The Chief Monk
Venerable Walatara Sobhita Nayaka Thero
Venerable Walatara Sobhita Nayaka Thero serves as chief monk of the Galwadugoda temple, known for its dark stone architecture and long institutional history. He speaks of monastic discipline and meditation practice as daily forms of continuity.
In his office, beside palm-leaf manuscripts and administrative files, stands an ageing record player. Since his youth, he has kept a collection of vinyl recordings, including Buddhist devotional songs performed by Muslim artists. He does not treat this as unusual. The recordings belong to the same life as his robes and daily routine.
His presence reflects how religious authority, personal habit and regional history intersect without always conforming to fixed categories.
We met at the Galwadugoda temple in Galle. The temple grounds were ordered and quiet, the black stone surfaces absorbing the afternoon light. After speaking about meditation practice and the responsibilities of a chief monk, he led us through the compound and into his office.
The room contained scriptures, temple ledgers and administrative papers. Against one wall stood a record player. When I asked about it, he opened a cabinet and produced several vinyl records, carefully sleeved. He spoke of singers from earlier decades and placed one on the turntable. The recording was a Buddhist devotional song performed by a Muslim artist.
We listened only to the opening verses before he lifted the needle and returned the record to its cover. For a brief interval the conversation shifted from doctrine to sound, from institutional role to remembered youth. The shift was temporary. He resumed the cadence and posture of a senior monk without announcement.
The encounter complicated easy assumptions about religious enclosure. Musical memory, like monastic discipline, had been incorporated rather than abandoned.
Galle
October 25, 2010
Transcript and translations
Language
Subjects discussed
It’s also part of my life
Because in my childhood I liked to collect many records and all songs… I was fond of it. My hobby was that. I have four hundred… more than four hundred records.
Menna Menike, the old songs. Naarilatha Pushpe by Mohideen Beg, is a very old one. And also Columbia records, Jeewithe Peralena Rodhaki. The other side is… Dura Etha Patan. Dilenaa Suvisaala… these are very olds ones. Is a very old one, Dilenaa Suvisaala
Mostly I have Hindi songs, but these are Sinhalese songs from Colombo. Latif Bhai is a very old singer. They are singing Buddhist songs, but they are Muslims. Mohideen Beg, and Karthiv Bhai, A. J. Kareem… they are all Muslims.
First record, yes… When I was in campus, university, I got the chance to get the records from Colombo. More than four hundred I have. Pavement also I got records (Laughter). My favorite record is Mother India. (Laughter). That’s my first collection.
Because my uncle had a very good collection of old records. Jim Reeves and…( Laughter) I can’t remember names also! Jim Reeves and…
At that time I very like to hear these songs and then I came to collect many records.
(Sri Lankan anthem plays)
Our great teacher Buddha also appreciated the sing…the favourite singer… Martal is his name. In front of the Buddha, he sing a song. The Buddha has appreciated his song. “Oh, how nice is it!” Like that. Me also no problem, then. If Buddha also appreciated things, why me? I can also enjoy the sing and….But I am not attached to that. I listen to it and can enjoy it at that instant only.
People not criticise me. “The monk… the chief monk of the temple, he’s listening songs!” And… They are not criticise because I am devoted to my life for the Buddhism. They are not criticising me because… They know what I am doing here. I always chanting pirith and listening to Dhamma also. It’s also part of my life.
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