About Anagarika Dharmapala

Anagārika Dharmapāla, born on September 17, 1864 and passing away on April 29, 1933, was a prominent figure in the revival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. He is recognized for being the first global Buddhist missionary, a key contributor to non-violent Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism, a leading figure in the movement for Sri Lankan independence from British rule, and a pioneer in the resurgence of Buddhism in India after a long period of decline. He was also the first modern Buddhist to spread the teachings of Dhamma across three continents: Asia, North America, and Europe. Alongside Henry Steel Olcott and Helena Blavatsky, founders of the Theosophical Society, Anagārika Dharmapāla played a significant role in reforming and revitalizing Sinhala Buddhism and promoting its influence in the West. Additionally, he inspired a large-scale movement among South Indian Dalits, including Tamils, to convert to Buddhism, decades before B. R. Ambedkar. Later in life, he became a Buddhist monk known as Venerable Sri Devamitta Dharmapala.
Anagārika Dharmapāla, born on September 17, 1864 and passing away on April 29, 1933, was a prominent figure in the revival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. He is recognized for being the first global Buddhist missionary, a key contributor to non-violent Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism, a leading figure in the movement for Sri Lankan independence from British rule, and a pioneer in the resurgence of Buddhism in India after a long period of decline. He was also the first modern Buddhist to spread the teachings of Dhamma across three continents: Asia, North America, and Europe. Alongside Henry Steel Olcott and Helena Blavatsky, founders of the Theosophical Society, Anagārika Dharmapāla played a significant role in reforming and revitalizing Sinhala Buddhism and promoting its influence in the West. Additionally, he inspired a large-scale movement among South Indian Dalits, including Tamils, to convert to Buddhism, decades before B. R. Ambedkar. Later in life, he became a Buddhist monk known as Venerable Sri Devamitta Dharmapala.