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Soma Hamuduruwo - the peoples' bhikku

By Hemamala Wickramage

The incessant stream of people that poured into the Maharagama Vajiragnana Dharmayathana - round the clock for six days to pay their last respects to the late Gangodawila Soma Hamuduruwo was evidence enough of the massive outpour of grief experienced by a nation in mourning for the monk who brought about a change in everything, from the traditional method of bana preaching to becoming Sri Lanka's very first television bhikku. On Christmas Eve, around 200,000 grief stricken people clad in white thronged Independence Square to bid farewell to Soma Hamuduruwo who re-awakened Buddhist consciousness in the country.

Mourners told The Sunday Leader as they awaited the arrival of the special Runsivigeya carrying the mortal remains of Soma Hamuduruwo - dubbed the "people's hamuduruwo" that it was his outstanding ability to explain the Buddhist doctrine in layman's terms to the masses that attracted thousands of people around the country.

Children as small as two years old to elderly men and women were amongst the weeping crowds bearing flowers in their clasped hands. Thanuja, a six-year-old student at Vajiraramaya Sunday School, in Bambalapitiya said that she was really sad that Soma Hamuduruwo passed away so suddenly. Her sister, 10 year old Nadeesha, also a student there said the late bhikku was very popular amongst children attending Vajiraramaya. "He was loved by all. We are going to miss our Soma Hamuduruwo," said Nadeesha.

Parliamentarian A.H.M. Fowzie who was amongst the mourners said "Reverend Soma Thero preached what the others could not preach. His way of presentation is what attracted the crowds. His advise for people always was to lead good lives according to the Buddhist doctrine and foster goodwill amongst all communities," said Fowzie. He added that Soma Hamuduruwo's demise is so sudden that it is as if he has been robbed. "It is an irreplaceable loss," Fowzie said.

L.S. Wijewickrema, another mourner in the crowd said that the people were fortunate to have had someone like Soma Hamuduruwo even fleetingly to show them the right path.  "But we as a nation was not fortunate enough to have him for long to take us through this difficult path called life," she said. 

As the casket carrying Ransivigeya approached, loud wails were heard amongst the mourners throwing flowers at the coffin. A very emotional S. Jayathilake, a regular visitor to the Maharagama Dharmayathana said, "True, as laymen it is hard to control our grief. But people should try not to be sad that Soma Hamuduruwo has died but rather be happy that such a guiding light lived in our midst shedding light and to carry forward his vision."

Most shops in the suburbs as well as within the city were closed as a mark of respect to the late monk and the crowd said the expression of grief was unprecedented.

 A policeman on duty at the Thunmulla Junction told The Sunday Leader that he has attended funeral processions of several public figures which were held at Independence Square,  but this level of public grief and support was never seen. "It's incredible. This shows how popular Soma Hamuduruwo was," said the policeman.

Staff of government institutions, the army as well as members of Buddhist organisations offered refreshments to the large crowds in the funeral procession. With emotions running high, security too was increased.

Long after the funeral pyre was lit, the people stood around the pyre staring at the rising smoke. Sobs and wails could be heard from the crowd and people from all walks of life cried in uncontrollable grief. The collective sentiment amongst them was that the demise of their much-loved priest was a loss inestimable. As one mourner said: "We have been robbed of our leader - the only person who could have led the nation to prosperity," he said. The people were there to bid a tearful farewell to their hero," he said.

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