Eco-crisis and Individual

Nature is the first teacher of man. We cannot divorce man from the nature and its surrounding living creatures. An Australian ecologist called John Seed says “we need to see ourselves not as isolated skinned and capsulated egos but as part of the larger body of the Earth”. Man, animal and other creatures as well as the natural resources depended on one another from the start. Everything on earth had served one way or other for living and survival. We humans are related to or made entirely of non-human elements like natural greeneries, earth, water, clouds, sunshine etc. which make us a part of the nature. For the long lasting survival of mankind, the ecosystem needs to be respected highly and preserved. Protecting human life is not possible without also protecting the lives of animals, plants, and minerals. All living sentient beings in one way or another are totally interdependent towards each other for their own survival.

Natural environments like forests and plant life served men and wildlife with numerous benefits, social, economical and environmental. Many daily needs like papers and timbers as well as minerals, and petroleum are forest provided. It shelters the wildlife habitat and provides recreational opportunities. Vegetables and plants are taken as food by man as well as animals for their living. Various plants and roots are used as medicinal drugs for healing purposes. It also plays a critical role in the management of global climate. The leaves of trees and plants absorb the deadly and polluted gases like carbon-dioxide which is responsible for global warming and climate change and releases oxygen in the process of photosynthesis. The trees block the polluted air and rainwater making them settled which helps the air to get purified and maintains an even flow of water to rivers and lakes preventing flood holding the soil still.

The relationship between the plant life and animals is mutual. Men, animals (i.e. baboons, monkey squirrels), nectar collecting birds (i.e. humming birds, bats, sunbirds,) and insects (i.e. ants, bees, flies) help plants for the pollination by indirect ways of carrying the seeds one place to another and spreading them out. Various types of termites play their part for the enrichment of the soil by the woody material works and building termite-mounds with large amount dead leaves, which circulates fresh nutriment to the plants, and help the soil to get fertilized.

But man, without just trying to meet his needs, corrupts the whole natural ecosystem trying to fulfill his wants filled with greed, hatred and delusion. Maurice F. Strong in his article The United Nations and the Environment says: “In these closing decades of the twentieth century modern man is a paradox of extremes. He possesses untold knowledge and wealth, but these have brought no universal end to the indignity of poverty and ignorance. He has conquered space, but on earth he is unable to overcome conflicts and inequities. His mastery of science and technology gives him unprecedented power, but his living world is threatened as at no time since his planetary home first gave him warmth and shelter”. Due to the advancement of science and multi-faceted uses of technology, the living environment is faced with destructive thread challenging the healthy eco-system. Excessive urbanization and industrialization of the natural environment is immensely in danger destroying the natural environmental beauty. Vast forest areas are cleared out destroying thousands of tress. Various chemical industrial factories are coming up polluting the whole atmosphere with chemical discharge (i.e. air pollution, water pollution etc) causing various new deceases, Due to air pollution with toxic gases daily, there is the incensement of heat in the air, damaging ozone layer, malting of snow in the North Pole, arising of the sea water level, decreasing of the land area, widening of desert, decreasing pure water, destruction of wild life, disappearing of botanical verity, increasing atomic raise in the environment.

Very little is being done in spite of the fact that the human demands on the Earth's ecosystems cannot continue much longer without severe repercussions for both humans and other species. The natural resources and minerals that took billions of years to form are consumed within couple of years. I would like to quote Krishna Chaitanya from his ‘Profile of Indian Culture’ saying: “With the growth of the megalopolis and with town-planners thinking in terms of continuous conurbation extending right across continents, man is tending to forget how profoundly his life is linked with that of nature. He has stripped the hills and valleys of their mantle of green and the rivers, thus abetted in their assault on the weakened earth, are washing away the future into the sea. It is the forest cover that conserves the soil from erosion, regulates the flow of streams and purifies the air we breathe”.

Read more...

Photos

Read more...

Oedipus Rex

Read more...

Moonstone, a master piece of Sri Lankan Sculptures

Moonstones: is one of the unique master pieces of Sri Lankan sculpture. It is called Sandakada Pahana in Sinhala. It mostly can be found at the foot of a flight of steps to a shrine, in a semi-circular slab of stone. Some archeologists say it has come from the Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda of India, along with other forms of art and very much developed in Sri Lanka. Many different interpretations have been given by scholars based on small differences in the shapes of the moonstones. Prof. Paranavitana, one of the Sri Lankan great Archeologists, basing his arguments mainly on the Abhayagiri moonstones says that the outer circle with the flame depicts the secular world as burning in fire and the design with four animals symbolizing birth, decay, disease and death. It represents the passage of beings through a cycle of births and deaths called samsara. The creepers depict desire of craving, while the row of swans represents purity. The lotus in the centre depicts the Suddhavasa Brahma world. The flight of steps indicates the stages of attainment (patipada) which lead to the final release from transmigration (samsara).

However, the above interpretation is not accepted by some scholars. Some say the four animals and the lotus which are the two common features of the moonstone represent “never warmed” mythical lake Anavatapta. The fully opened lotus flower may well represent the lotus pool (padmakara) while the four animals namely elephant, bull, horse, and lion represent the sacred rivers namely Sindhu, Ganga, Vaksa, and Sita flowing around the lake from the four outlets of the four animals. The serpent king who is supposed to be the guardian of the lake, known as Ananta may well in this case represent the Naga King in the guard stones on either side of the moonstone.

Read more...

My Thoughts

If one possesses a rich heart
lack of wealth does not necessarily make one a poor.
Generosity, compassion, loving kindness, virtues are
treasures that make one wealthy and rich in mind.


Learn from the past but don’t cling to it tight,
Live a good present for a better future.


Sense of moral shame and responsibility are virtues
– that make one act right.


To make this world a better place
We need to develop a better psychological world of cultivated minds than a material world of limitless desires.


If you are really good at heart there need no advertisement
to show how good you are.
By making advertisements of one’s deeds,
one shows how stupid he is.

To overcome the gravity of samsara, today’s man needs to experience it and see as it is.

Read more...

Who are You?

I am a sailor in this ocean of Samsara

I am an adventurer in this world of mystery

I am a light seeker to eliminate darkness

I am a warrior of peace

Read more...

Reflections

Overcome the anger by non anger;
Overcome the wicket by goodness;
Overcome the miser by generosity;
Overcome the liar by the truth.
Dhammapada 223

He who speaks words that are peaceful,
Useful, and true
– Words that offend no one
Him I call a Brahmin (holy man)
Dhmmapada 408

To have much wealth
And ample possession and food
But to enjoy one’s luxuries alone –
This is a cause of one’s downfall
Sutta Nipata I. 6

Though One may conquer
A thousand times a thousand men
Yet he indeed is the noble victor
Who conquers himself.
Dhammapada 103

Easy to see the faults of others
Difficult to see one’s own
One reveals the fault of others like chaff
Blown in the wind, but conceals one’s own as a gambler
Conceals his false deco
Dhammapada 50

The friend who is a helpmate
The friend in prosperity and adversity
The friend who gives good counsel,
The friend who sympathizes –
These four as friends the wise helved
And cherish them devotedly as does a mother to her own child
Dhammapada 31

Read more...

Up country Kandy & Nuwareliya, Sri Lanka

Kandy Town

Front View of Tooth Relic Temple

Lake view of the Tooth Relic Temple

The city of Kandy lies at an altitude of 488.6 meters (1629 feet) above sea level in the center of the island and surrounded by the ranges of mountains. It is still very much a focal point of Sri Lankan culture. It was the capitol of last generation of Sri Lanka`s kings until it fell in to the hands of British in 1815.Kandy was originally known as Senkadagala pura after a hermit named Senkada who lived there. Many of Sinhalese people call it “Mahanuwara” meaning the "Great City”. But the name Kandy was derived from the Word Kanda, which means mountain. Due to it’s geographical location Kandy was not an easy target for the foreign invaders who could gain the control of coastal area of the island.

Rose in Nuwareliya Tea Garden

A view of a lack on the way to Nuwareliya

Buddhist Novices in their monastery in Nuwareliya

Unlike, my hometown CHT where I experienced diverse seasons, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, I mostly experience rainy season and summer. Of course, an up-country town called Kandy is quite different in climate compared to other low countries in Sri Lanka. So as I missed winter so much, I always dreamt of going to Nuwareliya of which I used to hear rumors about being a cool climate upcountry with beautiful landscapes. Finally, there came a chance to go. Many of my friends and me from the University started our journey in the morning at 7AM after a simple breakfast. On our way to main destination, we happened to visit the small town, Kandy that I have mentioned above. I love this town because of its climate which is a bit cooler than Colombo and it is situated much above the sea level, surrounded by the hills and trees. We took our lunch in this beautiful small town in a hotel, then we visited the Tooth-relic Temple. This tooth relic temple, is one of the most sacred and historic place in Sri Lanka, which houses the tooth of the Buddha. According to history, it was a palace during the Kandian period and later it was transformed into a temple. Kandian Dance is very unique in Sri Lanka. This temple of the tooth-relic also contains a museum with lots of paintings and historic art and architectural sculptures. After touring around the Tooth-relic temple for about 2 hours we again set off towards Nuwareliya, my dream land. On our way, I was enjoying the views of Sri Lankan life styles with villages, shopping malls and housing structures, and as our bus was going through the woody lands, I could smell of the forest woods. Our bus was just going up and up through hilly road. More and more we were climbing above the sea level, I could see the lands were filled with water as here and there or rather everywhere we could find water-falls which looks so beautiful with the hills and mountains touching the clouds. As we reached near Nuwareliya I could smell the tea leaves grown there. People there most of whom are Tamils were very busy working in the tea fields. We stopped in a tea factory to see how the tea is produced and we were offered very good quality tea which we really enjoyed. I discovered that most of the vegetables distributed all over Sri Lanka are actually grown in Nuwareliya. After reaching the top of the Nuwareliya town, I almost could experience a bit of winter that I experienced long ago in CHt. It was really a nice and adventurous experience of Sri Lanka and its culture.

Read more...

A visit to Siri Pada (Adam's Peak)

Looking below from the top of Siri-Pada

A distant View of Siri Pada

The Foot-print covered with sacred cloth

Morning view of Siri pada

Rising Sun

View of the rising Sun from Siripada

The most famous physical feature of Ceylon is Siripada (Adam's Peak), which is situated in the Ratnapura district. It is on the edge of the central massif but its surrounding group of mountains called the Wilderness of the Peak, is so extensive in comparison to the bulk of the other mountain groups that it appears to form a nucleus of its own, separate from the others. It is about 7500 ft high and, though it is the second highest peak in the land, its position in relation to the topography is so dominant that it stands out above all others.

Read more...

The Role of Elephant in Indian Art and Mythology

In Indian history elephant is also used as a symbol for majesty, power and dignity. As legend goes on saying that elephant supposed to have come into existence out of the sea on the occasion of churning of the ocean (samudra-manthana) as Airavata, the milk-while elephant. Once accepted as born out of water it became the symbol for source of life. It symbolizes the principle of motherhood. It brings water from the underworld and sprinkles it on the head of Sri Laksmi, the mother goddess, and thus became the symbol of fertility, wealth, and abundance. In the Mahabharata it is stated that ‘seated on his elephant Indra pours down rain’ and that elephant ‘draws up water from the underworld for Indra to rain’. It shows that elephant had become a symbol of the raining clouds for the epic poets. According to Marshall the ‘elephant is floating on clouds which clearly emphasize his descent from the sky’. Elephant pillars of Mauryan period might have been the reminiscences of an ancient elephant cult. In Gita elephant is listed among the folk divinities and as one of the vibhutis (manifestation of might or power) of Krisna.

There are Jataka stories and Indian folk tales where we find references to elephant festivals. Susima Jataka referes to the elephant festival as Histi-mangala. The king used to give many elephants decorated with golden trappings, flags, and gold ornaments to a Brahmana well-versed in the three Vedas and Hasti-sutra (elephant sutra). In the Matiposaka Jataka there is a reference to a festival in which a stone image of the elephant was worshipped. In the Mahabharata that the dhvaja (banner/ flag) of Karna and Duryodhana was adorned by a bejeweled elephant. The stone pillars shown in the Vedika and Torana relief of the Sanchi and Bharhut stupa also provide us many sources on elephant cult. One of them depicts the four elephants back to back and the other two elephants and two lions back to back. These banners seem to be the outcome of ancient elephant cult.

Among the many pillars of Emperor Asoka, the Sankisa pillar is found surmounded with an elephant image. The inclusion of the elephant in the list of seven royal ratnas (gems) might have been one of the factors which enhanced its value in the eyes of the Buddhists.

Read more...

Ancient Cities of Sri Lanka: Anuradhapura and polonnaruwa

The sacred cities Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, now in picturesque ruins, were once major centers of Sri Lankan civilization. The fascinating ancient ruins include huge bell-shaped stupas built of small sun-dried bricks, temples, sculptures, palaces, and ancient drinking-water reservoirs. These cites also had some of the most complex irrigation systems of the ancient world. Most of the great reservoir tanks still survive today, and some many be the oldest surviving reservoirs in the world.

Polonnaruwa standing Buddha Hall built by King Parakkama-Bahu

Bathing Pond for the Queen at Polonnaruwa City

The sitting and the Standing Buddha at Polonnaruwa

The reservoir built by King Parakkama-Bahu for agricultural purpose

Map of Polonnaruwa

King Duttagamini's seven storied Palace

Medicigiriya Vatadage at Polonnaruwa

Moonstones:
Scholars interpret the figures on the moonstones in different ways. Prof. Paranavitana, basing his arguments mainly on the Abhayagiri moonstones says that the outer circle with the flame motif depicts the secular world as burning in fire. Next comes the design with four animals symbolizing birth, decay, disease and death. It represents the passage of beings through a cycle of births and deaths called samsara. The creepers depict desire of carving, while the row of swans represents purity. The lotus in the centre depicts the Suddhavasa Brahma world. The flight of steps indicate the stages of attainment (patipada) which lead to the final release from transmigration (samsara).

Samadhi Buddha
The weathered limestone statue of Samadhi Buddha, now under a protective canopy in a park-like setting, is the first important relic the visitor comes accross in the Abhayagiri complex at Mahamevuna Park in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. The image is depicted in the serene state of Samadhi, or deep meditation and is considered to be one of the best examples in the area. Note that the numerous lotus flowers or other offerings placed by the faithful at the stone bench in front of the Buddha. This is typical at all statues of Buddha throughout the country. It is said that this is one of the best pieces ofsculpture. The statue is 8 feet in height and made of granite and the Dhyana mudra is symbolished - The posture of meditation in which Buddha sits in the cross - legged position with upturned palms, placed one over the other on the lap.

Thuparama-stupa:
The stupa was first to be built in the island by king Devanampiyatissa, since the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC. The stupa was built on the instructions of Mahinda Thera with lumps of clay taken from the bed of the Abhaya Tank and constructed in the shape of Paddy-heap (dhanyakara). The Thuparama dagoba northwest of the Ruwanveli Maha Seya, is the oldest in the country. It is believed to enshrine the right collarbone of Lord Buddha, which was a gift from Emperor Asoka after the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. In 2nd century B.C. it was enclosed in a vatadage (round house) built of wood. In the 7th century the wood pillars were replaced with stone pillars, some of which are still standing today. The present day dagoba was built in the 1860's.

Ruwannveli Seya Stupa:
This stupa was built by king Duttagamini after saving Rajarata from foreign domination. Ruwanveli was known as the Mahathupa as it was the largest in size compared to other stupas in Rajarata. This great stupa with a diameter of about 370ft was constructed on a very strong foundation to prevent it from shaking says the Mahavamsa. The dept of the foundation was said to be 7 cubits which is equivalent to 17.5ft. Huge lime stones were brought and broken with hammers and crushed stones were stamped down by elephants and butter like clay from estuaries was applied on the foundation and pressed. On thee top of it a layer of whitestone and cinnabar with clay were laid and impressed. Enshrining of relics took place at the third level of the circular bans fron the basal terrace of the stupa.

Jetavana Stupa:
The Jetavanarama, a marvel of the heretic King Mahasena (276-303), is the biggest dagoba in the world, currently only a little smaller than the Great Pyramid of Egypt. The massive monument covers 8 acres of land and originally rose to over 400 feet. It is estimated to have housed about 3000 monks. After finishing the reconstruction it is said that the crystal top will shine 152 m above the spectator. In other words the construction will be higher than the pyramid of Cheops in Gizeh.

Abhayagiri Stupa: King Valagamba ascended the throne in 103 AD. He waged war with the Tamils and was defeated. When he fled, a Nigantha named Giri shouted words of derisive mockery at him. Later the king collected an army attacked the Tamils by slaying the last of their leaders, and recovered the throne he had lost. It is said that he demolished Nigantaramaya (the temple of the Niganthas) and built the Abhayagiri Vihara in the same premises. Shortly after this event, the monks of the Mahavihara took disciplinary action against one of the bhikkus of the Abhayagiri Vihara, for violating a rule of the vinaya. Thereafter the bhikkhus of the Abhayagiri Vihara founded a separate sect there. King Valagamba's reign is marked by an important event - the first schism in Buddhism in Ceylon. Most learned bhikkhus lives in Abhayagiri Vihara. It consisted of a large library. It is recorded that during the reigns of King Voharakatissa and King Gothabhaya this library was destroyed and the heretical monks driven away. King Parakramabahu renovated Abhayagiri Vihara, then the height is said to have been 140 cubits. In the year 1875, Abhayagiri Vihara which had a diameter of 307 feet (94 m) at its base, stood to a height of 231 feet (70 m). The relics of the Buddha are said to have been enshrined in a figure of a bull made out of thick gold.

Sacred Bo-Tree
Around 245 BC, Sanghamitta Theri brought with her a branch of the Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha attained enlightment. The tree was planted on a high terrace about 21 feet (6.5 m) above the ground and surrounded by railings. Today, the tree is one of the most sacred relics in Sri Lanka, respected by Buddhists all over the world. A wall was built around the tree during the reign of King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha, to protect it from wild elephants. The branches of this sacred "Bo" tree, with a recorded history of more than 2,100 years, seems very slight and fragile. For this reason the branches are supported with iron crutches to prevent any mishaps during heavy rains or strong wind storms. The tree stands among other younger trees, on a special platform, protected by a gold plated railing.

Dana sala:
To the east of the Jatavana stupa is found the refectory or the alms-hall of the monastery. The floor of the refectory, like those of similar buildings, is paved with stone slabs. A large rice boat or through sufficient to feed thousand of monks is still to be seen on the spot. Fa –Xien the Chinese traveler records that 5000 monks dwelt at the Abhayagiri Vihara. The stone boat shaped canoe found here is 19 metres long and has the capacity to hold food sufficient for over 5000 monks.

Isurumuniya is situated near Tisawewa and was built by King Devanampiyatissa to house 500 newly-ordained children of high caste. King Kasyapa I (473-491 AD) renovated this viharaya and named it as "Boupulvan, Kasubgiri Radmaha Vehera". This name is derived from names of his 2 daughters and his name. There is a viharaya connected to a cave and above is a cliff. A small stupa is built on it. It can be seen that the constructional work of this stupa belong to the present period. Lower down on both sides of a cleft, in a rock that appears to rise out of a pool, have been carved the figures of elephants. On the rock is carved the figure of a horse. The carving of Isurumuniya lovers on the slab has been brought from another place and placed it there. A few yards away from this vihara is the Magul Uyana.

Guard Stones:
The best guard stone in Sri Lanka is found in front of the Ratnaprasada at Abhayagiri. The guard stones while enhancing the aesthetic beauty of the building protects the balustrades on either sides of the flights of steps. At the southern gate of the Abhayagiri stupa are two guard stones that depicts Sankha and Padma nidhi who represent the great treasures of God Kuvera, the Lord of the wealth. The nagaraja (king cobra) guard stone at the Ratnapasada is an excellent piece of art.

Lion Figures

Midicine Canoe


Relic Caskets


Sitting Buddha in the Abhayagiri Museam

Monkeys in the ruined city

Colour boat for Painting the statues and buildings

Monastery complex

Ancient Indo-Brahmi scriptures

Guard Stone

Read more...