A timely Vesak gift carved out of rock
It was March 2001. Ven. Egodamulle Amaramoli Thera recalled how a young boy rushed to his village temple, enraged about the destruction of the Bamiyan statues in Afghanistan and wanting to attack mosques in retaliation. The monk talked to the boy. “We Buddhists don’t take revenge. We must be compassionate. Let’s see what we can [...]
Don’t let the dazzle blind you
The Vesak festival has developed into a dazzling pageant. Giant pandals highlight events of the Buddha’s Life and His previous Births while colourful lanterns and decorations illuminate the Vesak night making it the most spectacular event of the year. This indeed is a far cry from the days when a simple oil lamp was lit [...]
Letters
The Govt. must act resolutely against law-breaking political mobs When university students with grievances resort to peaceful demonstrations after their attempts to discuss with the unreasonably stubborn university authorities fail, the state without hesitation uses tear gas, batons, water cannon and even real bullets. But when politicians, including ex-Cabinet ministers, protest in the most unbecoming [...]
Appreciations
S.H.M. JAMEEL He led a well-accomplished and illustrious life If life is about making meaning of it, as someone said, you calibrate your life to be of service to others, and history will take care of the rest. I have pondered over it often, but only in the examples of a few have I seen this wisdom manifesting itself [...]
First bite provides good taste for wide palate
It was only appropriate that one of the first items visitors encountered when walking into the Annasi and Kadalagotu Lit Fest last Saturday, April 25, were its namesakes. Festival-goers would pause between the day’s sessions to linger at the food carts at the entrance and sample chunks of pineapple and piping hot gram flecked with [...]
Beacons flashing, sirens screaming, the firemen are on their way
The stillness of the wee morning hours is broken by the deep, piercing horn – two strong notes –of the rescue alarm. The watchers jump from their games of carrom and quiet conversation, running towards the sliding pole and the staircase, stuffing arms and legs through massive yellow jackets, pulling on gloves and rubber boots, [...]
A 2500-year-old message of compassion and love
As the country prepared to celebrate Vesak, we received the shattering news that Nepal, the Buddha’s country has been devastated by a massive earthquake which caused the loss of over 5,000 lives. Homes and historic sites in the land of the Buddha have also been destroyed. This year, the full-moon Poya falls today, May 3 [...]
Buddha’s wisdom and a universal law
Around 26 centuries ago on a day as today a most remarkable event in the history of the world took place when wisdom dawned on earth with the Great Enlightenment of Gautama Buddha. A world lost in abysmal darkness for countless aeons was swathed in the benign glow of an astounding discovery made by the [...]
Maha Seya: The mightiest dagoba
The story of the Maha Seya (also known as the Ruwanveli Seya, the Swarnamali Cheittya or the Hemamali Cheittya), the most venerated and mighty dagoba (stupa) at Anuradhapura which is said to be larger than the largest pyramid in Giza, Egypt, is associated with the Mahavamsa’s great king and hero of the Sinhalese- King Dutugemunu. [...]
Discovering the law of cause and effect under the Bo tree
The Blessed One, the Buddha Sakyamuni, proclaimed the Doctrine of Nirvana for the happiness and welfare of human and divine beings, who had the qualifications to comprehend the lofty doctrine, which had been similarly proclaimed by the Buddhas of the past. To comprehend the principles of the Nirvana Doctrine one has to walk in the [...]
Give yourself a little TLC to get rid of anxiety
I received a phone call from a girl in Adelaide University. She had a severe case of anxiety disorder. It was so bad that she was bed-ridden and terrified to go outside. The university doctors and psychologists had been unable to help her. So her uncle, who was a regular supporter of my monastery, told [...]
Is it correct to call the Buddha’s Teaching a religion?
Having just ushered in a traditional new year, swiftly to be followed by the most important Buddhist celebrations, it seems an opportune moment to take stock of what one has learned during the past year, especially any ‘new revelations’. My thoughts were mixed as I had done only a few important things, but the one [...]
Segar: Imagine all The Beatles
An unusual exhibition of paintings opens in Colombo next week depicting imagined scenes from the life of the Beatles. The paintings are by Sri Lanka’s acclaimed artist, Raja Segar, whose bold, distinctive figurative style of art has proved immensely popular with collectors of contemporary paintings around the world. I first met Segar when we were [...]
Meditative contemplation of nature’s building blocks
Shaanea Amantha Mendis D’Silva’s exhibition titled Cellscapes to be held at the Lionel Wendt has intriguing depictions of imaginary organic structures. The primary inspiration for her work is biological forms and patterns in nature. Her creations in “Cellscapes” tend to draw in the onlooker gradually into a meditative contemplation of nature’s building blocks. The artist [...]
Remembering Tagore on his 154th birth anniversary
The Rabindra Jayanti celebrations will be held on May 7 at the University of Colombo and the Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo. To commemorate the 154rd birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, Arindam Bagchi, Deputy High Commissioner of India, Colombo will be garlanding the bust of Tagore at the main Library of the University of Colombo at 9.30 a.m. [...]
Come to British Council to hear who’s in the 2014 Gratiaen Prize shortlist
The much anticipated shortlist announcement for the 2014 Gratiaen Prize will take place on Monday, May 11 at the British Council premises, Alfred House Gardens, Colombo 3. The event is open to the public and all are welcome. Founded in 1993 by the Booker-Prize winner Michael Ondaatje, the Prize is awarded to the best work [...]
The painters’ experiences transformed to the viewers’ experience
The creative souls behind the endeavour called Catharsis are the latest generation of Sri Lankan artists. At the exhibition held on April 24- 26 at the Lionel Wendt, they showed their colours. To someone trying to understand them and their work, the title chosen for the exhibition will provide a clue. ‘Catharsis’, from Greek, means [...]
Right Royal reunion – after almost 50 years
Think where man’s glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends – -WB Yeats In 1835, when Rev Joseph Marsh began a private school with 20 pupils, in the back verandah of a Wolfendhal church, he could not have foreseen that from such a ‘seed’ would grow a mighty, [...]
A happy evening to remember
The sight of elders clad in colourful redda hatta, with matching chains and bangles singing and dancing happily was a sight to remember. As the beat of rabana continued, they were enjoying their annual Avurudu Utsawa celebrations organised by the NGO Forum on Aging (NFOA) and held at the Subud House, Frankfurt Place, Colombo 4 [...]
How do we raise teaching standards?
When the GCE O/L examination results were released, due recognition was given to those students who excelled. Praise was also offered towards the principals and the teachers who were involved. The main reason for success was reported to be the commitment not only of the students but also the teachers. In this background, it is [...]
Daring to change society
Indira Kartallozi looks grim till you see her laugh. Aaranya Rajasingam looks like a Tamil film heroine. Till you hear her talk. They are both natural and confident, and it comes as no surprise that they are social entrepreneurs: a daring, innovative breed that works to change society. We met Indira and Aaranya at the [...]
Book launch: Biography of Bollywood and Tamil actress Vyjayanthimala
Young writer, Praneeth Dhanushka has recently presented his latest book on Vyjayanthimala to the veteran Bollywood and Tamil actress at her home in Alwarpet, Chennai, India. Vyjayanthimala was a famous film star in old Bollywood and Tamil cinema during 1950s-1960s. Her films Bahar (1951), Mudumathi (1958), Sangam (1964) and Suraj (1967) are still famous, even [...]
Sunlight to light up the nation at Vesak
Celebrated by Buddhists the world over, Vesak is the holiest day in the Buddhist calendar. During this most sacred time in Sri Lanka, Buddhists aspire to visit the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. However, for many, this is not financially or practically viable. With this in mind Sunlight has created an opportunity for everyone in Sri [...]
Sri Lankan receives Japanese honour
The Government of Japan on April 29, conferred one of its distinguished honours “The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays”, on Mrs. Indrani Ariyaratne, former Secretary to the Medical Department, Embassy of Japan in recognition for her long-term outstanding contributions to the Embassy. Mrs. Ariyaratne, who had her entire education at the [...]
Rhythms Of Sri Lanka: An evening with Desmond De Silva
Following the highly successful reunion concert of the Super Golden Chimes in April, DK Promotions are presenting another nostalgic concert featuring veteran entertainer Desmond De Silva. Rhythms Of Sri Lanka – An Evening with Desmond De Silva will come alive on Sunday, May 10 at 7 p.m. at the BMICH. Promising a difference from his [...]
Arangetram performance
Mathura Easwaran will have her Arangetram on Sunday, May 10 at Saraswathy hall, at 6 p.m. She is a disciple of Kalasuri Vasugy Jegatheeswaran. The chief guest will be Chief Minister of the Northern Province C.V. Vigneswaran and the guest of honour, Principal of Ladies’ College, Colombo Ms. Eesha Speldewinde. MP A. Vinayagamoorthy will also [...]
