{"id":110902,"date":"2021-01-22T18:11:45","date_gmt":"2021-01-23T01:11:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=110902"},"modified":"2021-01-22T18:11:45","modified_gmt":"2021-01-23T01:11:45","slug":"the-historical-and-philosophical-background-of-buddhist-festivals-in-sri-lanka-ven-dr-rambukwelle-devananda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2021\/01\/22\/the-historical-and-philosophical-background-of-buddhist-festivals-in-sri-lanka-ven-dr-rambukwelle-devananda\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cThe Historical and Philosophical Background of Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka\u201c-Ven. Dr. Rambukwelle Devananda"},"content":{"rendered":"

Book Review Dr. Sudath Gunasekara B. A. \u00a0(Hons) (Geography) Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Ph. D. (Agriculture)<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n

Book Review Dr. Sudath Gunasekara B. A.  (Hons) (Geography) Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Ph.\nD. (Agriculture)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Visiting Lecture Univ. Peradeniya, Retired\nPermanent Secretary to Prime<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minister Sirimavo Bandaarnaayaka (SLAS) 21.1.2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Dr. Rambukwelle DevanadaThera Chief incumbent of Sri Sambhodi Vihaara,\nBerlin, was awarded<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a Ph.D. (Dr. Phil) magna cum laude\u201d with First Class Honours by the\nprestigious Berlin Humboldt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

National University of Germany for a Dissertation written in German\non the Historical and Philosophical<\/p>\n\n\n\n

background of Buddhist Festivals in Sri Lanka. He was registered as\na post graduate student of the World<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Religions and Philosophy Faculty of the University of Humboldt. This\nis the first time a Sri Lankan has<\/p>\n\n\n\n

received a First Class with a magna cum laude\u201d for a Ph.D. by the\nUniversity of Humboldt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a brief resume of\nthe thesis written in German.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He begins his Dissertation with a brief introduction on Sri Lanka focusing attention on the close relationship between Lord Buddha and Sri Lanka with a short account on the pre-historic period as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a short discussion on Theravada, (The Great Vehicle) Mahayana (The Lesser Vehicle) and Vajrayana Diamond Vehicle\u201d) traditions in Buddhism he has pointed out the historicity and the authenticity of Theravaada tradition very clearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The author extensively make use of works like Mahavansa and Chulavansa by Wilhelm Geiger (1953) edition first published in (1912) History of Ceylon by K.L.M. De Silva (1981 Edition) printed in Los Angeles, The history of Buddhism in Ceylon WalpolaRahula and Deepavansa by Hermann Oldenburg (printed in Delhi and Madras reprinted in Berlin (1879) to trace back authenticity of historical events like the arrival of Vijaya in 543 BC coinciding with the passing away of Lord Buddha; the founding of the Anuradhapura Kingdom; The advent of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in 307 BC with the arrival of MahindaThera and the conversion of the whole Island to Buddhism and the Tambapanni being called the Dhramadweepa ((The Land of Righteousness) in the backdrop of this Island being sanctified thrice by Lord Buddha\u2019s visits. With these events occurring in this manner the author traces back the origin of Sri Lankan art of Stupa building tradition, Festival of the Tooth Relict and other Buddhist festivals like the Poson festival also to a period as early as the\n3rd Century BC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then he goes on to give a brief account of all important religious events from Anuradhapura period to the beginning of the Kandyan Kingdom. It is followed by a detailed narration of important religious events starting from the committing to writing of the Tripitaka in 103 BC at Matale at Aluvihaara for the first time in world history, the decline of Buddhism since then up to the Kandy period (1460-1753), and the religious revival that took place during the Kandy period among which the most important events were the introduction of Higher Ordination from Siam in 1753 and the inauguration of the Siamese Sect and thereby re-establishment of Buddhism in this country. The changes and decline of Buddhist festivals over time during this period are also well\ndocumented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thereafter he gives special attention to document the national, religious and cultural destructions and devastation done by the Western colonial invaders like Portuguese (1505+ 1658), Dutch (1658-1796)\u00a0 and the British (1796 -1948) He has clearly documented the revival of Buddhist traditions during the Kandyan period that were dormant due to restrictions and bans imposed by the Portuguese during their time. The lifting of the ban on the Vesak Holiday that continued up to the British times, the restarting of the Kandy Esala Perahera and the Buddhist resurgence is well documented. He devotes the first Chapter to show the destruction the Western colonial invaders\nhad continuously done for 443 year to this country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The author who delves on an analysis of the manner in which the\nliving beings transmigrate in sansara being born continuously in realms with\nform and without form , the possibility of being born in the 136 great hells\nand in the same way in the four fold worlds of goblins, and the six heavens\nafter death and how Buddha had gained the supreme position in all these realms\nas the Buddha, is succinctly explained to the Germen readers with the help of a\ngraph in a manner that could be easily understood them. In the same manner he\nexplains how Amisa Puja (material offering) could help to be born in realms of\npleasure without vileness. Similarly he has explained the subtle points of the\nfundamental concepts such as Karma, the Doctrine of Patichchasamuppaada,\nTrilakshana, Punarbhavaya, Chaturaryasatya (The Four Noble Truths),\nAryaAsthaangikamarga (The Exalted Eightfold Path), Sila, Sansara, Sataramanga (Sovan,\nSakurdaagaami, Anagaami and Arihat) and Sataraphala (linked with Nivan in\ndetail, pointing out how merit making is closely related to the Buddhist\ndispensation..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While narrating the life of Buddha to trace back the fundamentals of\nworship practices to the life and time of Buddha the author also uses it to\neducate the readers on the Buddha\u2019s life story which has helped to dispel\ncertain misconceptions that prevailed among the Germens on Buddha\u2019s life and connected\nmatters. In the same way he has made use of the Thripitaka literature (The\nThree Baskets) to prove that there are valid reasons behind the origin and\npractice of Buddhist worship practices and the Buddha himself had approved the\nworship practices such as the worship of the threefold Saririka, Paribhogika\nand Uddesika relics as worship worthy objects. The author has succinctly\nattributed the origin, development and expansion to these objects and practices\nto other areas for these reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the chapter dealing on the historical development of Buddhist\nfestivals in Sri Lanka he has discussed Buddhist and Sinhala festivals\nseparately, though they are interconnected and indivisible except for core\nemphasis. He points out that Hunting and Bathing ceremonies were there in this\ncountry even before the arrival of Arahat Mahinda and the Aesala Festival had\ngot inspiration from the practices prevailed in Ancient India that were there\neven before the 3rd<\/sup>  century\nBC. He has added value to his Thesis by quoting from works of Authorities like\nWilhelm Geiger and Edmund Hardy. Describing naming ceremonies and ploughing\nfestivals and offering of Vihaara and monasteries during the time of the Buddha\nhe has moved on to give details of cremation that were there after Buddha attained  Parinibbaana and gives a vivid account on the\ncremation ceremonies that were there during the time of the Buddha, using quotations\nfrom Maha Parinibbaana Sutta, Mahavagga in DighaNikaya thus, Bhagavato sariran\nDibbehica Manussehica naccehica, giitehica vaaditehica, maalehi ghandehi sakkaranto,\ngarukaranto, maanento, pujento\u201d by the humans and devas Thus he gives a\nfascinating account of such festivals during the Buddha\u2019s time in ancient\nIndia. Thereafter he focus his attention to all festivals and ceremonies that\nprevailed in Sri Lanka starting from Giribhanda festival that was there in\n67-69 AD and abandoned later, AriyavansaDesana held in Anuradhapura that was\nagain abandoned during the Polonnaruwa period and Anagatavansa Desanava,\nMaitriiVannana that were started during the Kandy period and were abandoned\nlater and Suvisi Puja that could be seen even today being conducted in village temples\nin the Kandyan area and Ganagarohana Puja practiced during the Dambadeniya\n(1220-1293) period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has shown how different types of Amisa and Dharma puja traditions\nas approved by the Buddha got transformed into religious festivals, particularly\nthe Vesak and Daladaa festival came to be recognized as historical events and\nhow they have undergone ups and downs from time to time. He has pointed out\nthat according to MahavansaVesak Festival had been celebrated for 28 years by\nKing Bhatikaabhya (38-66) AD and 44 years by Vasabha (127-171) AD and Maha Parakramabahu\n(1153-1186) declared VesakPoya as a National Holiday and also as the National\nDay of the Sinhala Nation. He also has pointed out as to how bans and\nproscriptions imposed on VesaK celebrations and discriminations against Sinhala\nBuddhists by foreign invaders since 1505 (Portuguese) Dutch (1665=1796) and\nBritish (1796-1948) affected the progress of Sinhala Buddhist activities. He\nhas extensively used the works of authorities on these subjects like Wilhelm\nGeiger (Chula vansa), Tennakoon Vimalananda (The State and religion In Ceylon\nsince 1815) Henry Olcott (Der Buddhistische Kattechismus) to prove his\nconclusions. Delving in details on the subject of Buddhist renaissance emerged\nwith the new lease of life given to Vesak Festival he has made a deep analysis\nand has shown how the Sinhala culture had become one with the Buddhist Culture.\nTracing the festival of Katina Chivara puja that has assumed the most important\nplace, second only to Vesak the author also has pointed out how the Fivefold\ngrievous sins lead the way to hell, the Eightfold Meritorious Deeds lead the\nway to Nibbana. He has also given details of traditions such as invocations for\nthe Rainy season, offering of robes for the rainy season, beginning of Vas\nperiod, ending of Vas and offering of Katina robes, quoting extensively from\nthe Tripitaka. Making an excellent interpretation on preaching of Dhamma he has\npointed out as to how preaching the Dhamma had become a Great meritorious event\nwith examples from history. For example how King Devanampiyatissa (247-207))\nand King Dutugemunu (161-140) on their own had gone to listen to Bana preaching,\nand King Agbo the 5th(711-717) AD, preached Bana himself to the people. At the\nsame time he has given 16 occasions when monks should not preach Dhamma, using\nmahavansa, Sekiya Heranasikha, and Praatimoksha. At the same time he has shown\nthe development of a wealth of B  uddhist\nliterature in the country by compiling hundreds of books on Dhamma from\nAnuradhapura period  to the present time.\nHe also has shown the historical and philosophical background of different\nvariances of Bana preaching like Mangul Bana, Avamangul Bana, Pohoya Bana,\nMaranaasanna Bana, Mataka Bana, Kavi Bana, Bhuktaanumodana Bana, Yugaasana Bana\nand other Bana preaching types that have gone in to disuse. Based on\nPirithDesana, how they were converted to merit making events, how the Pirit Pota\n(Book of Protection) came in to being how Pirit Mandapas were constructed incorporating\nthe meaning embodied in sutras and how Buddhist art and musical instruments\nsuch as Davula (Large Drum), Tammetama (Kettle Drum), Getaberaya, Hakgediya\n(Conch) and Horaneva (Flute) and accompanying music developed around these\npractices giving rise to a unique Buddhist art. He also has shown how different\ntypes of ailment both physical and mental including those caused by physical\ncauses, evil spirits and famines and natural calamities and various other\ndifficulties faced by humans both from the visible and un-visible forces were\ncured by using religious methods like Pirith for thousands of years, in an age when\nmodern medical systems were not developed. The historical and philosophical\nbackground is also clearly explained on practices and traditions like Seth\nPirit, Varu Pirith, Tunwel  pirith,\nPasvel and Hath wel pirith, Tistun Paye  Pirith\nand Sati Pirith. He has pointed out the philosophical meaning of Saangika                                                             \nDaana (Daana offered to a group of minimum of five monks together with\nthe relics casket representing the Buddha) including how it confers benefits as\npreached by the Buddha, how it benefit all those in the Three Worlds, the\nmeaning of Daana and how it should be prepared and offered. Referring to Netraa\nPratishthaapanaya (inserting eyes in an image) is one of the greatest\nmeritorious acts, he says. From the discussion he has had with Suranga Rajawardhana\na reputed vihaara artist in the District of Kandy the author has revealed many\na rare secret on Netra pratishthaapana festival including how an image is\nconverted to the status of a living Buddha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The historicity of all these offerings and ceremonies, their\ndevelopment, and changes taken place over time like a links of a chain and how\nall of them are interconnected with the Buddha\u2019s teaching, the Author has\ndisplayed in a very fascinating style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glossary:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has made use of this section to explain in detail, many a knotty\npoint. Among them he has included 108 terms used to name the Buddha; 94 terms\nto Nibbana: with Germen translations of Pali and  Sanskrit terms displaying his familiarity\nwith both oriental and occidental languages<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bibliography:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The number of texts author has referred in pursuit of this great\nfeat are as follows Sinhala 30: Pali 16; English 32; Germen 22, Sutras in\nTripitaka 80 and 21 Websites. This Thesis is generously illustrated with rare\nand relevant Photographs. Each Chapter is meaningfully linked to the other in a\nmanner that keeps the reader interested and spell bound to read it. In addition\nthis work includes valuable information on subjects such as history of Sri\nLanka, Buddhism, Buddhist Philosophy, and 04 Buddhist social style, methods of\nBuddhist meditations, Sinhala culture and Buddhist Civilization. Scholarly and\nacademic distinction:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The awarding of a First Class Honours Degree by a prestigious\nUniversity one of the best in the world on Oriental studies alone is enough\nproof to warrant the scholarly and academic distinction of this work. Among the\nmany eminent and distinguished scholars whose works referred to by the author\ninclude Revs Polwatte Buddhadatta, Balangoda Ananda Mayitriya, Gnanaponika,\nProfs. Senarat Paranavitana, Tennakoon Wimalananda, Gunapala Malalasekara,\nRobert Knox, Henry Parker, Henry Olcott, Wilhelm Geiger, H.C. Norman, Richard\nGombrich, Herman Oldenburg, Ramachandara Rao and Ananda K.Coomarasmy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Professor Dr. Dr. Bertram\nSchmitz writes in his forward to this book Ven Rambukwelle Devananda has\npresented a new aspect of Theravada Buddhism to Europe that is more familiar\nwith Mahayana. While making use of his personal experience he has explained the\nreasons for these Theravada ceremonies beautifully documenting every stage of\nthese ceremonies and festivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Anyone reading this work will\nfeel that he is witnessing this experience in person. At the same time his presentation\nof this work within a research framework and his connectivity of Theravada\nBuddhism with the Western philosophy also has heavily contributed to its\nsuccess\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Thesis written in Germen running in to 488 pages was printed by\nTectum at Baden-Baden. It has already been distributed to all National Universities\nand to over 200 Libraries and also to countries like Switzerland and Austria\nwhere Germen is used. The Price is Euro 88.00 Euro (Rs.20, 592).The interest of\nGermen people in this book is evident by the fact already the first print is\nover within one month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This rare and extraordinary Academic achievement of Dr. Rambukwelle Devananda\ncould be taken as an end product of his success as a Buddhist monk engaged in\nmissionary work following the Buddha\u2019s Path. Needless to say that this\nmasterpiece achievement of the author by coming first among 54 International\nscholar candidates is an honour not only to Sri Lanka the Home of Theravada in\nparticular and to the Malwatta Chapter of Sri Lanka to which he belongs but\nalso to Theravada school of Buddhism in general all over the world. Born and\nbred as a Buddhist in a Sri Lankan Buddhist family, having entered the Order at\nthe age of 12 years old and lived the life of a Buddhist Monk, observed and\npracticed  the religious rituals\nvigorously, his, is first hand personal experience and therefore it is an insider\u2019s\nview   and this Thesis therefore is an\nActors model\u201d different from an Observers Model\u2019 which reflects an                  outsiders view sans personal\nexperience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The value of this Thesis is, thus, more than anything else, the end\nproduct of long process of learning, living and reflections, reinforced by both\nextraordinary academic and practical competence and dedication and commitment\nto his religion and motherland. Even at Home, way back in Sri Lanka, in his early\nlife both at High School \/ Pirivena levels and at baccalaureate at University\nhe has demonstrated the potentials of an outstanding future scholar when he\nscored the highest marks in the Island in public examinations. It was Walpola Rahula\u2019s\nWhat the Buddha Taught\u201d (1959) that opened the doors to new dimensions in\nauthentic Buddhism in the Western World. Reading through this Thesis made me\nfeel that in Rambukwelle Devananda, a new Walpola Rahula is in the making.\nRahula\u2019s work of cause is an encyclopedia on Buddhism as a Doctrine, Philosophy\nand a Way of life where as Devanada\u2019s work has taken a different path focusing\non it as a living religion that keeps the adherents deeply attached to a refined\nhuman civilization call ed Buddhist Civilization in the world that opens the\ndoors to happiness, peace, prosperity and contentment in life in this world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I see no wonder on his achievements, dedication and commitment to\nSasana and Buddhist religious practices in Sri Lanka, being the chief incumbent\nof the Sri Sumantindarama Rajamaha Viharaya, Sadananda maha Pirivena of\nDoranegoda, a leading Pirivena in Sri Lanka that Rajamaha  Viharaya was started during the time of King\nDevanampiyatissa by one of his Ministers by the name  Sumantri. Making use of his scholastic\ntalents and deep knowledge and intuition, I invite him to undertake similar\nstudies on Sri Lanka Buddha Statues and Stupa Art both of which are unique to\nSri Lanka so that his name will be ever immortal and glitter in high heavens in\nthe galaxies of Sri Lankan scholars.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Book Review Dr. Sudath Gunasekara B. A. \u00a0(Hons) (Geography) Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Ph. D. (Agriculture) Book Review Dr. Sudath Gunasekara B. A.  (Hons) (Geography) Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Ph. D. (Agriculture) Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Visiting Lecture Univ. Peradeniya, Retired Permanent Secretary to Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaarnaayaka (SLAS) 21.1.2021. Ven. Dr. Rambukwelle DevanadaThera Chief incumbent of Sri […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-110902","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dr-sudath-gunasekara"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110902","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=110902"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110902\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=110902"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=110902"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=110902"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}