Letters to the Editor
View(s):Innovative, modern-day parallel behind umbrella gimmick
As a Buddhist, Vesak is a significant time in my life. Although not a so-called “practising Buddhist”, it is my honest belief that Buddhism is a way of life as opposed to being a mere religion. It is only through a deep understanding of the Buddhist philosophy that one can truly find eternal peace. This being a personal view, it has held me in good stead through the years.
This year as Vesak dawned, once again I was excited with the activity on the streets and the city of Colombo being lit up in reverence to Lord Buddha and His teachings. As is the usual practice of most Sri Lankans, we gather and drive around the city during Vesak enjoying the colours of Vesak and the sheer magnificence of the moment. It is on one of these sojourns that I saw first and then experienced one of the most creative concepts in the fabrication of Vesak pandals.
At Isipathana “Migadaye” Vesak zone, a certain pandal grabbed my attention. May be it was because of the long queues or the curiosity as to why umbrellas were being handed out, that I eagerly moved in that direction with the crowds.
I was also given an umbrella the colour of the morning sun. I was taken by surprise when following the others, we had to open up our umbrellas to walk under artificial rain, leading to the pandal arena. It was definitely a different experience and and I was curious as to what lay ahead.
It was when we entered the pandal arena that I grasped what the idea was. Beautifully constructed as though lifelike, was a giant Buddha statue embraced by a Cobra King. The visual depiction immediately conveyed to me that the structure was of “Muchalindha Nagha Dharanaya”, where Lord Buddha was protected by a Cobra as he meditated during his quest to attain enlightenment. This was in fact in the 7th week of the “Sath Sathiya” if my memory serves me well.
Being there amongst the crowds, taking in the sheer enormity of that moment, it dawned on me what parallel the brand was trying to draw. Through an experience of being protected from the rain by an umbrella and later showing how a Cobra protected the Lord Buddha, the benefit of the umbrella brand was vividly provided. Most importantly, the experience would create an impression and positive memory for its innovation and novelty.
My wish is that next year too, the city will welcome us with exciting and thought provoking Vesak experiences such as this year.
Malini Abeypala, Pelawatte
Now the roads are great, but vehicles a problem
On behalf of the residents of the Anderson Flats at Park Road, Colombo 5, a very big thank you to all those who were responsible in effecting the road repairs. Now that it’s worthy and fit for any vehicle, we also would like to bring to your kind attention that this is a major housing complex consisting of more than 500 apartments.
Vehicles plying down Park Road, Isipathana Road, Chitra Lane and Fife Road now pass through this complex at breakneck speed (since all the speed breakers have been removed) imagining that this is another Southern expressway and enjoy the benefit of the now carpeted roads without giving any consideration to the children who live here.
Before tragedy strikes, we will be very thankful if those speed breakers are built back. Private buses and vans belonging to so many schools that use the Shalika grounds, and vehicles of people who hire the Shalika Hall for various functions almost every day, are also parked inside the scheme making it more congested so much so that the flat dwellers do not have space to park their own vehicles!
Over to the relevant authorities.
Resident, Anderson Flats
Suicide, sacrifice and Buddha’s teachings
The self-immolation of the Buddhist monk Ven. Indrarathna Thero has brought about confusion among Buddhists as to whether it is against Buddhism or not. Ven Bellanwila Wimalarathna Thera has said it is against Buddhism. However, the vast majority of Buddhists monks and also lay Buddhists seem to think it is a supreme sacrifice and not against Buddhism.
The huge gathering at the funeral, both Buddhist monks and lay Buddhists, points to this belief that it is not against Buddhism. A reader ‘Gonsal’ and Champa Fernando of KACPAW Kandy terms this an act of a Bodhisathva referring to Sassa Jathaka story and also Sri Sangabo. If I may go further Gauthama, the Buddha in his pursuit of the Noble Truth to attain Budhahood caused pain to himself – self mortification, avoiding food. We see pictures and paintings of a Buddha, emaciated, looking skin and bone. Is that action which amounts to self sacrifice, against Buddhism?
Perhaps Ven. Bellanwila Wimalarathna Thera, and also others who are of the same view, seem to have mixed up suicide and self sacrifice. I would add martyrdom. Suicide is generally for personal matters, such as being disappointed in love, indebtedness and difficulties in meeting day to day needs etc which is certainly against Buddhism or any religion. Sacrifice is for a worthy cause as in the case of Ven. Indrarathna Thera, Protesting against slaughtering of cattle. A martyr sacrifices life for faith or religion one believes in or to save the motherland against invaders. Is this against Buddhism? Recently, we commemorated our war heroes in a grand style. All those who went to war were blessed by Buddhist prelates or temple monks and we see them with ‘pirith noola’ on their wrists. Is that permissible in Buddhism?
Let me end quoting Dhammapada Dhamma Vaga-4
Na tavata dhammadharo yaata bahu bhjasati
Yo ca appam pi utvana dhammam kayena passati
Sa ve dhammadharo hoti yo dhammaam nappamjjati
One is not versed in the Dhamma merely because he speaks too much. He who hears little and sees the Dharma mentally, and who does not neglect the Dharma, is indeed, versed in the Dharma.
This letter is only to seek clarification and certainly does not mean to challenge or discredit those who hold other views.
A Buddhist, Eheliyagoda
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