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For one who is in the habit of constantly honouring and respecting elders, four blessings increase - age, beauty, bliss, strength.(Sahassa Vagga - Dhammapada)

Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist studies 

Place for Pali and Buddhist studies

by Senarat Wijayasundara (Visiting Lecturer Buddhist and Pali University)

"Open are the doors to Immortality Let those with ears gain confidence" - The Buddha

It is with these encouraging words the Buddha started His missionary activities. On reading the life of the Buddha we come across the difficulties He had to undergo to gain Enlightenment. As an educated young person He was propelled with the idea to find out the solutions to fundamental problems of life which baffled mankind. Amidst all difficulties he was able to find them.

A lecture session at the Institute

Then it is said that the Mara the evil one who was making things difficult for Him approached and asked why he still continued to live even after winning Enlightenment. The Buddha is recorded to have said that until His discovery to the world was made known by His disciples ordained and lay he would have to keep on. This shows how keen he was to spread his message.

This episode tries to explain the duties of the Buddhist followers. Throughout Buddhist history we come to know that this service has been devotedly followed by the members of the Buddhist Community. That is one of the main reasons that Buddhism began to spread among all civilized nations without recourse to non-religious and unethical means.

It is with the appearance of the Buddha a new system of education evolved. No wonder it was quite different from those systems of education known to then India. The Buddhist education gave prominence to man and it knew no boundaries imposed on him whatsoever. Therefore it was really a solace not only to man but also to all living beings.

Speaking in terms of the official history, it is with the arrival of Ven. Elder Maha Mahinda, this system of Buddhist Education was introduced to Sri Lanka. From that day onwards the Buddhist education continued in the island. Its glory spread far and wide. To name a few for instance foreign scholars like Buddhaghosa and Ramachandra Sri Bharati from India and Fa-hsian from China came to Sri Lanka to pursue higher studies. Even under the foreign rule it managed to survive.

When Sri Lanka regained independence it was considered right that Buddhism be given to enjoy the due place. To cut a long story short, the elevation of two great monastic colleges (i.e., Vidyodaya Pirivena and Vidyalankara Pirivena) was considered to be an action in the right direction. The Postgraduate Institute is a part of Vidyalankara University that was born as a result of emerging Buddhist enthusiasm. Thus under the new set-up, the Vidyalankara University was born in 1975. Originally the Postgraduate Institute was located within the main campus at Dalugama. With the change of name to University of Kelaniya, it began to function as the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies (PGIPBS) of the University of Kelaniya.

The holistic world view of Buddhism contains a comprehensive way of life that can offer solutions to many problems faced by mankind. It is for this reason Buddhism has been rightly recognized as one of the greatest civilizing forces of the world.

Therefore it is very necessary that Buddhists take upon the responsibility of spreading the message of the Buddha. By doing so they in one way are fulfilling their duties envisaged even by the Buddha. In another way they are helping the world by providing it with a satisfactory view of life. This can be done in so many ways.

Individuals on their own can participate in this noble task. At the same time a group of individuals also can make their contribution. And also institutions can be created for that purpose. The Postgraduate Institute which functions under the Kelaniya University also can participate in the much needed task of spreading the word of the Buddha by using all the modern facilities now available to it.

This is the only Postgraduate Institute that is committed to Buddhist Studies in Sri Lanka. Since its inception due to the dedication of those who shouldered the responsibility of the Institute before a long time, it became a centre of excellence for Buddhist Studies in the country.

In the period of less than three decades it began to show the marks of successful development as a centre of excellence for Buddhist Studies at the international level. The Institute is proud to record the happy news that it has gained a position to attract the largest number of foreign students of all the other educational Institutions in Sri Lanka. It is for this reason the tuition fees drawn from these students coming from both Asia and the West easily amount to more than one third of the total annual expenses of the PGIPBS.

The Corporate Plan (2001-2005) issued by the Institute is a document containing the vision, mission and goals of the Institute. It outlines the strategies and programmes of action to be adopted in future to improve and thereby to contribute for the world. It is a well-studied scheme. And we earnestly hope the Institute will have occasion to realize at least a considerable part of the plan if it fails to do so a half. It is hoped that the Institute will expand its activities to meet the future demands.

The Institute at present is conducting a number of Academic Courses. They are the following:

1. Postgraduate Diploma Course (One year/four examination papers 3,000 word essay)

2. Master of Arts Degrees Course (One year/five examination papers 5,000 word essay)

3. Master of Philosophy (Two years/dissertation, two written papers and viva voce examination)

4. Doctor of Philosophy (Three Years/Thesis with viva voce examination)

5. Language Training Courses/in Pali, Sanskrit and other languages selected under consultation.

Administration

The Institute functions under a full time Director. He is responsible for both academic and administrative work.

There are following three Departments:

1. Buddhist Literary Sources, 2. Buddhist Philosophy, 3. Buddhist Culture. Prof. Tilak Kariyawasam BA (Hons. PhD (Lancaster) Director.

Areas of specialisation: Doctrines of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, Buddhalogy, Abhidharma, Buddhist Psychology and Pali.

It is gratifying to note that these courses are in the hands of internationally recognised authorities in their respective areas of study. Here follows a brief account of them:

(1) Ven. K. L. Prof. Dhammajoti (M. Phil. PhD Sri Lanka) Professor and Head of the Dept. of Buddhist Literary Sources. Areas of specialisations: Abhidharma Doctrine, Comparative Study of the Chinese Canon and The Pali Nikayas, Early Indian Mahayana including sources available in Chinese Translation.

(2) Prof. Kapila Abhayawansa (BA Hons. M. Phil. Benares, PhD. Sri Lanka). Professor and Head of Department of Buddhist Culture. Areas of specialisation: History of Western and Eastern Philosophy, Mahayana Buddhist Philosophy and Buddhist Monastic Discipline.

(3) Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne (BA Hons. MA, PhD. Hawaii) Professor and Head of the Dept of Buddhist Philosophy. Areas of specialisation: Buddhist Philosophy of Religion and Language, Buddhist Logic and Social Philosophy of Buddhism.

In addition to the above mentioned three Permanent Heads of Departments, the Institute gets the services of visiting lecturers who are recognised authorities on their special areas from Sri Lanka and abroad.

It must be said that all is not well with the Institute. The Corporate Plan comes out with some of them. The greatest stumbling block for the Institute is that it does not have a permanent building of its own. In the three decades it has been travelling from Dalugama to Nawala. The present residence though the best so far it has had is also not permanent.

And a very large sum of money is spent as rent. It seems the lack of sufficient fund has become a big obstacle for the development of institutions like this. This is a matter for which those who are responsible for higher education must pay their utmost attention. It is advisable for us to be guided by the wisdom of an Indian Sage given as follows:

"Knowledge bestows discipline. Discipline leads to competence. Through competence wealth accrues. And from wealth virtue and hence happiness." The neglect of this piece of advice will be disastrous to the world. On the other hand, time and again one hears the establishment of so many international institutions in Sri Lanka supposed to be devoted to Buddhist higher education. This means that funds that can be pooled are unfortunately scattered.

At the same time one wonders how these institutions are going to get qualified teachers even when there is such a dearth of lecturers at National Universities.

The present Director Prof. Kariyawasam deserves a special word of thanks for his efficient and smooth management of the Institute. As he is well received in the Academic Community he is in a position to get the services of academicians for the Institute. He seems happily attending to both academic and administrative work. It is pleasing to see the members of Academic as well as Non-Academic Staff are cooperating with him to achieve success.

The Institute can be happy about of the present Library as it contains a rich collection of books and periodicals. Since it is a part of the Postgraduate Institute, it has to be improved to be worthy of its name.

The arrangement of the Institute to publish research work done by eminent scholars is commendable. The Journal which the Institute publishes can do much more service if it is planned to appear regularly. By doing so both the scholars and students will be benefited. The seminars and public lectures organised by the Institute are well attended. The audience has a good opinion of them. So the attendance is noteworthy.

Admission to the Institute

At the beginning of every year students are admitted to the courses. Applications have to be submitted at least by the beginning of November. For Research Degrees admission is open throughout the year. The academic year of the Institute is from January to December. For more information the following Nos. can be contacted Tel. (+94 1) 2236894, E-mail: [email protected].

We earnestly hope that the Institute will contribute much to the world!!!

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