The word of the Dhamma: From missionaries to electronic media
The teledrama “Sidu,” – the endearing story of a little samanera (novice) and his lay friends, continues to make waves. Set in a rustic Buddhist temple in verdant surroundings, the story though not on the traditional lines of a direct Buddhist story, demonstrates a gentle and effective way in which the powerful electronic medium can be used to disseminate the Teachings of the Buddha.
The subtle underlining of this moving story is impermanence, the need to forsake worldly attachments to achieve objectives of the teachings of the Buddha, the concept of karma – that actions committed during lives past or present have a reaction, austere livelihood for monks with the dispelling of common myths and traditional beliefs – all conveyed by the “loku hamuduruwo” as the story unfolds.
The teledrama also delivers the message that the rules need not stifle the behaviour of a samanera. The little monk although in robes, shows the same impish delights of a little child towards pets, in this instance, the temple cat and he leads a normal active life of a playful growing boy. The Chief Priest guides the samanera gently while enriching his mind with Buddhist teachings and showing him the way to be an exemplary monk in adulthood.
Communication networks available in this electronic era have been used today to impart the words of the Buddha. We have an exclusive Buddhist TV channel, Buddhist radio broadcasting stations and Buddhist websites. However, the present generation despite being advanced electronically, are moving away from traditional lifestyles based on religious concepts. This, those interested in propagating Buddhism say, calls for the need to illuminate their minds with the Teachings of the Buddha through electronic devices the present generation is familiar with.
Ven. Daranagama Kusala Dhamma Nayaka Thera, the Chief Incumbent of Sri SambodhiVihara, Colombo, pioneered the setting up of the first exclusive Buddhist television channel in Sri Lanka “so that the timeless message of the Buddha, embedded in the Four Noble Truths will maintain its validity. And the solutions the Doctrine offers through the Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path will light up the world.”
The propagation of the Dhamma through electronic disciplines has given recourse to Buddhist Teachings to many more than those who trek to the temples. This indeed is a far cry from the days of the Buddha when He, on a Il Full Moon Poya Day, sent out His first contingent of 60 missionaries to the four corners of the country to spread the teachings.
The Buddha had spent the Vas Period (rainy season) at Isipathanaaramaya in Benares. During the Vas period, monks remain in monasteries holding discussions and analyzing and clarifying the Buddhist scriptures. At the end of the Vas period, the Buddha addressed the Arahats and said “O monks, preach this pristine Dhamma out of compassion and love towards one and all – for Bahujanahitaya and Bahujanasukkaya.”
He also said “monks, I am now free from all shackles, be they human or divine. You too are free from all shackles. Therefore, go now from this moment and wander for the welfare and happiness of many out of compassion for the world. Let not two go in the same direction. Preach the Dhamma that is pristine.”
The missionaries needed to adapt teaching techniques to suit each new culture they encountered in these areas they visited. They had to bear in mind that there were many religions, beliefs, faiths, rituals and cults that had taken root in ancient India. Appropriate methods and strategies therefore had to be employed to propagate the Dhamma. The Buddha’s Teachings spread at the beginning, in the neighbouring areas, slowly due to the limitations of ancient communications. The early missionaries carried the message on trade routes used by merchants. They stopped in villages, towns and cities to teach the Dhamma facing many odds. It may have been the reason that it took over 250 years for the Doctrine to reach Sri Lanka and 500 years to China.Also, the methods these missionaries used were markedly different from those of other faiths.
When they arrived in an area, they needed to translate texts into local languages and dialects. Usually, they tried to find common features with the already established faiths rather than oppose it. They proceeded with the Teachings thereafter. Buddhist mission endeavours in these early times had been usually gentle, unobtrusive and a response to a need rather than creating a need. The compassionate words of the Buddha thus spread slowly but surely, generating peace and tranquility in the minds and hearts of the people.