2006-05-12

Buddha Dhamma for global readership

Vesak Lipi Digest, May 2006

Review: Chamali Kariyawasam

ANNUAL: The brainchild of Upali Salgado, Vesak Lipi makes its 22nd appearance this year coinciding with the 2550th year of Buddha Jayanthi.

A bilingual Buddhist Digest published annually in memory of the Most Venerable Heenatiyane Dhammaloka Tissa Mahanayaka Thera who passed away in 1982, it contains a pot-pourri of articles by both Bhikkhus and scholars.

Vesak Lipi is artfully edited to maintain the fine balance of discerning yet uncomplicated reading on Buddhism.

Both the Sinhalese and English sections are diligent in their aim of providing clarity into the deep philosophy and belief system of Buddhism and are equally thought provoking.

The Sinhalese section contains interesting reading on a relatively narrower scope than the English section, nonetheless dealing with diverse topics such as oblation in the Buddhist context, meditation as a curative and Buddhist perspectives on environmentalism.

The English section of the digest warrants special mention as to the erudite quality of articles. Writings of the late Professors W.S. Karunaratne, G.P. Malalasekera and K.N. Jayatillaka made superb contemporary reading.

These articles stood out in their simplicity and provided strong insights into perspectives of the Buddha Dhamma on impermanence and concept of self, Karuna and wisdom and attitude towards other religions.

I enjoyed reading the article by Upali Salgado titled "A web of stories around some Buddha images". The collection of short excerpts on a number of images found in India, modern Pakistan, Myanmar, Java and Sri Lanka are descriptive, observant and evocative.

The article also contains amongst others, striking photographs of a Gandhari Buddha-head and an elegant image of the Mulagandhikuta, Saranath. Rajitha Werakoon's "Controversy over Sigiri rekindled" is a must read given its unorthodox assessment.

Vesak Lipi is a bona fide publication funded solely by donations from the faithful to cover printing costs. The editor directs surplus funds to the Kidney Transplant Unit of the General Hospital in Kandy promoting the dual Buddhist vision of Dhamma and Saukhya Dane.

The magazine which currently boasts a 5,000 strong readership in eight countries is warmly received undoubtedly due to its persuasive yet temperate brilliance.

Upali Salgado's quest in providing the magazine's global readership with inspiring reading on the Buddha Dhamma is indeed commendable.

Donors may obtain copies of Vesak Lipi digest (No. 22) from the compiler/editor at 29 Deal Place (A), Colombo 03 after 1 p.m.

The last walk of the Samma Sambuddha

"Ananda! Thathagatha is on his final walk.

Much to be talked of the Dhamma, few hours to talk

To envisage the man the whole of the Rajagaha and Kusinara I have tread

This walk is the last, you will remember as I have said.

I am tired, Ananda I need some water to sip

Can you find a stream for my begging bowl to dip"

Ananda, the Buddha's disciple, saw water in a muddy stream

He fetched the water, reflecting the sunset beam

"Bagavath Samma Sambuddha, you need a while to rest"

Ananda found a place for the Buddha recline at his best

The Buddha's disciple Ananda was very much disturbed

To find the Buddha uneasy, a gripe he had suffered

The Buddha was weary he needed to rest

Mara was delighted, as he could get his choice, the best

Resting beneath two Sal trees, with fragrance around

Ananda thero was vigilant, in deep thought, not a sound

Ananda thero, felt the end could not be averted

Thathagatha spoke for the last time, "Ananda karma cannot be diverted"

"All beings, has to face the disaster of pain and sorrow

Waste not the time, count not of a tomorrow"

The devas smelt the parinirvana, and gathered around

The Buddha is no more, soon they found

Ananda was a normal bikku, he beat his chest, and wailing Buddha is no more

He could not control his emotions, that was all the while in store

The Sakra and Devas of all abodes, in sorrow they sank

Together with the earthly distinguished Royals in rank

The Buddha's parinirvana, touched the hearts of everyone crying aloud

Sacra who was also in grief, chanted "Anichchawatte Sankara as he bowled"

Everything mortal - ends up in Decay

The true philosophy of life as it is today

- Vinitha Karunaratne

The pilgrimage

I flew by plane to Lumbini,

Where prince Siddhartha was born

Chanted 'pirith' with all devotees,

Until it was dawn.

Then we travelled in a bus to Buddhagaya,

Where the Lord attained His 'Buddhahood'.

Offered milk rice and flowers to the seated Buddha

And we all slept the night there.

Next we reached the Isipathanaramaya,

Where HE preached the 'Dhammachakka Suthra'

We all worshipped the Buddha with jasmine flowers,

And left the place to the pilgrims rest.

Finally we proceeded to Kusi Nagar,

Where the Enlightened One passed away,

Worshipped with lotuses, lit oil lamps and jossticks,

Meditating for half an hour.

I fell at His feet and sobbed,

With high emotion and tears in eyes,

When I woke up with great sorrow;

Surely, a dream it was to realize.

- K. Tylin de Silva

Wipe away the dark stains from the heart of this earth

Rabindranath TAGORE

The world today is wild with the delirium of hatred.

The conflicts are cruel and unceasing,

Crooked are its paths, tangled its meshes of greed.

All creatures are crying in anguish for a manifestation of thine.

Oh thou of boundless life, save them, raise thine eternal voice of hope.

Let love's lotus with its inexhaustible treasure of honey

Open its petals in thy light,

O Serene, O Free, in thine immeasurable mercy and goodness

Wipe away all dark stains from the heart of this earth.

Thou giver of immortal gifts, give us the power of dedication,

Claim from us our greed

And pride of self.

In the splendour of a new sun-rise of wisdom

Let the blind gain their sight, let life come to the souls that are dead.

O Serene, O Free, in thine immeasurable mercy and goodness

Wipe away all dark stains from the heart of this Earth.

(The above poem, was translated by the author from his Bengali song specially for the Ceylon Daily News when he was in the island in 1934 Ed.)

(From Ceylon Daily News Vesak Number, May 1935)