The Last Phot we had with Chief Reverend

Yesterday was the funeral service of one of Malaysia's most respected and honoured human beings since 50 years ago. After giving his life to the service of humanity, The Chief Reverend Ven Dr K Sri Dhammananda Maha Thero, Chief High Priest of Malaysia and SIngapore,  passed away at 12.43pm on 31st August 2006 at Subang Jaya Medical Centre.

Its very sad to know that somebody so influencial and powerful in a humble and rightoues way has passed away, leaving us with only his written words and recorded voice. I had the opportunity to take a photo with the chief when I visited the Maha Vihara in Brickfields just few months back. Though he needed help getting around, he seemed so cheerful and willing to take a photo with us. Last year, I had the opportunity to ask chief a few questions when I attended a youth function to commemorate his 50th Year of Dhammaduta service in Malaysia.

How respected this man was, was clearly shown when thousands and thousands of people from not only Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, not only Malaysia, not only Asia but thw whole world, from as far as America and UK were here to pay their last respects to him. I was touched to hear that several muslims, especially from Kelantan, travelled all the way down to attend his funeral. Imagine the magnitude of his funeral that the whole of Kuala lumpur from brickfields to Semenyih was jamned up due to the amount of people trying to follow the procession to bed farewell to the Chief. There were 30 buses from BMV and another 20 from the different buddhist organizations, some from as far as SIngapore,and 200 over cars that followed. ALl the busses were packed, so were the cars. You do the math, and you will realise that there were more than 2000 people attending the funeral. This included the Prime Minister of Sri Langka and other digniteries, Malaysian MPs, even the Deputy Speaker of Parliment, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Politicians, ETC. You could clearly see many many cars with emblems outside the temple. This was the easily the largest funeral service Malaysia had in a long time. Even the King's Funeral lost to it, because people respected the king but never really knew who he way. This humble man was different, we knew who he was, we learnt from him, and he knew who we were. That is why we were all willing to travel the distance to bid chief farewell

The Funeral ceremony itself was held in great tradition and customs, Most importantly, it was held in true Buddhist ways, with speakers giving inspiration to all of us. Many talks and evens touched my heart, many things that were said actually got people to think. I guess people who knew him personally or not were movedby wat people said about chief's life.

The world has lost a great master, an honorable teacher, but most importantly, a man who has dedicated his life for the service of others. May he be reborn in a better plain, and may all his merits and virtous be condusive to his attainment of nibanna. Good bye sir, you shall not only be remembered by your face, but by your teachings, and the way you led your life....

Adhuvam jivitam,
dhuvam maranam,
avassam maya maritabbam,
maranapariyosanam me jivitam.
Jivitam me aniyatam,
maranam me niyatam.

Living is impermanent
death is permanent,
surely we shall die,
my life has death as the end
My living is not permanent,
my death is for certain.

Idam me natinam Hotu,Sukita Hontu Natayo,
Imam no punnam bhaggam, sabba sattanam dema,
Sabbe Satta Sukita Hontu

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!