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Linking religion to daily life, the Nisala Vila relaxation programme conducted by the Mahapola Bhikkhu Educational Institute (MBEI) is all about stress relief
It’s Buddhism, it’s modern
By Vidushi Seneviratne
Relax your muscles, inhale and focus on eliminating all emotions and feelings…
What better way to escape the stress that most of us face in our everyday lives? Jaded with our regular workload and the minute details and complexities that come with it, even a brief, stress-free break could be considered bliss in today’s rat race. This is exactly what “Nisala Vila,” the Relaxation Programme conducted by the Mahapola Bhikkhu Educational Institute (MBEI), aims to deliver during its tranquil sessions.

Held at the Institute situated within the Rájopawanárámaya, in Getambe Temple, the speciality of the programme is its practical uses to modern society. “When analysed, we see that Western psychology, in spite of its popularity, has many loopholes and is in many ways inadequate to anyone who may need its assistance,” says Ven. Hantane Dhammagawesi Thera, Director of MBEI. “Due to the numerous theories put forward by these Western psychologists, there are many contradictions in their opinions, and so they are able to give people only temporary answers to their queries. So why do we have to follow these theories, when we have had solutions to these issues all along?” he asks.

Buddhism, the Thera explained, has always spoken about the human mind, with four-fifths of the teachings being about the mind itself.

Using most of these theories, the relaxation programme coordinated by him, is a huge success with people from all walks of life and age groups. “Many believe that religion should not be marketed. But in my opinion, if we are to better this society, good things such as religion, should be made accessible to people. This can be done only by adjusting religion to fit into society, so that laymen could relate to it. What’s the point of putting Buddhism so high up on a pedestal where people can only revere it, but can’t benefit by it? It is this link between religion and daily life, that we are trying to bring about by this relaxation programme,” says the Thera, explaining the core of his programme.
Targeting employees and staff of companies, individuals at management level, university students and whoever else may need their assistance and guidance, “Nisala Vila”, is a seemingly enlightening and effective programme.

The relaxation programme lasts about two and a half hours and begins with the worshipping of the Buddha, a spell of meditation, a talk and discussion, all of which take a short while, followed by group activities focussed on identifying problems relevant to the participants, and finishing with yoga and breathing exercises and a relaxing yoga sleeping exercise.

“The relaxation programme concentrates on cleansing the mind of any stressful or unfavourable thoughts, and activating good feelings. Multimedia equipment and music are used freely, for best effect,” says the Thera.
When a relaxation programme is requested, a team of about five members consisting of two individuals specialising in yoga, music, two monks and one person to handle technical issues, are sent to the establishment or organisation concerned. “The main target groups are people working within stressful and hazardous work environments such as garment factories. People in jobs requiring much concentration and application, such as pilots are encouraged to get involved in this programme,” says the Thera.

The instructors conduct residential programmes and are ready to travel around the country for this purpose. “We insist that the participants have to be given the best facilities, as you cannot conduct a relaxation programme if the participants are uncomfortable. But the team will be satisfied with the most basic facilities.”

Having held the “Nisala Vila” in venues such as a number of hotels in Matara and other areas, apparel factories in Ampara, the University of Peradeniya and Hotel Thilanka in Kandy, the relaxation programme seems to be helping numerous people. With the MBEI’s services divided into four units such as religious, educational, publications and donations, “Nisala Vila” comes under the first.

Another service coming under this unit is counselling for young couples about to get married. Here the couple is advised to focus on the relationship with each other and ensuring harmony with their parents, rather than holding the wedding ceremony on the grandest scale.

“Kekulu Vila”, another programme under the religious unit, focuses on the correct teaching of Buddhism and Sri Lankan customs to children, especially those attending International schools. “We feel that these children most often are deprived of the correct teachings of Buddhism and so are missing out as Buddhists as a result,” says the Thera.

Established in December 2002, with the support and funding of the Mahapola Higher Education Trust Fund, the MBEI is dedicated to educating and training Buddhist monks in English and computer studies. Though the Mahapola Higher Education Trust Fund suddenly withdrew funds allocated for the MBEI, the organisation has gone from strength to strength, as a result of the Bhikkhu Trust Fund (BTF), which supports the running of the institute. Educating almost 1,200 Bhikkhu students, and having a staff of about 25, most of them volunteers, the task is not easy but they are determined to carry on.

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