|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 19 January 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Book Reviews Nature and Buddhism by Madawala Hemananda - An effort to explain basic teachings of the Buddha to the modern day man This book has a unique style, format and a multitude of new ideas and concepts, not found in any book on Buddhism. It is eminently readable, being written in simple and lucid English. In the words of the Minister for Buddhasasana, Justice, Law reform, National integration and leader of the House W. J. M. Lokubandara, it could be read like a novel, during a long journey by land or air, to acquire knowledge that could be obtained by reading an Encyclopedia. The book, effectively deals with the difficult doctrines enumerated in the teachings of the Buddha, without recourse to extracts or quotations from the Pali scriptures. The author makes, a laudable, valiant and altogether a successful effort to explain the basic, but complicated concepts in Buddhism using modern electronic equipment, in day to day use, all over the world. Based on the premise that Buddhism is predicated on rebirth and its cessation, much effort is devoted to substantiate the truth of rebirth through micro-biology, cosmology and related current scientific knowledge. Even the mighty stars, it says, die becoming black holes; 'Baby universes', emerging from the other end, competing for 'Time and space', in the same way life on earth was competing for scarce resources, during our early stages of evolution. While discussing karma, no-self, rebirth and the middle path, the author introduces an entirely new concept of 'A constantly changing but individually focused karmic force or self/soul' that takes living beings from one birth to the next. The new concept, as well as the old, are argued with relative ease and to great effect from the 'Here and now' perspective. The book contains many interesting and intriguing new ideas. Among them, electromagnetic radiation of the universe, takes prominence, as the medium through which a packet of electrical energy 'photon' containing thekarma-dying-consciousness and transmitted to be absorbed into the 'Neurones' of a physical brain of a new born baby/body. 'Memes', the newest form of an entity, that parasitize human brains, from the time humans began to speak a language, are most admirably utilized to justify the transfer of merit or 'anumodana', in Buddhism. Instead of the human 'mind' consciousness and the sub-consciousness are used, as it is easy for us to understand consciousness as opposed to the 'mind', which, it says, is very difficult to define. Several subjects of topical interest such as sex, marriage, individual freedom, human population are discussed, together with brief comparisons of Buddhism with some of the world religions. One chapter is devoted to the ecology and the environment, a burning global issue with a world-wide audience and outlines the grave dangers humanity is now facing by ignoring the advise of the Buddha, the only religious leader who was born under a tree, achieved supreme enlightenment under a tree and passed away between two trees. Sub-consciousness is described as the most powerful powerhouse within us. By ardent and concentrated appeal to this powerhouse, it is possible for us to gain health, wealth and happiness in this life itself and by the gradual elimination of the recording of karma in the sub-consciousness, a form of energy. According the author the 'Nothingness' that the Buddha had described as the true reality, accords, with the emptiness of matter, the latest scientific truth that the emptiness in energy. This is a book definitely worth reading. Price Rs. 400 (Hard back) available for sale at the Buddhist Cultural Centre, 125 Anderson Road, Nedimale, Dehiwala, Sri Lanka. Thames Buddhist Vihara, 49 Dulverton Road Selsoon, Surrey CR 8PJ. United kingdom. Price five pounds (Hard back). |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
