Come again and serve Buddhism
Ven. Soma Thera
O! The Most Venerable Thera Soma!
The most unbearable news
Like a thunderbolt from the clouds
You sent us, all Sri Lankans!
You passed away, on a mission abroad
To receive your doctorate award.
Is
this the lesson, you taught us
That life is like a dewdrop?
Born to worthy parents
Erudite scholar, author, virtuous monk
Orator, propagator of Buddhism
All over the globe;
Volumes can be written
Of your service to Buddhism and Sri Lanka
Millions paid their last respects
Irrespective of religion and race
You passed away at a crucial hour
When the country is greatly in need of you
Though you left this world
Your name will be immortal!
An
exemplary son of Lord Buddha
Sri Lankans pay homage to you
With full honour and gratitude
The nation is indebted to you
The nation pays you the greatest tribute!
O! The Most Venerable Thera Soma
May you be reborn in Sri Lanka
To serve Buddhism more and more
And finally attain Nibbana!
Malini
Hettige
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The everlasting sunshine
Ven. Soma Thera
Your enchanting words
Healed so many wounded hearts
Your great wisdom and philosophy
Was a guiding light to a whole nation
But you faded away
So suddenly and
Our hearts ache forever.
Again you made us realize
Life is uncertain -- death is certain
Anichcha watha Sankara -- Uppada waya Dammino
Your dhamma still echoing within us
We'll always tread your way
You're the everlasting sunshine
Ven. Soma, enter this chaotic world again
And pour your soothing words to the
Burning souls..
Hashini de Silva
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A
tribute to my aunt Sudhammi
Maithrinee
Three months have elapsed since you left us so suddenly, our dearest
Sudhammi, as we fondly called you. Your nephews and nieces, your
parents, sister and brother, together with all their families, miss
you more than words can ever say. To remember you is to feel an
unbearable hurt and an intense pain -- a void in all our lives.
There is so much to remember and so much to cherish.
My aunt Maithrinee was a special and lovable person. She was my
mother's sister. I am the eldest among her nephews and nieces. She
had been bed-ridden for eighteen long years, even at the time I
was born.
She could not express her thoughts or her pain, like the rest of
us, but we all understood what she wanted to tell us. Her handicap
never mattered or made any difference to us. She could do nothing
without help, so my grandmother was always with her. I have also
seen my grandfather bless her daily, after his pirith chanting.
My small cousins and my two little brothers who are always so noisy
and so naughty, were very loving, caring and gentle with her in
her room. We thought of her as a close friend in all our troubles.
I remember my youngest brother, kneeling by her pillow on her bed,
bending down and whispering secrets in her ear. He used to do it
often, and none of us ever found out what those secrets were, but
only saw Sudhammi's beautiful smile all the while.
Her presence filled the house although she was confined to her room
and bed. It was felt by us, as we entered through the gate. She
was the centre of the family. This feeling of tenderness and affection
was mutual and shared by all who knew her. Her numerous cousins
and relatives living far and wide, never failed to visit her regularly
with their families. She was loved.
Sudhammi was all heart -- she loved to be with us, talk and laugh
with us. When we were unhappy and in tears, we went to her, sat
on her large bed and felt comforted. We cousins used to hide our
treasures in her room -- pictures, marbles, little boxes and coloured
bits and pieces, under her pillow for safe keeping, Sudhammi used
to enjoy the innocent fun. There was an abundance of love around
her.
The house was always open, every day, all the year round, because
Sudhammi was in the house. It was never, ever closed. But now, a
chapter is closed, and there is a difference, a loss and sadness
in all our lives.
Weekend visits to Kandy were full of anticipation with each one
of us busy tying up gifts for Sudhammi. Religion, race or creed
never mattered. In some unseen way, she bonded all of us. We did
not think of it, then.
But we think of it now. Helpers who had been in the house, from
time to time throughout the long years were always remembered by
her. The affection and remembrances were mutual. She was 'Sudu baby'
to them. I have seen Rankira in his late eighties, groping his way
to her room to see her. Their memories of her were first, as an
active child, and then as an invalid.
Our birthdays, often, were celebrated in her room, at least the
important task of blowing out the candles and cutting the cake.
We enjoyed watching programmes on her TV with her, or quietly reading
books by her side. She was the gentlest of teachers who influenced
our lives.
I listen to my elders talking about her and realise now how much
she had offered us, far more than we were able to offer her. My
grandmother says that it was a privilege for her to have been able
to look after Sudhammi and that she brought her peace and an inner
quiet through those long years she spent by her side.
Around me in the world outside, I see and feel turmoil, rivalry,
competition, jealousy, revenge, resentment and pride. Suddhammi
was empty of all these. So there was peace. She taught us, the young
ones, how to cultivate patience, endurance and all that is good
by example. These impressions are indelible.
Thank you Sudhammi, You have left behind treasured memories great
and good, to help us along the right path wherever the future leads
us. May your sojourn in Sansara be short. May you attain the supreme
Bliss of Nirvana
Dineli
Ranamukhaarachchi
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In
our hearts forever
Gehan Vishwanath Joseph
You were a candle in the wind
You were a bright star
You were different from others
You were the most lovable person I've ever met
*****
But today, you are not there to be loved
It's been one year today
Seems just like yesterday
****
Without farewells and goodbyes
You just went away
Loved with a love,
Beyond all telling
Missed with a grief,
Beyond all tears
****
To be held in our hearts forever
We miss you Anna
Kevin
Joseph |