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Buddhism for mental health
Reviewed by Palitha Manchanayake
The 'Manasika Suwathawa Udesa Budhu Dahama Igenuma Ha Iganweema
Pilibanda Guru Harukam' is an excellent publication by Bogoda Premaratne.
As a person who has been reading a lot of Buddhist publications during
the past 30 years or so, and as a person who reads books on Buddha
Dhamma very seriously with the idea of gaining knowledge and trying to
grasp what has been said, I would like to mention that this is a very
rare publication, one could find either in English or in Sinhala.
Sinhala readers could be considered to be really lucky, as Premaratne
had written it in Sinhala, though he had written many books and
publications in English.
Premaratne had written the book, essentially for the use of our Sri
Lankan 'Daham Teachers of Buddhism' mostly of Sunday schools who teach
voluntarily to the younger generation. He mentions in his preface of the
book that he had written it with three categories of people in mind,
namely, the Buddhism teachers in Sri Lanka, the Buddhists in general who
like to receive further clarification of Buddha, Dhamma that they have
learnt, and to those Buddhist meditators who enjoy the 'Peace of Mind'
through mindfulness and are 'more than satisfied' and not proceeding any
further with the 'Sathi' and 'Dhamma Vichaya' of the 'Saptha Bojjanga
Dhamma' to eradicate 'Self Ego' owing to lack of instructions.
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Manasika Suwathawa
Udesa Budhu Dahama
Igenuma Ha Iganweema Pilibanda Guru
Harukam
Author: Bogoda Premaratne |
The entire book comprises 90 chapters and each of them are provided
with a synopsis at the start of each lesson on what has been covered in
each of them. He has allocated one of these lessons to explain 'the
duties of a Daham teacher', and that 'teaching Buddhism' is not merely
handing over the message of 'Buddha Sasana' to the pupils, but also to
plan it well in advance ahead of each class, according to some prepared
scheme of teaching.
He further emphasizes that 'Buddhist Education' or 'Serving the
Buddha Sasana' comprises three forms namely teaching demonstrating by
example and practice.
The author has explained the 'Deeper Buddhist Principles' in a much
simpler form, which I have not seen in any other book. with his past
background and experiences as a long-term teacher a principal of many
Teacher-Training schools around Sri Lanka and principal of Royal College
Colombo, Commissioner of Examinations of Sri Lanka, a Child
Psychologist, a Buddhist preacher and a Buddhist scholar and advisor,
and above all, as a person who has practised Vipassana Meditation for
very many years, he has addressed his intended audience appropriately.
It is written in simple language and he has put across the subjects
covered in a very systematic way. Premaratne had approached this broad
and massive subject the Buddha had explained some 26 centuries ago, in a
very orderly and an unassuming style. The reader does not feel that he
is teaching them the 'Deeper Buddha Dhamma'. He has covered most of the
topics which one should know in understanding and practising Buddha
Dhamma. As the name of the book implies, he has addressed all those who
like to teach Buddhism and also who like to learn Buddha Dhamma in a
very organised way. Most of the regular textbooks on Buddhism, and
especially those we studied while we were attending high school during
our time, covered essentially the life story of the Buddha and a few
topics of interest. But the coverage of those topics, was very shallow,
and most of the descriptions of topics were very short and confined to a
few words, if at all, may be because they were at Year 10 level of the
school education.
In this book, Premaratne has taken the trouble to include three 'Self
Examinations' where he has introduced 'Self Assessment Questions and
Answers' from the topics which he has covered. These 'Self Assessment
Questions' are available in three stages, namely, on pages 147, 250 and
475 respectively. Also, I must say, that I am fascinated with the 'Index
of Buddhist terms and doctrines' which he had provided at the start of
the book. It helps the reader with quick reference to any of the terms
that the author had used. I have not come across this feature in most of
our Buddhism books in Sinhala, though it is available in Ven.
Nyanatiloka's Buddhist Dictionary of the Buddhist Publication Society,
Kandy which is published in English.
The book essentially covers topics on 'Paticca Samuppada', 'Attavada
Upadana', 'Yoniso Manasikara', 'Vinnana', 'Sakkaya Ditti', 'Citta
Visuddhiya' and 'Ditti Visuddhiya' to name a few. As the Buddha had
mentioned, if some one could understand 'Paticca Samuppada' really well,
then he could be identified to have understood most of Buddhism.
Premaratne has explained 'Paticca Samuppada' in greater detail.
It is a very interesting and inspiring book, an eye-opener to anyone
who wants to study the essence of Buddha Dhamma which the Gauthama
Buddha revealed to the world some 2600 years ago. It is a self-guided
and immensely helpful book in handling and understanding this massive
subject.
The book has been published for free distribution.
Awards for special education
Reviewed by Kalakeerthi Edwin Ariyadasa
Let me please assure you, in the first instance, that this is not
exactly a conventional book review.
This is rather, a tribute to an exceptional educationist, who is
propelled by a humane urge to champion the cause of an under privileged
group, that generally tends to be marginalised.
The work that is being considered is, in effect, the log - book of a
minor odyssey undertaken by a sensitive educationist, who was deeply
moved by the pathetic plight of a helpless set of individuals, who did
not have an entry into the main stream of education.
 This hero - educationist is K. Piyasena, who is recognise as an
internationally accepted expert in the field of special education.
The book he has written is titled, "Outstanding international
tributes to Sri Lanka's special education."
I am quite impressed by the humility displayed by expert K. Piyasena,
who soft-pedals his won crucial role in the achievement of this victory
by Sri Lanka.
Author Kimmantudawage Piyasena, (to give his name in full) is perhaps
the only educationist in Sri Lanka today, who is fully aware of the
evolution of special education in this country. Circumstances made it
possible for him to play a central role, in the progress of Sri Lanka's
special education system.
As author K. Piyasena narrates it, it was the then Minister of
Education I.M.R.A. Iriyagolla who took steps to see that the government
of Sri Lanka took over the responsibility for special education. This
was way back in 1969.
Prior to this, physically handicapped children were looked upon as a
marginal community. The rudimentary institutions conducted for their
benefit were described as "Madamas" (Orphanages). The visually impaired
and the aurally impaired were kept in isolation. It was Minister
Iriyagolla who took the initiative to integrate the visually impaired
children into normal schools.
When the Kenmore Report on Special Education proposed an Integrated
Education Programme for the visually and aurally impaired, the troubling
issue that cropped up, was the reemitment of graduate teachers who could
attend to the education of the visually impaired children, integrated
into normal schools.
The needed course of teacher training was inaugurated at Sri
Jayewardenapura University. The first ever Integrated Special Education
course, for the visually impaired, was conducted in eight schools.
As the number of the impaired escalated, a squad of itinerant -
teachers had to be deployed to visit those schools, where the visually
impaired received their education.
The author's involvement in the evolution of special education in Sri
Lanka began officially, when he was appointed as an acting staff
education officer, in the School Administration Division in the Ministry
of Education.
The author held the office of secretary in the Committee for Special
Education. The process of training teachers who could look after the
learning needs of the impaired children, integrated into the normal
school system, was a major challenge, that had to be faced.
All such children of the visually impaired aurally impaired, the
retarded, with slow mental growth and the physically deformed, came
within the scope of those who needed special education.
The story of the Evolution of Special Education in Sri Lanka, is an
absorbing chapter, in the broad historical progress of Sri Lanka's
National Education.
As author K. Piyasena chronicles it, the history of special education
in Sri Lanka, had its own down-side as well. It had to cope with an
opposition. Threats were levelled against it. Undaunted by it all, the
pioneers marched on.
Tracing the history of Special Education in Sri Lanka, the author
records that Sri Lanka's special education has now reached the stage of
"Inclusion", which is yet another advanced step in the process of
integration. In sum, inclusion implies, the teaching of children in
various forms of physical and mental impairment, keeping them in the
normal schools, among normal students.
The present publication by author K. Piyasena, is in effect, a
success story - both institutional and individual.
All those committed to the refinement of Special Education, forged
ahead, making ample use of the resources available locally and
internationally. At all stages of the evolution of special education,
author K. Piyasena was called upon to pay an integral role. In
consequence, he has come to be fully associated with the fortunes of
special education in Sri Lanka.
Author K. Piyasena, is a total and complete historian and chronicles.
A reader will be surprised, by the correspondence and documents, he has
been able to preserve with meticulous care.
The proof of Sri Lanka's achievement in the field of Special
Education, was the acceptance of Sri Lankas system of Special Education
as the role model by a variety of countries.
Along with the system, the author too received extensive encomia. He
has travelled worldwide, participating in events, relevant to the field.
He reproduces a series of photographs, that record his presence in
international events, focused upon Special Education.
An apex point was reached when, the International Council for
Education of the Visually Impaired, decided unanimously to present the
International Leadership Award to K. Piyasena - honouring both the
individual and his country Sri Lanka.
For a country's wholesome development, its disabled have to be
considered as valuable asset. Those who were physically and mentally
retarded were at one time, considered "friends" that should be kept in
isolation. But now an era has dawned, when the "differently abled", are
carefully groomed to enable them to play their valued role, in the story
of the country's progress. Author K. Piyasena's book provides guidance
here.
Poems of different themes
Reviewed by Ranjan Amarasinghe
Understandably, reviewing an anthology of poems is always a
challenging task, for the true poet is a visionary who enriches his
content like a magician conjuring up a vortex of poetic imagery,
mesmerizing the taste-buds of discerning readers.
It is in this respect the collection of poems entitled, 'Seethawaka
Nymph' which has been published by Chiranjan M. Padmaperuma should be
evaluated, thus facilitating the avid readers' task of appreciating
these poems.
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Seetawaka Nymph
Author:
Chiranjan M. Padmaperuma |
The collection of 'Seethawaka Nymph' consists of 48 poems with
varying themes such as 'This Isle of Mine', 'Farewell To Love', 'The
Full Moon Day', 'The College Lass' 'Of Calcutta', All the Glory and
'Glamour and Youth' etc.
The poet in this collection has never got tired of using the device
of rhyming in presenting his content. Thus it should be appreciated if
it comes naturally, which enhances its value considerably, giving
pleasure to readers.
To elucidate my point I have taken an extract from the poem entitled,
'To the Sparrows' from this collection.
"Thy friends came in multiplying numbers"
Each time when thy kinsmen well remembers"
The writer has been over dependent on this pattern of rhyming which
is a common feature in this collection of poems.
However, unfortunately it fails to satiate his voracious readers with
deep layers of meanings. The poem titled 'Storm' is a theme which
enhances readers' expectations of dazzling them with the fountain of
creativity. The first stanza of this poem is given below:
"The skyscape was dark and gloomy, and overcast
With nimbus clouds in rampage swiftly gliding fast.
Below a late crow hastens home in the twilight
As bats grow restive, for their fill, they"ll miss tonight"
It is clear that this stanza fails to satisfy the discerning readers'
taste-buds capturing their inquisitive minds with profound and subtle
meaning.
Unfortunately, that the poet has readily used archaic words such as
'thee' and 'thou' meaning 'you' which can be regarded as old use or
dialect. It has lost its value due to over application spanning a period
of centuries. Understandably, ready use of jargon goes a long way to
stifle creativity. It is evident that the author of this anthology
titled 'Sitawaka Nymph' has never shown any restraint in using his
ammunition of words. It is in this aspect that he has failed to compose
his poems with economy of words.
This blemish of usage of too many words, has laden his poems with a
streak of pomposity rather than the redeeming quality of sincerity.
Hopefully, the writer of this collection of poems Padmaperuma who is
endowed with a rich vocabulary will compose better and more meaningful
poems in the future. To that end, the axiom, "Nothing succeeds like
success" should be his motto that will enable him to make strides in his
chosen field of composing poetry.
Book for elephant lovers
Srilankave Ali Athun
Author: By Jayantha Jayewardene
Reviewed by Ravi Corea
A new book on elephants, in Sinhala, called 'Srilankave Ali Athun'
(Sri Lanka's Elephants) has been written by Jayantha Jayewardene. The
book is dedicated to the people of Sri Lanka who, the author says, are
the custodians of the country's wild elephants.
The book is written very lucidly in Sinhala and is designed to
educate the reader on all aspects of the elephant and also to create an
awareness on the need to conserve our elephants.
Jayewardene is a member of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group and
has an expert knowledge of Sri Lanka's elephants. He has also previously
written two books in English, 'The Elephant in Sri Lanka' and 'The
Diversity of Sri Lankan Wildlife'.
This book covers all aspects of the Sri Lankan elephant including;
the elephant in history and legend, its physical features, behaviour and
the elephant in the wild. The author also discusses the conflicts and
problems between man and elephant, and the attempted solutions to
human-elephant conflicts. To conclude the book, he discusses the
important question, 'Is the Sri Lankan elephant at risk? The book is
beautifully illustrated with photographs Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando. The
attractive cover is designed by the author's daughter Amali Jayewardene
Senanayake.
The book is a must for all those even remotely interested in our
elephants, especially schoolchildren. The Sri Lanka Wildlife
Conservation Society is happy to have been associated with the
publication of the book.
The book, is available at all leading bookshops.
The writer is President Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society.
Book launch
Aghora Hevat Indianu Yathukarma
Sarathchandra Jayakody's "Aghora Hevat Indianu Yathukarma" will be
launched at Dayawansa Jayakody Bookshop, Ven. S. Mahinda Mawatha,
Colombo 10 on October 12 at 10 a.m. "Aghora Hevat Indianu Yathukarma" is
the Sinhala translation of Robert Svoboda's "Aghora - The Left Hands of
the God".
The book is a Dayawansa Jayakody publication.
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Sri Lankave Tampita Vihara
Kusumsiri Wijayawardane's latest book "Sri Lankave Tampita Vihara"
will be launched at Dayawansa Jayakody Book Exhibition Hall, Ven. S.
Mahinda Mawatha, Colombo 10 on October 5 at 10 a.m.
The book is a Dayawansa Jayakody publication.
Book skimmer
Recently deciphered records from the mirror wall at Sigiriya
The book by Benille Priyanka is a research on the graffiti in the
mirror wall at Sigiriya. The author covers the records of the mirror
wall from 7th to 13th century with an in-depth study of Sigiriya.
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A decade in the village
A decade in the village is a recollection covering the Sri Lankan
authentic rural scene in the forties and fifties. The author has used
apt diction to revisit the splendour of rural Sri Lanka with zeal of
nostalgia.
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Sumithurano
Sumithurano by Dr. Chandrika Jayasinghe is novel with a difference on
different theme. The author has touched on adverse effects of alcoholism
and smoking on Sri Lankan family.
A series of
tranlations
Sandamata Rangami
Sandamata Rangami is the Sinhalese translation of Michael Jackson's
autobiography 'Moon Walk'. Sumithra Rahubaddhe has translated the book
into Sinhala.
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Kalu Sundara
Kalu Sundara is the Sinhalese translation of 'Black Beauty' by Anna
Sewell. Sumithra Rahubaddhe has translated the popular novel into
Sinhala.
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Hiroshimawe Kandulu
Hiroshimawe Kandulu is the Sinhalese translation of 'The Seeds of
Hiroshima 'by Sumithra Rahubaddhe.
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Hiroshimawe Mal
 Hiroshimawe Mal is the Sinhalese translation of ' The flowers of
Hiroshima' by Sumithra Rahubadde. |
