 books, most of them poems inspiring patriotism. In his works, he has focused on the past glory of the country and the weaknesses of its people in the present. He urged them to chase away the British and strive to gain the national independence. He also wrote several books for children as well, and in these too he has tried to inspire patriotism upon the young readers. His most famous works include Nidahase Dehena, Nidahase Manthraya, Lanka Matha, Jathika Thotilla, Ada Lak Mawage Puttu, Nidahasa, Videshikayakugen Lak Mawata Namaskarayak and Sinhala Jathiya. His first book was Ova Muthu Dama, which was written around 1921. His final book is believed to be Sri Pada. He also appears to have created a number of unpublished works.

He was also a member of the temperance movement, which served a platform for the independence movement of Sri Lanka. After the country gained independence in 1948, he was acknowledged as a national hero for his literary works inspiring the people to struggle for independence.

The 60th commemoration day of this national hero falls today on the March 16th.

A poem from the poet’s Jathika Thotilla:

Muni Sisipa Simbiminne – Samanola Giri Pedesinne
Mada Sulangai Me Enne – Mage Puta Nidiyanne

(Kissing the Siripa of the Muni (Buddha) – From the side of the Samanola Giri
Gentle wind is blowing – While My Son is sleeping)

Nidahasa Maha Muhudak Ve – Ehi Ulpatha Putha Numba Ve
E Bava Sihikota Me Love -Yuthukama Itukala Yuthuwe

(The freedom is a Great Ocean – Son you are the spring of it
In this world (you have to) think about it – And do the duty)

Kes Gaha Pava Vena Ratawala Minisunne – Us Nidahasa Pinisa Satanata Serasenne
Sith Mola thibeddith Me Waga Nothakanne – Es Gedi Dekata Hena Gahalada Sihalunne?

(Even the hair of the people of other countries – Are getting ready to fight for the great freedom
Despite having brains, these are not seen -Have the thunder bolts struck the eyes of the Singhalese?)