Ven. Dr. Mapalagama Wipulasara Thera, a world renowned Buddhist Sculptor and Painter, was born in Sri Lanka on 3rd of March 1925. He became the director of the Parama Dhamma Chetiya Pirivena, in 1960. The Ven. Wipulasara Thera entered the Ordain at the age of 15 and obtained Higher Ordination at 21. He has created paintings and Sculptures in Buddhist Art for many Buddhist temples, prominent Buddhist schools and other Institutions in Sri Lanka, India, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, Italy and Germany. He has been awarded many honours which includes Kalasoori form the Sri Lankan Government, PhD hi (Honoris Casua) from the Buddhist University of Thailand, MOIF (Member Ha of the Order of International Fellowship) by the International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, UK. Twentieth Century Award for Achievement in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the propagation of Buddhism and Buddhist Culture by 1 MOIF. Holding responsible positions like President, High Priest, Director, Adviser, Patron and Member he has been associated with over 18 National and International Organisations. It was he who brought to limelight the traditional art forms like low country dancing, gok-kola decor art, bali, kolam, Puppertry and Kohombakankariya. The famous Editor-in-Chief of the “Davasa” (a news paper) group, Mr. D.B. Dhanapala once gave the Ven. Wipulasara the epithet “The Little Priest Who Does The Big Things”. Before batik become a fashion in Sri Lanka, the Thera had painted on cloth. Many prominent Buddha statues in the country have been sculptured by him. Of them, ones at Ananda College, (Colombo), Vihara Maha Devi Park, and President’s House are very famous. The Ven. Wipulasara Thera was invited to view the paintings of Michael Angelo in Italy, by the Pontif.
He had involved in designing National emblem of Sri Lanka in 1972 with Mr Nissanka Wijayaratne who was the chairman for committee appointed for same by then government. Ven. Wipulasara Thera held the post of Gen. Secretary (1985-1995) and President (1996-1998) at the Maha Bodhi Society of India. Because of his dedication for Buddhist Art work, the Parama Dhamma Chetiya had become an Art Exhibition Gallery in addition to a Buddhist Temple.”
Ven. Wipulasara Thera had made important contributions to the growth and development of the Society, while upholding its noble objectives and tradition. He attended as a representative from India in World Parliament of Religions held at Chicago in 1993, which was organised as the centenary celebration of the famous Parliament held on 1893. He with the cooperation of its officials and members had rendered an admirable service to propagate Buddha Dharma and to restore and maintain the Buddhist sacred places in India. Maha Bodhi Society of India celebrated its centenary in 1991 under his able leadership with great devotion and dedication and in a fitting manner.
