Dr. Mirando Obeysekere
A tribute
All the true cultures are integrative and helpful to the mankind. So
our great men have interpreted the ancient thoughts of our sages and
thinkers and have made it comprehensible to the common man. That is why
our ancient culture from Megalithic era to present day developed for the
betterment of mankind.
It has been our good fortune that in time of need Sri Lanka has
produced many great men in various fields. So it is gratifying to find
an integrated personality such as Dr. Mirando Obeysekere. His life is
simple and varied, every visit to him, every conversation with him is an
enriching experience. This is the feeling of most people who have met
him.
Dr. Mirando Obeysekere is a scholar, poet, writer, freethinker,
anthropologist and a researcher, with his wealth of knowledge and
experience he has written 47 books and 100 research papers for our
country and foreign institutions. Dr. Obeysekere is not a man who
follows the modern technological advancement.
Believe it or not, he never uses a tooth brush to clean his teeth.
Normally he uses a caster stick as his brush to clean the mouth.
He uses home-made medicinal herbs for his mouth. Dr. Obeysekere is
always dressed in ordinary clothes. He tries his best to protect and
safeguard our cultural heritage and especially he loves villagers and
village life. He says the meditation is the only way for liberation.
He said that we had a very illustrious culture prior to all other
Western nations. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's doctrine and liberal and
democratic philosophies of oriental sages have inspired him.
He has an inquiring mind. Dr. Obeysekere says that the 'Ramayana
Kavya' is the only historical book which discusses the truth regarding
ancient Sri Lanka, and Lankapura kingdom. His firm belief is that the
present Sinhala nation is a combination of ancient four ethnic groups
such as, Yakkha, Naga, Deva and Gandhabba. The ritual of worshipping
Sathara Varam gods is a clear indication.
He is a vegetarian and a teetotaller. Although he is an aristocrat by
birth he never underrates anyone regarding caste, colour, class and
other social differences.
He doesn't use modern electronic communication systems such as
telephones, fax, telex and mobile phones as it would be a hindrance to
his research activities and meditation.
I have seen university dons, and various foreigners and people of all
walks are getting his free instructions at his village residence The
Obeysekere Ashram' of Madipola, Matale.
His instructions are perennial. His latest research book titled 'Sri
Lankave Brahmanayo' was released in May 2006.
He is the recipient of Silver Pen Award from the UK.
Ranjani Ratwatte, Secretary, Sadachara Movement.
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