Madihe Pannaseeha Thero (June 21, 1913 – September 9, 2003) was a famous Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, who was the head of Amarapura faction from July 13, 1969 until his demise on September 9, 2003.
Madihe Pannaseeha Nayaka Thero was born on June 21, 1913 in
the town called Madihe in Matara region, as the most youthful in a group of
five. His lay name was Benson Wilmot. Benson Wilmot had his education in the
English medium at St.Thomas' College, Matara and later at Mahinda College,
Galle. At 13 years old years he entered the Buddhist Order. His appointment was
held at Devagiri Vihara, Kabmurugamuwa, on June 24, 1926.
He was named 'Madihe Pannasheeha' at the appointment.Maha Nayaka Thera visited China
in 1946 for the spread of Theravada Buddhism. Thero also visited Kathmandu in
Nepal for a higher appointment of Bhikahkus in 1951 and in 1954 to set up a
Seema Malaka in Lalith Pura, Nepal and he renamed the Buddhist Vihara there
from "Youthful Sumangala Vihara" to "Sri Sumangala
Vihara".
Thero was presented a
privileged Ph.D. from the University of Peradeniya in 1987, and got the
honorific title Agga Maha Pandita from Burma in the year 1996. Thero died on
September 9, 2003 at 90 years old.
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