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| Sunday, 2 June 2002 |
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Sadahm Charika - Mobile temple spreads Buddha's message
Sri Lanka is unique in the Buddhist world, as it was blessed thrice by the visit of Lord Buddha, the Enlightened One. We have inherited valuable ethics with the advent of Buddhism. And it is the duty of Sri Lankan Buddhists to protect and uphold such ethics on which our civilisation is based. Fortunately throughout the history of this country there have been erudite Buddhist Bhikkus capable of safeguarding Buddhism. They guided the nation in accordance with Buddhist precepts. Such priests never confined their service to the temple premises, but toured the difficult terrains and far flange villages, carrying the message of the Enlightened One. Lord Buddha at the very outset of the preaching campaign, better known as Dhamma Charika, exhorted his first 60 disciples as follows: Charaka Bhikkave Charikagn Bahu Jana Hitaya, bahujana Sukaya. (O! My disciples go and preach for the well-being of all, and tour the country in search of people to be emancipated, irrespective of caste, creed or any other social standing) One Buddhist Bhikkhu following the words of the Buddha and who is fully committed to guiding the misguided towards a better life through the teaching of Buddha is Ven. Maharagama Mahinda Thera. At the International Buddhist Centre at Wellawatte, one could visualise the rays of Karuna - loving kindness - emanating from him. An erudite Bhikkhu who is bent on serving the masses through the message of Lord Buddha, he recently launched the Sadaham Charika to bring Buddha's teaching closer to the ordinary people, especially those in remote areas. Ordained under the tutelage of Ven. Heenatiyana Dhammaloka Thera and Ven. Wellawatte Ananda Thera in 1972, he had his preliminary education at Gangarama and later entered the Vidyodaya University of Sri Jayawardenapura. After graduation, he left for Japan. However Ven. Maharagama Thera's greatest ambition was to serve the poor. In Japan he met a Buddhist priest who promised to help him in his endeavour. And on his return to Sri Lanka, with financial assistance from the Japanese Buddhist priest, Ven. Maharagama Thera set up an educational institute for needy youth of all religions. At present the institute has 75 Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim students. Commenting on the launch of the Sadaham Charika the Ven. Maharagama Thera says: "Modern society is on the path of decadence. Virtues are unknown to the younger generation. We have to do something to save people from this deplorable situation. I launched Sadaham Charika, with this noble objective in mind and today I am quite happy to say the campaign is making good progress." Explaining the Sadaham Charika, Ven. Maharagama Thera says: "Angulimala never went to Lord Buddha. It was the Buddha who went in search of Angulimala. So, why can't we enlighten the present day society in a similar manner. "I have been visiting the poor. Some of those devotees are not in a position to buy at least a small statue of the Buddha. "They make offerings before a Vesak greeting card placed on a higher elevation in their mud huts. "So I realised that they are prepared to be advised, but had no one to guide them. I organised a mobile temple system. It is a vehicle turned into a shrine-chamber. With the help of several Buddhist devotees and well-wishers we toured the area, distributing small Buddhist statues and at the same time delivering sermons to guide them to a better and virtuous way of living. "The poor masses were quite happy to see that the place of worship had ultimately come to their doorstep." The Sadaham Charika donates dry rations, building material, clothing, particularly to those observing Sil, and also provides employment to the needy where possible, Ven. Maharagama Thera explains. "He also sees in Buddhism a panacea for most the ills in the modern day society. "We could have served the world better, had there been Bhikkhus proficient in English to impart the knowledge of the Dhamma to the rest of the world. Ven. Maharagama Thera plans to recruit at least 25 Bhikkhus fully committed to the task of spreading the Buddha's message, for an overseas tour. Plans are also afoot to construct a four-storied building on 40 perches of land at Nedimala at a cost of Rs. 15 to 20 million. Those who are selected for propagating Dhamma overseas will be trained at this establishment. The main discipline taught in this institute will be Buddhist Philosophy. There will also be facilities for foreigners to learn Buddhist Philosophy at this new centre. |
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