17 September 1864 — Tomorrow marks the 261st birth anniversary of Anagarika Dharmapala.
His birth anniversary is observed as Pali Language Pride Day to keep alive the memory of his struggle for the propagation of the Pali language and his lifelong efforts to restore the Mahabodhi Mahavihara at Bodh Gaya to Buddhist control.
Born in Sri Lanka on 17 September 1864, Don David Hewavitarne embraced Buddhism at the age of 16. He resolved not to live a conventional household life, but instead to dedicate himself to spreading the Buddha Dhamma. The world would later come to know him as Anagarika Dharmapala.
At the age of 25, he came to India. While visiting important Buddhist sites, he reached the Mahabodhi Mahavihara at Bodh Gaya. Seeing the Mahavihara under the control of Shaivite mahants deeply saddened him. He began working to restore the Mahavihara to Buddhists.
He faced immense hardship. Attempts were made to intimidate him, assassins were reportedly sent after him, and his life was put at risk on several occasions. Yet Dharmapala never backed down.
In 1892, he filed the first court case against the mahants in connection with the Mahabodhi Mahavihara. To revive the glory of Buddhist sacred sites, he established the Mahabodhi Society in Calcutta. Through this organization, several schools and hostels were established, many of which continue to serve people even today.
He travelled across the world to raise awareness about the Mahabodhi Mahavihara and worked to build pressure on the British government. He devoted his life tirelessly to the propagation of Buddhism and the Pali language.
At the age of 69, Anagarika Dharmapala passed into Parinirvana on 29 April 1934.
His dream of freeing the Mahabodhi Mahavihara from the control of the Shaivite mahants, however, remained unfulfilled.
The first court case filed in 1892 concerning the Mahabodhi Mahavihara is still described as having remained unresolved.
On his birth anniversary, countless salutations to Anagarika Dharmapala, who dedicated his entire life to the cause of the Mahabodhi Mahavihara. 🙏🏻🪷❤️☸️