The Buddhist channel
Premasara Epasinghe
Television can be defined as a system for reproducing on screen
visual images transmitted, with sound by radio signals. Today, it is one
of the most powerful and popular electronic medium in the world.
It was introduced to Sri Lanka in 1979/1980. Television is
undoubtedly the most powerful mass communication medium. Why is it
powerful and popular? Because, the subject that it communicates goes
directly to each and every home simultaneously. In short, the television
medium captures the entire family at the same time. Therefore, its
impact is enormous.
Enlightening people on peaceful co-existence through Dhamma |
The audio visual contents should in the television can be used for
the betterment as well as to the detriment of society. Most TV channels
in the world give prominence to rouse the five senses.
There were many reports published in the West, after sociological
research studies depictive that violence is detrimental to society. Some
programs that are telecast in Sri Lankan channels are not suitable to
children and young minds.
Therefore, it is very important that our TV Channels give priority in
presenting programs of aesthetic values elevating the artistic
appreciation of the entire family and the society at large. It should be
educative at the end.
Propagating Dhamma
The Buddhist Channel comprises programs on the teachings of the
Buddha. These prestigious educative programs are based on Seela,
Samadhi, and Pragna, Morality, Concentration and Wisdom respectively.
The idea is to inculcate moral, ethical, spiritual values in
individuals. Our thinking and philosophy is to build a truly exemplary
Buddhist Society in our country and to create an international image of
our country. It is with this good intention, the Buddhist channel was
started as the world’s first-one and only Global Satellite Television
Broadcasting Network.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who inaugurated the Buddhist Channel, a
year ago, stated these encouraging words of wisdom.
“One Poson Day, more than 2,000 years ago, Arahat Mahinda Thera, son
of the Great Emperor Asoka of India, brought the message of Buddha and
Dhamma to our island. Today, using modern technology, we can send the
Buddha’s message to the entire world.”
As the President stated it is the ‘Gift of Dhamma’ that Sri Lanka is
eminently qualified to disseminate among the people of the world. as the
Buddha and Dhamma illuminate the way for the mankind to cross from the
world of darkness, hatred, delusion, suffering and conflict into a new
world of light, filled with love, kindness, compassion, peace and
happiness.
This is to be achieved within the next few decades of the 21st
century, making it the catalyst for a new world order of righteousness.
A pious Hindu, Tamil gentleman, Muhundan Kanage, was the owner of CBN
SAT TV Channel (Pvt) Limited. When his company was acquired by Dialog
Television (Pvt) Ltd, he insisted on having a Sri Lankan Buddhist
channel and made arrangements with the new owners to allocate a Buddhist
channel in their package and donated the TV equipment he owned to
Sambodhi Viharaya, Gregory’s Road, Colombo.
The origin
Today, it is part of the religious programming of the Dialog Sat TV,
which is a DTH service given to its subscribers free of charge like the
other religious channels-Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. At the same
time, the SLT Vision Com is also transmitting these Buddhist programs.
The Buddhist channel is still in its infancy. It has not yet fully
established in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankans can view The Buddhist channel programs on TNL for a
couple of hours commencing from 3.00 p.m. daily.
It is not that easy to maintain and administer a TV channel
successfully. I pay a tribute to the producer and the technical staff
and the presenters who perform their duties successfully under difficult
conditions.
The Buddhist Channel is maintained by the members of the Management
Committee of the Sri Sambodhi Viharaya, consisting of men of highest
integrity and honesty.
Further, the generosity of the philanthropist who donates funds to
run the Buddhist channel is highly commendable and appreciated.
According to the production plan, I noticed, that the Buddhist
channel has designed the program content and format that will go on air
daily. They lay special emphasis on the English language, to attract
viewers worldwide. Some of the reputed, best educated, academics and
professionals are regularly invited for the programs.
It is high time that Buddhists should support and extend a helping
hand to expand the facilities of the Buddhist Channel.
As a global centre
They are now planning to start the construction and infrastructure
for this network. The urgent need is to construct a building in Sri
Sambodhi Viharaya premises to house the television production centre.
It should consist of editing rooms, sound recording and mixing
studios, library, camera and light unit rooms. In short, it should
possess a complete television studio. Recently, President Mahinda
Rajapaksa inspected the work completed by the Board of Investment (BoI)
at the International Buddhist Centre, Piliyandala.
The IBC is a large scale project to showcase Buddhism and its
contribution to society in a single and dedicated location. It will
become a magnet for Buddhists all over the world. Under Mahinda
Chintanaya, the Government has identified as one of its objectives “To
make Sri Lanka a global centre for the propagation of the teachings of
the Buddha”.
This is carried out to enlighten the citizens on the achievements of
peaceful co-existence through the Buddha and Dhamma. I am positive, the
Buddhist channel in Sri Lanka housed at Sri Sambodhi Viharaya, Colombo,
will play a lead role in achieving this objective.
The mission is already undertaken by the Most Venerable Shastrapathi
Pandita Daranagama Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thera and the dynamic membership
of the Committee of Sri Sambodhi Viharaya is already in motion to make
the Buddhist channel a Terristial Telecastive service.
(The writer is
Private Secretary to Minister of Education Hon. Susil Premajayantha.)
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