Paving the way for posterity
Vimukthi SARATHCHANDRA
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Agonshu Founder
Most Venerable Seiyu
Kiriyama Thera |
“The high point of my acquaintance with Sri
Lanka was the establishment of Sri Lanak Agonshu Friendship Foundation
under my guidance. We could assist and carry out several programmes
beneficial to the students, the youth, the aged, the sick, the destitute
and to the temples and public institutions.
I am extremely happy I had the good fortune
of gathering merits to shorten the samsaric life through these
activities. My vocabulary fails to thank Somasiri Addara Pathiranage and
other officials for the dedication with which the above social
activities in Sri Lanka are carried out.
There are two other things that I must not
forget to mention. The first is the gifting of a Bo sapling from the
historic Bo tree at Tantirimale Raja Maha Viharaya for planting at
Agonshu temple in 1991. The second is the awarding of the honoured title
of ‘Keerthi Sri Samaduta’ to me by the Malwathu Maha Viharaya in 1992.
These are rare gestures.” |
Reaching 20 years means attaining age for the Japanese youth. It
marks entry into the proper social life. So is it for the Sri Lanka
Agonshu Friendship Foundation (SLAFF), which celebrated the 20th
anniversary of scholarship award ceremony.
The ceremony was held at the BMICH on November 11.
Its main donor Most Ven Seiyu Kiriyama Thera founded the Agonshu sect
in Japan, known to house various sects of Buddhism. Agonshu is a
combination of Northern Mahayana, Southern Theravada and Tibetan
esoteric Buddhism.
Historical records show how Buddhism arrived in Japan officially in
the sixth century. It was multi-theism that existed before the arrival
of Buddhism. Buddhism was Korea’s gift to Japan. To Korea it was a gift
from China. Apparently Buddhism linked these three countries: Korea,
China and Buddhism.
Sri Lanka Agonshu Friendship Foundation was inaugurated in 1994 under
the patronage of Most Ven Seiyu Kiriyama.
The scholarship is the only programme offered to students who have
failed their Grade V scholarship.
“If we just neglected them, the nation would have been deprived of
many scholars.” SLAFF Director General Somasiri Addarapathirana noted.
The scholarship programme has produced doctors, engineers, university
lecturers and other scholars. The programme, which was initiated in
1994, has now offered 10,710 scholarships. Every year 735 scholarships
will be offered.
The scholarship, which includes three uniforms, shoes and socks, and
exercise books in addition to Malalasekara English Sinhala Dictionary,
feeds its holder till they pass A-Ls. Medical College students will get
a coupon. Every province, except for North, has been benefited by the
scholarship programme.
Once the scholarship is offered, a strict procedure is followed. The
education level is considered in addition to the low income level.
Divisional coordinators are appointed to monitor the scholarship
holders.
“There are times when some exploit these scholarships. We are at
liberty to get rid of them immediately. Scholarship is an invaluable
asset, and we cannot afford to waste it away.
The inspection for the scholarship holders will also be done. SLAFF
Director General Somasiri Addarapathirana himself takes the trouble to
go through each and every exercise book to check on the scholarship
holders’ progress. “We make it an opportunity to talk to parents
individually too. Some parents have financial issues as well as other
material problems.”
The New Year festivities are done every Sinhala Tamil New year to
gather all scholarship holders. In addition to scholarships, SLAFF makes
use of its funds to help dilapidated temples. Addarapathirana knows
value of scholarship since he is a Grade V scholarship recipient. He
initiated his career as a teacher in Matara.
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| Some students
with their scholarships |
“I studied under harsh conditions. I still remember how our temple
used to be. Even after 20 years, the temple was still like that. The
sermon hall was beyond repair. We could build a two-storied building for
various purposes.”
The foundation has built over 200 buildings mostly meant for schools.
The Buddha’s birth, according to Japanese calendar, came to pass on
April 8. The SLAFF had planted a Bo tree in Thanthirimale to commemorate
the great event.
Addara Pathirana gratefully mentioned Agonshu Chief Director Wada
Naoko for beign the coordinator between Most Ven Kiriyama Thera and him
and Agonshu Deputy Chief Priest Most Ven Fukada Seia for attending
almost every award ceremonies as a gesture of encouragement.
Agonshu’s social responsibility is not confined to Sri Lanka. Various
other projects are implemented in Italy, Thailand, USA, France, Israel
and Bhutan. Most Ven Kiriyama Thera, however, had remarked that it is in
Sri Lanka that the Agonshu projects are carried out good and proper.
Recognizing Addara Pathirana’s painstaking as well as instrumental role
as Director General, he was further appointed as the Advisor for South
Asian Affairs of the Agonshu Sect.
“This is a great achievement for us Sri Lankans. We could genuinely
be happy as we have several outcomes. The achievements of our
scholarship recipients at public exams are one. In addition the Most Ven
Seiyu Kiriyama Special Vocational Training Centre in Matara district has
given vocational training to 1240 youths. We could also offer assistance
to over 200 Buddhist temples.” SLAFF Director General Somasiri
Addarapathirana added.
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| A student
pinning a flower on Ven Fukada Seia Thera |
Children
carrying away their gift parcels |
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