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| Sunday, 1 January 2006 |
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Alec Robertson : Quest for knowledge, wisdom by Dr. (Mrs.) Tilokasundari Kariyawasam It is with profound appreciation that I express my sincere thoughts of Mr. Alec Robertson, whom I knew for nearly twenty five years. My association with him was inspiring, challenging and a source of much spiritual and intellectual satisfaction the more I recollect him, the more questions I am led to ask about Buddhism. The More I understand it, the more I think of his exquisite personality, that went into making him unique and us different. What better way to spend ones life than being a professional, investigating the intricacies of Buddhism, which is a broad dynamic field with shifting emphasis and new discovenes. I have relied on his expertise. He has infused me with enthusiasm, for some of the individual areas, of tripitaka shared new ideas, corrected faulty ones. I owe a debt of gratitude for what I learnt from him, when a thousand questions and qualifications crowded my mind. The remarkable comments made by him will have an everlasting effect on me. His extempore lectures numbering thousands here and abroad were heralded widely for their spiritual and worldly wisdom. He successfully maintained the live lecture formal and his purpose was to stimulate and provide thought, while teaching a view point that was very helpful. His preaching advanced the knowledge of Buddhism by placing it in a broader context of Sri Lankan culture, drawing on texts, archeological evidence and inscriptions. His lectures generated a wide range of practical empowerment applications - promoting emotional stability, accelerating learning, breaking unwanted habits, overcoming fear, building self - esteem. He was a consummate narrator to children. He used no spell binding tricks of oratory, but just talked to the evidence, in general conversational tones, the smile coming and going on the mobile, expressive face. He's Lecture schedule was epic. He was also capable at addressing general audiences with simplicity and directions. In the last century if was Alec Robertson, who must explicitly dedicated his whole life to the dissemination of Buddhism. He was a talented broadcaster, authentic journalist, remarkable writer astounding speaker cum narrator. He beautifully elucilated the meaning of the path to enlightenment through his direct spiritual advice and writing. His direct and lucid style made it one of the most accessible introductions to Buddhism. His books provided inspiring and valuable insights. His writings convey a picture of his personal life, his wide ranging knowledge and his thoughts on issues of global concern on Buddhism. Robertson lucidly expounded all the Suthras and even abhidhamma, making then easy to understand his deep knowledge and wisdom on Buddhism is well known nationally and internationally long revered as a spiritual force, he appealed people to look within, to know the essentials four truths, the essence of Buddhism. He has shown how the Buddhist philosophy of impermanence, suffixing and egolessness blends with one's life, with remarkable clarity. He looked at Buddhism through a newer way of thinking. His life was a consuming quest for knowledge and wisdom. He encompassed a vast range of perspectives of Buddhism. His writings produce a broad portrait of the remarkable pexon. At their best his articles to various journals & magazines and newspapers throw with unforgettable details that leave the reader with a vivid of various aspects of Buddhism. He's articles were truly amazing in their efficiency and originality. Robertson must rank as one of the finest broadcaster in English on Buddhism in Sri Lanka to date. This article is inadequate to an introduction of the extraordinary person of many talents and a laudable self - imposed mission. His exemplany life of indescribable richness, which in all its many facets, will inspire us to be better human beings. He's broadcasting on the four noble truths, on Karma, of the futility of desires, on reprehensibility of the belief in the soul, on nibbana, rebirth, death paticha samuppada enchanted the public in his broadcasting lectures, one funds in him scholarly treatment of Buddhism. He throw his energy to disseminate his profound knowledge and wisdom in Buddhism with a laid of emotional fluency and serenity. The triumphant version of his life, tends to portray him as impersive to defeats and humiliations. He was cool and polite there was steel too. He was firm, assertive and confident his iron will, profound wisdom, Selfless service parity, his magnetic personality, exemplary methods to propagate the teading of the Buddha one commendable. He displayed intellectual integrity, moral earnestness and spiritual
insight. He was a true Buddhist, one who had relationships, friendships
marriage, family and an eminent life. |
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