Vesak Sirisara –Buddhist Annual 2022

As always, the Vesak Sirisara 2022 (87^th issue), edited by Neville Piyadigama and published by the Government Services Buddhist Association, carries articles of great interest and helpful to lay people. The subject areas covered do not overlap so the reader gets expert exposition on meditation, the Doctrine, social issues, both mental and physical sickness and wellbeing.

Sutta Dhana – the wealth of learning by Ven Siri Vajiraramaye Nanasiha Thera mentions dhana which means wealth or treasure. He then explains the fifth dhana, which is indestructible and the wealth of hearing or learning; the wealth of closely following The Teaching. Suta Dhana has been defined by the Buddha as the learning of ariyasavaka-s which means being learned in the Dhamma, remembered well what has been heard and have excellent memory storage. Three steps are stated: Learning; retention of what has been listened to or learned; familiarizing with a text by practicing the reciting of the suttas aloud.

Ven Ajahan Brahmavamso in his Quality of mindfulness; aided by instructions and attention, using the metaphor of gatekeeper for mindfulness explains simply what mindfulness is – the mind being in the preset moment – and how to be mindful.In her article The Direct and the Right Path, Bhiikkuni Maharagama Uppalawanne introduces her exposition thus: “writing about the Buddha and his teachings for the benefit of the general reader who is new to the subject…” and explains the four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path in simple language.

Desamanya K H J Wijayadasa, titles his article Principles of Equality, Freedom and Justice ingrained in Buddhism. I thought his article very timely and apt at this time in our country’s history. He starts with the History of the Violation of Fundamental Human Rights – slavery for one, and proceeds to explain the three major concepts stated in his title in accordance with what the Buddha taught and what Buddhists (and others) should uphold. He ends thus: “Buddhism is a humanistic religion which has given pride of place to voluntary service … Buddhist voluntarism is unique because it also embodies the principle of justice and fair play…”

Paticcha Samuppada subtitled Dependent Origination in Theravada Buddhism is the seven paged article by Karu Peiris explaining clearly this Law of Causality which is exclusive to Buddhism. This concept is fairly difficult to comprehend in depth to many lay people. The writer attempts to explain “the nature of the world (where) everything happens due to a cause.” He succeeds in his attempt.

Another long article is by Dr Mass R Usuf who writes about Silabbata Paramasa: attachment to futile practices, ceremonies, rites and rituals. I feel this is a very appropriate, timely and necessary focus of attention on what many Sri Lankan Buddhists practice. We see that the true Dhamma and observing it and following it are diluted dangerously by rites and rituals, which are many and diverse. Most ‘wayward’ to me is the ‘futile practices’ indulged in for the veneration of the Hindu Pantheon. Usually favours are asked for and that is indicative of huge egos.

Prof N A de S Amaratunge writes about Controversies related to Truth and Prof P D Premasiri on Buddhism and Social Problems. Cleanliness and Hygiene in the Vinaya is South African J C Jufa’s article reproduced from the 1992 journal. He Who Would Wait on Me let Him Wait on the Sick by W A S Perera and Mental Health through Buddhism by Asoka M Jayasinghe are the final two articles.

Three poems enhance the Annual. Chandra Wickramasinghe’s The Eagle, having the first and last lines: “It lent the sky a majestic grace” and “And was on level with the rest!” indicates the theme of the poem without once mentioning pride, ego, all ends in death. He writes that the Emperor Bird lording “wheeled a crippled circle” and ended “A bloody mass of feathered flesh.” Not only is the message conveyed but it is done in excellent poetic language and style.

Claidia Weeraperuma composes the rhyming, eight stanza poem on Renunciation (Nekkamma). The annual ends with Dr Mass R Usuf’s Glimpse of Life which ends thus: “Why then give me/this glimpse of life /when someday /I will be taken away/callously taken away.”

The Annual’s cover story is on Deepal Jayawardena who contributed the cover with a picture of the Buddha at Saranth delivering the sermon in the Deer Park; wonderfully serene and of aesthetic excellence depicting the Gupta period of Indian art.

N P Wanasundera