මල්වතු මහනාහිමි පිටිදූවේ හිමි විහාරයට කැඳවා අවවාද කරයි

Pitiduwe Siridhamma, also known as Siri Samanthabhadra Thero, who has become a prominent and controversial figure in recent monastic protests in the country, was summoned to Kandy today (22) by the Mahanayake Thero of the Malwathu Maha Viharaya Chapter, Most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thero. The Mahanayake Thero severely admonished him and sent him away. The Mahanayake Thero emphasized to Samanthabhadra Thero that he should stop his media shows and that such behavior is completely unbecoming of a monk's robes.

Today's summoning took place against the backdrop of severe criticism leveled against him due to his statement that he would perform 'Patthinikujjana Karma' by turning his alms bowl against those who insult monks, and his involvement in activities such as chanting mantras while performing a 'Mahasona' play in Viharamahadevi Park.

Samanthabhadra Thero, representing the Malwathu Viharaya Chapter, appeared before the Most Venerable Sumangala Mahanayake Thero today, speaking to the media as if making a complaint. However, the Mahanayake Thero strongly rejected this behavior and firmly advised him to refrain from making such statements in front of the media. Meanwhile, it is reported that all relevant monastic chapters have also been summoned tomorrow (23) to discuss this crisis.

This is not the first time Siri Samanthabhadra Thero has been summoned and admonished by the Malwathu Mahanayake Thero. On two previous occasions, he had to prostrate himself before the Malwathu Mahanayake Thero and the Karaka Sangha Sabha (Executive Council of Monks), apologize, and even enter into written agreements. On each of these occasions, he faced the threat of expulsion from the Malwathu Chapter due to serious controversial statements he made regarding Buddhist philosophy, the Tripitaka, and Buddhist holy sites.

Recently, on October 31, 2023, he was summoned before the Malwathu Karaka Sabha on the charge of delivering sermons that distorted the Tripitaka Dhamma and the life of the Buddha. In particular, statements he made, quoting a certain text, implying an illicit relationship between Sujata Devi and Prince Siddhartha, had caused severe shock to the Buddhist community. On that occasion, prostrating at the feet of the Mahanayake Thero and seeking forgiveness, he apologized to the Buddhist people, stating that it was not done intentionally. Malwathu Registrar Pahamuwe Sri Sumangala Thero confirmed to the media that a written assurance was also given that day, stating that he would not make interpretations of the Dhamma outside the Mahavihara traditions in the future.

Before that, on October 15, 2017, a similar incident was reported. This was based on a statement he made during a sermon at his monastery, claiming that Buddhists worship a seashell as the forehead relic (Lalata Dhatu) and a pig's tooth as the tooth relic (Danta Dhatu). Due to his suggestion that the relic casket should be thrown into the river and his claims of being an Arahant (enlightened one), the Malwathu Karaka Maha Sangha Sabha had even decided to expel him. However, prostrating before the Mahanayake Thero and apologizing, Samanthabhadra Thero stated that day that he had not insulted the Sacred Tooth Relic by naming it anywhere, and that he had no shame in apologizing. After signing a written agreement that day, the Mahanayake Thero emphasized that this was the "second instance" of granting forgiveness and that such actions should not be repeated for a third time.

Pitiduwe Siridhamma Thero, who changed his name to Siri Samanthabhadra around 2013, claiming to be an Arahant, has continuously faced criticism regarding his Umanadawa project, business activities, and controversial sermons. Despite repeated apologies, there is strong public criticism against him for continuously making controversial statements. Against this backdrop, in March 2024, the Low Country Monastic Organization had also requested the Mahanayake Thero to expel Samanthabhadra Thero from the Malwathu Chapter. With such a long history, today too, he had to receive severe admonishment from the Malwathu Mahanayake Thero and leave.

Watch the video related to this incident ›