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| Friday, 14 March 2003 |
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Answers to modern trends of philosophical thinking Budusamaye Sarvakalina Agaya (The eternal value of Buddhism)
The most glorious period in Buddhist history is that of Emperor Asoka who attempted to install a religious society (dharmarajya) in India. However, it is not our intention to summarise the contents of this book under review but to enlighten the reading public of its usefulness for an understanding of the everlasting value of Buddhist teachings. The teachings of the Buddha which date back to about 6th to 5th centuries B.C., are of an eternal value, that is to say, they are unquestionably valid for the past, present and the future. The social problems which existed in the pre-Christian Era could be handled successfully at that time with the aid of these teachings. They are equally valid for the present day world which has advanced by leaps and bounds in technological and scientific achievements. The aim of Reggie Weeraman has been to analyse the material available in ancient literary works from the standpoint of a psychiatrist. What the reader mostly finds in this publication is a record of his noteworthy findings. In the foreword, the reader comes across nearly fifty sayings which may be identified with the teachings of the Buddha. A few of these have been studied in detail in keeping with modern trends of philosophical thinking. The rest has been mentioned in brief and in outline. In the first chapter, the author deals with several important characteristics of our spiritual heritage to which we have become owners through the passage of centuries. Other chapters consists of the results of independent thinking of the author who claims to have freed himself from the bonds of tradition. In this attempt the reader notices an escape from conventional methods resorted to by the average scholar. Early Buddhist literature is of exceptional value for research purposes and for reinforcing the analytical skills of the reader who has experienced some spiritual culture. The author should be congratulated for attempting a dissertation of this nature, which is certainly a useful addition to the already existing literature on Buddhist thought. ############ Thought provoking sermons Trust & Obey
This edition is made up of ten thought provoking sermons preached by Hilary in keeping with Richard Whateley's advice, "Preach not because you have to say something, but because you have something to say." The first five sermons deal with trust in God whilst the other five are based on obedience to God, all of which are supported by biblical quotations and relevant illustrations that assist the reader towards a new understanding of the subject matter. The characteristic manner in which Hilary preaches continues in his writing as found in this book, where he sets out soul stirring, reflectively inspiring sermons in a very simple and easy to understand language. The inclusion of poignant, down to earth, real life stories does help the reader to relate his own experience to the sermons. Through all this he has been able to appeal to the young and old alike, merely because great theological themes have been presented in the simplest of terms and with clarity of thought and sincerity. The books contains just 84 pages, is easy to handle, with a print and paper that is easy on the eye. It succeeds in arresting the attention of the reader so much so that when one commences reading the book, one is not inclined to put it down until it's finished. In the introduction to the book written by Rev. Noel Fernando, the President of the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka states that, "Hilary has the rare quality of being sensitive to the needs of the people and is able to touch the hearts of the congregation. His motivation and commitment are evident in all his sermons." A shy, unassuming person, Hilary has introduced an excellent book to the bookstalls very silently, without any fanfare and elaborate launching ceremonies. This book would not have been a success if not for God's hand working through it. I remember the words of the Psalmist: "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who built it, labour in vain." - Richard Dwight ############ Maritime reference in e book format Maritime Reference Work published in new book format, BI - British India Steam Navigation Company Limited by W. A. Laxon and F. W. Perry. Thirty years after the demise of one of Britain's biggest shipowners - British India Steam Navigation - a major work of reference on the company and its ships is being published in electronic format. The new edition of 'Laxon & Perry' which has become the bible of the fleet which was known throughout eastern waters, contains updates by the surviving co-author Bill Laxon, a leading authority on merchant shipping companies of the period. Publisher Ninety North believes it is one of the first maritime reference ebooks published in the UK, if not the English-speaking world. Bound in PDF files, the ebook contains added material including additional photographs and a foreword by the present Earl of Inchcape, whose family name was tied so closely to that of BI and P&O. It was the first Inchcape - formerly James Lyle Mackay - who cleverly engineered the merger of BI and P&O interests in 1914, leaving him as founding chairman of the combine and BI to become, in many people's minds at least, 'Inchcape's Navy; British India SN went on to reach its shipowning zenith in the early 1920s when the fleet numbered more than 160 vessels of 830,000 tons gross. After that, the decline was almost continuous but even in 1970, just before BI was totally absorbed into P&O and lost its identity, the fleet was still nearly 50-strong. The company traced its history back to 1856. From that year through to the company's demise in 1972. there was barely a year when BI was not building or acquiring new tonnage. New technology has made possible the publication of Laxon & Perry in this novel format. The book is contained on a CD and the files are sealed until the user acquires and pays for access. Once open, the files are searchable so that any word or name can be found. The disc also contains an audio introduction by Bill Laxon and a short slide show of some interesting BI ships. The new edition contains all the ships' particulars, text and pictures of the original printed version, comprising several chapters and essays on BI's history and services, plus details of the 700 ships which BI owned or managed during its 116-year existence. |
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Produced by Lake House |
The author Reggie Weeraman, a presidential award winner and a well-
known writer, has taken upon himself the task of evaluating the effects of
Buddhism on the private individual as well as on society as a whole. This
is a subject which needs careful handling as it involves a sound knowledge
of Buddhism and its history in Sri Lanka as well as in other parts of the
world.
Accountancy and preaching God's word may to some appear as two distinct
extremes. But not to Hilary Fernando, a Fellow Member of the Chartered
Institute of Management Accountants (UK) and a local preacher of the
Methodist Church in Sri Lanka, who firmly believes that all things matter
to God and quite rightly has brought to bear his experience and knowledge
gained in both fields and yet others in most apt and reassuring book
titled, "Trust & Obey".
