Establishment of the WFB

Role of Professor Gunapala Malalasekera:

Dr Mahinda P Malalasekera

If a person could translate noble thoughts and insights into action and achieve success, such conduct would never be meaningless. They would bear fruits at the appropriate period, time and opportunity. This indeed is a universal phenomenon. Any step to provide the wellbeing of the community would indeed bear fruits of success. This universal law has been proved and bear desired results as evident from incidents recorded in world history. Those who embark on social wellbeing endowed with merits acquired earlier, have achieved fruitful results.

The fact that professor Gunapala Piyasena Malalasekera had acted in accordance with that universal law and achieved success is evident to anyone with an inquisitive mind from the accomplishments achieved by him to fulfil the noble wishes from the day he was acquainted with this world order. Professor Malalasekera has stated that the most distinguished service he had rendered was the establishment of the World Fellowship of Buddhists. It was undoubtedly not a mean task. Looking in retrospective, it was a task which even Emperor Dharmasoka who unified India could not accomplish. Even Colonel Henry Steele Olcott of the recent past was not able to organise such a service.

Although Venerable Anagarika Dharmapala intended to establish an organisation for the propagation of Buddhist Philosophy and its spread, even after several decades of propaganda and discourses, to bring together the World Buddhist Community he was unable to commence such a mission. The main cause for the failure was the conflict of wars and the widespread disunity of the people as belonging to the two schools, Mahayana and Hinayana.

The fact that professor Malalasekera was able to achieve his ambition, in such an historical environment is replete with such interesting anecdotes as if unveiling a fairy tale.

The all Ceylon Young Buddhist Congregation of Societies which had its birth on December 20, 1919, later transformed as the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, elected professor Malalasekera as its President at the 21st session held on December 25, 1939 at the Maliyadeva Vidyalaya, Kurunegala. A Buddhist leader who addressed the gathering after Professor Malalasekera’s election to the post of President recollected his contribution so far and wished the congress steady and successful future deviating from the slow movement to-date.

At the time he assumed office as president and rendered yeoman service, he explained his mission as one in his forties in the prime of youth. The honour he received as an esteemed intellectual, undoubtedly created an ambition to devote his contribution for the wellbeing of the Community and the world at large. He commenced a scheme to reorganise Buddhist Societies islandwide. Realising the fact that an intellectual leader of the calibre of Malalasekera would provide the leadership, the Buddhist leaders both lay and ordained countrywide followed his example to contribute their might for the progress of Buddhism.

Unchallenged wisdom

Although a decade had passed by, no one attempted to change the presidentship from Malalasekera. The maximum service, unchallenged wisdom were great strengths to the Buddhists, and it was acclaimed by all. Hence professor Malalasekera was unanimously reelected to the post of president.

It was in year 1947 that professor Malalasekera at the 28th session of the Congress proposed the union of World Buddhists under the sponsorship of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress. At a gathering of world philosophers in June, 1949 at the Hawaii University, professor Malalasekera in the course of his special lecture stressed the need to form a Federation of World Buddhists. This idea received the acclaim of the Buddhists as well as others who respected wisdom. When he announced his desire to formulate proposals for such a venture, almost every one expressed the desire to support it.

During this visit, professor Malalasekera had received an invitation to visit and venerate Buddhist shrines in Siam (Present day Thailand) in his capacity as president of the Congress. After the conclusion of the Congress he embarked on a tour in Siam.

The Buddhist leaders in Thailand, cordially received him, having toured the main shrines conducted him to the summit of the Saccabuddha Mountain which was held in high esteem by them to provide him an opportunity to venerate it. Like our Summit of the Sri Pada mountain it was a difficult climb. Time was twelve noon and sun was at the Zenith of the sky. Professor Malalasekera venerated the Foot Print with profound respect. A miracle occurred at that time. The parching sun transformed into a Mandala (halo) and emanated mild radiance. This Mandala formed itself in to a large circle and emanated an illuminating light. The radiance was pleasing and mild. It was possible to view the sun with the naked eye. This wondrous event evoked emotional exclamation Sadhu in their langauge and joys of happiness.

Another thought that spread among them was that the gods expressed this wondrous scene out of joy that a Buddhist from Lanka visited this site to pay homage. When professor Malalasekera realized this from them a great joy dawned in his mind.

The Buddhists were so taken up by the event which caused happiness in the minds of gods in Thailand. Malalasekera was carried to the foot of the mountain on their shoulders. This news appeared as the main headline in several newspapers which dealt with the Buddhist leader from Lanka who venerated this footprint. Along with that, some newspapers carried a photograph of Malalasekera being carried down by devotees on their shoulders.

Arrangements had been made for Malalasekera to deliver a talk in one of the main Viharas in Thailand. He saw a large gathering at the Temple who had assembled to see the Sri Lankan Buddhist leader who had pleased the deities in Thailand and also to listen to his lecture. He was so delighted that he delivered a hearty talk and expressed the following desire in his mind.

Happiness of Deities

“I have an idea to unite the World Buddhists and establish a World Buddhist Organization. If it were possible for the deities to be happy and perform a miracle at the veneration of the Footprint in Thailand by a Buddhist from Lanka, if the Buddhists in the world gather together, imagine the happiness of Deities in the world. Would you support me in such a venture?” he inquired.

At that moment the entire assembly expressed in one voice “We shall support such a move.” Professor Malalasekera made further inquiries about the imprint of a footprint on the Saccabaddha summit. He could realise the reference after two hundred years as stated by them.

Two hundred years prior to the date, a group of Siamese Buddhists had visited Lanka, climbed the Sri Pada amidst great hardships and had venerated the footprint. During the visit, having understood about the imprint of the Footprint in their country from a Pali stanza they were delighted abut the reference:

“Yam Nammadaya nadiya pulineca tire

Yam Saccabaddha girike Sumana calagge

Yam tattha Yonaka pure muninoca padam

Yam Pada lancana maham sirasa namami

On the sandy banks of river Narmada

Atop the summit of Saccabaddha mountain and of the mountain Sumana

And in the land of Yonakas

I shall bend my head in veneration to (worship) the imprint of the foot.

(of the Buddha)

This gatha enumerates the availability of a Footprint in Saccabadda. They informed about this event to Som Tam, the Ruler at the time. Delighted about the information, he instructed his officials and the people to inform him immediately after locating it.

Even after a considerable period, no one could find the location. Meanwhile, a hunter on his expedition directed his arrow on a deer at the foot of a hill. Though the arrow hit the deer it ran to the summit of a hill. The hunter ran to the top of the mountain to catch his prey, but could not locate the deer who had sustained injuries.

Distressed by this incident, he was examining the environment and could locate a large foot impression of a man on a stone slab. It was filled with water. After a while, the hunter recollected about the order by King Som Tam who was informed by the Siamese pilgrims visiting the footprint on Sri Pada in Lanka about the availability of such a foot print in Siam and to locate it.

Having returned, to the foot of the mountain, he immediately informed a Royal official what he saw. This was brought to the notice of the King as soon as possible. King Som Tam who climbed the peak with the hunter, venerated the footprint and built a shrine in a short period of time.

This shrine is now known as Maha Vihara Vat Phra Buddha Bhath. In Siam (currently known as Thailand) this shrine is found 160 miles to the North in SarBur. It is venerated over the past two and half centuries by pilgrims of Thailand and foreigners.

After a tour of several Buddhist countries, Prof Malalasekera returned to the Island, summoned responsible persons associated with the Buddhist Congress and disclosed his plans about his great meritorious deed. All of them agreed that the event should be organised on a grand scale. The expenditure for this project was undertaken by several philantrophists. The main concern was the provision of accommodation to the leading delegates both from among layman and the clergy. This was considered more important than sending out invitations. Everyone realised the enormous expenditure involved if they were to be accommodated in main hotels.

Professor Malalasekera expressed his ideas thus: “I have already thought about this. On several occasions, when I attended some conferences abroad, I stayed in main Viharas or in the residences of organisers. We enjoyed better hospitality in an atmosphere of cordiality. Similarly, let us accommodate the Delegate Monks in the main Viharas in the capital and Laymen in our own homes. We will be able to achieve the results.”

Encouragement

It was agreed to organize this Great Conference on the Full Moon day of Vesak in 1950 in the precincts of the Temple of Tooth Relic in Kandy. Professor Malalasekera and Dr W A Fonseka served as the Organizers of the Committee which comprised C W W Kannangara former Education Minister, Messers D T Devendra, Daya Hewavitarana, Leelananda Caldera, Cyril de Soyza, W J Fernando, D T R Gunawardana and P H William Silva.

Invitations were sent to World Buddhist leaders under the signature of Professor Malalasekera in his capacity as the President of All Ceylon Buddhist Congress. The expectation was the arrival of thirty to forty delegates from ten to twelve countries. The response from all the 29 countries was indeed an encouragement to the organizers.

The day before the final meeting a total of 129 delegates had arrived well in advance. Arrangements included the transportation of delegates in a motorcade to Kandy, inaugurate the World Buddhist Organization at the Historic Audience Hall, and a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic for the delegates. The delegates were surprised to see the reception enroute and the pandals, Buddhist flags and decorations in their honour.

The Buddhist delegates expressed their appreciation to Professor Malalasekera and to the other leaders for the excellent arrangements, with some of them even making commendable proposals as reported later in the media.

The leaders of Buddhist Congress informed about the intention to inaugurate this world acclaimed activity to those responsible in the Government at the time and sought assistance, but was to no avail. However, due to the sole efforts of the organizers of the Congress the intention of Professor Malalasekera yielded the desired results.

The historic event of the establishment of the World Fellowship of Buddhists summoned to be held at the Historic Audience Hall in Kandy on May 25, 1950 was inaugurated on the following day under the patronage of Venerable Maha Nayakas of Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters.

The proposals to inaugurate the World Fellowship of Buddhists was mooted by C B Nugawela, the Diyawadana Nilame of the Temple of the Tooth Relic. It evolved serene joy and happiness in the minds of the delegates of the World Buddhists. It was seconded by Hon B R Ambedkar, the Minister of Justice of the Indian Government. After the delivery of a lecture in Pali by Chief Priest Ven Buddegama Piyaratana, Professor Malalasekera outlined the potential enshrined in the establishment of such a World Fellowship of Buddhists for the propagation of the Buddhist philosophy and the benefits. Almost all Buddhist leaders endorsed the sentiments and pledged support.

Several Buddhist leaders including Laymen and Clergy delivered speeches extolling the merits of such a union. The speakers included, constance Soulbury from England, U Tan Tun from Burma, Reverend Pa Poin, Dr Aravinda Baruwa from Japan, Ven Ananda Kaushalyana of India, Ven Lokanatha of Italy, Ven Riri Nakasami from Japan, Piti Tikhui of Malaysia, Prince Sukhit Nimyakmenda from Thailand, Ven Gin San Po of Tibet and Ven Go Liyen of Vietnam.