Navam Features

Sankhara in Buddhism

Dr Senarath Tennakoon

There is no proper English equivalent which gives the exact connotation of this Pali term, and sankhara is a multi significant term which should be understood according to the context (Narada, 1980). The Sankrit term is samskara. In Sinhala it is sanskara. Context refers to the circumstances in which an event occurs. Some English equivalents for sankhara are volitions, conative and purposive activities, factors responsible for conscious volitional activity, volitions and intentions, kammic volitions, conditional things and states, component things, and mental formations.

This term refers in particular to volitions and intentions (which may be morally good, bad or neutral) and the way that these contribute to the formation of individual patterns of behaviour or traits of character. Repetition imprints a particular samskara on the psyche and the imprint is carried over into the next life (Keown, 2003). Mental formations is a term now generally used to represent the wide meaning of the word sankhara in the list of Five Aggregates.

Sankhara in other contexts may mean anything conditioned, anything in the world in which sense, all the Five Aggregates are samkhara. The term samkhara has different connotations in different contexts.

In the Dhmmapada there are three verses in the section ‘The Path’ (Magga Vagga) which are significant for the understanding of sankhara. The first lines in the verses 277,278 and 279 taken together would mean that all conditioned things all component things are impermanent, sorrowful and without self. In the third verse (279) the term dhamma is used instead of sankhara offering a meaning like all dhammas are without self. Dhamma includes all conditioned things and states as well as the non-conditioned, the Absolute, Nirvana. Through the insightful realizing of impermanence, suffering and soullessness one sets in the path of purification. This is the essence of the remaining sections of these three verses.

It is a common practice to display a notice or a banner bearing the slogan ‘aniccavata sankhara’ or ‘vaya dhamma sankhara’ in front of a house where a person belonging to a Buddhist faith has passed away.

Even in funeral processions, burial places and sites of cremation such notices and banners are displayed irrespective of the deceased person's age, gender and socioeconomic position. This slogan could be interpreted as “all conditional things are impermanent.”

While those who read this notice come to know that some one has died, they are encouraged to reflect on the three essential characteristics of all component things – impermanence, suffering and soullessness (anicca, dukka, anathma).

The Doctrine of Dependent Origination (paticca samuppada) commences with the statement, dependent on ignorance there are the volitions/activities (avijja paccaya sankhara) and proceeds ahead with dependent on volition/activities there is consciousness (sankhara paccaya vinnanam). Paticca – Samuppada deals with the process of rebirth.

In this context the sentence avijja paccaya sankhara means that volitions are conditioned by ignorance (true or false beliefs).

This is the first sense of applying sankhara. In the second sense, sankhara is used to denote our conative or purposive activities and may include reflex actions, verbal actions and purposive thinking or ideation involving impressions, ideas, or concepts associated with feelings. These are known as kaya sankhara. The third sense of sankhara denotes all those factors which accompany conscious volitional activity (Jayatillake, 1971). Ignorance, specific to Buddhism is lack of insight into the Four Noble Truths.

Any action performed through ignorance becomes kamma with a potential to react to bring about rebirth and other consequences in accordance with the kammic law. Only the arahat, who has ended ignorance can perform volitional acts without forming kamma.

(Mendis, 1985); Ignorance is predominant in immoral activities and latent in moral activities. Depending on the past conditioning activities arises relinking or rebirth consciousness (patisandhi-vinnana) in a subsequent birth (Narada, 1985).

Again sankhara comes to be important in the constituents of the being. According to Buddhism the human being is a psychophysical unit (namarupa).

The Buddha described a being to be a composite of five groups of existence or the five aggregates (pancakkandha) and qualified it with clinging (upadana). As such a man is nothing but a panchaupadanaskandha. The five groups are the corporeality group (rupakkhanmda) responsible for the body form feeling group (vedanaskhanda), perception group (sannakkhanda), mental formation group (sankharakkanda) and the consciousness group (vinnanakkandha).

Taking Buddhism northward

Priyanka Kurugala

Buddhism is a universal concept. The Buddha’s teachings are now becoming a part and parcel of our lifestyle. This is precisely why the teachings are spreading its wings across the globe. Buddhism has close links with Hinduism. According to Ven Nanda Chariya Thera, Tamils have many reasons to follow Buddhism.

“Time has come to take steps to ordain Tamils in the country to deliver Dhamma message to Tamil community,” Ven Chariya Thera opines.

Ven Nanda Chariya Thera was born in a village called Paramakudi in Tamil Nadu in 1952. His grandfather was a businessman in Burma. His family had many properties including lands in Burma and Tamil Nadu.

“My Father was an atheist. He had met E V Periyar Ramasamy and it was the turning point. My father, Erode Venkata Ramasamy, was influenced by the teachings of Dr. Ambethkar and became a follower of the Buddha. Dr Ambethkar propagated Buddhist Philosophy as the proper way to get inner peace in mankind. This touched my father’s heart and he influenced me become a monk. In 1962 I became a monk.”

Ven Nanda Charia now resides at a temple in Los Angeles, USA. He would have become a doctor if not for his father’s influence.

“There are two kinds of Buddhists in Tamil Nadu. One is ancient Buddhists, while the other is Ambethkar Buddhists. There are no Tamil Buddhist Temples. The Japanese are helping us.” The Thera said.

Ven Thera has visited Sri Lanka a number of times to cultivate peace while proposing new directions to build up ethnic harmony. Mahabodhi Society, established by Anagarika Dharmapala, has to implement a vast contribution for Tamil Buddhists in Tamil Nadu, the Thera opines.

“Leaders have to develop equality among each ethnic group as well as religious groups. The unity among Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians is the only way to bring a lasting solution to the ethnic problem.”

Many people from the time of the Buddha practiced his teachings and reached ultimate goals. Other parties, who wished to see and enjoy a peaceful world, dedicated themselves to protect Buddhist philosophy for the posterity. They built temples and monasteries. Provided many facilities for Buddhist monks to carry out and teach the Buddhism from generation to generation.”

Buddhism was a very important gift from India. It was patronized by Emperor Asoka during the period of King Devanam Piyatissa in Sri Lanka. With the blessings of government and the opposition parties Ven Nanda Chariya Thera wants to lead a seven-day peace walk from Colombo to Jaffna. The aim of his recent visit to Sri Lanka was to discuss the proposed peace walk to the North with the authorities. “I want to walk from village to village and talk to poor people and identify what they need. I want to take Buddhism to the North and build Buddhist Cultural Centers in the Northern areas,” he said hopefully. I would not encourage any religious conversions,” he assured. He also said that he is always ready to be a volunteer helper in Buddhists in Sri Lanka. “I am always ready to help. I don’t want anything in return,” he stressed.

He further said that all ethnic problems would be solved when facilitated equally . “All should be given free education, food and entertainment. Their hearts and brains must be well fed. Peace will only be there when they all are connected with feelings from the bottom of their hearts,” he noted.

Temple in a dilapidated status

A.A.L. Dias - Matale District Group Corr.

The Cave Shrine Room of Evariyapathaha Raja Maha Viharaya in Kandapalla-Korale in Matale District which was in dilapidated state for a long time, was conserved by the Central Cultural Fund.

According to the legends, this temple has a long history over 2,000 years. King Walagambahu was the founder of this place. After that several provincial leaders had graced to this temple.

So also in ancient times two Stupas which were constructed in the temple premises, were the road marks of the people.

However, due to the various reasons the religious places were ruined in the past. After that with the beginning of Kandyan period, the renaissance of Buddhism was re-started. Under this situation many temples especially in the upcountry, were renovated. Evariyapathaha Cave Shrine Room was also renovated in that period. The statues with the wall and hood pictures in that Shrine Room are similar to Dambulla Rock Temple.

Therefore, the conservation of Evariyapathaha Cave Shrine Room is very commendable. The Chief Incumbent of the temple Ven. Millawana Buddharakkitha Thera said that the Archaeological Department has not enough strength to preserve the archaeological sites. As the result, the treasure hunters are searching valuables without any fear. Evariyapathaha temple was also damaged by them several times. So the Archaeological Department should pay its attention to this place to preserve and conserve this historical sacred place for the posterity.

Celebration of the Colombo YMBA Founder’s Day

Rajah Kuruppu Vice President, Prasanna Goonatilleke, Governor and Kusumabandu Samarawickrama of YMBA offering dana to Maha Sangha at the Commemoration alms giving.

Ven Pelene Mahinda Thera of Mettarama Temple, Colombo 4 delivering anusasana.

The Colombo YMBA commemorated its Founder's Day on January 19 at the Head Office, Borella by offering a Sangika Dana with pirikara to twenty five venerable monks from Gangaramaya, Colombo 02 and Thilakaratnaramaya, Borella and several monks who have been delivering sermons on Sundays, Full moon days and conducting meditation sessions at the YMBA.

Ven Gonadeniya Seevalee Thera delivering the Anusasana referred to the great service rendered to the Association by the past Presidents, and Officials making the Colombo YMBA the Premier Buddhist Association in Sri Lanka. He also appreciated various projects being conducted by the Association for propagation of Buddha Dhamma and promoting Social and Cultural activities for the benefit of Buddhists in Sri Lanka.

Buddhist awakening in country - Anunayake Thera

Text and pix A. Keerthisinghe - Alawwa Special Correspondent

There has been a great Buddhist awakening in the country as never seen before, said Ven. Galagama Attadhassi Anunayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter and also the Viharadhipathi of Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya.

Ven. Anunayake Thera was speaking at the opening ceremony of new Awasageya (temple) building constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.6 million at Sri Sudharmaramaya, Mabopitiya, Alawwa. President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s leadership too has contributed towards creating this new thinking among society, the Thera said.

The Prelate further said that the link between the temple and village has been enhanced to a very great extent mostly due to the increased Dhamma education and the impetus given to Buddhism and culture by the Government.

“The people of the country must take this opportunity to send a message of goodwill to the whole world to overcome international challenges facing the country, the Thera further added.

Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena visits Matara Bodhi

Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena with his wife participated in religious programmes in Matara Maha Bodhi Pooja blessing him was held at Matara Bodhiya.

Maha Nayaka (Siyam) Rohana Chapter Most Ven. Gombaddala Nandarama Thera, Ven. Kegalle Ratanasara Thera, Chief Incumbent of Weherahena Temple and Ven. Godagama Chulalankara Nayaka Thera are also in the picture.

Picture by A.W. Gunawardhana, Matara Central Corr.