Two seats of wisdom

Rev. Fr. Dr. Leopold Ratnasekera

Continued from May 30

This is the written heritage of Buddhism from which succeeding generations of laity and the Monks draw inspiration for their lives. Since these are the unique achievements of the Buddha, all devoted Buddhists take refuge in the Buddha as teacher and his Dhamma as liberating doctrine.

The Dhamma is immortal and can never be changed even by a Buddha. It is the eternal law.

One can only discover it and realise it in one’s life. The Law of Dhamma has been there even before historical Gautama discovered it. It is valid for all ages.

It is the power of Dhamma that brings in the wisdom needed for liberation: freedom from sorrow and all its causes leading to the state of contentment and happiness, the moral absolute that is Nibbana. Buddhism therefore is a practical wisdom dealing with the conditions that vex the human condition as experienced universally by all human beings.

No wonder, the highest tier of the path is categorised as “Panna” or wisdom in its two aspects of right vision and understanding that help maintain the mental activity and the moral conduct of man in a wholesome and right way.

The Bible has several books called the wisdom books that draw from the sapiential current of thought. Some of these texts are not of biblical origin but incorporated into the corpus of the Old Testament as reflecting the qualities of wisdom and thus inculturated into the religious thought of the Bible.

Of course, in the Bible all wisdom comes from God and it is cast sometimes as the consort of God who looks for lovers, who would fall in love with her and thereby truly turn into people of wisdom earning God’s blessing and knowledge. This wisdom current appearing in the New Testament sees Jesus Christ as God’s power and wisdom in contrast with human wisdom in comparison with which, it is wiser.

The wisdom is identified with God’s revelation shining in the light of the cross of Christ, which is the immense sign of love and self-sacrifice for the good of others. In the mystery of Jesus Christ the God-Man, incarnate, tempted, crucified but risen, is perceived the revelation of the secrets which no eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor the human heart conceived, prepared by God for those who love him.

No early preacher or writer of the early Church shies away from the fact that the paradox of the cross is the wisdom of God.

This wisdom can be perceived only by those led by the spirit of God and not by that of the world. This wisdom by far outdoes the wisdom and knowledge the Greek philosophers were searching for in their love for it whilst wishing to go to the root cause of things delving deeper into what is at the core of the phenomenal world. Some indeed saw it either in permanence like Parmenides or change like Heraclitus.

When we study extensively the discourses and the actions of Jesus during his days of ministry on earth, we see him disclosing the secrets of God’s kingdom to his twelve disciples. He does not fail to disclose to them the impending event of his death on a cross which is the final phase of his rejection and condemnation.

Even in the midst of the miracles he performs such as feeding the thousands in the mountains, raising the dead, driving evil spirits from people who are oppressed by them, the shadow of his impending passion is still there. The drama of his passion is the “hour” to which he is looking forward as the moment of fulfilment of his life’s mission. Till such time dawns no harm ever strikes him.

He has already received illumination at the waters of the Jordan where he received baptism. Now it is a question of being led by this enlightenment unfolded in the mystery of his life: the way of the cross and the glory of the Risen state from death.

Very profound truths are taught in very simple stories and parables. Those of the prodigal son, the lost sheep, the good samaritain, the good shepherd and the sower are some of the most beautiful religious teachings that the world has ever heard. They are about forgiveness and caring.

The forgiveness imparted to the adulterous woman, the way life was changed for the woman at the well or Samaria, the way the feet were washed at the last supper held by Jesus, the manner in which the storm at sea was calmed to a whisper, the healing of the blind man in Jericho are scenes in the life of Jesus that would touch even the die-hard materialist who is immune to all that is spiritual.

In Buddhist terms these parables and acts of Jesus Christ resonate with loving-kindness (Metta) and compassion (Karuna). The wisdom comes not from human search and effort, however noble and painstaking that quest can be, but from somewhere beyond, the source of which is identified as the Spirit of God.

It is illumination from a divine source and not a result of some profound meditation or contemplation. A human being can be open to the Spirit with his mind and heart renewed. In this sense, the baptism of a Christian is seen by ancient authors also as an enlightenment or illumination, where people will grow into a new self- understanding and the world around them from which their destiny begins.

The wisdom in the Christian way of living is to die to one’s sinful inclinations born of selfishness, bury them forever and rise to a new life in Christ bearing his qualities, especially of unbounded charity and compassion.

Wisdom also consists in not giving in to the spirit of the world, though we have to live in it, our short span of life. We must overcome its spirit by selflessness and avoiding all forms of immoral behaviour that contravene the law of the spirit. It is against the law of the flesh that one has to fight.

In the same way as the Buddha taught the Eight-Fold Path of the Fourth Noble Truth of the Dhamma, Jesus Christ too presented to the world the truths of the “sermon on the mount” which truly would lead to a spiritual revolution if practiced with consistency.

There he declared blessed the poor in spirit, the meek, humble, those who suffer for the sake of truth and justice, the pure of heart and those persecuted for their spirit of faith. Such folk will truly be the salt of the earth and leaven of society ushering in a new world.

In the history of religions, the sermon on the mount or the discourse on the eight Beatitudes is seen as one of the master-pieces of spirituality and a doctrine about the path to social transformation.

It is truly a Christian eight-fold path to happiness and contentment, a beautiful code of moral conduct and spiritual fulfilment. Sri Lanka, the pure land of Theravada Buddhism, the custodian of the Dhamma as the Buddha taught and appropriating to itself the first Pali canon written at Aluvihare, has also inherited the spiritual insights of the Christian religion, even as early as the 2AD.

It is not an idea, an ideology or a utopia that is at the core of both these religious traditions. They enshrine two historical personages who had to go through their life struggles as human beings to achieve victory over evil and its causes.

Spiritual ignorance is at the bottom of our precariously buffeted human existence and its anguish. Be it the law of kamma or the law of sin, the way out of these tragedies was revealed to us by these two great luminaries.

Living as enlightened persons or living in the spirit demands a basic ethical morality of the discipline of the senses and mental purity and open to transcendence beyond this world of impermanence.

This orientation has been insisted upon by our two religious founders. It is well explained by all who later committed the oral tradition of the founders into writing and also by the later commentators and writers.

Even as the eminent commentator of 5th century BC, Bhadantacariya Buddhaghosa Thera with his classical text “Visuddhimagga” (the Path of Purification) gave a meticulous analysis in his study of the way of moral perfection based on the teaching of the Buddha, so it was that early Christian writers like Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, Augustine and in the medieval ages Thomas Aquinas, delved into the intricacies of the wisdom of the Gospels that contained the first written records of the oral tradition preserving the preaching of Christ and his disciples.

Buddhism and Christianity are veritable currents of spiritual wisdom that have shaped the thinking and behavior of millions since the time they appeared in the history of religions and particularly, in the Asian civilisation. Both these currents are forms of eastern wisdom and Asian to the core.

They place great emphasis on the contemplative nature of the religious spirit of the Asian thought and the need of detachment from things that are worldly, material and sensual, allowing the mind and the heart to rise to their noble levels.

The Buddha has walked the path of wisdom (gnosis) that included loving-kindness and compassion. Christ walked the path of love (agape) until the end, which became for us the wisdom of God shining from the cross of sacrifice. Both of them are truly masters of wisdom in bringing the notion of transcendence into human existence and teaching us ways and means of attaining it without being trapped in this-worldly illusions.

Buddhist dhamma teaches the attaining of happiness and freedom by one’s own effort through enlightenment, while Christian spirituality affirms the need of God’s grace and man’s cooperation with divine action, to be led out of sin to salvation along the path of the cross and the Resurrection.

In both happiness is reached through a profound spiritual experience away from allurements to sensuality and exploiting the avenues of the mind and the spirit through a life of virtue which needs either the support of other-worldly wisdom or that of grace.

-------------------------------------

YMCA celebrates Founder’s Day and 125th anniversary

FOUNDER’SDAY: YMCAs around the world celebrate the Founder’s Day in June and uniquely for Sri Lanka the month of June calls for two events to celebrate. In addition to the Founder’s Day, the Sri Lanka YMCAs celebrate this month the 125th year anniversary of the movement in Sri Lanka.

Special events have been planned to mark these occasions.

The Flag Week in Colombo was inaugurated by the Archbishop most Reverend Dr. Oswald Gomis, one of YMCAs patrons who received the first flag. Regional YMCAs will commence the Flag Week by selling the first flag to their area dignitaries.

The Colombo YMCA which was founded in 1882 still stands proudly as a light house and a house of peace and recreation for many thousands helping to develop their body, mind and spirit. The Jaffna College YMCA, established in 1884 is proud to be the first student YMCA in Asia.

Several other YMCAs in Sri Lanka can be added to this rank having reached their centenary, which feat is proudly remembered by it members.

History of YMCA Movement: Sir George William at the age of 25, to emancipate the ordinary working youths from their sad social situation, founded the first YMCA in 1884 in London. YMCA became an ecumenical international youth movement that has rendered yeoman service to humanity, mainly to youth, for the past 161 years. YMCAs around the world are strongly supported by the World Alliance of YMCAs (WAY), established in 1855 and operating from Geneva.

Immediately after Tsunami YMCA embarked on several relief programmes for the families affected by the Tsunamis. Having completed immediate relief and short term relief programmes, now the one of the long term relief programmes, Housing for Tsunami Victims is coming to an end.

YMCAs Tsunami Response Task Committee which was responsible for the long term initiatives is headed by Eraj Wijesinghe. Under the supervision of this committee in addition to Community Centres and Recreational Centres built around the country 109 Tsunami houses were constructed and 99 are almost completed.

At the recently held 42nd AGM of Sri Lanka YMCA attended by more than 100 delegates from the 38 affiliates, the following office-bearers and the executive committee were unanimously elected:

Ravi Algama (President), S.T. Thoumiyan, Peter Jasinghe (Vice Presidents), A.P. Jayanthakumar (Treasurer).

Members: P.D. Thambipillai (Trincomalee), Kishan Gunawardena (Dehiwala), Nimal Dias (Moratuwa), Sriyantha Senaratne (Colombo), Sunil Wanigathunga (Dehiwala), Eraj Wijesinghe (Nugegoda), J.I. Thambirajah (Navaly), S.D.T. Ruckmal Ranasnghe (Dehiwala), Christy Antony (Batticaloa), Felician Francis (Baticaloa), Kevin Randol (Badulla), W. Laksitha Fernando (Kandy).

-------------------------------------

Ten Commandments:

Unifying laws for Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Tuan Rasool

Continued from May 30

This practice of having multiple unwed partners (in search of a better future spouse!) and infidelity have contributed to moral decay to the extent that some Western governments allow gay “marriages” and prostitution under the misguided notion of freedom at any cost.

Breakdown in moral codes comes in small changes and is evolutionary. God warns, “You shall not commit adultery. Surely it is a shameful deed and an evil way (opening the door to other evils)” (Al-Qur’an 17:32).

Adultery has opened the door for gays, lesbians, and pedophiles to display their deviant selfish behaviours, and also brought about the corruption of our youths and children. The nature of adultery is such that it always leads to greater immorality.

The Eighth Commandment

“You shall not steal.” (Bible, Exodus 20, 15)

The Islamic punishment for thievery, murder, and rape is well known. It is based on the premise that you pay for the crimes now or pay a bigger price later in your next life.

The fear of the Islamic system of justice and its deterrence effect has the potential to subdue rampant crimes which has gripped our society. Unfortunately, the current system of crime fighting has created the biggest industry (law enforcement, judicial system, jail system, etc.) in the world.

The economic burden of crime-fighting industry to contain crime is staggering with appalling returns. Sadly, a few miscreants (like terrorists, murderers, rapists, robbers, etc) have burdened the taxpayers and created a culture of fear among majority of law-abiding citizens - it’s a bad deal. The current legal system (as opposed to justice system) of containment is not effective.

Under the current bankrupt legal systems, the honest citizens are often victimized twice - financially and forced to live in an environment of fear and intimidation.

-------------------------------------

The Holy Quran - a unique book in Islam

Kalabooshanam M. Y. M. Meeadh

UNIQUE BOOK: All Muslims believe that the Holy Quran is a unique book which contains the exact words of Allah - Subhanhu wa Ta’ala (which is a declaration of His absolute perfection, glory and purity, and His exaltation far above and beyond the level of human or any other being or creation).

His words were revealed verbatim through the angelic voice of Jibrail (Gabriel) Alaihissalam, and are perfect in every syllable and every sentence. The Holy Quran is the only book of unadulterated divine guidance available to the public in the form of the literal words of Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Sal) through Angel Jibrail, which were recorded, recited and memorised in the life time of the Prophet (Sal).

The Quran is not only the most sacred book for Muslims but something of much greater significance, being the faithful reproduction of the original writing in heaven of Allah’s own words as recorded in Lawhim Mahfooz (Quran 85:21-22) and now preserved between the two covers of the Holy Quran.

The Quran is also referred to as: (a) Quranul Majeed (the Glorious Quran), (b) Quranash Sharif (Noble Quran), (c) Quranal Karim (Magnanimous Quran), (d) Furqan (Quran - 2:185) - (Distinguisher: the criterion by which truth could be distinguished from falsehood and justice from injustice). The Quran bridges the great divide between right and wrong), (e) Katamullah (word of Allah), (f) At Kitab (the Book) and (g) the Rope of Allah - “And hold fast, all together, by the Rope of Allah, and be not divided among yourselves.” (Quran - 3:103) Prophet Muhammad (Sal) is reported to have said that the Rope of Allah is the Quran (Hadith At Tirmidhi). The rope has millions of tiny fibres which are interwoven to make a strong rope while yet preserving the individual existence and strength of each fibre, thus representing the Muslim Ummah who must hold on to the rope through the Quran.

The Quran is meant not only for us but also for those yet to be born for centuries to come. One of the major subjects of the Quran is man and the objective is Allah. The Quran is to advise and admonish the living (Quran - 36:70).

The dead can neither see, read, listen nor speak; the Quran tells us how to live, how to prepare for the eventual death taking us into another yet eternal life and also gives us a zoom-lens view of the hereafter. Allah reminds us through His own words in the Quran which serves as an oral and aural phenomenon as well as visual and textual duties towards Him.

The purpose of the Quran is to teach man to understand the message of Islam and to instill an awareness in man and impel him to perform deeds of value and virtue. Whatever good or evil deeds, he performs will be entered in a ledger and retained for reckoning.

The Quran is an instruction manual from the manufacturer (Allah) who designed the product (Human being) to give him a lifetime of service and to guide man throughout his journey in his terrestrial existence. If something goes wrong, it will explain how to carry out repairs.

Courtesy: An extract from the book, Further Contemplating Surathul Fathiha