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Vesak Sirisara

Review by Sita Arunathavanathan

The 68th issue of the 'Vesak Sirisara' edited by Rajah Kuruppu and published by P. B. Weragoda at Vesak 2003 is an unique journal for many reasons. Firstly, it is the only tri-lingual Buddhist journal and secondly many famous writers, both at national and international level have contributed articles of immense value which facilitate readers to understand Buddhism in its correct perspective, in a lighter vein.

As usual 2003 issue of the 'Vesak Sirisara' starts with a message from the President. It says, '...decline in morality and debasement of society' would naturally improve if people fashion their lives on the code of Buddhist conduct and obey the laws of the land for one's own good and the good of others". This is followed by a message from the Prime Minister who stressed the national theme of this year's Vesak celebrations - "He who lives by the Dhamma is protected by the Dhamma and the programmes implemented at home and abroad in conformity with the teachings of the Buddha".

Mrs. K. Jayawardena's "few words" on the part played by her late husband, H. P. Jayawardena in editing 'Vesak Sirisara' from 1935 reveal with what dedication he set about this Trojan task. May he attain Nibbana for the noble role he played in establishing Vesak Sirisara on a sound footing. His nephew, Deepal Jayawardena deserves a word of thanks for the cover story.

The appreciation of Deshabandu Alec Robertson's contribution to Buddhism by Rajah Kuruppu shows the immense role played by Mr. Robertson in propagating the Dhamma, although he was not born a Buddhist. May his noble life be an example to all Buddhists. Publisher's Note by P. B. Weragoda gives a comprehensive history of the 'Vesak Sirisara' since the Government Services Buddhist Association took over its publication.

The first article, "Dhamma without Rebirth" by Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi has revealed how some modern thinkers dispute the time - honoured Buddhist doctrine of re-birth. He has amply discussed that the first factor of the Noble Eightfold Path, Right View, is the right Understanding of Kamma and re-birth at supra-mundane level. Prof. P. D. Premasiri's article on "The Buddhist goal of Nibbana" convinces the reader clearly that according to the Buddha Nibbana is attainable in this very life and he shows the social implications involved with it here and now.

Lama Zopa Kinpoce's "Eliminating Anger" is a valuable article because we all get angry. He has shown us the technique to get rid of it or eliminate it wholesale. "Mediation Methods and Benefits" by Ven. Madawala Upali is a comprehensive article starting with the dawn of meditation about 3000 years ago, explaining the method of doing it, why everyone regardless of age, sex, status etc. should meditate, benefits accruing from it at mundane and supra mundane levels, types of meditation and so on. Although the article runs only to five and half pages, it can be reckoned as a full-fledged compendium on meditation, especially for the beginners.

"Let Go" by Tudor Senanayake is indeed a valuable and instructive article which shows that driven by greed in our 'Samsaric' journey, "We think that in our attachments we will find happiness and fulfilment but on the contrary, Buddha teaches us that our attachments are the roots of our sufferings - and bring us frustration and dissatisfaction".

D. Saddhasena has illustrated very clearly the Difference Between Punna and Kusala in his article under this caption. very many Buddhists have only a hazy idea of these two terms. He has explained very lucidly that Kusala leads to the spiritual bliss of Nibbana whereas Punna leads to sensuous enjoyment and happiness here and hereafter but not to liberation.

Ven. bhikkhu Prof. Dhammavihari's article, on 'Environmental Issues from the Perspective of Buddhist Ethnics' drives home the fact that as Buddhists we have to address our mind to the environmental exploitation genuinely because we do not believe in a Creator God. We have "to look upon our own human community with all other life and life-like processes in all these eco-systems as part of total unity." The Ven. Professor has explained quite convincingly that the Buddhist attitude should be "Nature to enrich human life and not humans to destroy nature."

'Buddhist Evaluation of Motherhood' contributed by A. G. S. Kariyawasam unfolds the duties of a good Buddhist mother. Her unique contribution to the healthy development of the family peace, mutual affection among its members etc. mentioned by him should be chewed and digested by every mother and mother to be, Buddhist or otherwise, who wishes to be a symbol of sacred motherhood.

Asoka Devendra has taken a scientific stand in his article on "The Saga of Gods - a Critique" dealing with the concept of Gods and beliefs coming down from the earliest stages of mankind by adducing results of scientific research to prove his arguments. It is a very educative article in which he has unfolded various facts to show that well-known civilisations of the past were polytheistic as opposed to the modern mono-theistic faiths of recent origin, 'Belief in a Creator God' by Dr. Susunaga Weeraperuma is also a cleverly written article on the same theme, challenging the belief in a Creator God. D. Amarasiri Weeraratne's 'Buddhism and the Problem of Suffering" is another interesting article. The writer has made an in-depth study of the concept of suffering from Socrates and Homer downwards. Next he has shown instances from the Old Testament to explain the Christian aspect of this universal malady of suffering. Finally he has explained the problem of suffering satisfactorily solved in Buddhism by the Doctrine of Karma and Rebirth.

Barbara Crosette, although a foreigner, has given a vivid account of Sanghamitta Theri in her article by this name.

The historical account of the bringing of the branch of the Bo-Tree under which Buddha attained Supreme Buddhahood is worthy of comment. She laments"....the fact that we do not know very much about Sanghamitta is totally unremarkable..."

Asoka Jayasinghe's "Anatta, No self and Re-birth" is a highly informative article on this knotty problem. He has taken much pain to present his viewpoint quoting from both the Suttas and Abhidamma, in addition to facts unfolded by eminent writers. Dr. D. P. Athukorala's "Should Buddhist be vegetarians" reveals many important facts on the topic.

He stresses that Buddhists with a sense of mercy should not encourage animal slaughter, even in our minds. After a very convincing explanation as to why Buddhists should be vegetarians, he appeals to the Buddhist monks to launch a drive for vegetarianism.

T. B. Ratnayake's, "The Universal Appeal of Buddhism" which enumerates seven points declared by Venerable Anuruddha on reflecting on the Dhamma creates a sublime and an ethereal sense of the Dhamma in the reader, too. He has very cleverly proved that "many intellectuals have realised that Buddhism is more realistic than many other religions."

Dr. (Mrs) Merlin Peiris's "The Ethnical Foundation of Jataka Stories" has brought out the moral values portrayed in many Jatakas and shown how this moral code could be utilised to live in harmony in accordance with Buddhist ethics. Prof. Nandasena Mudiyanse has illustrated by means of a story how Right Effort could help one to realise Nibbana in this very life by his article "Misery overcome by Right Efforts". Rajah Kuruppu's article on "Importance of the Meditation on the Breath" gives a comprehensive account useful to the beginners and to those already engrossed in it as well.

His clever description of Buddha meditating on Anapana Sati meditation even at the time he attained Enlightenment encourages its practice. The writer's account from the very posture to adopt in this particular meditation, benefits accruing from it, its value for good health and its universality make the article more valuable.

The poems contributed to the journal - U. Karunatilleke's "Nirvana", Silence of Samadhi by Thilak Gunawardena, Chandra Wickramasinghe's "Mother", "Death the only Certainty" by D. I. Fernando, "The Enlightened One" by Irene Abeysekera are very well composed poems inspiring much faith. Ambapali by Kamal Premadasa deserves a special comment. He has portrayed in elegant language her beauty, "The features upon her visage - were seeming chiselled into sharpness of finery - By a sculptor celestial", He has next described her lax life as a courtesan "by no means by her own volition - but by virtual importunity" and finally her attainment of Arahathood, each stage being brought out very poignantly.

In conclusion, I would like to pay a tribute to Rajah Kuruppu and P. B. Weragoda, the Editor and Publisher respectively of Vesak Sirisara for their painstaking effort to bring out this Journal for the 68th year in succession.

The Journal containing multi-faceted articles on Buddhism stands out more as a compendium than a mere Buddhist Journal.

May the Editor, publisher, contributors of articles, donors and the Publication Committee be blessed by the Triple Gem to continue with this valuable journal for many more years to come.

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