Books

How not to get lost

On the path to enlightenment

Title: Budu dahama thaman thulin thaman visinma ath dakiya yuthu vidiya
Author: Bogoda Premaratne
Publishing rights: Aruna Perera
Pages: 560
Price: Rs. 350/-
 

by Aditha Dissanayake

Can one find a difference between "Buddha Dhamma" and the Teachings of the Buddha? Isn't one a synonym for the other? Yet, this is what Bogoda Premaratne says in the introductory brochure to his book Budu Dahama Thaman Thulin Thaman Visinma Ath Dakiya Yuthu Vidiya" (How Buddhism could be learnt through one's inner self on one's own). "It is essential that we recognize the distinction between the Buddha Dhamma, the Teaching of the Buddha, and Buddhism...".

In questioning the author, I believe what I am applying here is the Kalama Sutra which says "Rely not on the teacher/person but on the teaching. Rely not on the teaching but on the spirit of the words. Rely not on the theory but on experience. Do not believe in anything because it is spoken and rumoured..."

Perhaps this is a ploy of the author to jolt the reader out of semi-slumber into a state of alertness. For, before one reaches the first five pages of the book one is subjected to a long list of questions. "What comes to mind when you hear the word "nature"? Do you think of trees, oceans, animals or do you think of the organs within your own body? Have you ever wondered how nature came into being?".

I believe the author adopts this style because he sees this as the most effective way he can bond with the reader - through dialogues because during the time of the Buddha too, everything, even the deepest doctrines were taught through speech - "no one took down notes, no one read them later, everyone listened with great attention, everyone stored what they heard in their mind. But today, things have changed, no one pays attention to what they hear or read" laments the author.

Thus he writes in colloquial language explaining lucidly such deep concepts as the meaning of Athma (p.237) or the concept of "Samadhi" giving a pragmatic perceptive at times using cricket matches and TV programmes.

A TV programme for example, is a deception of the eyes and the ears; so too most things in our lives. In order to learn what is going on one must come to grips with "Paticca Samuppada".

This concept is explained, once again, through a series of questions, beginning with what is Sanskara? What is Vigyana etc. Describing the difference between vidya and avidya the author writes knowledge as we know it i.e "We know that person", "I know how to speak English", " I know science" - is not the same as "knowledge" found in Buddhism. In Buddhism the best term that can describe the opposite of avidya is "experience" which is the combination of wisdom and insight.

The book is a comprehensive survey which shows the readers how to make Buddhism a part of their lives. Written in an easy going style, yet filled with information here is a wonderful resource which will keep everyone on the right path who are on their way to achieving enlightenment.

But the final words come from the opening paragraph of the introduction given by the author "if you think you can read this book in one breath, or in a day or two and then forget about it, sorry this is not for you..."

[email protected]

Directory of Buddhist temples

The Sanasili Foundation has compiled and published the second edition of Viharasthana Durakathana Namavaliya, a directory of the Buddhist temples located in the Colombo District. The first edition was created by Parliamentarian Milinda Moragoda in 2002.

The latest edition of the directory includes the names of the chief incumbents of each temple, telephone numbers and addresses. New temples set up since 2002 have also been added to the 2006 edition.

Complimentary copies are being distributed to every temple in the district. A limited number of complimentary copies can be obtained from the Sanasili Foundation Office (Tel. 4520635/2595901)

After thirty years

The London Buddhist Vihara, Bedford Park, London, hosted the launch of Ananda Noel Mendis' maiden book titled Avurudu Thihakata Pasu (After thirty years) on December 2, 2006. The book distributed by Dayawansa Jayakody & Co. contains ten short stories and ten poems.

Thirty years after leaving his motherland, the author recollects and interprets in short story form, some childhood memories about where he grew up.

The sharp, witty style of writing holds the reader enthralled, from start to finish.