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Focus on Books:
Listing socio-religious factors
Prof. Sunanda MAHENDRA
Title: Sankeerna Denumata Sarala Praveshayak
(A simplified guide to
complex knowledge)
Author: Prematilake Perukanda
Page count: 116
Price: Rs. 250
From time to time a number of guides, manuals, handbooks, and
directories appear as containing bits of useful information on matters
relating to religion, society, philosophy and other related subjects.
The Sinhala journalist Prematilake Perukanda who had stayed a few
weeks in a Nepali Buddhist temple had the chance to meet Mahayana
Buddhist monks, and concentrate more on certain aspects of Buddhist
doctrine. Then he has returned to Sri Lankan and stayed a further period
of time in a temple in Anuradhapura.
Buddhism
He had the chance of meeting some more learned monks who helped him
to clarify some of the complex factors relating to Buddhism. As a
disciplined journalist Perukanda kept a notebook where he had jotted
down copious notes in the form of self study guidance. The present
publication is a result of the venture.
The facts and information on his findings, he may not have foreseen
as a publication. But a student and/or a researcher on aspects of
religion, folklore, philosophy may find that the listings culled from
various sources, when compiled into a single volume carries much height
and trouble free function for reference.
What is Buddhism and what are the salient factors embedded in the
doctrine of the Buddha? There is an answer in the first instance,
perhaps traced from such sources as Visuddhimagga (Path of
purification). It would have been quite good if Prematilake had taken
one step further to provide his sources.
Followed by this simplified note the reader is made to know the great
qualities of the Buddha, such as the possession of knowledge, power,
Intuition and the strength of seeing the past present and future.
A further attempt is made to classify the various Buddhist traits
such as Vinaya Sutra and Abhidhamma explaining in simplified form the
contents in each casket. Some popular Buddhist beliefs such as the
existence of non human beings like Pretas have also been explained. The
term Karma (action) in the Buddhist sense is also explained taking into
account the types of karma.
These may be perhaps useful for those laymen who often listen to
sermons. The interest is also shifted to several metaphysical factors,
where the emphasis is laid on thought streams.
The five precepts and other explanations are also cited with
memorable versifications.
Concepts
The three salient factors as explained in Buddhism: dana, Sila and
bhavana, where the various classifications on the concepts are clearly
stated helping the reader to be more knowledgeable and thought
provoking. A person who practices Metta meditation on being
compassionate, enables that very person to sleep well, awake well, ward
off evil dreams, pleasant to others, pleasant to evil beings protection
on the part of gods, prevention from poison fire and other harms,
enables to concentrate enables the face grow pleasant, etc (40pp).
Wherever possible the writer adds a cursory comment or two as further
guidance.
Creation
Most facts and factors are selected from the texts where the names,
terms and concepts recur as popular beliefs, which eventually proceed
into the creation of poems and narratives.
The compiler Perukanda shows more inclination as a theatre enthusiast
where he selects quite a number of terms relating to folk theatrical
activities (101-110 pp). In this venture he also takes liberties to
classify some sociological traits pertaining to castes, creeds, taxes,
punishments, and positions.
It is always good to search and research into areas hidden in
darkness. Perhaps the intention of this compiler Peukanda is observed as
a humble attempt to find more on matters we know a little of. Most of us
feel that we know. But alas! What do we know? This is a possible answer
to that question.
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