Flame in Darkness: The Life and Sayings of Anagarika Dharmapala

This document is a biographical account of Anagarika Dharmapala, written by Maha Sthavira Sangharakshita and published in 1980. It details the life of the man born as David Hewavitarne in Ceylon, who became a pivotal figure in the revival of Buddhism in India and globally. The narrative traces his early life in a devout Sinhalese family, his education in Christian missionary schools, and his subsequent rebellion against colonial and missionary influence. A significant turning point was his encounter with Colonel H.S. Olcott and Madame H.P. Blavatsky of the Theosophical Society, which initially shaped his early missionary efforts. The text highlights his tireless work to reclaim the Buddha Gaya Temple, his extensive travels to Japan, the USA, and Europe, and his role as a global Buddhist missionary. Central to his success was his relationship with his primary patroness, Mrs. Mary E. Foster, whose financial support enabled the establishment of schools, hospitals, and the Maha Bodhi Society's infrastructure. The biography covers his legal battles over the Buddha Gaya site, his internment during the 1915 Ceylon riots, and his final years in Sarnath, where he oversaw the opening of the Mulagandhakuti Vihara. The document concludes with his higher ordination as a monk and his death in 1933, emphasizing his legacy as a 'Bodhisattva' dedicated to the propagation of the Dharma. The final section of the book provides a collection of his 'immortal sayings,' which encapsulate his philosophy on effort, morality, renunciation, and the necessity of active compassion in the modern world.