Unmatched centre of social service

Kalutara Bodhi:

by Chandra KARUNADASA

The services of the Bodhi Trust in the sphere of education are varied. These cater to the Buddhist clergy as well as for lay students. Samanera monks are provided with books and stationery to continue their pirivena education. Monthly grants are given to intelligent children from poor homes.

Any traveller on Galle Road - irrespective of his or her faith - would stop at Kalutara Bodhi; drop a coin into one of the tills placed on either side of Galle Road near the sacred premises, clasp his palms together in veneration and wish for a safe journey. Not only is, his or her wish granted, but rest assured the money is made good use of.

The devotees who gather in their thousands and the passers-by should be glad to hear that not even a cent of the massive collection at the Kalutara Bodhi is misused or mishandled.

The most suitable word to describe the location, the history, the maintenance, the management and the services of the Kalutara Bodhi is "unique."

The sacred Bodhi premises of Kalutara is located on the southern bank of the mighty Kaluganga where she joins the Indian ocean. The Pahala Maluwa - with the sacred Bodhi , the Dagoba and the shrine room - is between the Galle Road and Railway line while the 'Vatadage', the preaching hall and the sacred Bo tree which is said to be over two thousand years old are on the hillock by the river.

The administration block, the octagonal assembly hall, the danasalas and the rest of the building complex are also housed at a lower elevation on the same site.

The view from the Udamaluwa is stunningly beautiful. As one stands by the parapet wall of the Udamaluwa one could see the river branching herself to two on her way to the sea through the palm-fringed fertile land.

At a distance of about a mile away on a hillock is "the Richmond castle," a beautiful old mansion of a local chieftain, who wined and dined with the British Royalty.

In the early hours of the morning on a clear day one could see the silhouette of the Sri Pada (Adam's Peak) in the Eastern sky.

On the left is the spectacular scene of the twin bridges along with the railway bridge, the sand bar and the sea beyond. It is no exaggeration to say that the scenic beauty of the Bodhi premises is not second to any other place of worship in the country.

The history of the place too is fascinating. "Kalatitha" or Kalutara being the northern boundary of ancient 'Ruhunurata' was of strategic importance.

The place had been the Royal abode of a Pandya Prince, by the name Vickremapandu who established himself as ruler of Ruhuna with his seat of government at Kalatitha - Kalutara.

The choice of Kalutara at the western extremity of Ruhunurata appears to have been governed more by the regard for the ruler's personal safety. (Ref. University History of Ceylon - Vol. II p.148). However his reign was short-lived - approximately for one year - 1029-1030 AD.

He was slain by one Jagathipala, a powerful prince from Ayojja. This royal abode today is the Udamaluwa of the Kalutara Bodhi. During the British rule in Sri Lanka, the residency and the office of the local representative of His/Her majesty - the Government Agents were located at the same spot. Sir Cyril De Zoysa, the founder of the Bodhi Trust had to fight a bitter battle to get the Residency and the Kachcheri out of the sacred site. Sir Cyril was undaunted and continued the daily rituals of the Bodhi even when the "white" agent complained of the "noise that disturbed him" and asked for the cessation of the "hevisi".

Sir Cyril was the founder of the Bodhi Trust which is instrumental in developing this sacred place to its present glory. Mr. Ajitha De Zoysa the present President continues to carry out the numerous social services of the Kalutara Bodhi Trust.

The social services listed in a booklet published by the Trust amounts to sixty two. This writer made an attempt to categorise these under several headings as health services for the community, services for temples, Buddhist clergy, senior citizens and education.

The Kalutara Bodhi Trust has generously contributed to develop temples not only in Kalutara but also in the other parts of the island. The most outstanding contribution was the donation of Rs. 10 million to renovate the Dalada Maligawa, after the terrorist attack. The temples in Tantirimale and Anuradhapura too have been given donations. Buddhist temples in Varanasi Buddhagaya, Uttara Pradesh and Kerala in India too received donations from the Bodhi Trust.

A ward for sick monks was constructed at Kalutara General Hospital and is being maintained by the Bodhi Trust. Cardiology unit and medical equipment too were donated while medicine is provided to needy patients.

Homes for elders are run at Matugama, Payagala, Beruwala and Bonebuwala, in addition to monthly cash donations to two children's homes. When natural disasters like floods and droughts play havoc in the country the Bodhi Trust contributes to alleviate the suffering of those unfortunate victims.

Lay devotees flock in their thousands to Kalutara Bodhi on Poya days in addition to thousands who join meditation programs on alternate Saturdays. These devotees are treated with a sumptuous vegetarian mid-day dana, although more than five thousand devotees gather on important poya days such as Vesak and Poson, the premises are kept meticulously clean and even the wash-rooms are maintained hygienically.

The services of the Bodhi Trust in the sphere of education are varied. These cater to the Buddhist clergy as well as for lay students. Samanera monks are provided with books and stationery to continue their pirivena education. Monthly grants are given to intelligent children from poor homes.

Sir Cyril De Zoysa Memorial Scholarship fund is for this purpose. For the benefit of the blind and the visually handicapped "the Dhammapada" was printed in Braille by the Bodhi Trust.

The project to teach English to Sunday Dhamma School children is the most outstanding educational project of the Bodhi Trust. The English teaching programme is conducted with the help of "ELPA" (English language Professionals' Association of Colombo and Kalutara District).

At the moment the English teaching programme is conducted in about thirty Dhamma schools in Kalutara District. The students in these Dhamma schools are very fortunate in getting the services of specialist teachers in English who are conversant with the finer points of teaching English.

The English teaching programme will complete its fourth successive year by October 2008. Teaching of English in Dhamma schools is conducted at two levels and the students who are successful at the examination held at the end of the course are awarded certificates, which could be an asset for future employment.

A new feature added to the Dhamma School English project in 2008 is the General Knowledge Contest in English with emphasis on the knowledge of Buddhism and Buddhist history.

The latest project of the Bodhi Trust is the maintenance of a well equipped library at "Thilina" building in Kalutara North - a property of the Bodhi Trust - to help develop the knowledge of Buddhist doctrine. Facilities to provide accommodation for monks who travel to participate in Buddhist activities are available at "Thilina." Thus, the Kalutara Bodhi Trust deserves the appreciation of the Buddhist community for its yeoman service for the Buddha Sasana.