Aid to study comparative religion

Reviewed by W. T. A. Leslie Fernando

Budu Dahama Pilibanda Adyana

Sinhala Translation of Studies in Buddhism by Fr. W. L. A. Don Peter

Translator: Wimalasena Withanapathirana

Publishers: S. Godage and Bros.

This work is the Sinhala translation of ‘Studies, in Buddhism by Fr. W. L. A. Don Peter published in 1997. The translator is Wimalasena Withanapathirana who earliertranslated into Sinhala world-class books like ‘Mind Unshaken’ by John Walter, ‘Power’ by Bertand Russell, ‘The Prophet’ ‘by Kaleel Gibran’, On Liberty’ by John Stuart Mill, Marital Breakdown, by Jack Dominion and ‘Encounters with Buddhism’ and ‘Good Questions and Good Answers’ by Ven. Sravasti Dhammika Thera of Australia.

It is significant that ‘Studies in Buddhism’ is written by Fr. W. L. A. Don Peter the well-known Catholic priest, the great scholar, writer and patriot who appreciates Buddhist doctrine, Buddhist way of life and Buddhist culture. ‘Studies in Buddhism’ is a compendium of some articles written now and then to journals by the late Fr. W. L. A. Don Peter.

In some of the articles, Fr. W. L. A. Don Peter admires Buddhist teaching and way of life. In some others, he makes a comparative study of Buddhist and Catholic institutions. In others he draws inspiration from Buddhist culture and civilisation. Wimalasena Withanapathirana has done a great service to Sinhala readers by translating this outstanding work into Sinhala.

In the essay on the ‘Dhammapada’ Fr. Don Peter explains that Dhammapada contains in the form of pithy maxims and the book as it were the finest flowers of Buddhist teachings. He commends that a large number of verses in it contains moral maxims of wise sayings which are aptly expressed and illuminated.

They could be accepted by anyone whatsoever one’s religion may be and even if one has no religion.

Fr. W. L. A. Don Peter in the chapter ‘The Middle Way of Buddhist Ascetism’ expresses that the adherence to ascetism in a wisely mitigated form has led to the growth of intellectual and educational activity among the Sangha and how the monasteries became the centres of educational and literary activities. Such would not have been the case if Buddhist ascetism would have been so severe as in the case of Jains and Ajivakas.

In the chapter ‘Celibacy in Buddhism’ Fr. Don Peter appreciates that in Sri Lanka and in other countries where Theravada tradition is followed, celibacy practised in early Buddhism is strictly adhered to as the life of homelessness enables to Bhikkhus to give himself fully for attainment of Nibbana.

Fr. Don Peter highlights that the Bhikkhu who accepts celibacy does so to devote himself to spiritual culture undisturbed by the obligations of married life. The Bhikkhu goes on to carry the tasks as he had to be a teacher by word and example, a missionary and a guide, friend and philosopher to people. He stresses that this is a reason given by the Vatican Council II (1962-65) for the celibacy of Catholic priests - to dedicate themselves in an undivided way the task assigned to them.

In the article ‘The Yellow Robe’ Fr. Don Peter observes when one becomes a Bhikkhu he puts on the yellow robe which he thereafter wears always. He will not part with it as long as he remains a Bhikkhu. Even when he is travelling in the West, he always has the robes on. He does not appear in public or even in the lodging without beingproperly robed. He does not wear other kinds of dress or secular clothes.

Fr. Don Peter deals with the flimsy excuses and half truths of those Catholic priests who jettison or modify the religious garb. Fr. Don Peter contends that the religious garb protects the priest as it is a constant reminder to himself and others - the high calling of priesthood.

In essays such as ‘Reflections on a Buddhist Statue’ and ‘Lankan Sculpture Buddhist and Christian’ Fr. Don Peter reminds us that though Buddhism brought to Sri Lanka a sculpture from India seen at its best in Buddhist shrines of Sanchi, Bharat and Amarvati, the Sri Lankan sculpture developed on its own lines which have been hailed as a masterpiece. He finds that Christ and Madonna paintings and sculpture in Sri Lanka are general reproductions of European models.

In the article ‘The Buddha and St. Francis’, Fr. Don Peter analyses that in spite of great differences in the doctrine in Buddhism and Christianity, there is a close affinity on the other worldly aspects that animated Buddha and St. Francis. In the teachings of Buddha a great prominence is given to Meththa which is loving kindness to all living beings. This corresponds to remarkable love for all living creatures by St. Francis, observes Fr.Don Peter.

In the article ‘Monastic Movements in Buddhism and Christianity’ and ‘The Code of Law in Buddhist and Benedictine Monasticism’ Fr. Don Peter makes a comparative study of Buddhistic monasticism and that of Catholics specially of the Benedictine order. He concludes that though monastic life at times bear resemblance and at times different from each other, are a preparation for after life according to the teachings of each religion.

In the last chapter ‘Buddhist and Christian Dialogue among Religions’ Fr. Don Peter draws attention to the fact how such an exercise would be beneficial to both the religions. Fr. Don Peter affirms the fact that the spirit of secularisation is affecting the Catholic Church particularly in the West. Laxity of morals specially relating to sex, move to rid of priestly celibacy and baneful influence of materialism have adversely affected the Church. Fr. Don Peter suggests that the Christian religion could find an all in the Buddhist religion drawn as they are from the East where the spirit of religion prevails and spiritual values are esteemed.

Fr. Don Peter states the aim of dialogue should not be to convert the Buddhists to Christianity or vice versa but for the benefit of the cause of religion. His approach is different from those who want to adulterate Christianity to come to terms with Buddhism in the name of dialogue which might lead to the destruction of both Christianity and Buddhism.

It is not an easy task to translate an indepth study of Buddhism by comparing it with Christian aspects. Wimalasena Withanapathirana has risen to occasion magnificently and has fulfilled his task. He has translated the book in simple language and right royally performed his task to make the translation apprehended by all. The book is neatly printed in the glossy paper and it carries the same picture in the cover found in the ‘Studies in Buddhism’. The book is moderately priced at Rs. 300. It should find a place in all libraries.

The evolution of Pirith

Reviewed by W.S. Karunathilaka

One of the dominant concepts in the conceptual framework that has a bearing on religious practices of the Sri Lankan Buddhists is the notion of Kamma, the ‘religio-ethical action’.

All practising Buddhists firmly believe in this, which alone is considered by them as the conditioning factor of ‘rebirth’, yet another profound and rather inscrutable notion in the conceptual framework, Kamma/Karma as revealed by the current Buddhist practice can be broadly classified under three rubrics - Punyakarma acts of merit that are done with the ultimate aim of attaining - Nibbana - final emancipation ii- Caritra Karma acts conditioned by social customs that are performed in a Buddhist environment and iii- Shanthikarma benedictory action that are done mainly to invoke blessings on an individual, a family, a society or a country.

Of the many Shanthikarmas that Buddhists participate in, Pirith chanting is generally accepted as the most significant. the chanting of Pirith by Sri Lankan bhikkus invoking blessings on the three American astronauts-Neil Armstrong, Mike Collins and Buzz Aldrin for their safety and success of their space voyage that they launched on July 16, 1969 is a classic example.

The work under review is on Pirith (chanting) which is the most important benedictory action esteemed by Buddhists.

The main objective of the author in this book is to present a clear and critical discussion on the evolution of the Pirith text and the related ritual of Pirith chanting. As the author himself mentioned in the preface the present work is his dissertation for PHD submitted to the Post Graduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies of the University of Kelaniya in 2000.

As a brilliant researcher, he has diligently collated his findings and incorporated them in his thesis. The book comprises 10 chapters, introduction, the term Pirith and Pirith text, Discourse analyses 1,2,3, Origin of the Buddhist benefactory ritual, Gradual evolution of the notion of The Triple Gem and the rites connected with the Pirith chanting ceremony, Development of later beliefs and indiginisation, Development of the method of Pirith chanting with special emphasis on orthoepy and the Correct rhythmic enunciation and conclusion.

As evident from the contents of this book the author has meticulously collected all the relevant information consulting the primary and secondary source material and with critical acumen he has made a penetrating and almost exhaustive study of the cherished theme. The hallmark of this work is its objectivity in that the author has gone beyond popular beliefs and religious leanings showing rigorous academic restraint. It meets the two main requirements of a scholarly treatise viz. observational adequacy and explanatory adequacy.

The value of this work is enhanced by the Prof. Oliver Abeynayake’s evaluative essay where he has highlighted almost all the new findings found here and the long introduction by Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne covering a vast area pertinens to the topic of the treatise.

It is written in lucid style in Sinhala and is readable. The book can be rightly called the most authoritative work on the subject so far written.

An English translation of this will be most welcome. The author Dr. Gamunu Siri Gamage must be commended for presenting to the Sinhala reading public a scholarly treatise of such magnitude which is of lasting value.

Fiction set in colonial Ceylon

Reviewed by Padma Edirisinghe

One naturally expects the author of “Between two wars” to be somebody connected to the battlefield warring in tough boots. But Mahasara Guneratne, the author is a seasoned Medical Professor of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The back blurb describes him further as a Senior Gommonwealth Fellow and Academic Historian. What further qualifies to put out a book of this nature is that he has been born in 1934 and “experienced life during the latter part of Colonial Ceylon”. Of course the First world War had been fought and finished by the time he was born but the antecedents of his plot go back even to that phase of world history making the book more intensive.How did little Lanka, then an appendage of the British Empire get tagged on to this landscape providing the Professor a tantalising tale of a youth begotten out of love bonds alone who finally gets thrown on our soil? Here is an exciting background that could provide fodder for a highly dramatic film. The initial setting is the German Club of Colombo. Writes the author,

“The German Club was situated in Cinnamon Gardens, facing the Colombo Museum - At the beginning of the Century the German residents experienced memorable days in Colombo far away from their motherland. Some even decided to settle down here, opening reputable business houses”. The wars changed all that but as it lasted high drama had been staged in or around it.It is a complicated plot that the author unravels in a racy style, the English language used rushing forth with a tremendous vigour (no tepid Sri Lankan English much advertised these days). There is a cavalcade of myriad characters rushing in and out of the story including the youth Frank himself of simple unassuming ways (actually the unfortunate main player in the tale).

Arthur, the recreational detective who really is the raconteur, Esmeralda, the dame who runs the orphanage, Sister Hildegarde and the German beauty Ingrid.The story takes us from colonial Ceylon to a strange feudal set up in Germany where class distinctions and social prejudices seem to dominate the country to a surprising degree so that an innocent child is got rid of save faces. It takes one to a narrative “crafted with just the right dose of suspense, adventure and mystery”.

And throughout the crowding events, the atmosphere of war in the background is cleverly maintained. Here is chapter 18 titled “1939 - War declared”.

“In September of 1939 Britain declared war. Ceylon under the British was aligned to their cause... Expatriates began leaving including Sister Hildegarde and the nuns.

The German Club was closed. In 1941 a new turn of events took place when the Japanese entered the war. The situation escalated with rapid conquests by the Japs followed by an air raid over Colombo. There was an exodus from the city... The Pacific was shut off, no shipping, no letters. It was useless making attempts to contact anyone in Germany or in England”.

All that is part of the story that could be authentic or spawned out of a rich imagination of the writer. But there is another dramatic bit of news. Here is a writer who has not got the recognition he deserves. It is not too late to make amends.

He is still young at 76 or 77, and still a busy medical practitioner while wielding his pen too reviving long lost memories and crafting wonderful stories out of genuine backgrounds. (The author has asserted elsewhere that the book is a work of fiction set in colonial Ceylon and borders upon historical sequences that fit into the period concerned).

New on the shelf

Sasala Diyavara

T. Wasantha Mendis’s maiden anthology of Sinhala poetry Sasala Diyavara was launched at the Cultural Centre at Girandurukotte recently. The poems written in the free verse style express his vision on the reality of life.

Dayabara Bhagya

Author: Rathna Lanka Abeywickrama

Printed by Tharanji Printers, Maharagama.

Maranaya Abiyasa Esa dutu Athdekeem

Author: Tissa Jayawardena.

A Sadeepa Publication.