The majesty of our heritage

On Vesak eve, we joined J. B. at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya to launch 'Kelani Vihare', his latest booklet in the series 'Rataka Mahima', the interesting and educative writings which discuss the majesty of our country and heritage. 

It was only when a young undergraduate of the Sri Jayawardenapura University recited a few verses from the 'Kelani Hella' that it dawned on us that what we had memorised was a single line in one of 65 verses, 11 of which J.B. quotes in his book. (The poet cleverly ends each verse with the word 'Kelaniye').

As in his previous booklets (they cover Ridi Vihara, Degaldoruwa, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Atamasthana in Anuradhapura, Mulkirigala and Ruwanveliseya), in his latest, J.B. covers the history of Kelaniya in his lucid, simple style, using the spoken idiom.

Why this series on 'Rataka Mahima'? J.B. explained at the launch,"It's with a tremendous sense of devotion that a Buddhist would visit a sacred place of worship. He knows something about the place but a booklet would help him refresh his memory and be a convenient reference. The inclusion of photographs (J.B. thanked publisher Sirisumana Godage for being generous in allocating eight pages for colour photographs), makes it a worthwhile publication to possess because the reader has a pictorial record too. And most of our pilgrims don't carry cameras with them."

J.B. sees a tremendous value in each place. Historically they have a tale to relate. These places are culturally important. So are they architecturally. They are also fine works of art and often there is much literary value too. 

In 'Kelani Vihare' he traces the history of the place dating back to the visit of the Buddha and takes us on a guided tour. He had gathered interesting data on how Kelaniya fared under the Portuguese, Dutch and British. He quotes the Portuguese writer De Queyroz (his book has been translated into English under the title 'The Temporal and Spiritual Conquest of Ceylon') as saying that the purest air and water in the whole island were in Kelaniya. This was possibly because the Buddhists at the time believed that the water from the Kelani Ganga was the purest. 

J.B. also reminded us that Kelaniya was a favourite place of the Sandesa poems. While 'Selalihini Sandesa' is the one which is closely associated with Kelaniya, it is also mentioned in Tisara, Mayura, Kokila and Hansa sandesas too.

The inclusion of a rare picture of painter Soliyas Mendis whose work at the Kelani Viharaya stands out as a unique set of Buddhist paintings, is something special. J.B. acknowledged the assistance he received from Viharadhipathi Venerable Dr. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkita Thera in gathering information and permitting him to use some early pictures of the temple for the book.

Guru-Gola meeting

He reminded everyone that there were at least four Raja Maha Viharas in the Siyane Korale - temples which received royal patronage. He named them - Kelaniya, Warana, Keragala and Attanagalla. 

He traced the history of each and made special reference to Kelaniya which occupied a significant place being close to Colombo. He dwelt at length on the early days of the Buddhist revival in the country and discussed the growing incidence of crime and other nefarious activities in society. "Yet I have the fullest confidence in the upcoming generation who will turn it around," he said.

A fitting tribute

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lakshman Kadirgamar, in a message, formally announced the adoption, without a division, of the resolution by the UN General Assembly at its 54th sessions to give international recognition to Vesak.

When Sri Lanka sought the support of Buddhist member countries, they readily agreed. 

Delegations of not only countries with predominantly Buddhist populations but also several others with minimal Buddhist populations and even with no Buddhist populations, volunteered to support Sri Lanka. The resolution had the backing of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Chile, Cyprus, Grenada, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Seychelles, Slovakia, Spain, Surinam, Thailand and Ukraine.

Seventeen proposals adopted at the International Buddhist Conference held in Sri Lanka in November 1998 attended by 185 delegates are also carried in the folder. 

The folder is well illustrated with wall paintings from Subodharamaya, Karagampitiya (Birth and Parinibbana- 19th century) and Dambulla (Enlightenment- 18th century).

D.C. 

More Plus

Return to Plus Contents