Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thero was a prominent Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka. Here is a brief timeline of his life:
1948
Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thero was born on April 24, 1948, in the village of Gangodawila, a semi-urban locality on the outskirts of the capital city of Colombo in Sri Lanka.
1954-1974
Venerable Soma, in lay life known as Somarathna, took his formal education at Rewatha Vidyalaya in Gangodawila, then he attended Ananda Sastralaya in Kotte and later at Isipathana College, Colombo, formally known as Greenlands College. While he was working in a shop, establishing his own business, he worked closely with the Sri Vajiragnana Dharmayathanaya as a student in the Daham Pasela, then a student leader and a lay teacher.
1974
He ordained as a novice monk on 20th September at a young age and began his monastic training at the Bhikku training centre at Maharagama under the tutelage of two of the most revered monks in Sri Lanka – Most Reverend Madihe Pannaseeha Mahanayaka Thera and Venerable Ampitiye Rahula Nayaka Thera.
Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thero was appointed director of the school by the Most Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Maha Nayaka Thero
1976
He ordained as a novice monk on 20th September at a young age and began his monastic training at the Bhikku training centre at Maharagama under the tutelage of two of the most revered monks in Sri Lanka – Most Reverend Madihe Pannaseeha Mahanayaka Thera and Venerable Ampitiye Rahula Nayaka Thera.
Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thero was appointed director of the school by the Most Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Maha Nayaka Thero
1976
He received higher ordination as a Bhikkhu on 26th of May, becoming a fully ordained Buddhist monk. He continued to study the Dhamma in Pali language and was interested in doing research into the teachings of the Buddha, especially meditation on the Buddha’s qualities.
1976-1980
During this period, he engaged in extensive meditation practice and studied Buddhist philosophy under various renowned teachers. A keen student of meditation, he also took time off to be in solitude in distant, lonely locations where he could meditate undisturbed. His interest in meditating on the qualities of the Buddha made him work on an exhaustive study on the subject. His published work 'Buddhastupa' is a useful guide to those interested in such meditation.Soma Thera’s aim was to teach the youth to revere the Buddha and learn to live a pious life. Soma Thera revived the Thurunu Saviya programme begun by Ven.Madihe Mahanayaka Thera and carried out a number of projects and programmes in which the young people were involved enthusiastically.
1986
During this period, he engaged in extensive meditation practice and studied Buddhist philosophy under various renowned teachers. A keen student of meditation, he also took time off to be in solitude in distant, lonely locations where he could meditate undisturbed. His interest in meditating on the qualities of the Buddha made him work on an exhaustive study on the subject. His published work 'Buddhastupa' is a useful guide to those interested in such meditation.Soma Thera’s aim was to teach the youth to revere the Buddha and learn to live a pious life. Soma Thera revived the Thurunu Saviya programme begun by Ven.Madihe Mahanayaka Thera and carried out a number of projects and programmes in which the young people were involved enthusiastically.
1989
Venerable Soma Thera first visited Australia on an invitation from the Buddhist temple at Richmond, where he stayed for the rains retreat (Vas period) of three months. Venerable Soma realised that Mahayana practices had a strong foothold in Australia and felt that there was a need for a Vihara where Theravada practices could be followed correctly.
1993
Venerable Soma Thera first visited Australia on an invitation from the Buddhist temple at Richmond, where he stayed for the rains retreat (Vas period) of three months. Venerable Soma realised that Mahayana practices had a strong foothold in Australia and felt that there was a need for a Vihara where Theravada practices could be followed correctly.
1995
Due to space constraints at these temple premises to accommodate a large number of people, Soma Thera purchased a 5-acre property in Berwick with the help of the community to construct a larger temple.
1996
He returned to Sri Lanka after seven years in Australia. This was intended to be a short stay to revitalise his spiritual development and to be at the side of his father who had suffered a stroke.During this visit, he was appalled to observe the degeneration of society, where alcoholism was rife and traditional Buddhist values were slowly being eroded. He immediately commenced a campaign to show the nation the ultimate outcome of these excesses, working with the youth and younger generation to alert them to the depravities of alcoholism, walked to faraway distances preaching Dhamma in rural villages. The youngsters in Thurunu Saviya were also involved in organising these Dhamma sermons in different locations.
1996
Planting of 400 trees and preparation of land
1997
Ven. Soma Thero gained widespread recognition for his public discourses on Buddhism and social issues. He was known for his eloquence and ability to explain complex Buddhist teachings in simple terms. He was a scathing critic of politicians who, he believed, were ruining the country with their short-sighted policies.2000: He founded the "Jana Vijaya Foundation" to promote Buddhist education, meditation, and social welfare activities.
2002
Buddhist Vihara Victoria moved to Berwick. And established the third temple with the name - Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara. It was established with the intention of becoming a Buddhist Education, Research and Information Centre for scholars of the Dhamma and to cater to all those who were interested in the study and practice of the Dhamma.
2003
Soma Thera was invited to receive an award for his book “Buddhastupa” from a university in St. Petersburg, Russia. Soma Thera fell ill during the journey and spent time in a hospice. Tragically, on December 12, 2003, Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thero passed away in St Petersburg, Russia, accepting an Honorary doctorate conferred by the University. His sudden demise was a great loss to the Buddhist community in the whole world, not only to Sri Lanka. (Last photo was taken in Russia, Thera is in the middle with two of his devotees)
2003
Funeral in Sri Lanka
Legacy
Ven. Soma Thero's teachings and activism continue to inspire many Buddhists in Sri Lanka and around the world. His efforts to promote ethical conduct, compassion, and the study of Buddhist philosophy remain influential. He established Dhamma / Language schools in Berwick temple and at Brunswick, which today boasts 500 and 200 students respectively. A few members of senior devotees who associated Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thero during Thero’s stay in Melbourne, initiated a project to erect a statue in memory of Soma Thero, at the Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara premises, Berwick as it was initiated by late Ven Soma Thera. The life- size statue was sculptured in Sri Lanka, was imported, and is presently placed in a very prominent place at the temple premises. The Statue was ceremonially unveiled on the 24th of April 2021 on Ven. Soma Thero’s 73rd birthday. Many devotees gathered at this ceremony, the statue will be a memorial, and an inspiration to everyone visiting the temple.. Berwick temple is identified as “Soma Hamuduruwange Pansala” by Srilankan community in Australia. The Venerable Thero’’s aspiration was that one day this temple would become a Centre for Buddhist Education, Research, Information and Culture. It was his vision that this would not just be a temple for Sri Lankan Buddhists, but be a teaching centre for all Australians who wish to learn the teachings of the Lord Buddha. May the Statue be a tribute to the great life of the Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera !!!