Catalogue
Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) will allow you to search for material available in the Siri Vajirarama Library. The Library uses the KOHA Library Management System to maintain the OPAC
Digital Library
Taking into consideration the modern world trend in library and information field, Siri Vajirarama Library has taken steps to initiate a Siri Vajirarama Digital Library and Repository. The Digital Library uses the despearse Software to maintain the
Membership
Membership of the Siri Vajirarama Library is now available. Vajirarama Library, which has a century-old history, has a special collection of books and periodicals.
About us
The Siri Vajirarama Library, inaugurated by the most venerable Palane Siri Vajirajanana Mahanayake Thero, a renowned monk of the 20th century, was a repository of knowledge of the venerable monks and scholars of that era who worked to bring Buddhism to the world. It is unquestionably recognized as a globally renowned Sri Lankan Buddhist library.
Most Venerable Pelene Siri Vajiraňāṇa Mahānāyaka Thera
Part of the speech delivered by the Most Venerable Pelene Siri Vajiraňāṇa Mahānāyaka Thera at the official opening of the Vajirarama Library by the Colonial Secretary, Mr. Cecil Clement.
We highly appreciate the honour of your presence in our midst on this happy occasion; and we thank you sincerely for your kindness in accepting our invitation; and thus, giving encouragement to our present enterprise, which has for its ultimate goal the moral and intellectual development of the country.
Though much might be said on such an occasion I shall avail myself of the opportunity to speak a few words in connection with the library which you are about to declare open. Hitherto these books numbering about 2000, were my private property; but it is my earnest desire now to inaugurate a public library with these books as a nucleus, so that everyone may have access to it and benefit thereby.
Most Venerable Pelene Siri Vajiraňāņa Mahānāyaka Thero was lined up with his few monk disciples and some dayakas in front of the Vajirarama Library.
A good library is always a resource centre for learning.
Most Venerable Pelene Siri Vajiraňāņa Mahānāyaka Thero developed such a resource centre for the single purpose of learning the Dhamma.
Using the library that he developed with love and devotion, he became the ‘last word’ on matters pertaining to the Dhamma and Vinaya during his time.
He had a lineup of pupil monks starting with Venerable Narada Maha Thera (1916), followed by Venerable Kamburugamuwe Mahanāga (1920), Venerable Denipitiye Sumanasiri (1923), Venerable Madihe Paňňāsīha (1924), Venerable Piyadassi (1934), Venerable Soma, Venerable Kheminda, Venerable Pamburana Metteyya, Venerable Ampitiye Rāhula (1936), Venerable Naotunne Gunasiri (1937), Venerable Walgama Sugatananda (1939), Venerable Panwila Vipassi (1939), Venerable Urugamuwe Senananda (1939), Venerable Amritananda of Nepal (1940), Venerable Kassapa (1947), Venerable Ňāṇavīra of England (1950) and Venerable Ňāṇamoli of England. None of the erudite monks ordained before 1940 went to a university as an undergraduate or to a pirivena to follow a course of studies in Buddha Dhamma. Their education and training were directed by the Most VeWalÜma SuÜtaínda (nerable Pelene Vajiraňāņa Mahānāyaka Thero and the Vajirarama Library was their resource centre for learning.
Venerable Madihe Paňňāsīha Thero
Quote
A unique test was when Venerable Madihe Paňňāsīha Thero, still in his late twenties, was desirous of following the Vidyā Vishāradha course commenced by Professor G.P.Malalasekera at the University College, Colombo. Although Venerable Paňňāsīha Thero did not have the stipulated paper qualifications to gain entry to the course, a letter from Venerable Pelene Mahānāyaka Thero to the University authorities stating that his knowledge of Pali, Sanskrit and the Buddhist texts was more than adequate, enabled him to follow the course, which he completed successfully.
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