Chief Advisor of SKYS Venerable Pahalavitiyala Janānanda

Sāsanakitti Siri Paṭipattisobhana Mahāthera

It is the Most Venerable Pahalavitiyala Janānanda Mahāthēra, who at present, holds the post of ‘the Chief Advisor of Sri Kalyāni Yōgāshrama Saṁsthā (The Association of Sri Kalyāni Hermitages), which has been existing up to now prioritizing the forest monastery tradition. The Mahāthēra was born on the 6th of May in 1938 in the village of Pahalavitiyala in Thihagoda electorate in Matara district. He, who loved very much enjoying the country scenery, attended the Buddhist mixed school in the village of Kitalagama.

Unveiling the parami powers endowed on him, he was ordained by the name of ‘Pahalavitiyala Janānanda’ at the Kirinda monastery under the Preceptorship of Most Ven. Panditācāriya Kekunēwela Indaguptta Mahāthēra on the 22nd of December in 1961. Thereafter, learning all the necessary parts of Dhamma and Vinaya required for a bhikkhu, he was higher ordained on the 20th of August in 1964 at Udakuḳḳhēpa Sīma Pavilion built on the Mādu river near Vivēkārāma – Delduwa, under the same Preceptorship of Most Ven Indaguptta Mahāthēra. It was Most Ven Godagama Vijayapāla Mahāthēra who was his ‘Ācariya’ – the teacher.

The Mahāthēra, who exhibits a calm and peaceful demeanour and a lifestyle, shines up among bhikkhus by lighting up his pure life well by powers of virtues like ‘appiccatā’ (contentment), ‘santuṭṭitā’ (satisfaction), ‘pavivēkatā’ (seclusion), and ‘asaṁsaggatā’ (non-attachment) without being attached to benefits, civilities, reputation and praise while safeguarding and sticking to the customs of his own sect by making him a living example of a great bhikkhu for all the big and small in the Sāsana at present. Bhante, who lives a simple monastic life, whose only property consists of the three robes and bowl, is a pleasing spectacle in the eyes of viewers.

Holding the honoured title of ‘Shāsanakīrthi Sri Patipattisōbhana’ along with the appointment for the post of ‘the Great Preceptor’ bestowed on him by Sri Lanka Ramañña Mahā Nikāya, the Most Ven. Mahāthēra is a distinguished bhikkhu, who is serving as ‘the Chief Advisor’ to ‘Sri Kalyāni Yōgāshrama Saṁsthā’ while rendering a yeoman service for the betterment of the Dispensation.