Sri Lanka sought spiritual support
CRICKET - COLOMBO, April 28, 2007 - Sri Lanka was agog with World Cup
fever with even Buddhist monks, Hindu and Catholic priests and Muslim
clerics rallying to seek spiritual support for the home team.
Multi-religious ceremonies of all faiths have become common ever
since Sri Lanka romped to the final against world champions Australia in
Barbados. The local governing body of the sport, Sri Lanka Cricket, held
its own multi-faith service to bless the team.
"It is about the power of the mind," said Buddhist monk Delduwe
Gnanasumana, Sri Lanka Cricket's regular spiritual guru who blessed the
cricketers before they left for the World Cup.
Gnanasumana says his concept of "Viswa Shakthi," or the power of the
universe, should help the Sri Lankans with powers of concentration,
determination and courage to face the Australians.
The monk said his "pirith," or the chanting of religious scripts,
would begin when Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardena goes out to toss
30 minutes before the scheduled start at 9:30 am local time (1330 GMT).
"The power of the Viswa Shakthi will be passed on to the team and as
a result they will be doing well in the match", the monk told AFP.
Asked if the blessings for the Sri Lankans would have an adverse
affect on the Australians, he said:
"No, that is not the idea -- wishing well for one doesn't mean bad
for the opponent." Instead, the power of the blessings would bring out
the virtues of the Sri Lankan players so they would be the better team,
he said.
AFP
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