Features
For Devoted And Selfless Services To Vidyalankara Pirivena And The Nation
Felicitating Most Venerable Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thero on His 84th Birthday
by Lakshman Wickramasinghe,
Vice President of Vidyalankara Sabhawa
(Council)
December 26, 2004, cannot be easily erased from the memory of Sri Lankan people. It was the day when the Tsunami struck. The country was in mourning. The Government of Sri Lanka moved rapidly to provide assistance. The United Nations began to offer emergency aid.
Almost as quickly, the Most Venerable Welamitiyawe Kusala Dhamma Nayaka Thero, the Director and the Chief Monk of the Vidyalankara Pirivena called a meeting of teacher monks of the Pirivena, the lay devotees and the ‘Vidyalankara Sabhawa,’ the management support group of the Pirivena, established by Statute.
At the meeting the chief monk displaying a somber countenance explained that the Community Development Society of the Vidyalankara Pirivena should rapidly organize a programme to help the displaced and the affected families. The large congregation under the guidance of the Nayaka Thero exchanged ideas on types of assistance to be provided, logistics, coordination mechanisms, etc. When the topic of geographic areas that would be served by the Vidyalankara Pirivena was taken up for discussion, some in the congregation including the writer, perhaps moved by the traumatic television images of the havoc caused by the Tsunami around the Galle bus stand, proposed that we go South. Ven. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thero’s response was prompt, firm and final. His interjection went along these lines- ‘Why only the South? Why not go to the East too, where we can help all communities and people of all religions. They too are affected ’.
Some days later Vidyalankara Pirivena Tsunami assistance reached identified areas both in the South and the East as promised by our Nayaka Thero. I was reminded of Lord Buddha’s words in the Karaniya Metta Sutta- ‘Sabbe Satta Bhavantu Sukhitatta’- May all Beings Be Happy. How true to those words were the Venerable Thero’s action.
The most venerable thero was also in the forefront of protecting rights of Sinhala Buddhists when these came under threat from time to time. As done by the monks of yore, our nayaka hamuduruwo supported the protection of territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and blessed State leaders who acted against such attempts. He also blessed village lads who enlisted in the armed forces to protect the country against such break-up. He not only advocated for the protection of Buddhist temples in the north and east when they came under threat but also provided material assistance to these temples as feasible. In summary, the Most Venerable nayaaka thero acted as a ‘Mura Devatawa’ ( closest being ‘guardian angel’ in English) of the Nation (along with other illustrious Buddhist monks ) during those dark days of trauma, public fear and destruction.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message to ‘Saddha’- the Academic Felicitation Volume published to commemorate the thero’s services to mark his 73rd birthday, refers to the role that the Buddhist clergy performed in strengthening Sri Lanka’s President’s hands for the achievement of the historical duty that was cast upon him by the country and its constitution. Following is an English translation-‘While I acknowlege that my success therein was to a large extent due to the blessings I received from the Magha Sangha, I should also state that a substantial portion of that blessing also came from Ven. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thero’. It should be mentioned that Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thero earned the respect of all recent Heads of State.
I now wish to back-track 70 years into history to recount how Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thero had the samsaric predisposition and fortune to become a monk and to serve the Vidyalankara Pirivena. He hailed from a respected family in Welamitiyawa in the distirict of Kurunegala and was named Palihawadana Aratchchilage Tikiri Banda. He was the fourth in a family of seven. His father was Palihawadana Arachchilage John Singho and mother Ratnayaka Mudiyanselage Gunamal Ethana.The much venerated Nayaka Thero that we know today, had set foot at Vidyalankara Pirivena in 1950, as a mere 13-year-old. The boy had been identified as a suitable candidate for monkhood by the Most Venerable Yakkaduwe Sri Pragnnarama Nayka Thero, the scholar monk (who was later destined to become the fifth head of Vidyalankara Pirivena).
Tikiri Banda had spent four years in lay training in preparation to become a Buddhist monk at the Pirivena. In 1954, he was admitted as a ‘samanera’ (trainee monk) under the tutelage of the then Head of Vidyalankara Pirivena, the Most Venerable Kiriwaththuduwe Sri Pragnnasara Nayaka Thero. In May 1959 Kusaladhamma samanera received ‘Upasampada’ -higher ordination at the historic Malwatta Temple in Kandy.
The Nayaka Thero, the seventh head of the Vidyalankara Pirivena, has devoted his whole ilife in robes in one way or another to the upliftment of the Vidyalankara Pirivena, the Buddha Sasana, and the nation as a whole.
The thero’s loyalty to the cause of Vidyalankara Pirivena was well exhibited in the ‘Patisothagami’ model of decision making he used as a young monk( i.e. taking decisions that go against popular trends, which approach was also advocated by the Buddha). This can also be expressed as – ‘swimming against the tide’. In the mid-sixties he passed the BA degree with a class from the Kelaniya University. He was offered a lecturership at his university. The young thero declined the offer. Later, he was offered a scholarship to pursue higher studies overseas. He declined that offer too.
His inner feeling, it seems, was to serve Vidyalankara Pirivena directly. The Thero, was given a third option. That was to administer and develop the lesser-known Vidyalankara (Branch) Pirivena at Pannipitiya. The challenge was accepted. As the young monk rose through the ranks to become the Head of the Pannipitiya Vidyalankara Pirivena, it’s fame as a high quality educational institution, had also risen simultaneously.
In 1983 Kusaladhamma Thero was appointed as the Director of the main Vidyalankara Pirivena at Peliyagoda, Kelaniya and in 1989 it’s Principal. For the Thero, a life’s phase of total dedication to the Vidyalankara cause and tradition had begun.
While the he worked diligently to enhance the quality of training of future monks through the Pirivena, he also strived tirelessly to spread the dhamma and support religious activities of big and small temples in many parts of the Island. In this respect the Thero would have been guided by the famous words of Lord Buddha – ‘ Charatha Bhikkhawe Charikam, Bahu Jana Hithaya Bahu Jana Sukhaya’ – ‘Travel forth O monks for the welfare and happiness of the public.’
Ven. Kusaladhamma Thero travelled the length and breadth of the country to cater to the needs of brother monks, and dissemination of Dhamma among lay persons. The Thero attended both national level religious ceremonies as well as little pinkamas organized by villagers. His sermons were looked forward to by many Buddhists, both urban and rural. He accepted invitations from Heads of State, and Ministers as well as of ordinary folks. He went to prominent temples as well as to little known temples. Our Nayaka Thero’s active participation and wise counsel at meetings and pinkamas and thought–provoking sermons on how a person can become a better Buddhist and a human being, also helped to elevate the profile of the Vidyalankara Pirivena. He has also been invited to many overseas conferences, international Buddhist institutions and temples. Consciously and as a personal code of conduct, he has continued to hold high the noble traditions and wholesome practices of the Founder Heads of the Vidyalankara Pirivena and his teachers.
Our Nayaka Thero also started few innovative activities which now over time had begun to be considered as Vidyalankara traditions. One such is the holding of ‘Vidyalankara Day’ through which the founders, principals, teachers, scholar-monks attached to the Vidyalankara Pirivena and the lay leaders who had played key roles in setting up and developing the Pirivena would be remembered and merit offered. This has now become a key religious event in the Gampaha district.
Another group of activities he has enhanced and widened is providing assistance to the disadvantaged and the handicapped members of society. The main activity in this area is the distribution of artificial limbs to handicapped persons. This has become an important part of the agenda of the Vidyalankara Day. Helping students from low income families living in remote districts and assisting old person’s homes in and around Kelaniya are also part of the programme.
His dedicated and selfless services offered to Vidyalankara Pirivena according to the Dhamma and Vinaya (Doctrine and Disciplinary rules)set forth by the Buddha, should be a shining example for the young aspiring monks attached to Vidyalankara Pirivena as they look towards the future.
On his 84th birthday the entire Vidyalankara Community wish to offer blessings to our most respected Nayaka Thero thus :
” Sabbitiyo Vivajjantu- Sabba Rogo Vinassatu
Ma’te Bhavath Antarayo- Sukhi Dighayuko Bhava
May You Be Free From Distress-May All Sickness Be Healed
May There Be No Dangers-May You Be Happy; May You Live Long
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There’s an ill more dangerous and pervasive than the Coronavirus that’s currently sweeping Sri Lanka. That is the fear to express one’s convictions. Across the public sector of the country in particular many persons holding high office are stringently regulating and controlling the voices of their consciences and this bodes ill for all and the country.
The corrupting impact of fear was discussed in this column a couple of weeks ago when dealing with the military coup in Myanmar. It stands to the enduring credit of ousted Myanmarese Head of Government Aung San Suu Kyi that she, perhaps for the first time in the history of modern political thought, singled out fear, and not power, as the principal cause of corruption within the individual; powerful or otherwise.
To be sure, power corrupts but the corrupting impact of fear is graver and more devastating. For instance, the fear in a person holding ministerial office or in a senior public sector official, that he would lose position and power as a result of speaking out his convictions and sincere beliefs on matters of the first importance, would lead to a country’s ills going unaddressed and uncorrected.
Besides, the individual concerned would be devaluing himself in the eyes of all irrevocably and revealing himself to be a person who would be willing to compromise his moral integrity for petty worldly gain or a ‘mess of pottage’. This happens all the while in Lankan public life. Some of those who have wielded and are wielding immense power in Sri Lanka leave very much to be desired from these standards.
It could be said that fear has prevented Sri Lanka from growing in every vital respect over the decades and has earned for itself the notoriety of being a directionless country.
All these ills and more are contained in the current controversy in Sri Lanka over the disposal of the bodies of Covid victims, for example. The Sri Lankan polity has no choice but to abide by scientific advice on this question. Since authorities of the standing of even the WHO have declared that the burial of the bodies of those dying of Covid could not prove to be injurious to the wider public, the Sri Lankan health authorities could go ahead and sanction the burying of the bodies concerned. What’s preventing the local authorities from taking this course since they claim to be on the side of science? Who or what are they fearing? This is the issue that’s crying out to be probed and answered.
Considering the need for absolute truthfulness and honesty on the part of all relevant persons and quarters in matters such as these, the latter have no choice but to resign from their positions if they are prevented from following the dictates of their consciences. If they are firmly convinced that burials could bring no harm, they are obliged to take up the position that burials should be allowed.
If any ‘higher authority’ is preventing them from allowing burials, our ministers and officials are conscience-bound to renounce their positions in protest, rather than behave compromisingly and engage in ‘double think’ and ‘double talk’. By adopting the latter course they are helping none but keeping the country in a state of chronic uncertainty, which is a handy recipe for social instabiliy and division.
In the Sri Lankan context, the failure on the part of the quarters that matter to follow scientific advice on the burials question could result in the aggravation of Islamophobia, or hatred of the practitioners of Islam, in the country. Sri Lanka could do without this latter phobia and hatred on account of its implications for national stability and development. The 30 year war against separatist forces was all about the prevention by military means of ‘nation-breaking’. The disastrous results for Sri Lanka from this war are continuing to weigh it down and are part of the international offensive against Sri Lanka in the UNHCR.
However, Islamophobia is an almost world wide phenomenon. It was greatly strengthened during Donald Trump’s presidential tenure in the US. While in office Trump resorted to the divisive ruling strategy of quite a few populist authoritarian rulers of the South. Essentially, the manoeuvre is to divide and rule by pandering to the racial prejudices of majority communities.
It has happened continually in Sri Lanka. In the initial post-independence years and for several decades after, it was a case of some populist politicians of the South whipping-up anti-Tamil sentiments. Some Tamil politicians did likewise in respect of the majority community. No doubt, both such quarters have done Sri Lanka immeasurable harm. By failing to follow scientific advice on the burial question and by not doing what is right, Sri Lanka’s current authorities are opening themselves to the charge that they are pandering to religious extremists among the majority community.
The murderous, destructive course of action adopted by some extremist sections among Muslim communities world wide, including of course Sri Lanka, has not earned the condemnation it deserves from moderate Muslims who make-up the preponderant majority in the Muslim community. It is up to moderate opinion in the latter collectivity to come out more strongly and persuasively against religious extremists in their midst. It will prove to have a cementing and unifying impact among communities.
It is not sufficiently appreciated by governments in the global South in particular that by voicing for religious and racial unity and by working consistently towards it, they would be strengthening democratic development, which is an essential condition for a country’s growth in all senses.
A ‘divided house’ is doomed to fall; this is the lesson of history. ‘National security’ cannot be had without human security and peaceful living among communities is central to the latter. There cannot be any ‘double talk’ or ‘politically correct’ opinions on this question. Truth and falsehood are the only valid categories of thought and speech.
Those in authority everywhere claiming to be democratic need to adopt a scientific outlook on this issue as well. Studies conducted on plural societies in South Asia, for example, reveal that the promotion of friendly, cordial ties among communities invariably brings about healing among estranged groups and produces social peace. This is the truth that is waiting to be acted upon.
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By Sanjeewa Jayaweera
It was on 3rd January 1972 that our family arrived in Karachi from Moscow. Our departure from Moscow had been delayed for a few weeks due to the military confrontation between Pakistan and India. It ended on 16th December 1971. After that, international flights were not permitted for some time.
The contrast between Moscow and Karachi was unbelievable. First and foremost, Moscow’s temperature was near minus 40 degrees centigrade, while in Karachi, it was sunny and a warm 28 degrees centigrade. However, what struck us most was the extreme warmth with which the airport authorities greeted our family. As my father was a diplomat, we were quickly ushered to the airport’s VIP Lounge. We were in transit on our way to Rawalpindi, the airport serving the capital of Islamabad.
We quickly realized that the word “we are from Sri Lanka” opened all doors just as saying “open sesame” gained entry to Aladdin’s cave! The broad smile, extreme courtesy, and genuine warmth we received from the Pakistani people were unbelievable.
This was all to do with Mrs Sirima Bandaranaike’s decision to allow Pakistani aircraft to land in Colombo to refuel on the way to Dhaka in East Pakistan during the military confrontation between Pakistan and India. It was a brave decision by Mrs Bandaranaike (Mrs B), and the successive governments and Sri Lanka people are still enjoying the fruits of it. Pakistan has been a steadfast and loyal supporter of our country. They have come to our assistance time and again in times of great need when many have turned their back on us. They have indeed been an “all-weather” friend of our country.
Getting back to 1972, I was an early beneficiary of Pakistani people’s love for Sri Lankans. I failed the entrance exam to gain entry to the only English medium school in Islamabad! However, when I met the Principal, along with my father, he said, “Sanjeewa, although you failed the entrance exam, I will this time make an exception as Sri Lankans are our dear friends.” After that, the joke around the family dinner table was that I owed my education in Pakistan to Mrs B!
At school, my brother and I were extended a warm welcome and always greeted “our good friends from Sri Lanka.” I felt when playing cricket for our college; our runs were cheered more loudly than of others.
One particular incident that I remember well was when the Embassy received a telex from the Foreign inistry. It requested that our High Commissioner seek an immediate meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Zulifikar Ali Bhutto (ZB), and convey a message from Mrs B. The message requested that an urgent shipment of rice be dispatched to Sri Lanka as there would be an imminent rice shortage. As the Ambassador was not in the station, the responsibility devolved on my father.
It usually takes about a week or more to get an audience with the Prime Minister (PM) of a foreign country due to their busy schedule. However, given the urgency, my father spoke to the Foreign Ministry’s Permanent Sectary, who fortunately was our neighbour and sought an urgent appointment. My father received a call from the PM’s secretary around 10 P.M asking him to come over to the PM’s residence. My father met ZB around midnight. ZB was about to retire to bed and, as such, was in his pyjamas and gown enjoying a cigar! He had greeted my father and had asked, “Mr Jayaweera, what can we do for great friend Madam Bandaranaike?. My father conveyed the message from Colombo and quietly mentioned that there would be riots in the country if there is no rice!
ZB had immediately got the Food Commissioner of Pakistan on the line and said, “I want a shipload of rice to be in Colombo within the next 72 hours!” The Food Commissioner reverted within a few minutes, saying that nothing was available and the last export shipment had left the port only a few hours ago to another country. ZB had instructed to turn the ship around and send it to Colombo. This despite protests from the Food Commissioner about terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit prohibiting non-delivery. Sri Lanka got its delivery of rice!
The next was the visit of Mrs B to Pakistan. On arrival in Rawalpindi airport, she was given a hero’s welcome, which Pakistan had previously only offered to President Gaddafi of Libya, who financially backed Pakistan with his oil money. That day, I missed school and accompanied my parents to the airport. On our way, we witnessed thousands of people had gathered by the roadside to welcome Mrs B.
When we walked to the airport’s tarmac, thousands of people were standing in temporary stands waving Sri Lanka and Pakistan flags and chanting “Sri Lanka Pakistan Zindabad.” The noise emanating from the crowd was as loud and passionate as the cheering that the Pakistani cricket team received during a test match. It was electric!
I believe she was only the second head of state given the privilege of addressing both assemblies of Parliament. The other being Gaddafi. There was genuine affection from Mrs B amongst the people of Pakistan.
I always remember the indefatigable efforts of Mr Abdul Haffez Kardar, a cabinet minister and the President of the Pakistan Cricket Board. From around 1973 onwards, he passionately championed Sri Lanka’s cause to be admitted as a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and granted test status. Every year, he would propose at the ICC’s annual meeting, but England and Australia’s veto kept us out until 1981.
I always felt that our Cricket Board made a mistake by not inviting Pakistan to play our inaugural test match. We should have appreciated Mr Kardar and Pakistan’s efforts. In 1974 the Pakistan board invited our team for a tour involving three test matches and a few first-class games. Most of those who played in our first test match was part of that tour, and no doubt gained significant exposure playing against a highly talented Pakistani team.
Several Pakistani greats were part of the Pakistan and India team that played a match soon after the Central Bank bomb in Colombo to prove that it was safe to play cricket in Colombo. It was a magnificent gesture by both Pakistan and India. Our greatest cricket triumph was in Pakistan when we won the World Cup in 1996. I am sure the players and those who watched the match on TV will remember the passionate support our team received that night from the Pakistani crowd. It was like playing at home!
I also recall reading about how the Pakistani government air freighted several Multi Barrell artillery guns and ammunition to Sri Lanka when the A rmy camp in Jaffna was under severe threat from the LTTE. This was even more important than the shipload of rice that ZB sent. This was crucial as most other countries refused to sell arms to our country during the war.
Time and again, Pakistan has steadfastly supported our country’s cause at the UNHCR. No doubt this year, too, their diplomats will work tirelessly to assist our country.
We extend a warm welcome to Mr Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan. He is a truly inspirational individual who was undoubtedly an excellent cricketer. Since retirement from cricket, he has decided to get involved in politics, and after several years of patiently building up his support base, he won the last parliamentary elections. I hope that just as much as he galvanized Sri Lankan cricketers, his political journey would act as a catalyst for people like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene to get involved in politics. Cricket has been called a “gentleman’s game.” Whilst politics is far from it!.
Author
Believe me, seeing certain videos, on social media, depicting action, on the dance floor, at some of these entertainment venues, got me wondering whether this Coronavirus pandemic is REAL!
To those having a good time, at these particular venues, and, I guess, the management, as well, what the world is experiencing now doesn’t seem to be their concerned.
Obviously, such irresponsible behaviour could create more problems for those who are battling to halt the spread of Covid-19, and the new viriant of Covid, in our part of the world.
The videos, on display, on social media, show certain venues, packed to capacity – with hardly anyone wearing a mask, and social distancing…only a dream..
How can one think of social distancing while gyrating, on a dance floor, that is over crowded!
If this trend continues, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Coronavirus makes its presence felt…at such venues.
And, then, what happens to the entertainment scene, and those involved in this field, especially the musicians? No work, whatsoever!
Lots of countries have closed nightclubs, and venues, where people gather, in order to curtail the spread of this deadly virus that has already claimed the lives of thousands.
Thailand did it and the country is still having lots of restrictions, where entertainment is concerned, and that is probably the reason why Thailand has been able to control the spread of the Coronavirus.
With a population of over 69 million, they have had (so far), a little over 25,000 cases, and 83 deaths, while we, with a population of around 21 million, have over 80,000 cases, and more than 450 deaths.
I’m not saying we should do away with entertainment – totally – but we need to follow a format, connected with the ‘new normal,’ where masks and social distancing are mandatory requirements at these venues. And, dancing, I believe, should be banned, at least temporarily, as one can’t maintain the required social distance, while on the dance floor, especially after drinks.
Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana keeps emphasising, on TV, radio, and in the newspapers, the need to adhere to the health regulations, now in force, and that those who fail to do so would be penalised.
He has also stated that plainclothes officers would move around to apprehend such offenders.
Perhaps, he should instruct his officers to pay surprise visits to some of these entertainment venues.
He would certainly have more than a bus load of offenders to be whisked off for PCR/Rapid Antigen tests!
I need to quote what Dr. H.T. Wickremasinghe said in his article, published in The Island of Tuesday, February 16th, 2021:
“…let me conclude, while emphasising the need to continue our general public health measures, such as wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding crowded gatherings, to reduce the risk of contact with an infected person.
“There is no science to beat common sense.”
But…do some of our folks have this thing called COMMON SENSE!
