Online edition of Daily News

Dharma Deshana Mala - 6
ANCL publication (Lake House)
Editor: Ruwan D. Arattanage (Editor - Budusarana)
Reviewed by J.P. Pathirana

Bana preachings or Dharma Deshanas (Buddhist sermons) by eminent Buddhist clergy do come over so regularly over the air (SLBC), electronic media (SLRC) and at various temples, Buddhist organisations and other institutions both in the public and private sectors. They are often heard and after the sermons - the essence of the Dhamma thus preached, are easily forgotten and hardly contemplated or reflected by the listener.

To fill up this void a very meaningful step has been taken under the guidance of the Editor 'Budusarana', weekly publication of the ANCL to bring about an annual Buddhist digest, including the series of Buddhist sermons delivered on Poya Days and included in print in "Dharma Deshana Mala" - and a very meaningful step and commendable effort of the 'Budusarana' Editor Ruwan Arattanage as a superlative media for the readers to refresh their memories of the forgotten aspects of the Dhamma, listened-into and thus make it a reference reckoner of the printed word.

The "Dhamma Deshana Mala - 6" run to 224 pages with a pleasing coloured cover-picture of the Buddha in the dhamma desana pose, adds glamour to this publication with 'gems' of thought in between the contents - pages therein, to keep the reader interested in the wide and varied aspects of the Buddha Dhamma which can be contemplated and reflected upon at one's will and pleasure of that those easily forgotten Bana preachings that come over the Radio or TV.

All the leading erudite Bana preachers of the day have contributed their best, in the contents pages and explained in clear, concise and lucid style of the various aspects of the Dhamma for the reading pleasure of the readers.

The subjects range from "Path to Progress" to "Atavisi Budu Guna Kavi". What an array of subjects nicely arranged in sequence that can be contemplated and reflected upon the minds of the Buddhists or even non-Buddhists.

The galaxy of renowned preachers include Nayaka Theras like Weligama Gnanaratane, Welimitiyawe Kusaladhamma, Arama Dhammatilleke, Pallegama Sirinivasa, Giddawe Sumanatissa, Diviyagaha Yasassi, Handapangoda Vimala, Botale Gnanissara, Pallegama Siriniwasa, Puwakpitiye Mettananda, Kamburupitiye Nandaratana, Pallattara Sumanajothi, and a host of other renowned prelates and Bana-preachers well versed in the Dhamma and all their contributions add food for thought to reflect on the Teachings of the Buddha for the well-being of mankind and to ascend step by step to practise the Dhamma to keep abreast to the Buddha's admonition "Sunatha, Dharetha, Charatha Dhammo" (listen, contemplate, practise, the Dhamma).

The publication of the "Dharma Deshana Mala" by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon (ANCL) is not only a handy annual compendium of Buddhist thought for readers who can read, re-read and digest those invaluable contents therein but also a Gift of the Dhamma that excels all other Gifts "(Sabba Dhanam Dhamma Dhanam Jinathi)"

Traditional Flags of Sri Lanka
Author - Dr. Mirando Obeysekere
Publishers - The Cultural Development Organisation, Madipola
Reviewed by R. M. A. B. Dassanayake

With the exception of the popularly known National Flag and the Buddhist Flag, most of us have only a hazy notion of the host of other traditional flags, pennants, and standards that had added colour and prestige to our cultural heritage. Some of us have not seen or even heard of the vast number and variety of our ancient flags which had been used and exhibited on ceremonial and religious occasions by our forefathers - from time immemorial.

Besides the important national and religious flags there had been various others designed and created to identify and uphold the significance of the different provinces, districts, status of the chieftains, royal personages and certain prominent sectors of the caste system that held sway and authority in different parts of our land. Some of these are now in oblivion or non-existent today.

With a view to disseminating some awareness among the discerning readers and students in our midst, Dr. Mirando Obeysekere, that eminent but gracefully quiet writer and researcher of our historical heritage and anthropology has delved deep into the misty past and unearthed fascinating data relating to the varied distinctive features of some of the wide variety of our traditional flags and pennants.

The above captioned book running into hundred pages is a bilingual compilation - English/Sinhala, with appropriate illustrations - in facsimile form - of 64 kinds of flags and standards. It is the latest addition to a series of the author's research publications of historical interest connected mostly with our national heritage ranging from pre-historic to medieval and present times.

In his preface to the book - which he calls "Few words from the author" - Dr. Obeysekere points out that - "The history of Sri Lankan flags is more interesting than the exploits of kings and warriors."

With his abiding interest and knack for researching hitherto unknown source material - Dr. Obeysekere has presented an assortment of 64 traditional flags associated with various provinces, districts, villages, temples, devales, deities, chieftains and some prominent personalities.

Tracing origins and the historical background of all such flags the author specifically points out that one of the oldest flags in the world was the Ravana flag that existed from prehistoric times. Depicted thereon is the prototype figure of King Ravana himself - with his crowned head and a bow and an arrow in his hands.

Long before Vijaya aimlessly drifted to the Lankan shores, Ravana had been the ancestral king and overlord of Lanka in keeping with some pre-historic revelations presented by Dr. Obeysekere in another of his earlier research publication.

This school of thought although of a revolutionary streak has been buttressed by some other scholars and thinkers of the intellectual domain.

The author makes special mention of the fact that Lanka had been a unitary state from time immemorial. The district flags of Jaffna, Mannar, Batticaloa and Trincomalee are quoted as evidence of a categorical formulation inclusive of those of other districts designed and created by the ancient ruling hierarchy.

Pride of place in many of these traditional flags was given to those that depicted the prototypes of the lion, elephant and the sun and moon.

There was also a flag carrying an elephant-headed lion bodied combination figure - the Gajasinha emblem. The horse, leopard and the bear too were symbolised on certain other flags.

Figures such as the swan, peacock, eagle, cockbird and hooded cobra were some of the other emblems carried on sectarian and community flags. Of inanimate objects, the lotus flower and the conch shell had pride of place on certain other flags.

Dr. Obeysekere has taken care to include in his list of traditional flags, the modern day flag of the first and foremost President of Sri Lanka - personal flag of the late J. R. Jayewardene which carries on its centre the wheel of eightfold law - the Buddhist Asthaloka Dharma Chackra along with the Sinhala letter Jaya on the four corners. Almost all the flags and standards dealt with in the book are reproduced both in colour and black and white illustrations.

Sri Lanka Thillaka Dr. Mirando Obeysekere who is himself a hereditary scion of an aristocratic clan - Atadahe Watte Maha Walawwa, Kathaluwa Ahangama - apparently has a family flag of his own - whereupon are depicted two crossed swords with a chieftain's headgear on top and the sun and moon on either side.

It would not be out of place to mention herein the fact that high tributes have been paid to Dr. Obeysekere for his scholarly contributions to the cause of historical research and Sinhala literary uplift by the following scholars and men of letters - among a number of others - Professors Carl David, Carl Mackency, Charles Mark Denham all of USA and retired High Court Judge W. T. A. Leslie Fernando.

One drawback a critic or reviewer comes across in going through the fund of informative revelations is the unfortunate lack of a neat and clear print in some parts of the book.