The funeral for the Mon monk Bhaddanta Kosalla, Dean of the Faulty of Pariyatti at the International Theravãda Buddhist Missionary University (ITBMU) will be held from December 27-28 at Suahkhakarroi Monastery in Pegu town, Pegu Division.
Bhaddanta Kosalla passed away on November 27th of unknown diseases while sitting in a car waiting for a train to Rangoon in Moulmein Township, Mon State. He was 68 years old.
Bhaddanta Kosalla was in Kyaikmaraw Township attending a meeting with Burma’s largest union of Mon monks, known as Rhemonnya Ni Kar Ya.” According to the driver of car, his supporters immediately brought his dead body to his temple for the viewing and the giving of respects.
“Currently his followers, Mon monk organizations, his students that are now studying abroad, his current ITBMU students and the Ministry of Religious Affairs are preparing for his funeral,” a follower of Bhaddanta Kosalla told IMNA via phone.
His student and followers feel that they have lost a “star” of the Mon people, said ITBMU students who do not want to be identified for security reasons, who lamented the loss of someone they say excelled at teaching and literature.
“Due to expertise in literature and religion, the government brought him to ITBMU. He was excellent at teaching and we could easily understand his lessons. Even if we have a new teacher in his position, we will face difficulties because no one is as knowledgeable about literature,” the ITBMU student monk added.
Bhaddanta Kosalla was born on February 17th, 1941 in Ye Township, Mon State. The date of his Higher ordination was March 25th, 1962. Bhaddanta Kosalla was highly educated, and the author of many books on Buddhism, he has been acting for SÈsana. He graduated with his B.A. from Rangoon University in 1961. He passed with DhammÈcariya (Master of Dhamma) and Vinayadhara (The Bearer of vinaya) in 1973 and 1975 respectively.
In 1985 and 1987 he obtained a Diploma in Journalism and Diploma in English (Gold Medallist) from Aquinas college Colombo. He also gained a Post Graduate Diploma in Buddhist Studies from Kelaniya University in 1985-86. In 1989, he earned a M.A. in Budhist Literature from the University of Kelaniya.
In 2001 and 2005, Burma’s government conferred upon him the title “AggamahÈganthavÈcaka paÓÉita and AggamahÈpaÓdita.” He was an abbot at Suahkhakarroi Monastery and the Dean of the Faculty of Pariyatti at I.T.B.M.U. until his death.
