Buddhist Spectrum

With reverence

Rupa Banduwardane

Getting away from the noisy life of the busy capital, Colombo, it is just three minutes drive from the main highway, a proud land mark in Dehiwela the Pinwatta Purana Viharaya. As the name suggests it is a well known temple rich in tradition making a valuable contribution to the people in and around Dehiwela. Within its premises all the requisites of a temple are found there, with the ancient Viharaya in the centre. As you enter through the solidly constructed entrance on your right is the Dharmasalawa replacing old one. It is replete with a spacious hall for the comfort of the devotees in their religious events.

A few yards away is the newly built Sanghawasa combining the old and new styles in a manner merging with the landscape. This is the most recent addition built for a worthy cause – a residence for the Bhikkus who always focus their dedicated attention to the religious welfare of the people. The other places not mentioned here are the chaitya and the sacred Bo tree. The chaitya is well set in the centre of the temple compound. The only thing missing was the Ran Veta encircling the Bo Maluwa. A quantum of work has been done by the Nayaka Thera. His next task was to put up a ran weta a (golden fence) around the Bo Maluwa. With the donations from the Dayaka Sabha and well-wishers the thera was gloriously successful in the performance of this honoured task. The Buddha statue which was already there on the backdrop of the Bodhiya with its outspreading branches is stunningly serene full of piety and sanctity. The lower wall of the golden railing was decorated with sculpture including scenes and events from the life of the Buddha. A serene statue of theri Sanghamitta is also found there. Finally the most striking is the neatly and solidly built seating provisions provided for the devotees to perform Bodhi Poojas, at their convenience. The other important feature is, that the premises are kept meticulously clean under the guidance of the Nayaka Thera.

This was certainly a proud moment and a land mark in the history of the temple. This sacred piece of work was opened by Ven. Professor Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera, the Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayawardenapura on March 16 who graced the occasion. Ven Walhaputenne Nandasumana, the present Nayaka Thera gave a detailed account of those who rose to the occasion and gave financial assistance to make it a reality. He thanked them profusely for helping him to carry out the great mission. The world renowned erudite scholar the most Ven Wimalaratana Thera. He explained how the three great symbols, the chetiya enshrining the Buddha relics, the sacred Bo tree symbolizing the enlightenment and the main temple signifying the Buddha and the Maha Sangha, became the associated places of worship and emphasized the significance of the event paying reverence to the sacred Bodhiya.

He recalled with pride how the temple progressed under different Theras. He mentioned the founding of the temple by the late Ven Upananda Thera and the progress made under his faithful pupils late Ven Kahatuduwe Hemasiri and late Kuruwita Padumasiri Theras, the steadfast monks who continued to upkeep the place as best as possible since its inception. The honourable Mayor of Dehiwela MC, together with the Deputy Mayor never failed to come to the aid of the temple whenever the need arose. This voluntary act of theirs was highly appreciated by the Nayaka Thera in his anusasana. The Mayor Dhanasiri Ameratunga duty bound to the very letter, said that his wholehearted toil towards the temple was for the sheer love of it and that he will continue to do so.

A large number of Bhikkus participated in the event. The entire temple premises went gay with Buddhist flags and illuminations.

There was grace, dignity and an atmosphere of serenity in the entire premises. Ran Veta glittered amidst all other traditional lights set around the Bo Maluwa. Pirith was chanted and finally a rain of blessings was showered on all those living in and around Dehiwela.

Where reconciliation reigns

Text and Pix Priyanka Kurugala in Rikon,Switzerland.

In this Tibet Institute, located in rural Switzerland, they do practise the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism. This Lama temple in Rikon was initiated in 1966 upon the wish of Dalai Lama. Two brothers, Henri and Jacques Kuhn have established this temple by 1968. Dalai Lama picks the abbots and assigns their respective duties.

The front view of the Tibetan temple

The Tibetan monks have to make sure they provide the right kind of spiritual needs in European countries. They are ready to welcome their spiritual chief, Dalai Lama, anytime to the temple.

The institute’s current abbot Ven Geshe Thupten Legmen has been heading the monastery since 2010.

The institute’s present monastic community comprises nine Tibetan monks: Ven Abbot Geshe Thupten Legmen, Ven Lama Tenzin Jottotshang, Ven Lama Gendün Gyatso, Ven Geshe Khedup Tokhang, Ven Acharya Pema Wangyal, Ven Lopoen Dekho, Ven Geshe Jampa Dadak, Ven Geshe Jampa Rapten and Ven Lopoen Ngawang Tangay.

The monastic community follows all four great traditions of Tibetan Buddhism: Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug.

Of the nine monks, according to Ven Dekho, four are young monks. They do not reside one permanent place. They change their place of stay oftentimes. Ven Dekho added that the kind sponsorship of the Swiss government has enabled the Tibetans to protect and maintain their tradition and culture.

Beautifully housed, the institute is an ideal centre for reconciliation. Anybody interested in following the Mahayana tradition in Switzerland, there cannot be a better place. The institute has published 70 works on Tibetan history, religion, language, culture and society.

According to Swiss Hindu Buddhist Association President T Logeswarn and Nanthakumar, Switzerland is shelter for many Tibetans, 2000 approximately.

Its main functions come alive during the Vesak period and during the weekends when special meditation programmes are conducted.

In 1998 the Dalai Lama sought the assistance of the Tibet Institute to implant one of his concepts. That was to provide scientific education to the Tibetan monk community exiled in India. As a result the institute gave green light to ‘Science meets Dhamma’.

During the first phase of the project, from 2001 to 2011, the science classes were quite accepted in eight South Indian monasteries. Science education became part and parcel of the monastic education.

The monasteries could organize their own education programmes from 2012. They could create new syllabi and employ local teachers supported by a Tibetan consultant.

Respecting the spiritual leader

Hope begets hope

“Pull not the poisoned arrow out of my body medicine to apply,

Until a description of the man who shot it the poison used you can supply, Waiting for answers to questions so unwise.

The toxic having acted the victim would have gone to his demise.
First things come first, know then, should you seriously care,
Face a situation, do what has to be done, the matter ending there.

We complicate our lives, not
knowing the basic truth that works to good,
Using one's intelligence, a thing to be understood.

In a Buddhist way of life, the path is crystal clear,

Knowing oneself helps eradicate loss of sanity and fear.

The purpose of life is to awaken to reality to see things right,

Then life is so easy to deal with a satisfying delight.

From moment to moment everything changes, nothing remains the same,

Change is unsatisfactory, bringing disease, decay, death in its train.

What is changing has no ego, self, soul as permanent to hold,

Man is mind and matter a

bundle of feelings, sensations,

and perceptions manifold.

In Buddhism, what one has to know and do is easy to explain,

Hence make a determined effort Nibbana to attain.

Short cuts there aren't, no secret formlae, no benign gods to appease,

With your will, utmost effort and sustained application, chances of success will increase.

“Refrain from doing evil, cultivate doing good, cleanse your mind,

Of taints that have arisen from greed, hatred and ignorance which bind.

One to the Wheel of Sansara,” the Buddha's teaching goes....

One who makes the sublime Dhamma one's island, one's refuge, ends one's affliction, one's woes.

Take for instance a seed, however small it may appear,

Sends out a signal to us, making it abundantly clear,

That with the power packed in it grows to fulness that being its intent,

Taking from the environment moisture, air, sunlight and nutriment.

The thought is the thinker, not self, make no mistake,

By sustained endeavour and wisdom let the mind awake.

Dhamma offers one the Eightfold Path unfailing as a plan,

Know then – There is hope for man only in man.

M.B. Mathmaluwe

Mother’s warmth

A programme to felicitate mothers was recently organized by the primary section of Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo, Principal W B G Kumuduni, Deputy Principal Mala Mangalika shouldered the event with the able consultation of Ven Wevala Seelarathana Thera on May 3.

The pictures show the sentimental moments shared between the mothers and daughters.