About Ven. Banagala Upatissa Nayake Thero

Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero, who won the world by developing the village and Mother Land

Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero, born on January 5, 1950, in the beautiful village of Banagala in the Morawaka Korale of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, The encouraging monk who has significantly impacted the island's history. He is the founder of the first Theravada temple in Japan, the Chief Sanghanayaka of Japan, and a renowned scholar. His parents were J.L.D.M. Jayasena and A.T.A. Liyanage.

He was the senior disciple of the Chief Sanghanayaka of India, Ven. Hedigalle Pannatissa Mahanayaka Thero, who was the abbot of the Sanchi Vihara in India and several major temples in Colombo.

Ven. Upatissa Thero was closely associated with the Dharma Duta mission of Anagarika Dharmapala and was part of the monastic lineage of Ven. Siri Devamitta Dharmapala Thero and Ven. Mativala Sangharatana Thero. His path was further guided by his relative, Ven. Banagala Seelaratana Thero.

Ven. Upatissa Thero began his monastic service at a young age at the Sanchi Vihara in India under the influence of his teacher.His life behavior goes with the four Sangrahavastus . Those are generosity, kind speech, beneficial conduct, and equality. These qualities led to his encounter with Ms. Takiko Yoshida from Japan during a pilgrimage to India.

As a result of this sincere connection, he was granted the opportunity to pursue higher education in Japan in 1976.

While studying further in Japan, Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero received support from Yoshida and other Japanese benefactors to realize his dream of establishing a temple. This dream was fulfilled on May 26, 1984, when the first Theravada temple was built in Japan, achieving what Anagarika Dharmapala could not during his three visits to Japan.

Today, the Lanka-ji Vihara in Sawara, Katori city, Chiba Prefecture, Japan .until today stands as a beacon for thousands of Sri Lankans seeking solace and helful direction.

He was born on the 5th January 1950 in a remote village called BANAGALA in the southern Province of SRI LANKA. At the age of 17 he was ordained as a apupil Buddhist Monk [SAMANERA] under the most Venerable HEDIGALLE PANNATISSA Maha Nayaka Thera,The then Chief Sangha Nayaka for INDIA. He had his primary education in Sri Lanka and entered the Buddhist Missionary Service and training under THE MAHABODHI SOCIEＴY from 1961. Had his secondary education at MAHABODHI INTER COLLEGE,VARANASI,INDIA.He was also awarded Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees for his higher studies from Indian Universities

At present, the sacred relics of the Venerable Sariputta and Moggallana are enshrined in three places in the world: Myanmar, India, and Sri Lanka. A notable aspect of this is that the custodianship in India and Sri Lanka has been entrusted to the Most Venerable Banagala Upatissa Thero. He also serves as the abbot of the world heritage site, Sanchi Chetiyagiri Vihara, and has rendered immense service in spreading Buddhism in India. His dedication as the current president of the Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society and as the abbot of the Aggrasravaka Mahavihara in Maligakanda, where the sacred relics are housed, is commendable. The Abhayasekararama temple, where the Sapugaskanda Yoshida International School is located, is a primary institution that provides significant social service to Sri Lanka under his unlimited dedication, leading to many historical events..

Not only focusing on the education of lay children, but also providing shelter for novice monks, Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero established the Banagala Seelarathanarama temple in his village, where he started the Banagala Upatissa Primary Pirivena. Currently, more than eighty novice monks are engaged in religious studies and dhamma education there. May the Chief Sanghanayaka of Japan, Most Venerable Banagala Upatissa Thero, who has been and continues to be engaged in such immense service, be blessed with good health and longevity!*.

*Some Other Services by the Chief Thero*
- Establishment of preschools in Ranpokunugama, Malabe, Nuwara Eliya, Banagala, Neluwa, Horana, and Mattegoda.
- Construction of model villages such as Banagala Narithagama, Karagala Surumigama, and Karagala Mahabodigama.
- The statue of Bamiyan Buddha at Peraliya, built to commemorate those affected by the tsunami.
- Sanchi International University in India. .

Presenting Statue of Buddha to Hon. Prime Minister of Bhutan Jigme Thinley in Thimpu, Bhutan
Visit of Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi to Mahabhodhi Headquater Columbo 2015
Dr. & Mrs. Yoshid Kenji son of Madam Yoshida in Sanchi 2014
Ven.Banagala Upatissa Thero Meets Defence Minister of Japan. Hon. Itsunori Onodera in Sri Lanka in 2018
Addressing the audience during India Ideas conference in Goa India in 2014
Hand to hand for world peace. Hon. Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi with Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero during his visit of Sri Lanka in 2014
Attending General Council Meeting of Sanchi University of Buddhist and Indic Studies at Bhopal in presence of Hon. Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and Hon. Surendra Patwa, Minister for Cultural Affairs Govt. of Madhya Pradesh in 2018
At the Asian Philosophy conference at Sanchi University of Buddhist and Indic Studies
With Prime Minister of Portugal Hon. Antonio Luis Santos Da Costa at Pravasi Bhartiya Conference Bengaluru 2017
Mr. R. Raja Mahendran Chairman Capital Maharaja organization Sri Lanka celebrating his birthday with Ven. Thero and school children 2018
Board of Management of Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka
Mrs. Anuradha Shanker Singh, Additional Director General of Police, Madhya Pradesh and Mr. Ajith De Soyza of Sri Lanka at Sambuddhaloka Vihara, Tsukuba Japan
Unveilling ceremony of Buddha Statue at Sambuddahloka temple at Tsukuba Japan.
In conversation with Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Nawaz Shariff in Sri Lanka in 2017
Her Royal Highness Mahachakri Sirindhorn, Princess of Thailand, at Chetiyagiri Vihara Sanchi in 2017
In conversation with Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi during Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas conference at Bengaluru India in 2017
President of Sri Lanka His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena at Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka Sanchi Centre in 2016
With Therini Bodhichiththa and Delegation from Vietnam
In Conversation with His Holiness Baseliosmar Thoma Paulose- II, Supreme head of Orthodox Church of India in 2015
First meeting with Mr. Narendra Modi then Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2010
With Vice Chancelor of Tehran University. 2008
With the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Iran during visit of Iran in 2008.
Mr. Ravishankar Prasad Spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party visiting Mahabodhi Headquarters in 2010
With Swami Dayanad Saraswati at Baroda 2010
With His Holiness Shankaracharya of Kanchipuram
Mr. and Mrs. D. Jayawardene of Sri Lanka Lumbini Tea Factory with Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero in Australia
With Mr. Antonio Inoki wrestler and MP from USA
With Ven. Shojin Hashimoto, Archbishop of Naritasan Temple Japan during visit to Banagala Village in 1991
With His Excellency Dr. M. Sikurajapathy, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Kenya and Her Excellency Ginko Sato, Ambassador of Japan in Kenya
Inauguration of Maebashi kindergarten Hettipola by Mrs. Srimani Athulathmudali, Minister of Environment and Women’s Affairs, Sri Lanka and Rev. Meitoku Horie, High Priest Shokanji Temple Japan.
His Excellency R. Premadsa President of Sri Lanka attending anniversary of Yoshida Kindergarten along with Mrs. Premdasa. Madam Takiko Yoshida and Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero are also seen in 1995
Madam Takiko Yoshida being conferred ‘Sri Lanka Ranjana’ by President R Premadasa in 1991
With members of the board of management of Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka in 2000.
Her Excellency Chandrika Bandaranayake Kumaratunga at Naritasan Kindergarten Rampokunagama in 1994
Road construction of Banagala Village
With Prime Minister of Japan Kaifu Toshiaki during his visit of sri Lanka in 1994. Also seen in the picture His Excellence Premadasa President of Sri Lanka.
Imploring LTTE ideologue Mr. & Mrs. Anton Balasingham to pursue a negotiated settlement. Presenting him a Samadhi Buddha Statue during peace talks in Japan in 2000.
With LTTE leader Daya Master at his residence in 2004
In Myanmar with Sri Lankan delegation including Hon. Banadula Gunawardhene, Minister from Sri Lanka
His Excellency J.R. Jayawardena, President of Sri Lanka at Lankaji Temple with Ven. Hedigalle Pannatissa Mahanayaka Thero
Mr. Ravi Karunanayake, of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahendra Boudh and Mr. Ramdas Athawale in the International Conference on Buddhism at Bhopal in 2002
Delegation of International Buddhist Conference in 2002 at Bhopal
With Iranian President His Exellency Mahmoud Ahmadinjad in 2008
Meeting with old school chum from Sarnath Mr. Shiv Kumar Singh
With Galaboda Gnanissara Thero, Chief Priest of Gangaramaya Temple of Colombo during International Conclave on Buddhism at New Delhi in 2004
At the inaugural function of The of Forum for National Amity & Understanding Sri Lanka
Call on Most Ven. Shiben Huan of Hongfa Temple at Shenzhen City China
With His Holiness Pope Benedicts XVI in 2007 at the Vatican
With His Holiness Dalai Lama in New Delhi during the Vinaya Conference 2009, along with Ven. Dr. Itthapana Dhammalankara Mahanayaka Thero
With Ven. Otani Chojun Chief Incumbent Honganji Temple Kyoto Japan at the unveiling of the giant replica of the Bamiyan Buddha Statue at Peraliya, Hikkaduwe
First Inaugural flight of Srilankan Airlines from Colombo to Bodhgaya launched in 2002. Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero alighted the first flight with statue of Lord Buddha welcomed by Hon. Shahnaz Hussain then Civil Aviation Minister of India at Gaya Airport.
His Holiness Pope Francis visit to Sri Lanka. H.E. Maithripala Sirisena and Nayaka Thero are also in the picture
Ven. Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thero with Hon. Sivaraj Singh Chauha former Chief Minster Madhya Pradesh - India
RELEASE OF A COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP ON ANAGARIKA DHARMAPALA RASTRAPATI BHAVAN, NEW DELHI ON 25TH OCTOBER 2014
Former President Prathiba Patel & Chief Secretary of Congress Party Dig Wijayasingh with the Nayaka Thero
Nayaka Thero Received Bhutan Princess and the Ambassador of Bhutan
Ven. Nayaka Thero Visit Saudi Arabia 2023
Statue of Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala at Sri Sambuddhaloka Viharaya, Tsukuba-City, Japan:2021
Felicitation of Paralympic Medal winners: 2021
Ven. Upatissa Thero had a one to one meeting with foreign Minister of Japan
Buddha statue at Sri Sambuddhaloka in Tsukuba-City Japan 2018
Princess of Thailand in Sanchi:2016
Prime Minister of Bhutan at Sanchi Centre 2012