Venerable Gnanarama visited Nalanda Centre twice in the last decade, and had given invaluable advice and encouragement to Nalandians.

It is with deep respect and a heavy heart that we announce the passing away of Venerable Professor Dr. Pategama Gnanarama Anunayaka Thero in Singapore earlier today; aged 88.  Ven. Gnanarama had been the Religious Adviser and resident teacher at Ti-Sarana Buddhist Association Singapore since 1993.

Venerable Professor Gnanarama was an illustrious graduate of the University of Ceylon and the University of London.  He earned two post-graduate degrees from Sri Jayawardhanapura University of Sri Lanka, and the University of Magadh, India.  He was also conferred the ‘Doctor of Literature’ by the Buddhist & Pāli University of Sri Lanka.  He was concurrently the incumbent Chief Monk of Purvaramaya Viharaya in Sri Lanka as well as the founding Principal of the Buddhist and Pāli College, Singapore.  He was an acclaimed scholar who authored dozens of Buddhist publications in English and Sinhala.

Nalanda founder Bro. Tan visited the late Venerable during the Sinhalese New Year in April 2018. In attendance was Bro. Yap (right), Chairman of Nalanda Johor Bahru Branch.

The late Venerable conversing with Bro.Tan during the latter’s visit to Ti-Sarana Buddhist Association in Singapore.

The late Venerable Gnanarama visited Nalanda Centre twice in the last decade, and had given invaluable advice and encouragement to Nalandians.  Nalanda founder Bro.Tan also visited the late venerable in Singapore in April 2018, after hearing that the venerable had not been physically well.  We at Nalanda Buddhist Society offer our deep condolence to the resident monks, management and devotees of Ti-Sarana Buddhist Association Singapore on the passing of Ven. Gnanarama.  May he attain the highest bliss – Santī, Peace.

Pustaka Nalanda officer Bro. Lam Chih Fung presenting Nalanda publications to the late Venerable during his visit to Sri Serdang in 2011.