Prince Siddhartha left the joys of this world, in quest
of truth. He practised various disciplines for six long
years, with the most erudite hermits, and intellectuals
of His day. But, none of the systems or disciplines,
could satisfy Him. Neither did He, get attached to any
of these practices. What He sought was the ultimate
truth, for which He left his family, kingdom and
everything. With supreme effort, sustained by the inner
purity, gained from His own form of doctrine and
discipline, Lord Gauthama achieved the end of all human
quest. It was the realization of ultimate truth; the
attainment of Buddhahood, or the Supreme Enlightenment
on the Vesak Fullmoon Day.
All of us experience birth and death. But, the supreme
enlightenment is the prerogative of the Master. It is
quite difficult and impossible for the ordinary folk, to
comprehend or conceive the true nature of the spiritual
illumination, which occurred in the night of the Vesak
full moon under the �Bo� tree, with the elimination of
the shackles of birth and death and the realization of
absolute wisdom, by the wandering ascetic, Siddhartha
Gauthama, The Master, expounded a doctrine unique in
history, and perfect in every respect; bearing upon it
the unmistakable stamp of truth, unconfounded, honoured
by modern science; remains to guide us, and many more
generations, yet to come.
All sincere seekers sought the guidance of the Master.
All the gifted ones, who were in search of truth, and
who resorted to the Master, met a friend and a guide, a
path finder, an inspiration in Him. The Master exhorted
them to rely on their own merits, and not on the Master;
so that they may realise the truth themselves; and not
to be content to have it from the Master, or as heresy.
In His famous address to Kalamas, the Master clearly
expounded this great idea. The Master has warned the
world, against the perpetual temptation to entomb a
spiritual message in symbology, closed systems, and
creeds. The Thathagatha was not only a great teacher,
but was also a great social reformer.
The noble birth, supreme enlightenment and the final
attainment to �Nibbana� of the Master, are the three
prime events in the Buddhist World. A Thathagatha
appears in the world once in an aeon.
The Fully Enlightened - One realised that the world
itself was a mass of sorrow. All beings who exist in the
world were subject to sorrow. They suffer due to
ignorance and desire. The doctrine expounded by the
Master, is so conductive to world peace, throughout the
ages. It is fitting indeed to pay homage to the Master,
on the occasion, which mark the 2550th year of his
attainment to �Nibbana�.
The scope of activities of the Thathagatha, was confined
to a comparatively small part of India, during his life
time, where the teaching of the Master is concerned,
there is no smallness of its scope. We lack an adequate
description, of the vast range of the spiritual teaching
of the Master. The universality presented in the
doctrine of the Master, is not to be found in any other
world religions. The discourses on the relationships and
concerns of this world, are not available in other
teachings. The Master described about the solar system,
and also about endless aggregations of cosmic systems,
leading to infinity. It is the only teaching, in which
the individual has no necessity to prey to a higher
power, in order to obtain salvation. The teaching says,
the salvation is obtained, by cleaning the cobwebs of
one�s mind through his own effort alone. The ethical
cord expounded by the Master, would ensure world peace.
All discussions, conferences, will never lead to lasting
peace, until thoughts of craving, illusion and
vengeance, are not overcome.
The Master taught to extend unlimited goodwill and
benevolence to all beings, which is the remedy for the
universal disease of craving and greed; and to respect
and uphold all that is fine, and noble in the life
followed by others, so that all may live in peace and
brotherhood. The teaching of the Master is very vital
today, for we live in a world dark and menacing by the
grim forces of lust, hatred, and ignorance. We know not,
what horrors the future may hold for us. We can be
certain of the need to preserve our own integrity; of
the need to keep our actions pure and unsullied.
We turn our thoughts to the supreme teaching of the
Master, and resolve to follow it. The teaching remains
compellingly attractive, forceful and vigorous, so that
followers can thread the path towards enlightenment, on
the ceasing of suffering. The entire system of Buddhist
thought is one pointed. �I teach one thing; and one
thing only; cause of suffering and its cure�. As the
Master lay between the twin �sul� trees at Kusinara, �Be
unto yourself a refuge; seek no external refuge� were
the parting words of the Master. The Master passed away
into ultimate �Nibbana�, when there was no residue of
attachment to the phenomenal being. Once the Master
addressed the disciples �He who saw the Master, sees the
doctrine; and he who sees the doctrine, beholds the
Master�. We who stand in the light of this supreme
teaching, can yet perceive his great presence.
Our hearts are soothed, minds uplifted and freed from
everyday cares, by the beauty of the environment and
tranquillity, when we perform the pleasant and simple
task of visiting the sacred shrines we make offerings.
To be mindful of ones actions throughout the day and in
all circumstances and to work in the path of virtue, as
guided by the supreme teaching, is no easy task. We may
determine right now to make our lives better; to sweeten
and sanctify, every passing moment of consciousness; to
destroy corruption and to shed light of pure love over
the world, for the happiness and welfare of all beings.
The supreme teaching of the Thathagatha are preserved in
its pristine purity throughout many millenniums, by the
meritorious inhabitants of our blessed island, Lanka.
Our motherland earned a great reputation as �The isle of
the Supreme Teaching� or �Dhammadeepa� thereby,
throughout the ages. Our noble country has become the
cynosure for the intellectuals, all over the world.
Seekers or practitioners from other nations, visit Lanka
to learn and practice the supreme teaching of the
Master, with a view to make world more better. All of us
who yern to express gratitude to the Great Teacher of
the first order, should remember the last words uttered
by the Master, shortly before His Parinibbana, at
Kusinara.
The light of revived devotion showing due enthusiasm in
bringing about the 2550th anniversary celebrations of
the Master, is kindled within our hearts. This sets a
good example for Buddhists all over the world.
අව
අටවක
අමාවක
පුර අටවක
පසෙලාස්වක