Appreciations

It is with profound appreciation that I express my sincere thoughts of Alec Robertson, whom I knew for nearly 25 years. My association with him was inspiring, challenging and a source of much spiritual and intellectual satisfaction. The more I recollect his work, the more questions I am led to ask about Buddhism. The more I understand it, the more I think of his exquisite personality, that made him unique. What better way to spend one’s life than being a professional, investigating the intricacies of Buddhism which is a broad dynamic field with shifting emphasis and new discourses.

I have relied on his expertise. He has infused me with enthusiasm, shared new ideas and corrected faulty ones. I owe a debt of gratitude for what I learnt from him, when a thousand questions and qualifications crowded my mind. The remarkable comments made by him will have an everlasting effect on me.

His extempore lectures numbering thousands here and abroad were widely acclaimed for their spiritual and worldly wisdom. He successfully maintained a lively lecture format and his purpose was to stimulate and provide thought, while teaching a view point that was helpful. His preachings advanced the knowledge of Buddhism by placing it in the broader context of Sri Lankan culture, drawing on texts, archaeological evidence and inscriptions. His lectures generated a wide range of practical empowerment applications promoting emotional stability, accelerating learning, breaking unwanted habits, overcoming fear and building self-esteem. He was a consummate narrator to children. He used no spell- binding tricks of oratory, but just talked to the audience, in general conversational tones, the smile coming and going on his mobile expressive face. His lecture schedule was epic. He was also capable of addressing general audiences with simplicity and direction.

In the last century it was Mr. Robertson, who most explicitly dedicated his whole life to the dissemination of Buddhism. He was a talented broadcaster, authentic journalist, remarkable writer, and astounding narrator. He elucidated beautifully the meaning of the path to enlightenment through his direct spiritual advice and writings. This direct and lucid style made it one of the most accessible introductions to Buddhism. His books provided inspiring and valuable insights. His writings convey a picture of his personal life, his wide ranging knowledge and his thought on issues of global concern on Buddhism. Mr. Robertson lucidly expounded all the suttas and even Abhidhamma, making them easy to understand. His deep knowledge and wisdom on Buddhism is well known nationally and internationally. Long revered as a spiritual force he appealed to people to look within, to know the essential four truths, the essence of Buddhism. He has shown how the Buddhist philosophy of impermanence, suffering and egoless ness blends with one’s life with remarkable clarity. He looked at Buddhism through a newer way of thinking. His life was a consuming quest for knowledge and wisdom. He encompassed a vast range of perspectives of Buddhism. His writings bring out a broad portrait of this remarkable person. At their best his articles to various journals, magazines and newspapers throb with unforgettable details, that leave the reader with a vivid sense of various aspects of Buddhism. His articles were truly amazing in their efficiency and originality.

Mr. Robertson must rank as one of the finest broadcasters in English on Buddhism in Sri Lanka to date. This article is inadequate to even introduce this extraordinary person of many talents. His broadcastings on the four noble truths, on kamma, of the futility of desires, on reprehensibility of the belief in the soul, on Nibbana, rebirth, death paticca samuppada enchanted the public. His broadcasting lectures exemplified a scholarly treatment of Buddhism.

He was firm, assertive and confident. He displayed intellectual integrity, moral earnestness and spiritual insight. He was a true Buddhist, one who had relationships, friendships, a good marriage and family.