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by Richard de Silva

A note sent to the Minister of Plantation Industries, Lakshman Kiriella by an elderly lady spending the evening of her life in a Home for Elders moved me.

She wrote, "I am a Christian by faith. I am all-alone in this world. The project you have undertaken to provide a home for the elderly and ailing bhikkhus has a relevance not only to my existence but also to that of my religion. I am very old and ailing, so are most of the inmates here. When I entered this 'Home' I parted with half of the money I saved throughout my life by donating it to this elders home which has looked after me so dedicatedly. I am so grateful for it and the staff. I have some money still left with me and I feel that I have a very short time more to live, Therefore, can I send this money as a subscription towards this Centre for Elderly and Ailing Bhikkhus. If so please advertise the relevant bank account number to which I could credit the money. It would help others like me." I remain anonymous.

The relevance she is speaking of in this context is the suffering in illness and old age. According to Lord Buddha, birth is suffering, living is suffering and death is suffering. So she has found the correct expression and relevance. The relevance to modern life and its problems is essential to the expression of man's inner thoughts. This lady's note and her willingness to part with may be a few thousand rupees as a donation to make this National Centre a reality is relevant to Christian charity and the Buddhist concept of 'dana'.

This noble idea of creating a National Centre for Elderly and ailing Bhikkus was conceived by Dr. Rev. Deltota Dhammajothi and the Minister of Plantation Industries, Lakshman Kiriella, and they gave expression to it when Power and Energy Minister, Karu Jayasuriya provided electricity to Badrawathie Chaitya at 'Galaha at the request of Minister Kiriella on 19th May 2002 according to his personal assistant, D.W.K. Liyanage who was present on that occasion.

Explaining the birth of this idea Mr. Liyanage said that the Badrawathie Chaitya premises and the landscape surrounding it was so serene and beautiful that it was an ideal place for elderly Bhikkhus to retreat and spend the rest of their lives enjoying this salubrious and cool climate.

This area with orange flamboyant petals littering the paths providing a riot of bright colours against the whitewashed walls of Badrawathie temple will be most suitable to those bhikkhus who have dedicated their whole lives to the spread of dhamma and guiding of people.

Both Dr. Rev. Dhammajothi and Minister Kiriella expressed their idea to Minister Karu Jayasuriya who promptly endorsed it and wanted everyone to go ahead to implement this grand plan. Subsequently, a committee was formed with Dr. Ven. Dhammajothi as the Chief Co-ordinator and Minister Kiriella as chief organiser.

At a meeting of the committee held on August 26th, the project took off after examining the blue prints and approving the implementation of the project plan.

At the meeting of this organising committee held at Charikaramaya at Wijerama Mawatha Colombo 7, presided over by the Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya chapter Ven. Udugama Buddharikkitha Thera on 26th August 2002, the project was finalised. With the participation of four cabinet ministers, the Mahanayake Theras of 3 nikayas, chairmen of several commercial establishments and leading business magnates, various decisions in respect of financial matters and medical facilities to bhikkus were taken.

The Minister of Power & Energy, Karu Jayasuriya examining the blue prints of the National Centre for Elderly Bhikkus said that they all were really happy that their dream is becoming a reality very soon. While the 1st stage of the project would cost over Rs. 25 million, the second stage is expected to cost more.

He further said, "Finance will be totally managed by the Public Trustee. Free of party politics anyone can assist this project. We appreciate the keen enthusiasm displayed by Plantation Industries Minister, Lakshman Kiriella, Buddasasana Minister W.J.M. Loku Bandara, Education Minister, Karunasena Kodituwakku". At this stage S.M. Mudiyanse (father of the chief co-ordinator Ven. Dhammajothi Thera) donated an acre of land at Galaha for this bhikku centre.

Dhammajothi Thera addressing the meeting thanked the business magnates, chairmen of companies, trade chambers and other citizens who were present and those who had donated generously towards this meritorious task. He also thanked Plantation Industries Minister, Lakshman Kiriella for organising this important meeting. The Thero added that the land his father donated for the bhikkhu centre was close to Badrawathie Vihara at Galaha.

He said that they all are grateful to the Mahanayake Theras of the three nikayas and the four Cabinet ministers for gracing the occasion.

Ven. Maddhihe Pagnaseeha Mahanayake Thera of the Amarapura Nikaya, Ven. Wewaldeniye Medalankara Mahanayake Thera of Ramannya Nikaya and Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkita Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter of the Siyam Nikaya meeting at one table with four Cabinet ministers was a rare event, he added.

He concluded, "The organising committee welcomes the participation of anyone in this noble cause free of party politics. We appreciate their generous contribution towards this worthy project". This National Centre which is to be administered by the State is a fitting tribute to these bhikkhus who have devoted their whole lives in preaching the teachings of the Buddha and leading the followers on the correct path.

These elderly and ailing bhikkhus have also dedicated their lives to reduce human suffering as Buddha Dhamma had taught them, and we must be eternally grateful to them. Let this national centre be a symbol of such gratitude.

Even during Lord Buddha's time there was no centre or Home for elderly or ailing bhikkhus. Three days before his death he knew the exact date and time he would pass away. He made it known to those who were around him. The day before he passed away he retreated to King Mallawa's Sal-Uyana in the city of Kusinara where the King had made lofty bedding with silk linen for him to lie down and spend the few last hours advising and chatting to those who had flocked there to pay their respects.

If there was a centre or a Home for the Buddhist clergy to retire in their old age at that time, Lord Buddha would have retreated to it when he felt the approaching death. The need for such a centre was there even at that time. A clinic with full medical facilities and visiting doctors in attendance will be provided for the special care of the ailing bhikkhus at this national centre, according to Minister Kiriella.

The organising of this clinic and specialist treatment to the needy bhikkhus have been entrusted to Dhesbandu H.K. Dharmadasa, Chairman of Nawaloka Group of Companies.

Lord Buddha's last words before he passed away is of great relevance to everyone in this world. "Everything is impermanent. Everything is subjected to change. All possessions are subjected to destruction. Therefore, you be a bright guiding light to your own self. These words were uttered to all the old and young bhikkhus who gathered around his bed just before he breathed his last.

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