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| Sunday, 4 April 2004 |
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Sakyadhita Sri Lanka Monastery: A new home for the 'Daughters of the Buddha' by LAKMAL WELABADA
The soothing cool breeze that swept across the Bolgoda lake had a balmic effect on the living beings around it, just as the Dhamma consoles and heals humankind. The peaceful and tranquil Sakyadhita Sri Lanka monastary situated at the edge of the Bolgoda Lake at Sri Dhammananda Mawatha, Gorakana, Panadura is a place that spreads the essence of the 'Dhamma' to the world. Sakyadhita, meaning 'Daughters of Buddha' is the main centre for Bhiksunis, the clergy women with higher ordination in Buddhism in Sri Lanka. "We started this training and meditation centre in 1993, declaring the re-establishment of Bhiksuni status to our 'Dasa Sil Matha' (Buddhist clergy women) in Sri Lanka," said Ranjani De Silva, President of Shakyadhita Sri Lanka. Much credit for triumphing over the disapprovals, disagreements and turmoil against giving 'Upasampada' status (higher ordination) to 'Dasa Sil Matha', should be given to Ranjani De Silva. Her determination and service rendered to the re-establishment of the 'Bhiksuni Sasana' was applauded by honouring her with the Award for Outstanding Buddhist Women presented by the United Nations in Bangkok on March 4 this year. At the event 15 women from nine countries were honoured for their work in helping to spread the Buddha Dhamma in the world.
Under the shady breeze of the Sakyadhita monastery, Ranjani explained her life story along with the re-establishment of the 'Bhiksuni Sasana'. Born in Mirissa, Matara and educated at Sujatha Vidyalaya, Matara and Girls' High School, Dehiwala, Ranjani had much exposure to Buddhism at the Sunday Daham School. While working as the Manager - Personal and Administration at the State Engineering Corporation from 1962 to 1985, she was involved in welfare work for employees. She got married to B.S. De Silva, Deputy Editor of Daily News at Lake House newspapers in 1961, and had a daughter. After her premature retirement from work, Ranjani who was an ardent follower of Buddhism, accidentally got the opportunity to attend a ten-day Buddhist meditation course conducted by a German Buddhist nun known as Sister Khema in 1984. "With the Chola invasion in the 10th century, both the Buddhist monks order and nuns order faded away in Sri Lanka. But from time to time Sinhalese kings restored the monks order with the help of 'Upasampada' (higher ordained) monks who lived in countries like Burma and Thailand where the Buddhist nuns order was also flourishing. But, re-establishment of the Buddhist nuns order in Sri Lanka was neglected until Ms.Catherine De Alwis, an elite Sri Lankan Catholic woman became a 'Dasa Sil Matha' (Mother with ten Buddhist precepts), enticed by the simple serene life of a Burmese Buddhist nun who visited Sri Lanka. Catherine entered the nuns order in Burma in 1905. Lady Blake, wife of the British Governor in Sri Lanka at that time offered the 'Lady Blake Dasa Sil Matha Aramaya' in Peradeniya to Catherine Sil Matha when she returned with robes from Burma. The tradition started by her continued. But, though the Buddhist monks order was already given the higher ordination of 'Bhiksu', the Buddhist nuns order was not given the same status. Instead they remained as 'Dasa Sil Mathas' and led a silent life," explained Ranjani. Following the meditation session, ten Sri Lankan 'Sil Mathas' and laywomen including Ranjani got the chance to attend the first ever international conference organised by the International Association of Buddhist Women in Bodhgaya, India in 1987. Seeing over two thousand Buddhist women in robes and devoted Buddhist lay women who came from 26 countries, Ranjani was amazed at the manner in which Buddhism and the Buddhist nuns order was recognised internationally. Many of them were from Europe. The international association of Buddhist women was named as 'Sakyadhita', with the meaning of 'the daughters of Buddha' at that first conference. "A thought that came to my mind was the poor state and the low recognition of the 'Dasa Sil Mathas' in our country. They have not even got the Bhiksuni status. Instead they were sometime treated as 'mad women' or a symbol of misery. I compared them with the well versed and well recognised Bhiksunis I met from other countries. Also in the Buddha's 'Sasana' there were four sets of followers; Bhiksu and Bhiksunis (monks and nuns), and Upasika and Upasika (lay men and women). Though other Buddhist countries still follow the same rituals and status, we, the Sri Lankans discriminate against Buddhist nuns by not giving the due higher ordination, the Bhiksuni status which they are entitled to. Suddenly, I felt I should take the initiative to uplift the state of our women who devoted their lives to the 'Dhamma'," she said. When Ranjani came back to Sri Lanka she launched the first step by training twenty selected 'Dasa Sil Mathas' for hospital services in the Badulla District. Going from bed to bed of the patients in the hospital and preaching the Buddha's word and blessing them, 'Sil Mathas' did a great service to enliven the spirits of the patients. Simultaneously she organised a meeting with 50 women at the All Ceylon Women's Buddhist Congress (ACWBC) and formed the Sakyadhita Sri Lanka. Kusuma Devendra was elected as the first President of Sakyadhita Sri Lanka. In 1991, at the second conference of Sakyadhita International held in Thailand, Ranjani invited them to hold the third conference in Sri Lanka. "But I had no idea how we were going to have it as we were not well off with resources. But, some unseen power was directing me, and I had the courage to work on it," said Ranjani. The conference was scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka in October 1993 but, the country was in turmoil since President R. Premadasa was killed in May. "But I knew my pure thoughts will make my dream a success," she said. Her prayers were answered. The third Sakyadhita International Conference was held at the BMICH on October 15 in 1993, with 2000 delegates from 27 countries. President D.B. Wijetunga and the President of Maha Bodhi late Ven. Mapalagama Vipulasara Thera also participated at the first day of the conference. After meeting the international Buddhist nuns, our 'Dasa Sil Mathas' also got more confidence in getting the higher ordination, the 'Upasampada' status which was not given to them until then. Though many were against giving them the 'Bhiksuni' status, two renowned Buddhist priests came forward to help them. Under the guidance of Ven. Mapalagama Vipulasara Thera, ten 'Dasa Sil Mathas' were selected and given a training of 'Bhiksuni Vinaya' (the discipline of Buddhist nuns order) for six months at the Parama Dhamma Chethiya Pirivena at Ratmalana. And in 1995 in Saranath, India where the Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment two thousand five hundred years ago, the ten 'Sil Mathas' were given the 'Upasampada' and became 'Bhiksunis' re-establishing the Bhiksuni order for Sri Lankan Buddhist nuns. Kusuma Devendra the first President of the Sakyadhita Sri Lanka who also became a nun, was the first Upasampada Bhiksuni at that historic event.The second group of twenty Bhiksunis trained by Ven. Inamaluwe Sumangala Thera at Dambulla Temple got the 'Upasampada' status in Bodhigaya in 1998. And since then Buddhist women who enter the 'Sasana' as 'Samaneri' get the higher ordination after training in 'Bhiksuni Vinaya' for two years. Although Bhiksuni status is not officially recognised by the State, it is well accepted by the Buddhist community. At present there are 400 'Upasampada Bhiksunis' in Sri Lanka. And 3000 - 4000 Buddhist nuns live in the 1000 -1500 Bhiksuni Aramayas scattered throughout the country. Sakyadhita Sri Lanka Centre at Panadura is the main centre and Pirivena for Bhiksunis. The three other training centres are at Newgala (Kegalle), Millaniya (Horana-Kalutara) and Eheliyagoda. In these centres young and old 'Samaneris' (newcomers to the Sasana) learn Buddhism, practise meditation along with studying Pali, Sanskrit, Sinhala and English. They are also trained in family counselling, child and mother care, health and nutrition and even first aid which help them to render a great service to the community. Today, Sri Lankans have developed a lot of confidnece in Bhiksunis. People seek their kind advice not merely connected to Buddhism and meditation, but also in relation to problems they confront in day-to-day life. The Bhiksunis find solutions for them through the medium of the 'Dhamma'. "There are many Bhiksunis who go for higher studies. But, we only have resources until next year," said Ranjani. She would welcome the genorosity of any lay people who would like to sponsor them. Ranjani was the President of the Sakyadhita International from 1995 to 2000. The next conference will be held in Korea on June 27 this year. |
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