Ajahn Brahmavamso is 60 years today, August 7. Five years ago, he was an "unknown quantity" in Sri Lanka; today his is a household name. We had heard of him as a meditation teacher in Australia. His first visit made us realise he was a charming person - simple, friendly, powerful.
Ajahn Brahm's longest stay in Sri Lanka was in January this year when he conducted a nine-day meditation retreat for monks, nuns and the laity in the cool climes of Bandarawela, 4000 feet above sea level.
When members of the newly formed 'Ajahn Brahm Sri Lanka Society' went up to make arrangements for the retreat a couple of months ahead of the event, the mere mention of Ajahn's name created much excitement. The response was most encouraging. Chief monks of the nearby village temples took over the offering of alms to the participants. Officers and soldiers from the nearby army camp committed to provide the sound system, mats and blankets.
 |
| Ajahn Brahmavamso leading monks on pindapatha at Bandarawela |
The local governing body and the town-folk took over the responsibility of organising the Town Hall for a Dhamma talk by Ajahn. The Tourist Board which administers the resort where the retreat was held was willing to extend their fullest cooperation.
Everything went according to plan. "It was amazing," commented Venerable Mettavihari Thera who headed the organising committee. "People just offered to help in whatever way they could and they did."
"It's purely Ajahn Brahm's merit," he added. "Mention of his name creates so much interest and excitement."
"We were so touched by the way the rural folk from distant villages trudged many miles and brought 'kenda' (porridge) prepared in their homes. They came in around 4.30 in the morning," said Rohantha Rodrigo, the organising committee secretary.
The January (Duruthu) full moon day saw 7000 devotees participating in a full day programme at the BMICH. There were many who came to listen to Ajahn for the first time. They were from different faiths. They all went back with pleasant memories and are now demanding more such programmes.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa makes it a point to invite Ajahn Brahm for the morning alms whenever he comes to Sri Lanka. When he was here in January, he was invited to deliver the Poya day Dhamma sermon from Temple Trees which was telecast over several TV channels live thereby enabling at least seven to eight million to watch.
Ajahn's talks are available in VCD and DVD formats at the most reasonable prices by Dharmavahini Foundation set up by Ven Mettavihari to propagate the Dhamma. Ajahn Brahm's talks delivered at BSWA Friday programmes are regularly heard over 'The Buddhist' channel. More and more writings by Ajahn are being made available in Sinhala.
The keynote address delivered by Ajahn Brahm at the Buddhist Business Forum as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the World Fellowship of Buddhists held in Colombo last November created a new interest group – the corporate sector.
There were many requests from several corporate heads to arrange discussions during Ajahn's January visit which could not be accommodated since the programme had been finalised by then.
The Sri Lanka Tourist Board recently discussed the success of Ajahn Brahm's retreat at Bandarawela. The idea of promoting a 'Buddhist Hotel' where regular meditation sessions can be held was suggested at the discussion. John Keells promptly offered one of their hotels. It's a direct result of the impact of Ajahn Brahm's visit.
The two-day meditation programmes arranged by the Ajahn Brahm Sri Lanka Society at the BMICH every month have begun to attract meditators who find Ajahn's style quite easy to follow. Recorded versions of his meditation programmes and his sermons are used during these sessions.
Ajahn Brahm, on this happy occasion when you are reaching a milestone in life, let me wish you many more years of strength and vigour to continue your mission.
'Chirang Jayatu'! |
E-mail
