Understanding and realising the Dhamma

by Professor Jayadewa Thilakasiri

The Dinamina Vesak Annual has already made its appearance in bright colours with a collection of colour and black and white pictures, of wide variety.

The colour picture on the cover in striking showing Prince Nanda who had inherited wealth, the kingdom and his wife. Her grief if indeed unimaginable because they had invited the Buddha for the first almsgiving after their marriage.

Prince Nanda could however, follow the path the Buddha had set down and, consequently, he accepted the bowl from the Great preceptor and donned a robe. This apt illustration done by the artist.

Jayamali Weerasinghe sets the tone for the Annual in a striking manner emphasising that beautiful concepts from the wordly sphere which attracted Nanda at first could not deceive him as he was compelled to accept the beautiful and serene way of the supre-mundane attainment.

The Annual, as usual, in replete with as many as 59 essays, poems, religious and philosophical descriptions, short stories, brief narratives, prescriptions for good and virtuous living, admonitions etc. At first sight a reader would not know what deserves his attention first so that he could proceed to read them and read the rest later.

Anyhow the reader cannot get lost in this diversity of themes and titles as they centre on the Buddhist doctrine, its salient aspects, brought to light by prose, verse or dialogue.

Some of the articles are easy for understanding as they avoid discussion of knotty points in the Buddhist doctrine. It is perhaps necessary to combine the easily understood teachings with the more complex and intricate doctrinal issues, meant for the readers endowed with a deep knowledge of Buddhism.

In fact I have to raise this difference in themes and topics for light reading as opposed to readers who seek depth in the essays. In order to set them apart it would be necessary to divide the material received from writers and scholars in separate sections covering the lighter and heavier themes, poems, songs, short stories etc. In separate sections.

If such a separation of topics and themes is followed the Annual can in the course of time develop into a journal of Buddhist Studies useful as reading material for not only average readers, but students interested in the study of many aspects of Buddhist thought covering the religion and philosophy in depth.

A major section of the essays deal with the Doctrine, its precepts and practices, ethical values while a few take up archaeological and historical features and institutions like the Hospital at Mihintale and the surviving ruins and structures in the form of baths which could accommodate a patient for treatment, accepted in the past recalling also the continuing practice of providing oil baths with chosen leaves and branches known in the local ayurveda system of treatment. (55/92)

The architectural principles revealed in the study of the materials and designs used in the Mayurya Period (41/68) is also important for readers to grasp as the writer, an official of the National Museum, presents data and evidence to show the manner in which the items preserved reflects not only the application of construction methodology in buildings pillars and supports for the massive structures but the expression of king Asoka's supreme authority and imperial power.

After his acceptance of the Buddhist faith consequent to his great victories displaying his sovereignty and prowess as a ruler he ordered that the Buddhist shrines should signify the concept of dharma vijaya (conquest of the Dharma the Buddhist Law) in every new structures and particularly, the pillars showing traditional motifs and designs.

The king is credited with the introduction of figures and decorations in an original style in the construction of numerous stupas for worship and veneration by the people. An essay which poses the question: "The ancient Relic of the Buddha's bowl: Could it be believed that the Bowl was enshrined inside the relic chamber of a shrine (stupas) of the present Natha Temple in Kandy?

Is the question presented by a writer (whose identity is not known but) perhaps studied the historical and archaeological evidence referring to the golden bowl in which Sujata offered milk-rice to the hormic Siddhartha. Afterwards the bowl had been cast into the river Neranjana by Prince Siddhartha and finally it reached Naga world.

This incident is discussed by the writer summarising the contents from the Pujavali text. This history of the bowl and its appearance and disappearance is also related in the essay describing its miracular power.

There are several other meaningful essays such as the 'Meaning of Vesak Full Moon Day' (07/3) bringing out the popular observances associated with the rituals as well as the social and modern factors and its basis for the restoration of religious and national identity which influenced the leaders in assorting the rights of the people when missionary forces attempted to suppress cultural developments and educational progress.

The oft-chosen theme of the Annual combines the doctrinal and historical aspects of Buddhism. 'Panca sila jivitaya (11). Amisa and pratipatti puja' (14/23), two important aspects of personal conduct are analysed, their connexions shown for lay readers who need such clarification because sometimes the mixing up of those two attitudes require differentiation.

Titles, 17-22, also allude to various concepts and fundamental teachings of the Doctrine and such thoughts expressed therein should find mention, as for instance, 'Buddhist ethical concepts' and 'The Incomparable and Unequalled Dharma Cakra' which give a resume of the important vignettes of the Buddha's sermons. 'Bhavanave mahima' (written by a former educationist) offers a clear account of the steps and methods of meditation, purpose and techniques, which is a lucid statement of the attainment of stage of mental development (22/33).

An essay presented by a specialist and psychologist in the medical profession defines and discusses the concept of 'Anatma' disentangling the factual and psychological reality discovered by thinkers.

He prefaces his account referring to the Theory of Relativity advanced by Albert Einstein comparing it with the 'Anatma Concept' discovered and professed by the Buddha. He next proceeds to analyse the 'nama-rupa' sections which constitute the 'anatma', made up of 'rupa' or the physical and the 'nama' or mental constituents.

Within three pages he takes the readers across the connected ideas of atoms, electrons and protons, drawing parallels from Buddhist 'pathavi' theory recognising also divisions of 'apo'/water, 'Teojo'/heat, 'vayo'/wind. In this well set-out essay the Doctor also draws attention to the characteristics of 'anitya'/impermanence; 'dukka' suffering; 'anatma'.

He states emphatically that Buddhism differs and excels in comparison with other religions and philosophies. Special mention must also be made of the English article bearing the title 'Mandala: the symbolic representation of the universe in Tibetan Buddhism' submitted by a University Professor of the Okina University.

The essay discusses the symbolic meanings of the structure and emblems of the Mandala, the 'sacred circle' in Tibetan Buddhism. The account also refers to the conflicts which arose after the Buddha's passing away and the rise of controversy on several matters.

An interesting survey of the rise of Tantric Buddhism, the Sun God, the Dharma Kaya of the Buddha and Tantras follows. This kind of article is certainly welcome in the future, too.

As a reviewer, I would be failing in my task if I do not allude even succinctly to the 'Gradual Creation of Buddhist Philosophy'!

A cynical statement on the lack of understanding and biased writing on Buddhist Philosophy, as viewed by Prof. Kalansuriya, whose criticisms of writers on concepts and theories in the field of Western Philosophy comparing Buddhist with modern ideas found therein, has been often published.

This essay deals with 'Cause and Effect' as a fundamental concept which needs a clear exposition from philosophical premises. He emphasises that Buddhist thought is quite clearly of Eastern origin and, therefore, comparison with the Analytic system of Western origin is not necessary, according to the assessment of some writers and thinkers. This is a defeatist attitude.

He argues that Buddhist thought can be studied in its own right, but Buddhist philosophy needs a new study. He outlines certain steps to be taken to search for the right methodology in line with Western philosophical thought.

He concludes his essay that as Buddhism assigns a prominent position to MAN whose emancipation and not the emancipation of other forces is acceptable. Therefore, he states that there is an essential difference between Buddhism and Science, which cannot be changed.

When the entire collection of essays covering problems of understanding the Buddhist Dhamma, discussion of archaelogical, architectural, ideological and even political themes and subjects, all contributing to protect the Human Heritage - spread out in the Dinamina Vesak Annual (2551-2007) totalling nearly 100 pages with suitable additions of verses, quotations, notes, songs etc. also, expertly laid out with short stories, unfortunately not reviewed for lack of space, is critically assessed Dr. R. L. Abeywickrama, its Editor, receives our congratulations and commendation for a job well done.

Seeking the gold beneath the soot

Buddha Pradeepa- Daily News Vesak Annual 2007

Edited by Malani Govinnage

by Aditha Dissanayake

In spite of the unimaginably beautiful cover of the Medirigiriya Vatadage where Kavindra Perera had cleverly captured the tranquillity of the surroundings onto his lens, and the unusual title “Buddha Pradeepa”, I must confess I opened the Vesak annual of the Daily News, with grave misgivings.

My first thought was that I should preserve this book to read in another four or five decades, when I would have reached the age of retirement, would have time to sit on a rocking chair, listening to Time’s chariot wheels with my mind turned towards the spiritual world.

Then would I enjoy this book with its deep analysis of the “way of life expounded by Gotama Buddha”. Surely not today,surrounded as I am by the evils of the secular world - cricket to be exact, with everyone engrossed in conducting postmortems on the World Cup matches.

I did the next best thing. Glanced at the pictures. And got hooked. The clear illustrations, some in colour, some in black and white depicting the Buddha and the major events of his life as captured on the walls of Kumarakanda Kumara Maha Vihara, Dodanduwa, made me realize as Vesak annuals go, here is an edition which had delightfully strayed from the usual path - certainly not on to the forbidden - but to a new one, powerful enough to transform even those who try to avoid anything that has to do with the spiritual world, into enthusiastic readers.

The best evidence is found in the editorial itself, where Malani Govinnage aims the nib of her pen with characteristic frankness at the hearts of all those who have embraced every possible evil the secular world has to offer.

Dhamma for most of us is a soot-covered golden bowl, long forgotten pushed back to the attic of our values.

She writes in the third paragraph of the editorial. “Craving more and more and producing more and more at the cost of our ethical values plus Mother Nature, we are unable to recognize the “Golden Bowl” any more like the greedy trader in the Servanija Jataka.”

Anybody who reacts to this admonition, and who feels guilty as though he or she is a descendent of the greedy trader, will find in the twenty three essays presented here, a means of making amends. From definitions of Buddhist concepts such as anatta to the relationship between Buddhism and modern marketing methods the essays would be of interest not only to devout Buddhists but to any reader hailing from any discipline regardless of their religious beliefs.

Here are essays for the businessman, the historian, the sociologist and even for a child - (i.e the beautiful Tibetan legend of the giant cuckoo who taught the Buddha Dhamma).

The opening essay appropriately reiterates the responsibilities of the role of those who are the disciples of the Buddha and who are responsible for continuing the Buddha Dhamma - the Sangha.

Explaining the act of Nekkhamma, Ven. Professor Dhammavihari Thera writes “If the word clergy, like the word religion, has an exclusive copyright use for Christians, let us indicate at the very outset that we use the words Sangha in Buddhism to refer to persons, both men and women who have left their household and chosen to live a life of total celibacy in search of their spiritual goal of Nirvana...we in Sri Lanka are unmistakably in the Theravada tradition.

This must be clearly understood both in Sri Lanka and in the world outside that in the Theravada tradition, celibacy or renunciation of sex is primarily an absolute must for those who take to the life of pabajja.” The Ven. Professor in his essay emphasizes that the role of the Sangha in the modern world is to convey the message that respect for all life has to be the underlying philosophy for the survival of man on earth beginning with sukhi no va khemino hontu....

Then comes the hammer with a bang. “Example is better than percept”.From the role of the Sangha to the role of the noble friend. In his essay on the definition of the concept of Kalyanamitta, Ven. Wetara Mahinda Thera writes - giving, doing, and bearing what is not easy in giving, doing and bearing, which are the most difficult things in an association, keeping secrets in confidence and not abandoning a friend in adversity are qualities a true friend should possess.

A few chapters later, calling it ‘Kisagothami’s problem’ Susunaga Weerapperuma analyses the principal primordial fear in all of us - the fear of dying.

Are we prepared to say goodbye to our bodies that we have looked after with great care?” he questions while Prasantha Lal de Alwis in his essay on the “Aspects of modern marketing and Buddhist philosophy” writes the teaching of the Buddha “based on the mission to eradicate ‘self’ from human beings, is contradictory to brand building, specially on emotional lines.”

As Sumana Saparamadu deals with the absence of the figure of the Buddha where we would expect to see it in the bas - reliefs of Barhut or Sanchi or Amaravati and the phenomena of road-side Bo trees and wayside glass boxes with Buddha images, Padma Edirisinghe focuses on the Chinese monk travellers, their voyages and writings.

Throwing a new light on the Jataka Stories, Merlin Peiris writes Among the several Jatakas that are found engaging Greek story motifs and may well have been composed by Greeks who had joined the Sangha, is one which is exceptional for the fact that the two such motifs it incorporates are drawn into it not from literature but from a famous mural”.

Though some of the articles may seem daunting due to the heavy introductions reading down the page you are bound to get enraptured by the simplicity of the style through which profound concepts are analyzed. Thus in the “Light of Wisdom”, Somapala Arandara asks “What is the Light of Wisdom?” and provides the most simple answer one would ever hear “It is the...Middle Path between the two extremes of attachment to sensual pleasures and enslavement of self-mortification.”

True to the Dhamma preached by the Buddha, in such a way that kings, peasants, cettys, Brahmins, outcasts, holy-men and beggars would understand it, so too, this year’s Buddha Pradeepa. Here is a book dealing with the Dhamma in as simple a way as the Buddha had preached.

No better quote will suite as a conclusion than the one selected by Somapala Arandara to end his essay - an extract from Professor G.P Malalasekara’s introduction to Sir Edwin Arnold’s poem “Light of Asia”. “The chief tenet of Buddhism is that man is his own creator”.

Still sceptical an annual publication on Buddhism is not the best material for an enjoyable read? Consider this opening paragraph of Ron Wijewantha “I was about to leave home the other day, when my wife asked me when will you be back? And I replied I do not know and as an after-thought added I am going to the public library.

But from the time I got into my car the reply of mine “I do not know” kept haunting me...”

If you are interested in seeking the gold beneath the soot, this year’s Buddha Pradeepa is surely the best place to begin.

[email protected]

Accounting concepts made easy

Title: The Sri Lanka Ginumkarana Pramitha

Author: T. Dharmarajah

Published by Sanasa Printers and Publishers Limited
 

by Harendra Kariyawasam

I have no doubt that students who began their studies in Accounting in May 2005 with the intention of sitting for the GCE (A/L) examination in the month of August 2007 would have been eagerly awaiting the publication of a book of this nature as five of the Accounting Standards included in the GCE (A/L) syllabus has been revised by the relevant accounting authorities which will be tested in the August examination.

There was an urgent need for a school text book specifically targeting A/L students, enabling them to grasp the contents of these Revised Sri Lanka Accounting Standards. Author T. Dharmarajah a well-known lecturer in Accounting has performed this task quite successfully.

This is not a traditional text book on accounting. It discusses a specific area in Accounting - Revised Sri Lanka Accounting Standards. Sri Lanka Accounting Standards have become a law of the country by Sri Lanka Accounting and Auditing Standards, Act, No. 15 of 1995.

There is a separate chapter for each Accounting Standards mainly applicable GCE (A/L) by explaining the content and application in detail with illustrative examples.

There are typical examination-style revision questions at the end of each chapter.

This text is a comprehensive presentation intended for A/L students. However, it covers the syllabus content of Foundation Examination of ICASL, examinations of AATSL and Technical College examinations. The first year students of the Accounting / Management Faculties of universities will also be benefited by studying this book.

A chapter on accounting concepts explains in simple language a difficult area in accounting-theory. Accounting concepts are the basic requirements of all accountants today.

The author has carefully analyzed the framework for the preparation and presentation of financial statements issued by the ICASL. The meaning of the terms used in accounting statements - assets, liability, revenue, expense, equity, etc. are clearly explained in simple language.

The provision of the Sri Lanka Accounting and Auditing Standards Act, No. 15 of 1995 which is the legal framework has been dealt with in a lucid manner.

A special feature of this publication is the inclusion of a glossary of English Terms. It helps students who are studying in English also to benefit from the book.

Even beginners who are following professional accounting courses can read and understand the contents of this book. Furthermore, the book can be used by teachers as a guide for preparation of their students for the A/L Examination.

The author is well-known in the field of accounting-education. He holds a B.Sc (Mgt) Degree from the Vidyodaya University, an HNDA from the Technical College is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and has more than 20 years experience in teaching at technical colleges, university degree classes and chartered accountancy classes.

Presently, the author is a member of the Council of ICASL and member of the Council of AATSL.He is also the author of a complete text book on Accountancy Standards.

It would have added strength to the book, if the author had included a few flow charts at the end of each chapter to give a summarized picture of the entire chapter.

Winds of fire

Title :‘Through winds of fire - my life and times’

Author: Tyronne Fernando

Published by: Vijitha Yapa publications
 

by Buddhika Kurukularatne

‘To have a memory like an elephant’ is an old adage. Tyronne Fernando, Barrister, President’s Counsel, former Minister, former Governor, Film Producer etc. etc. had left or more correctly put, was more or less compelled to leave the herd by the leader many moons ago, has nevertheless retained his memory to an astonishing degree. He rattles off dates, times, places and names so remarkably well, one wonders whether he kept a diary of events on a day to day basis.

Tyronne is a voracious reader as is evident by the various quotations he has referred not only from books and magazines published the world-over but also from the various scriptural references studded into the 321 pages of the book. Being a devout Christian hailing from a leading ‘Church’ background one would not have been surprised if the Author only quoted extensively from the Holy Bible.

But Tyronne goes on to quote the Dhammapada, the Baghawat Geetha, the Holy Quran and even Confucius. His board and liberal vistas on religious matters made him win a predominantly Buddhist electorate - Moratuwa - until as said earlier was forced to retire from the Political arena due to the machination of the UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who left out Tyronne from the UNP’s National List.

Though not mentioned in the book, it was widely rumoured that Tyronne was having a ‘line’ to President Chandrika Bandaranaike. Reading between the lines, the book gives some instances where the two had had a ‘rapport’ which probably gave rise to a misunderstanding.

This dumping of Tyronne by Ranil in fact turned out to be a blessing for Tyronne as after only 8 months in ‘hibernation’ Chandrika made Tyronne the Governor of the North-East which was ridden by a war. Tyronne who hails from the warrior caste of Karawas and is a direct descendant of the Rebel, Veera Puran Appu, who was crowned king at Matale took up the challenge and made Trincomalee his headquarters.

Only 20 days after he took over as Governor, the Tsunami of Boxing Day 2004 struck causing death and disaster.

After the advent of Mahinda Rajapaksa, in spite of being a Chandrika appointee, Mahinda made Tyronne his Senior Advisor of Foreign Affairs a gray area in the ‘Chintanaya’ administration.

Quoting King Solomon, Tyronne says ‘wisdom is the tree of life... more precious than rubies’ and this wisdom he acquired in no small measure during his undergraduate days at Oxford.

Tyronne does not fail to mention his unsuccessful attempt at being the Secretary General of the UN when the top post will go to an Asian. ‘The last Asian to be the S.G. of the UN was U Thant from Burma in the fifties’.

He records somewhat bitterly how Ranil, having given the approval as Prime Minister to run for the Top Job as Sri Lanka’s nominee terminated his progress by ‘permitting’ an unnecessary election in 2004!. Mr. President’s Counsel, was it not your ‘friend’ Chandrika who precipitated the General Election of 2004?

So, why blame Ranil for Chandrika’s deeds? Ranil and the UNP were very bitter themselves with the dissolution of Parliament at a very crucial moment of the Island Nation’s history.

Tyronne cries foul on the bad Press he received both locally and overseas and laments that only one columnist of an English language appreciated his stand. It was not surprising that he was upset and hurt about the ‘bad’ press he received, for he was at one time the Minister of Information and Broadcasting!. Surely, the scion of King Purang Appu deserved a better deal from the fourth estate!

Tyronne discusses the Americans, the British and the Chinese, the Russians and the French under separate sub-headings. He has listed 71 world personalities whom he met, saw or heard of. No doubt some were mere acquaintances and some even snubbed him - like the Hollywood star Cary Grant who refused to give autograph!. Tyronne says that Grant was a very moody character and often refused requests for autographs.

These flaws apart, “Through Winds of Fire” is a book that has to be savoured by every connoisseur of local and international politics and history. Tyronne has not forgotten Cricket.

How can he? For he was a former President of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka and the Man who gave the cricket-crazy Moratuwites, the International Stadium named after him.

To conclude this Review of a well compiled book by a friend of over 30 years, my Senior both at the Bar and in Parliament I quote Grandma Moses (Anna Mary Robertson Moses 1860-1961) about ‘Memory’.

‘What a strange thing is memory and hope:\one looks backwards the other forward.\The one is of today, the other tomorrow.\Memory is history recorded in our brain, memory is a painter, it paints Pictures of the past and of the day.’