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The eternal liberation taught in Buddhism is gained while one is alive
December 29 is Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day
It is common to see ‘May you attain Nibbana’ notices at funeral houses. But, it does not happen that way. All these are illusions. The eternal liberation taught in Buddhism is gained while one is alive. I will not believe if someone says that I will get something after my death as I will not be able to hear or see what I will get. I will only accept what I receive while I am alive. That is why Buddha talked only about an enlightenment before death.
Which would you prefer – something given after your death or before? We can only give credence to something given before our death. But, unfortunately, some people wish to have ‘liberation’ after their death. It is the misfortune of not realizing the truth. It’s clear how a wise person could be confused being caught in the false notions that exist. Where have the thousands of people ‘eligible’ to attain Nibbana gone? They have gone to hell.
As long as the path is ‘closed’, most people would end up in hell and only a few will go to heaven. But, none can attain Nirvana until the path remains closed. So, what needs to be done? The path has to be opened. We have to show the Nirvana by opening the path. It is something that happens while being alive and can never be attained after death. We cannot accept ‘offers’ that could be had after death.
The liberation preached by all Buddhas is gained before death. Now, the problem is how to attain it? What steps to follow? What is the correct path? Now, would you like to attain Nibbana by following the path or not following the path? Both can exist within you. Can anyone realize the truth by not following the path and not practicing the mind? How can it be done?
So, why haven’t you attained Nibbana until now? That’s because you have listened without preparing yourself. Only listening will not work unless you prepare. You have seen how children play. If a ball comes your way and you want to catch it, but will not be able to do so by having your hands behind you. The reason is you were not prepared to catch it.
Therefore, be prepared to listen. Maybe, you need only one specific word in your lifetime. How long have you been searching for that word? Hundreds of lives….thousands…. millions….? Before you start following the path, your heart should say this is the correct path. Then you listen.
When a person let go everything by mind, he becomes nissarana. Then, why do people enjoy pleasure out of senses? Because they are uneducated. They do not know about the path to Nirvana. Why do people hate each other? Because they do not know about the path to Nirvana.
People have arrogance, overriding others, showing qualities that they do not possess, gaining fame through lying, trying to be popular, chasing what they do not deserve, trying to acquire things they cannot, not willing to accept suffering, fear and sickness, what are all these about? It is about how uneducated and stupid they are. If people are wise, they accept all these. Accept and be prepared.
– Sri Samanthabadhra Thera
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
