Sati Pasala Concept

By Nanda Pethiyagoda

Sati is a Pali term which literally means ‘memory’ or ‘retention’. In its Buddhist context it translates to mindfulness: remembering to observe; being constantly mindful of the present moment. It is practicable by young and old, of every race and religion. Sati is an essential component of Buddhist practice. In extension, it includes maintaining a lucid awareness of the dhammas or reality of bodily and mental phenomena in order to counter the arising of unwholesome states and thoughts. The concept and practice of sati has been gaining in importance and insistence in the modern world of various attractions, diversions, distractions and plain trouble.

Inauguration of Sati Pasala

Most Ven Uda Eriyagama Dhammajiva Maha Thera is the foremost bhikkhu in Sri Lanka who, realising the worth, value and immediate urgency of sati awareness, embarked on a peaceful and non-coercive crusade of introducing sati bhavana to young children and youth; elders being welcome. Progressing from units and smaller sites of sati bhavana, he has now been successful in convincing education authorities to introduce the concept of sati to school curriculums and sati meditation in schools.

On February 20, the cointry-wide Sati Pasala Progamme was inaugurated at the Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya, with a gathering of students, teachers, parents and others, from 7.00 a m onwards in the presence of the Most Ven Uda Eriyagama Dhammajiva Maha Thera and Dr Susil Premjayanth, Minister of Education. The Venerable Bhikkhu impressed on those present the essentiality of sati meditation in the turmoil that presently prevails in our country and in the world. The Education Minister elaborated on the school programme and its implementation and extension.

In December 2022, consequent to much preparatory work by Ven Dhammajiva Maha Thera and the Sati Pasala Foundation he formed, a Cabinet decision was released to accommodate a Sati Pasala Programme in the curriculum of national schools. In 2023, 4.5 million school children from 10,000 schools benefitted from this newly introduced meditation programme. The number of beneficiaries will increase vastly as the programme is introduced to more schools and institutions island-wide, such as prisons and drug rehabilitation centres.

Sati Pasala Foundation and its project

The Foundation – brainchild of the Most Ven Thera – came into being in 2013 and progresses as a purely volunteer gathering promoting sati bhavana among children across Sri Lanka, encouraging girls and boys of all races and religions to participate in sati meditation programmes since its inception in 2016. Sati Pasala has a secular approach, free from any ethnic or religious bias; its approach being non-compulsory and programmes conducted free of charge.

The Foundation and its projects, as stated in its website, are now present in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, UK and the Middle East, due to Ven Dhammajiva Maha Thera being recognised in these countries. He travels widely and preaches alongside many well-known monks or alone in countries where Buddhism is spreading.

The Sati Programme is unique, rooted as it is in the Buddha’s Satipathtana Sutta, placing emphasis on principal features of mindfulness being a very effective way to purify oneself in mind and body. It appreciates the prevention through mindfulness of any evil deeds: unwholesome thoughts, intentions and actions of the spoken word and physical body. Associated with it are diligence and the promotion of basic bare attention. The teaching within the sati sessions is that one does not need anything extra or any help from others to be mindful.

The Sati Pasala Foundation is headquartered in 292/7, Ashokarama Road, Ihala Bomiriya, Kaduwela, with telephone numbers 0112 159411; 0777 274 414.

Addresses: coordinator@satiipasala.org; www.satipasla.org

It is envisaged that Sati Pasala and sati meditation will be conducted by a large number of dedicated Foundation members island-wide with the cooperation of school authorities, parents and others, assisted by benefactors. This is already being done. With UNESCO Sri Lanka Commission, the programme will be further enhanced.

Innovator of the Sati Pasala Programme

The honour and merit accrued by guiding children and elders on the correct path of mindfulness, resulting in better lives of peace and serenity, goes completely to Most Ven Uda Eriyagama Dhammajiva Maha Thera, chief preceptor of the Meethirigala Nissarana Vanaya.

While reading for his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in the University of Peradeniya, he felt dissatisfaction with his life; aggravated in 1977 by his father’s ill health and eventual death. He realised the impermanence of life; even later as CEO of a private firm. He accepted the advice of a foreign monk in whom he had confided his dilemma, who said joining the Sangha was the answer to his dissatisfaction. On November 16, 1988, he ordained as a bhikkhu and in June 1990 received higher ordination. Within this period he was guided closely by the Most Ven Matara Sri Nanarama Maha Thera.

He also followed intense meditation courses in Myanmar and Thailand. Thus he, being very advanced in both samatha and vipassana bhavana, decided not to be a solitary-seeking forest monk but to help others to get on the Path. Fortunately for our country and Buddhists in other countries and the world at large, he decided to work for the benefit of suffering humans. He knew the best stage to introduce meditation and particularly mindfulness was in childhood and thus his brainchild – Sati Pasala.