Sri Lankabhimanya Dr A.T. Ariyaratne, the founder of 'Sarvodaya', has passed away at the age of 92.
On 16 April 2024, Sri Lanka bid farewell to this visionary leader, as A.T. Ariyaratne passed away at a private hospital in Colombo. His legacy of selflessness, community empowerment, and peacebuilding will continue to resonate in the hearts of Sri Lankans and beyond.
Sri Lankabhimanya Ahangamage Tudor Ariyaratne, born on 5 November 1931 in Unawatuna village, Galle District, was a revered figure in Sri Lanka's history. He was the founder and president of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's community development landscape.
A.T. Ariyaratne's journey began with his school education at Buona Vista College, Unawatuna, and Mahinda College, Galle. He later became a high school teacher at Nalanda College, Colombo, until 1972. It was in 1958 that Ariyaratne embarked on his transformative work with the Sarvodaya Movement, dedicated to the upliftment of communities.
His dedication to community service and peace earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1969. He was also honored with the Gandhi Peace Prize from the government of India in 1996 and the Niwano Peace Prize in 1992, among others.
A strong proponent of Gandhian principles of non-violence, rural development, and selflessness, Ariyaratne's leadership of the Sarvodaya Movement created a vital link between secular development ideals and Buddhist principles of compassion.
His impact extended globally, earning him the respect and admiration of millions. In 2007, he received Sri Lanka's highest national honor, the Sri Lankabhimanya.
A devout Buddhist, Ariyaratne's teachings and meditations touched the lives of countless individuals, fostering a sense of unity and peace. Often hailed as the "Gandhi of Sri Lanka," he inspired generations with his unwavering commitment to service and compassion.
A.T. Ariyaratne's Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement emerged from a simple yet powerful idea: to bring about change through compassionate action rooted in Gandhian ideals, Buddhist philosophy, and ecumenical spirituality. The movement's Sanskrit name, "Sarvodaya," originally meaning "the welfare of all," was redefined by Ariyaratne to embody a Buddhist aspiration— "the awakening of all."
The foundation of the Sarvodaya Movement lies in the belief that the village, as the heart of the nation, holds the key to spiritual and moral transformation. Ariyaratne's "educational experiments," beginning with forty high school students and twelve teachers from Nalanda College Colombo, laid the groundwork for a movement focused on political empowerment, Buddhist awakening, and rural development.
Central to Ariyaratne's teachings was the concept of non-violence, deeply rooted in Buddhist principles. The movement aimed for a non-violent spiritual revolution, seeking to replace structural violence with a society marked by no poverty and no affluence. Through meditative self-training, individuals were encouraged to transform negative, reactive states such as hatred and greed into positive social orientations.
Ariyaratne also emphasized the Buddhist notion of impermanence as a basis for the movement. Understanding the impermanence and interdependence of selves in society and nature, Sarvodaya members were urged to cultivate deep respect for all beings. By addressing suffering, particularly poverty, they demonstrated the interconnectedness of all life forms.
The idea of no-self, a central tenet of Buddhism, was a cornerstone of Ariyaratne's teachings within Sarvodaya. Members were encouraged to engage in selfless service, seeing it as a path towards personal awakening and compassion. Through voluntary action and service to others, individuals could transcend the confines of the self.
Reinterpreting the Four Noble Truths, Ariyaratne applied Buddhist teachings to social change. The recognition of suffering in villages, caused by factors such as egoism, competition, greed, and hatred, formed the basis of Sarvodaya's programs. The movement sought to address these root causes through community-based initiatives.
The cessation of suffering, according to Ariyaratne, could be achieved by collective action and the formation of strong community bonds. By rebuilding lives and fostering a spirit of mutual assistance, the Sarvodaya Movement aimed to alleviate individual and communal suffering.
Lastly, Ariyaratne viewed the Eightfold Path as a guide for restoring communities. Each aspect of the Path—right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration—was seen as a blueprint for social action. By staying open and attuned to the needs of the village, individuals could actively participate in community development.
Through the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, A.T. Ariyaratne presented a holistic vision for social change, intertwining Buddhist principles with practical initiatives. His legacy continues to inspire countless individuals to work towards a more compassionate, interconnected world.
On 16 April 2024, Sri Lanka bid farewell to this visionary leader, as A.T. Ariyaratne passed away at a private hospital in Colombo. His legacy of selflessness, community empowerment, and peacebuilding will continue to resonate in the hearts of Sri Lankans and beyond.
Sri Lankabhimanya Ahangamage Tudor Ariyaratne, born on 5 November 1931 in Unawatuna village, Galle District, was a revered figure in Sri Lanka's history. He was the founder and president of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's community development landscape.
A.T. Ariyaratne's journey began with his school education at Buona Vista College, Unawatuna, and Mahinda College, Galle. He later became a high school teacher at Nalanda College, Colombo, until 1972. It was in 1958 that Ariyaratne embarked on his transformative work with the Sarvodaya Movement, dedicated to the upliftment of communities.
His dedication to community service and peace earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1969. He was also honored with the Gandhi Peace Prize from the government of India in 1996 and the Niwano Peace Prize in 1992, among others.
A strong proponent of Gandhian principles of non-violence, rural development, and selflessness, Ariyaratne's leadership of the Sarvodaya Movement created a vital link between secular development ideals and Buddhist principles of compassion.
His impact extended globally, earning him the respect and admiration of millions. In 2007, he received Sri Lanka's highest national honor, the Sri Lankabhimanya.
A devout Buddhist, Ariyaratne's teachings and meditations touched the lives of countless individuals, fostering a sense of unity and peace. Often hailed as the "Gandhi of Sri Lanka," he inspired generations with his unwavering commitment to service and compassion.
A.T. Ariyaratne's Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement emerged from a simple yet powerful idea: to bring about change through compassionate action rooted in Gandhian ideals, Buddhist philosophy, and ecumenical spirituality. The movement's Sanskrit name, "Sarvodaya," originally meaning "the welfare of all," was redefined by Ariyaratne to embody a Buddhist aspiration— "the awakening of all."
The foundation of the Sarvodaya Movement lies in the belief that the village, as the heart of the nation, holds the key to spiritual and moral transformation. Ariyaratne's "educational experiments," beginning with forty high school students and twelve teachers from Nalanda College Colombo, laid the groundwork for a movement focused on political empowerment, Buddhist awakening, and rural development.
Central to Ariyaratne's teachings was the concept of non-violence, deeply rooted in Buddhist principles. The movement aimed for a non-violent spiritual revolution, seeking to replace structural violence with a society marked by no poverty and no affluence. Through meditative self-training, individuals were encouraged to transform negative, reactive states such as hatred and greed into positive social orientations.
Ariyaratne also emphasized the Buddhist notion of impermanence as a basis for the movement. Understanding the impermanence and interdependence of selves in society and nature, Sarvodaya members were urged to cultivate deep respect for all beings. By addressing suffering, particularly poverty, they demonstrated the interconnectedness of all life forms.
The idea of no-self, a central tenet of Buddhism, was a cornerstone of Ariyaratne's teachings within Sarvodaya. Members were encouraged to engage in selfless service, seeing it as a path towards personal awakening and compassion. Through voluntary action and service to others, individuals could transcend the confines of the self.
Reinterpreting the Four Noble Truths, Ariyaratne applied Buddhist teachings to social change. The recognition of suffering in villages, caused by factors such as egoism, competition, greed, and hatred, formed the basis of Sarvodaya's programs. The movement sought to address these root causes through community-based initiatives.
The cessation of suffering, according to Ariyaratne, could be achieved by collective action and the formation of strong community bonds. By rebuilding lives and fostering a spirit of mutual assistance, the Sarvodaya Movement aimed to alleviate individual and communal suffering.
Lastly, Ariyaratne viewed the Eightfold Path as a guide for restoring communities. Each aspect of the Path—right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration—was seen as a blueprint for social action. By staying open and attuned to the needs of the village, individuals could actively participate in community development.
Through the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, A.T. Ariyaratne presented a holistic vision for social change, intertwining Buddhist principles with practical initiatives. His legacy continues to inspire countless individuals to work towards a more compassionate, interconnected world.
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