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| Sunday, 10 August 2003 |
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Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic Chief Incumbents speak with one voice : Eco-sanctity of Kataragama as centre of peace, unity In the midst of the annual or Aadi Festival of Kataragama, the Chief Incumbents of the two main Buddhist and Hindu religious shrines in that ancient sacred site have called for a recognition of the site's common religious significance for the whole Sri Lankan population and urge that the ancient forest environs and sacred areas be conserved in a more systematic manner. They were interviewed by Kataragama devotee and American researcher Patrick Harrigan, an internationally recognised expert on the sacred site. Both spiritual leaders emphasise the national significance of Kataragama as site sacred to Sri Lankans of all faiths and communities. The value of this unifying spiritual dynamic for the achievement of peace in the land and importance of conserving the beauty, sacred atmosphere and the natural habitat of the area is pointed out by them. Buddhist Kataragama
Q: Ven. Dr. Soratha Thera, you are the chief incumbent of Kirivehera Raja Maha Viharaya for many years, a research scholar of Kataragama and its traditions, and author of many books and articles about Kataragama. In your view, who is Kataragama Deviyo and why do Buddhist worship him? Ven. Soratha: According to our Sri Lankan tradition, Lord Buddha visited sixteen places in Sri Lanka during his lifetime, including Kataragama. On that occasion, Mahasena (or Mahaghosa), the local ruler of Kataragama, duly welcomed the Lord and his retinue and found delight in His sublime Teachings. Our traditions say that Mahasena took refuge in the Triple Gem and vowed to remain to protect and promote the Buddhist religion and its followers for all time to come. Some scholars believe that Kataragama Deviyo was a local chieftain who was later elevated to deva status. But tradition insists that good ruler Mahasena is still alive and ruling in Kataragama even today. Many Buddhists believe that the Kataragama God is a bodhisattva (Buddha-to-be) having the power and compassion to intervene in the lives of those who appeal to him. He is the guardian and friend of Sri Lankan Buddhists especially, but he will help people of any religion or nationality. It makes no difference if one is a Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, or what. Respect him and have firm faith in him, and he can intervene to settle personal problems that interfere with one's spiritual growth. There are tried and proven ways to obtain his help. Q: Does the Kataragama God's bodhisattva vow have any connection to the vows ordinary people make? Ven. Soratha: Yes, certainly. Of course, a bodhisattva's vow to attain bodhi ('awakening') for the sake of all beings is a far more difficult vow to keep than the worldly vows of ordinary people. But the principle of the vow remains the same. Although very simple, a vow well-kept holds tremendous power. When a monk keeps his holy vows intact, he becomes worthy of worship by gods and men, for instance. Long, long ago a local Kataragama girl, named Valli Amma, took a severe vow that she would not marry or even touch any man except the Kataragama God himself. By the power of her pure vow, the god came to her and helped her to fulfil her vow, even though it meant marrying her. Such is his karuna or compassion for those who keep difficult vows, just as he is even now keeping the most difficult vow of a bodhisattva. We Buddhists, after accumulating pin (merit) by such acts as dana (sharing food) or even the simple offering of lights or flowers to the Buddha, then transfer the merit to devas like Skanda-Kumara, who through their high positions are able to increase that merit further for the benefit of others. This way everyone benefits from Buddhist practices. Q: People say that the Kataragama God Skanda-Kumara is a Hindu god, and so Buddhists should not worship him. What is your opinion? Ven. Soratha: Our Sinhala traditions preserved orally and ancient poems like the Kanda Upata declare that Kataragama Deviyo came to this Sinhala Deepa long ago by boat from North India, just as our ancestor Vijaya and his companions did also. This god has been living here as long as we have, maybe even longer. He never harms anyone, except those who aim to do injustice or harm to others. We consider god Kataragama to be one of the Four Guardian Deities of the Sinhala pantheon, perhaps the most powerful one of them all. If Hindus and others wish to worship him, we Buddhists have no objection. He is great enough to satisfy everyone, whatever their background or beliefs are. Q: Some people say that Buddhists should not worship Hindu deities like Vishnu, Shiva and Skanda. Others say that there is no place in Buddhism for god worship. And yet the worship of these gods is very common among Sri Lankan Buddhists. What is your view on deva worship by Buddhists? Ven. Soratha: Lord Buddha did not reject deva worship. In fact, in the Majjhima Nikaya he advises monks meditating in the forest to practise devatanusati; that is, to give proper respect to local divinities in order to make steady progress in samadhi. Lord Buddha himself met and accepted the salutations of major deities like Brahma, Indra and others. He never denied the existence of devas. He was a great friend to humans and non-humans alike. Modern-educated Sri Lankans, influenced by Western misinterpretations of Buddhism, cling to the mistaken idea that Lord Buddha Advocated 19th century-style rationalism or atheism. We should protect the Buddha Sasana by accepting the whole body of traditional Buddhist doctrine and practice, and not pick and choose to suit passing fashions of thought. Q: How should Buddhists pay respect to Kataragama Deviyo? Ven. Soratha: When you say 'Kataragama', you are referring not only to the Deviyo but also to this sacred place by the same name. By respecting Kataragama the sacred place, one also shows respect for Kataragama Deviyo. So let Buddhists who come to Kataragama leave their quarrels and disputes behind and come with open hearts and minds. Let them follow experienced pilgrims who know the ways of worship in Kataragama. Let Buddhists respect not only the bhikkus and swamis and kapuralas of Kataragama, but also the other pilgrims of different religions, and be kind towards the animals and invisible beings of Kataragama also. Let them respect the Menik Ganga and its inhabitants by not polluting it with soap. Let them respect the unseen spirits of Kataragama by not defacing sacred rocks and trees. Let them come in the spirit of humble pilgrims clad in white, rather than as noisy tourists publicly displaying ignorance of their own national heritage. Let them come in humility with respect for deep matters that they cannot claim to understand, so they may return home wiser and richer. That is the best form of worship. Q: Can Kataragama Deviyo also bring lasting peace to Sri Lanka? Ven. Soratha: I think only Sri Lankan people can do that. We have to learn how to live together happily not only Lord Buddha but teachers of other religions have also shown people how to live in peace. In Kataragama we also are finding ways to bring lasting peace. For instance, at Kiri Vehera we are conducting computer courses so local youth can have better vocational training, bridge the 'Digital Divide' and bring good income for their community and family. Without proper education and employment, what peace can there be for young people today? We have other plans also. Why not declare all of Kataragama area as a Zone of Peace? This idea has been around for years; now is the right time to implement it. Kataragama could also be developed, not as an industrial zone, but as a spiritual and educational zone. After all, Kataragama is already a kind of spiritual university, with departments of Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam, as well as traditional sciences like astrology, ayurveda, etc. The Prime Minister himself has also expressed interest in developing Kataragama along these lines. We could be saving our Sri Lankan culture and civilisation, and protect the sacred environment of Kataragama Kaele at the same time. People from around the world would come here to learn philosophy, arts and mediation in a sacred setting. Kataragama is already an authentic spiritual university; so why not develop it further and encourage people of all ages and religions to come here and learn authentic spirituality? Q: The Kataragama Esala festival is said to be closely associated with Sinhala Buddhism. Can you explain with examples? Ven. Soratha: Certainly. There are plenty of examples. Let me give just a few. Before any perahera festival, the Lekham Mahattaya (Secretary) must visit Kiri Vehea to offer bulath (betel chew) to the chief incumbent and take Pancha Sil (Five Precepts) before fixing the festival dates and inviting the Sangha's participation. At Kataragama, the Basnayake Nilame and the kapuralas must be Buddhists. Buddhist religious duties in the Maha Devale, or Pirith Nilaya, may be performed only by bhikkhus of Kiri Vahera Raja Maha Viharaya. Always before Deviyo puja, first Buddha puja is offered to Lord Buddha. Q: How do kapuralas transfer duties on masa-poya (amavaka new moon)? Ven. Soratha: First the Kapu Mahattaya must come to Kirivehera the previous night to offer gilampasa (light refreshments) and flowers and transfer the merit to the Deviyo. After this only the Maha Devale key is transferred to the incoming Kapu Mahattaya. ###### Islamic Kataragama
Q: Many people, including Muslims, are surprised to learn that the Kataragama Esala festival begins and ends at the Mosque. How do you explain the involvement of Muslims in the Esala festival? Gaffar: By the grace of Allah, we Muslims have been here in Lanka or Serendib for a very long time. In fact, according to our traditions, the first man on earth, the prophet Father Adam (upon whom be peace), descended from heaven to Sri Pada and settled here in Serendib with his beloved wife Eve. Ever since that remote time we have been coming and settling here in wave after wave over the centuries. Whenever we come to Serendib to visit Adam's Peak, we would come by way of Kataragama. No one can truly say for how many centuries we Muslims have been visiting Kataragama. God only knows. In our tradition, Kataragama is Khidr-gama, the home of al-Khidr, 'The Green Man'. We call him all-Khidr, because he is always fresh and young and green, like tender grass. Everywhere al-Khidr goes, that place is fresh and green, like Kataragama, which is cool and green in the midst of dry, hot jungle. According to our sayings and hadiths (sayings of the Holy Prophet) and in Sura al-Kaht of the Holy Qu'ran, Prophet Musa (Moses, u.w.b.p.) felt in his heart that he was the wisest of all God's prophets. Allah the All-Merciful chastised Musa, and commanded him to seek out someone whom He called 'one of our servants.' Our learned ulema say that the servant was al-Khidr. Q: Buddhists, Hindus and Veddas believe that the Kataragama God will hear their prayers and help them. When Muslims come to Kataragama, do they not also pray to the Kataragama God? Gaffar: We Muslims pray to Allah Almighty, and to no one else. However we also pay our respects to the Holy Prophet and his companions, as well as to the other prophets and 124,000 awliya ('friends of Allah'). Allah in His mercy has sent prophets to every land at ever period in history to warn the people to abide in peace, fear God and observe His laws. Moses and Jesus are among the 124,000, and so also is al-Khidr. Now all the 124,000 prophets are departed, except for one. Al-Khidr or Hayat Nabi ('the ever-living prophet') still walks upon this earth, and he will live until Judgement Day, because he alone tasted the Ma'ul Hayat (Water of Life). Our traditions tell us that Kataragama, or Khidr-gama, is the place where Hayat Nabi found and tasted the Water of Life that gave him knowledge coming from Allah Almighty. Not only we Sri Lankan Muslims believe this, but believers from all over the Islamic world. Great Islamic leaders, like Sheikh Nazim Adil al-Haqqani of Cyprus, come from afar to Khidr-gama to show their respects here. Naturally, Sri Lankan Muslims also come in large numbers year round. At Kataragama, Muslims pray to Allah and show their respects to Hayat Nabi and Awliya like Palkudi Bawa, the 'milk-drinking recluse'. Palkudi Bawa, who lived a century ago, enjoys the love and respect of people of all faiths to this day. In the case of Hayat Nabi, orthodox Muslims including the learned ulema believe that he still performs the Haj every year, and may appear before Muslims and non-Muslims to help them to keep to the path of faith and justice. This is why at Kataragama and elsewhere when we Muslims gather to perform zikr ('remembrance') and other recitations, we always invite Hayat Nabi to come and join the gathering. Many people have seen Hayat Nabi, and benefited from his spiritual wisdom, which comes from Allah Almighty. The one whom Buddhists and Hindus worship in the Maha Devale, named Skanda or Muruga, we consider to be the same as our Hayat Nabi. We respect him and invite him to be with us during our recitations, but we worship only Allah. Some say that Skanda is the same as Iskandar Zul-garnain, the friend of al-Khidr whom history books call Alexander the Great. We also have traditions about how al-Khidr accompanied Iskandar Zul-qarnain to this place in search of the Water of Life. "When Alexander sought, he did not find what Khizr found unsought" (Sikandar Nama LXIX 75). Q: Nowadays Islam and Muslims have a reputation of being rigid and intolerant. And yet, here in Kataragama Muslims are seen moving freely with people of other faiths, who also visit the Mosque & Shrine. Can you explain? Gaffar: Islam takes a very tolerant attitude towards people of other faiths, including Buddhists and Hindus. At Kataragama the Khidr Shrine is open to Muslim believers and non-believers alike. In fact, we welcome anyone to come and experience the peace and sanctity of this shrine, which is like no other. Visitors to the Mosque & Shrine have included Presidents, Prime Ministers, Ministers and foreign dignitaries. Every year International photographers and television crews come to document the Shrine's traditions for publication and telecast the world over, by the grace of Allah Almighty. Many non-Muslims have come to Islam after visiting Kataragama Mosque & Shrine. Muslims too have their faith strengthened and confirmed by coming to this place. Allah Almighty performs marvels here through His servant Hayat Nabi, which no one can deny or even fully understand. Many saints and awliya have visited and prayed here, including Hayat Nabi, al-Khidr himself. Saints and prophets are not limited to Islam alone, after all. Our gates are open to all who come with an open heart and open mind. The Dambana Veddah always visit during Esala and are great friends of Muslims. We admire them for their simplicity, contentment and honesty. Muslims grow in faith by seeing of Allah's majesty in such unexpected ways. Muslims who visit Kataragama have opportunity to deepen their faith through association with religious-minded people of all faiths. Those people of other faiths also benefit from association with Muslims. Of this there is no doubt. Q: People say that Kataragama shrines including your Mosque receive large amounts of donations from the public. Can you comment on how Mosque & Shrine monies are received and spent under your trusteeship? Gaffar: No one in the Muslim community should be surprised to hear that people's envy follows close behind anyone who is graced with success in this worldour Prophet (u.w.b.p.)is only the foremost example. There is a popular misconception that, because the Kataragama Maha Devale earns great income, therefore all the shrines in Kataragama are wealthy. This is not the case, certainly not for the Mosque & Shrine. Trustees who managed this Shrine before me had misused funds given for improving the Shrine. Later Hon. M. H. Mohamed and late Prime Minister R. Premadasa thrice pressured me to accept the management of the Shrine and set matters straight. Only after twice refusing did I finally accept this heavy responsibility. Twenty years ago the Shrine was on the verge of collapse. Wealthy people and big politicians all promised to help, but their help never came. And yet today anyone can see that the Shrine is well-managed, despite its modest income. From my own business in Galle, for the past 18 years I have been developing the Shrine and lately the Muslim Rest as well. The Shrine's income hardly covers the cost of supporting the resident lebbes and maintaining the Shrine Properties. The rest I have to pay out of my pocket. To complicate matters, there are envious people who preach that the Kataragama Mosque & Shrine and Muslim Pilgrims' Rest are against Islamic sharia. These people who are paid to do these things even make slurs against my character, as though they are above all reproach. It is all baseless nonsense, intended to frighten away the faithful, and has also had a negative impact upon charitable donations to the Shrine. Allah is my witness, and He protects His faithful servants. So I am not bothered or worried. Q: When Muslims come to Kataragama, where do they stay? Are there any facilities especially for Muslims in Kataragama? Gaffar: Ever since assuming trusteeship twenty years ago, I have wanted to improve the amenities offered to Muslim pilgrims. Now by the grace of Allah, after years of work and expense of millions, the Muslim community may take pride in having its own magnificent Rest here in Kataragama. Muslims of all backgrounds are welcome to visit the Kataragama Mosque & Shrine and stay at the Muslim Pilgrims' Rest where they can enjoy peace and privacy. May Hayat Nabi bless every pilgrim who visits this place. ###### Hindu Kataragama
In 2000 His Holiness Jagatguru Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Sri Jayendra Saraswati Mahaswamigal, appointed a distinguished North Indian Dasanami sannyasin, Purnanand Giri Swami,as Trustee and Mathadhipati (abbot) of Kataragama Teyvanai Amman Kovil and Math. The resonant voice of the gifted and vigorous new mathadhipati now fills Kataragama's kovils and matham once again to the delight of Tamil and Sinhala devotees. The Mathadhipati, who is conversant in Hindi, Sanskrit and English, agreed to be interviewed during the Esala festival. Excerpts: Q: Swamiji, you are originally from North India where you maintain a large ashram in Haryana. You speak neither Tamil nor Sinhala, and yet the Kanchi Shankaracharya appointed you to run Kataragama Teyvanai Amman Kovil and Math. Why did His Holiness appoint a North Indian Sannyasin? Ven. Purananand: I did not come here of my own accord. His Holiness appointed me because Kataragama Teyvanai Amman Devasthanam preserves an ancient North Indian parampara (lineage). That parampara must continue. This temple was founded long ago by a North Indian Dasanami sannyasin parampara-shishya of Bhagavan Sri Dattatreya named Swami Kalyana Giri. All my predecessors belonged to the same Dasanami order. This ancient institution also has modern legal recognition thanks to Sri Maharaj Kesopuri Swami. Better known as Pal Kudi Baba, the great yogi saint founded the Thevayani Amman Temple Trust shortly before his samadhi in 1898. He particularly specified in his trust deed that only Dasanami sannyasi parampara shishyas of Bhagavan Dattatreya may be appointed as Trustee. Q: Why do you think His Holiness gave you this difficult appointment? Ven. Purnanand: No doubt, it is a great honour to be selected by such an eminent person as His Holiness. He must be having confidence in me for some reason. To undertake such a difficult assignment as this, especially when one comes from a distant place where the language and customs and food are so different, is sure to be a great challenge. It may be a lifelong challenge. By the grace of Bhagavan Sri Dattatreya and Lord Kataragama Skanda, I hope to be worthy of our great tradition. Q: Do any rituals of Kataragama originate from North India also? Ven. Purnanand: Yes surely. The rituals performed at all the temples of Kataragama may be traced to the great ancient Gorakhnath Temple of the Adinath Sampradaya at Gorakhpur in North India established by the great siddha master Gorakhnath himself. Arathi puja and the tying of the mouth shut are examples of Kataragama traditions which hail originally from North India. Q: Who is Bhagavan Dattatreya? Ven. Purnanand: Bhagavan Dattatreya is the avatara of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva combined into one. He is the adi sannyasin, the primordial renunciate. He is our adi guru and guardian of our sampradaya (school). Q: How did your Dasanami Order originally become involved in Kataragama, so far from North India? Ven. Purnanand: Centuries ago, the Kataragama God's senior spouse Tevayani Amman prompted Kalyana Giri Swami to leave North India and come South to locate her missing husband Lord Skanda and bring him home. Kalyana Giri Swami finally found Lord Skanda in Kataragama. He requested the Lord to accompany him back to India, but Valli Amma intervened and begged Kalyana Giri Swami not to take her husband away. Kalyana Giri Swami never returned to India but remained and requested Tevayani Amman to come and settle in Kataragama also. Tevayani Amman came and since that time all three deities live happily together. Q: Why does Teyvani Amman Matham serve annadanam to so many devotees? Ven. Purnanand: Teyvani Amman is the Lady of Lord Skanda's Kataragama residence. Whenever someone comes to His residence, Teyvani Amman will see that no one goes away hungry. Not only Hindus but devotees of all communities, rich and poor alike, come in large numbers to enjoy the matham's tasty vegetarian meals, including wealthy urban devotees, pada yatra pilgrims, mothers with children, swamis, sadhus, and service personnel of the security forces. As a Devasthanam tradition, annadanam is prepared and offered twice daily on a mass scale for thousands of pilgrims, devotees and duty personnel of all communities during the Adi festival. All are welcome. Q: Will visitors to Teyvani Amman Devasthanam notice any changes this year? Ven. Purnanand: At this temple we are always looking for ways to serve Teyvani Amman and Her devotees better. Every year we find large or small ways to improve our service to the Public. Discerning visitors may notice the difference. With so many devotees coming to enjoy annadanam here daily, we were facing difficulties in how to serve everyone promptly as they arrive. From our experience in North India where there are even larger festivals, we have come up with an improved system both for cooking and for serving the public promptly and hygienically. Safe drinking water is another issue. We have completed boring a 300-foot deep well so we always have safe clean water for cooking and drinking, even when outside water is scarce. Q: Thank you, Swamiji, for giving your precious time during this busy festival season. Do you have any advice for our readers? Ven. Purnanand: There was a time when Kataragama was surrounded by jungle and peaceful atmosphere. This was a place for tapas and meditation. There was no way to come to Kataragama except by walking through jungle. Kataragama's sanctity and peace should be respected and preserved. Every visitor has a responsibility to respect Kataragama's traditions. We do not bathe with soap in the sacred Menik Ganga, nor do we walk about wearing or carrying footwear. We should not play electronic music where devotees are already singing bhajana or reciting prayers. If one wishes to obtain the God's grace and is not ashamed to be a Hindu or a Buddhist, one should come attired as a devotee, not as tourist. The Kataragama God's grace is easy to obtain. So many have found it. Come with humility and you may obtain His grace also. Your life will be changed. ###### Interview with Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devale Basnayake Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dhala Bandara Q: What do you believe should be the aim of every Basnayake Nilame, and what do you specifically aim to achieve during your term in office as Kataragama Basnayake Nilame? BN: In my view, the aim of every Basnayake Nilame should be to maintain the interests and welfare of the devotees,perform established rituals of the Devalaya properly, and develop the physical infrastructure while preserving its ancient traditions. My specific aim as Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya Basnayake Nilame is to make the general public of the country aware of the spiritual and historical significance of the Devalaya, particularly in this era of ethnic conflict. Tamil Hindus, Sinhala Buddhists and Muslims have been visiting this Devalaya in harmony for centuries. It should remain that way. Q: Some people have described Kataragama as a spiritual university. Others call it a natural zone of peace. What is your understanding of Kataragama and how do you think Kataragama's potential value to society can best be appreciated and developed? BN: Both views are correct and agreeable. Currently the important thing is peace and I would emphasis more on this. Kataragama is an important pilgrimage destination for people of most religions in the country, at least during the festival season. I believe that kataragama's political significance has been continually underestimated. This sacred place, its festivals and traditions, and the faith of so many people in the Kataragama God should be recognised as a natural rallying point for national reconciliation and unity. Q: Do you believe that Kataragama's age old reputation as a sylvan shrine can be restored? Can the forest hermitage of Deviyange Kele come back to life? Would Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devale have a role to play? BN: Of course, Kataragama can be restored as a centre of spiritual life. But the change will have to be generated among the public and promoted by the State as a policy. Kataragama Devalaya is certainly one of the most natural places from which this restoration could be generated. Q: Similarly what can be done to protect Deviyange Kele so it does not vanish? How can we protect the forest environment from tree-felling and piece-meal destruction? BN: Tree planting and tree felling in the forest need to be done in a well regulated, planned and monitored fashion. Perhaps, alternative employment could be found for those often involved in illicit timber felling. Q: Along similar lines, how can the Menik Ganga waters best be utilized for the greatest benefit to the region's people, without drying up the sacred river? BN: Water management need special attention since agriculture in this region cannot depend upon rain water alone. The Menik Ganga within the sacred area must not be over-exploited. Alternative sources of water for the benefit of Kataragama devotees and also for agricultural purposes of the area need to be identified and developed. Q: Do you feel that there may be a contradiction between seeking to urbanise Kataragama and, at the same time, declaring it as a sacred area? How can we encourage more and more visitors to come to Kataragama and, at the same time, preserve the sanctity and traditions of the ancient shrine? BN: The two of Kataragama can be urbanised, obviously. But everyone who enters the sacred shrine area needs to follow the disciplinary codes strictly according to our traditions. There should be a better mechanism to monitor the devotees and those who enter the Devalaya premises, so that they enter properly attired for purposes of worship. The sanctity of the ancient shrine must be preserved, and it is every visitor's responsibility to respect Kataragama's traditions. |
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