10 Wednesday 15th June, 2011 BY UPALI K SALGADO bring to Lanka, a valid Upasampada (Higher Ordination), held at ncient chronicles the Pushparama Temple, now known as Mahavansa and the the Malwatte Maha Vihara in Kandy. ADeepavansa records that Thus was born the Siyam Maha before the Maha Parinibbana Nikaya with an Upasampada that (demise) of Sakyamuni Gothama took place on 10th July, 1753. Buddha at Kushinara (modern Subsequently, in 1803 the Kashimagar), He foretold to his dis- Amarapura Maha Nikaya was estab- ciples who were present that, “two lished at Ambagahapitiya Mula hundred and sixty years later, a Maha Vihara, Welithara, Balapitiya. Thera named Mahinda will arrive The Ramanya Maha Nikaya was also with splendour (in the sky) to shine established in 1807. In the back- in Lankadeepa. There will be a beau- gound of all these happenings dur- tiful place named Thuparama, and ing the colonial rule, the historic the Island will be known as THAM- Panadura Debate took place around BAPANNI. They will deposit a relic 1875 with the Wesliyan Mission. of my body in that most excellent This was followed by a Buddhist ren- place in the island. The Mahavansa aissance. Several large stupas and states that Thera Maha Mahinda, temples, which were in ruins were with four others, on a full moon day restored and new Buddhist schools (Uposatha), in the month of Jetta, were established all over the island. will, with wondrous powers, alight Ananda College, with early benefac- at the mount Missaka on the Sila tors, namely Gate Mudaliyar peak, at Ambastalle (now identified Samson Rajapaksha, Peter De as Mihintale). This historic event Abrew; Mahinda College Galle had that took place in the 3rd century Gate Mudaliyar Henry Woodward B.C. could be considered as the Amarasuriya, and his son H W greatest historical went in Lanka, Amarasuriya as benefactors. and its significance is manifold. The Dharmaraja College, Kandy had King, Devanampiya Tissa (247-207 Anagarika Dharmapala and Sir D. BC), that time happened to be B. Jayathilake as founders with H. engaged in deer hunting spots had Billimoria (a Parsee) as a pioneer met the great sage Mahinda. In a educationalist; Mueseus Girls’ brief conversation that took place, to School was helped by Sir D. B. check the intelligence an compre- Jayathilake and had Mari Higgins as hension of the monarch, the sage the Head: Visakha Vidyalaya was then delivered Chulla Hatthi founded by Mrs. Jeramios Dias Padopama Sutta, which is the (Celestine Rodrigo), Mahamaya essence of Buddhism. At the end of Girls’ School had Sir Bennet and the historic discourse, king Lady Sara Soysa as founder philan- Devanampiya Tissa and his entire thropists. The Tissa Maha Seya was retinue readily accepted the noble renovated around 1908 with the lead- Buddha Dhamma, and became fol- ership of Mudaliyar Sudurukku lowers of Buddhism. Farancis Jayawickrama of Matara This historical event is impor- and N Amarasingha of Tangalle; the tant because it brought a new reli- Seruvila Maha Seya was renovated gious and social revolution in in 1915 with the leadership of ancient Lanka. It could rightly be Mudaliyar D. D. Weerasingha of said that it was the beginning of Wellawatte. The Kelani Raja Maha Sinhala Buddhist culture, which Viharaya was renovated between though in later years, with the 1935 and 1948 having beautiful wall advent the Portuguese, Dutch and paintings of Solis Mendis, with the British colonial powers was able to wealth of Mrs. Helena Wijewardena withstand their missionary designs. and her children; Sir Ernest De The historic event also marked the Silva was a philanthropist who founded Devapathiraja College “A Twist of Fate” founding of the Buddhist monastic order in Sri Lanka and paved the Ratgama, the Walana Katunayake BY MANEL FERNANDO were very happy to help her. After all, two The temple was well illuminated, with way for the arrival of the sage Maha Boys’ School and the Buddhist motherless children a reckless father, and lanterns, streamers and hundreds of clay Mahinda’s sister, Sanghamitta Orphanage. He also donated in 1911 he pealing of temple bells, beating of an unhappy home was all what we had to oil lamps. “Flags fluttered in the breeze. It Theri, the daughter of Emperor Polgasduwa island in Dodanduwa to drums, and the chanting of pirith face in life. It was Achchi, though sick, who was indeed a beautiful sight. Asoka of India (273-236 BC). She be a hermitage for Buddhist monks. Tfrom the nearby temple Megaramaya brought cheers to our lives. As we were about to leave, Mrs. Silva, a brought with her a sapling of the Bo Dr. W. Arthur Silva and his wife heralded the dawn of another Poson day. The sil programme was timed so that known Dayaka of the temple, known to us Tree from Buddha Gaya with great Kathrene donated in 1922 four acres “Wake up! Wake up children” called every hour there were discussions, medita- as well, caught my hand took me to a side devotion and ceremony, to be planted of land at Wellawatta to establish Achchi Amara, who was already dressed in tion, Dhamma desana and finally Buddha and inquired after my father “How is your puja and Gilanpassa puja ended the days father?” she asked me. “Why Aunty, he is at at Maha Megha Uyana in the Sri Lankadara Society white wearing her ‘sil’ reddha. Infact I and ‘sil’ programmes. Achchi was so involved in home” I said. “At home”, she exclaimed Anuradhapura. Sangamitta Theri Orphanage. In 1920, the Pedris fami- sister Chathu were to observe ‘sil’ on Poson the religious observances. She has lots of rather surprised. “Don’t you know he is in and several Bhikkunis, who arrived ly of Colombo donated to the Maha day, along with Achchi at the International friends, too at the temple. hospital” I was shocked to hear this. with her, were also responsible in Sangha the Isipathanaramaya in Buddhist Centre. It was 5.00 a.m. and our little home, I contemplated on the Dhamma desana “In hospital!” I exclaimed. We are at establishing a Bhikkuni order Colombo. Over 100 years ago Sir D. B. Jayathilake founded of the along the sea coast, was not far off from the of priest Sanka. He dealt more with Karma. Achchi’s”. I know, I know “because she was (Buddhist nuns). With these happen- Maybe if was our Karma to be left alone in our neighbour and close associate of the YMBA, a powerhouse to hold dham- temple. ings, there ushered in the island an this world, I thought to myself. family.“She knew we had been left to fend ma classes, seminars and other My sister, Chathu, and I had only been effervescence of art and culture that I was only six years when my mother for ourselves. I was feeling very said. “Your Buddhist activities. The Buddhist living six months with Achchi. We led a is outstanding. Buddhist and orien- left us and went with another. My sister was step mother has left him for good with her renaissance made the Tower Hall quiet life, away from the hustle and bustle of tal Art with “liyaveli” and lotus the city.While I worked as a clerk at the only three-years-old. It was very difficult for two children. Maradana a hive of activity with motiffs, beautiful Guardstones and Bank, my sister, Chathuri, was still attend- my father to cope with two little children. Your dad had gone on a business errand song and dance. The Jathaka Moonstones had adorned Vihares, ing school, sitting the O/Levels this year. At that time it was Achchi who stayed with to Kandy last week and had met with an “Vessantara” was seen on the boards Vahalkadas and large buildings “Hurry up children. Let’s go soon as ‘sil’ him, brought us up with love and care. accident. He is in hospital. His leg and arm which are now in ruins. The visit of of the theatre, and the immortal will be administered at 6.00 a.m.,” said Father was an Executive Director in a big are fractured. Maha Mahinda Thera also is impor- song “Danno Budunge” was sung for Achchini in her kind inimitable way. I could not tell this to Achchi. I tant as it cemented a close relation- the first time in 1917 under the lead- Chathu and I, together with Achchi, was quietly to told Chathu. She was in ship with India during Emperor ership of the celebrated playwrite, just in time for the observance of ‘sil’. tears. “Though living apart, we loved Asoka’s time. Proctor John De. Silva. Restoration The temple was decorated with Short Story our Dad who spent on our schooling No story about Mihintale would of the Ruwanveli Maha Seya, Buddhist flags. It was a lovely sight to and brought us up, till he married a be complete without a reference to Anuradhapura, took place in 1938 see the white clad Upasaka’s and society lady. two men who left an indisputable and was a major event in the Upasikas seated secrenely listening to the firm and he had a lot of responsible tasks to We decided to visit him in a hospital the record of achievements. Prof. Buddhist calender. The ancient her- first dhamma desana of the chief priest attend to. following day.There he lay with a bandaged Senerath Paranavithana, the mitage of King Valagamba’s time, Revata. We were borded in a hostel. Next, he got arm, and a plastered leg. He was given a married again to a widow with two chil- drip of saline. We went upto him.