Education for Buddhist monks started in Sri Lanka right after the arrival of Arahant Mahinda. Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya was the first educational institute that was established for the education of Buddhist Monks. Later, these educational institutions were outspread in Sri Lanka. The main goal of these institutions was to teach pure Theravada Buddhism. It was widened and changed socially, politically and economically. Basic Buddhist teaching, which was mixed with social, political and economic tuitions were taught in these institutions. Correspondingly, Sky-high stupas, boundless tanks, Irrigation technology, arts and crafts and Ayurveda were evolved.
When the reigning kingdoms changed, this education system too changed. In the time of Kingdom of Kandy, Pirivena education prevailed as an extension of ‘Maha Vihraya’. During the time of king Kirti Sri Rajasinghe, ‘The Most Ven. Weliwita Sri Saranankara Sangharajha Thero promoted and expanded the declined Buddha Sasana and Pirivena’ education. ‘Asgiri Maha Viharaya’ was providing quality education while adapting to their main office,
The Rajakeeya Panditvidyavisarada Maha Vihara Wanksika Ven. Haliela Sumanatissa Thero of Somapali Maha Nikaya established the ‘Asgiriya Maha Vihara Maha Pirivena’ in 1958 altering it to a ‘Pirivena’ equipped with modern education aspects.
Later, he developed this ‘Pirivena’ by linking it to a university and made it accessible for many students. After he passed away in 1988, one of his students, the current Chief Abbot of Asgiriya Pirivena, Most Ven. Dr.Narampanave Ananda Thero, Deputy Secretary General of Shyamoplali Maha Nikaya Asgiriya Chapter, made this a government certified ‘Pirivena’. Since it was progressing quickly, in year 1998 the Education Ministry upgraded ‘Asgiri Maha Pirivena’ to a ‘maha pirivena’. Therefore, approximately four hundred students were able to study in this ‘pirivena’ from the first year till graduation.
For the first time in Sri Lanka, ‘pirivena’ education was provided in English language in year 2006. This is the one and only ‘pirivena’ in Sri Lanka which provides education for its students from grade one ‘pracheena’ finals and G.C.E (A/L). Every year ‘Asgiriya Maha Pirivena’ was able to have a few of their students within the first 10 best result takers in the island in‘pracheena’ finals and G.C.E (A/L), they were able to show their significance through this.
Furthermore, ‘Asgiriya Maha Viharaya’ can be considered as one of the ‘pirivens’ that has consistently won all island level language and literature competitions.
Currently, more than four hundred monks are studying in this ‘pirivena’ while 180 of them reside at the hostels. Adapting to ‘sasana’ traditions they conduct effective daily testing on learning ‘gatha’ by hard, preaching, ‘pirith’ chanting and conducting Bodhi Puja.
Every day from 12pm to 5.30pm. It is significant how this ‘pirivena’ is complete in every essential unit. There are about 1500 books in the sri sumanathissa educational center (library). Not only traditional but also a computer unit and a language lab are present here. Their goal is to create a monastery by combining traditional ‘pirivena’ education together with modern education.
© Satipatthana Magazine
