WATER

Water is a transparent fluid, which forms streams, water falls, rivers, lakes, oceans, rain and atmosphere.  Its' chemical sign is H2O.  This means, water molecule contains single Oxygen atom and two Hydrogen atoms. Water is  very essential to our lives.  All the living things, such as humans, animals, trees and creepers, too, need water.   Water is the only thing, which has three configurations, such as liquid form - water, solid form - ice and gaseous form - water vapour in the world.  It also exists as snow, fog, dew and cloud.  We can survive without food for nearly one month or so, but without water, we cannot survive even one week.  So, the water is an indispensable requirement for the human life and over-all for all known forms of life .

Water covers 71% of the earth, as seas and oceans, ponds, streams, water falls, lakes, rivers, ice bergs, clouds, air and so on.  Only 2.5% is the remaining freshwater, prevailing in the earth.  From that water, 98.8% is in ice bergs and in groundwater.  Even the smaller amount of the earth's freshwater is in the biological bodies and in the manufactured items.  The water in the human and animal bodies are in the form of blood, sweat, hormones, enzymes, saliva, mucus, etc.  Although, human body is containing water, we need to take water into our bodies from outside, as drinking water and through food.  We need water to bath and clean ourselves, too.  Also, we need water to clean our utensils, clothes and other things, which are lying in our surrounding area.  Trees and creepers take water into their system through their roots from the ground, but for small saplings, which we plant in our home gardens and in pots, we have to water them regularly.

Water on earth moves continuously through the water cycle of evaporation and transpiration.  People need water to cultivate food.  Without water, we cannot imagine, how we are going to survive, as water is a significant part of our lives in many ways,  Ancient kings in Sri Lanka knew about the value of the water and they made huge tanks, as lakes, and they collected every drop of rain water in those lakes.  Even still our farmers and people, who are living in remote areas use this water for cultivation, bathing, washing and for drinking purposes.  Using springs, people dig wells and use the clean water for their various needs.

In Middle East countries, they used to purify the sea water, spending a large amount of monies, as those desert lands are lack of water.  This decontaminated water is being used to water the trees and for washing purpose.  Some countries import clean drinking water, while spending a lot of money.   The people, who are having clean water for their consumption in their own lands are very fortunate people.  Therefore, we must try to protect water, as much as possible.

We should avoid wasting water, which is very vital and precious thing in our lives.  Historically, the people used to worship natural resources like water, as they knew the usefulness of this translucent liquid.  Unfortunately, now-a-days living creatures are running after the artificial things and never bothered to secure the natural sources, like water.  They do not try to protect water, but to waste it lavishly, without thinking twice of the importance of it.  We hear that no rain and the nature is dry everywhere in the globe and the ice bergs in the world are melting gradually.  Once you loose something only, you feel the worthiness of it.  We hear that our neighbouring country, India, too, is loosing drinking water slowly.

We, Sri Lankans are blessed with uncontaminated water, but in the past few years, we heard about  terrible water scarcity in the remote areas in the South and North.  Our own brotherly folks suffered very much, without water.  Therefore, this is the correct time to think to secure our natural resource - water, which is needed by all the living beings.

Like our ancient folks, we have to take precautions to protect water, as much as possible.  If we see any tap is leaking in the road, office or somewhere, we have to inform to the relevant authorities and get it repaired, as quickly as possible.  Also, we must help the Government to make new lakes, tanks, and public wells,  We, also, can clean and protect the old lakes to fortify water to enable people to make use them for their day-to-day necessities.

Please open your eyes now itself and take necessary measures to give a helping hand to preserve this essential and  magnificent liquid - WATER ~~~!!!  

**Abstracted some facts from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water

- Mrs. Shrimal Champika Wickremasinghe -

POSON FESTIVAL

In spite of other countries in the world, Poson Full Moon Poya Day is very consequential for Sri Lankans, as Arahat Mahinda brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka from India, with his other group. Arahat Mihindu is the son of one of the most exemplary rulers in the world - the Emperor of India,  Ashoka, who then governed the Northwestern territories of the Mauryan (Modern day Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan) in the 3rd Century BC.  For Buddhists in Sri Lanka, this hallowed day of Poson is second only to Wesak, in terms of importance. 

Arahat Mahinda and his team has come to Mihintale of Anuradhapura and met the ruling King Devanampiyatissa, when he was hunting deer in the forest.  Though Poson is celebrating through - out the Island, Mihintale (situated in Anuradhapura) is the center of celebrations of Poson, because Arahat Mahinda has delivered his initial discourses to Primier Devanampiyatissa and his group. King Devanmapiyatissa and his multitude of army has been converted to Buddhism then and there.   Afterwards, Poson Full Moon Poya Day/Poson Festival is being celebrated in June annually through-out the country.  

With the establishment of Bikkhu Sasanaya, all the other elements of a civilized society, such as art and craft, art of writing, literature, river civilization, religious rituals of song and dance forms have been emerged, with the support of royal patronage.    

People make pilgrimages to Mihintale and Anuradhapura during Poson Festival Season, as the Arahat Mihindu first put his foot to preach Buddhism on the top of the hill of Mihintale and his sleeping cave and the pond, which he used to bathe, are also situated in the Rock of Mihintale.  That is why the Mihinthalaya is called as the "Cradle of Buddhism" in Sri Lanka.  Devotees from every corner of Sri Lanka  worship the temple at Mihintale and then climb-up the top of the mountain and worship Dagabas, which lies  all around the hillock.

There are a plenty of religious activities, such as campaign of observing precept, bodhi pooja, oil lamp pooja, Poson devotional songs, almshouses - offering free food and drinks to people, such as, rice and curries, beli fruit flowers, coriander, sago, tea, coffee, etc.  Mihintale and surrounding area of Anuradhapura are being decorated by various coloured bulbs, Poson Lanterns, Pandol (thorana), which commemorate the Jathaka Katha (Stories of Lord Buddha's previous births) in various sizes and shapes.  Those Poson Lanterns and Pandol are embellished to sparkle and glitter for eye-catching of the adults and children, as well.   These decorations make a wonderful scenic and picturesque beauty in the night of the Poson Day.  

Other temples in Sri Lanka, too, are organizing many devotional activities on behalf of Poson Festival.  People get dressed in white to observe Atasil in the temples and attend to various kind of religious activities during Poson Full Moon Day.  There are a lot of almshouses in every city and village to offer free food and drinks for the people.  

This mighty festival of Poson is significant for all living creatures, who understand the devoutness and sacredness of a religion, which means the authenticity of the mankind.  

Poson Full Moon Day has been fallen on the 2nd of June in this year - 2015.

**Abstracted some facts from : http://www.lanka.com/events/Poson-Festival/

- (Mrs.) Shrimal Champika Wickremasinghe - 

VESAK (WESAK)

VESAK derives from the Pali word "Vesakha" and in Sanskrit word "Vaisakha".  Today, the 4th of May, 2015, the Full Moon Poya Day, we celebrate Vesak Festival on behalf of the BIRTH - ඉපදීම, ,ENLIGHTENMENT  - බුදුවීම (Nirvana) AND PASSING AWAY  - පිරිනිවන් පෑම (Parinirvana), the three significant circumstances of Lord Buddha - Gauthama Buddha. This is very important festival of the Buddhists in Sri Lanka.

The Buddhist countries in the Asian regions, such as India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, Japan, China, Korea, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, etc. celebrate this festival with delight in various dates - mostly from April, May or in June every year. The names they call for Wesak is varied from country to country, as per their language.  Our Lord Buddha - Gauthama Buddha showed us the way of Life and how to get-on with a meaningful life with understanding for both of ascetic and household humans.  Lord Buddha showed us the path to make us free of birth - if there is no birth, then there is no death.

Generally, we, Sri Lankans celebrate Wesak Festival in May in every year.  If there are two full moon Poya days, fallen in the month of May, as a very rare case, then we, Sri Lankans, celebrate the Vesak Festival on the first Poya Day.   May is a very attractive month, where trees and creepers blossom with tender leaves, various kinds of flowers and fruits.  We get rain, as well as sunlight during the month of May.  It is a very fruitful month among the twelve months of a year.  We get Wesak, just after Sinhalese and Hindu New Year, which is fallen in April in every year.

We need a religion to manage and maintain our lives with good manner, self-discipline, kindliness, love, respect, good behaviour, gratitude, calmness and to spend a stress-free life.  Buddhists and followers hoist the Buddhist Flag in their houses and temples. They go to temple to worship Lord Buddha, offering flowers, oil lamps, incense smoke (by lighting joss-sticks) and giving alms to Buddhist Priests and beggars.  Also, Buddhists observe eight precept in the temple whole day of Wesak Poya Day (Buddhists observe eight precept - ata sil - අට සිල් in other poya days, as well).

People and children make Wesak Lanterns and pandol, on behalf of Wesak Festival. There are competitions of Wesak Lanterns, organized by several Buddhist and Cultural Organizations and at the end of Wesak week, the participants will be awarded with

various prizes, gifts of money and certificates.  Usually, the Wesak Lanterns and Pandol demonstrations are going-on for about one week. People will arrange alms houses on behalf of Wesak, by offering, rice and curry and various kinds of food and beverages.   In spite of the differences of their status of lives, any person can have food and beverages freely from these alms houses. Processions - පෙරහැර, with tuskers, elephants, dancers, drummers, etc. too, are taking place on  behalf of Wesak.  There are Dhamma song - Bhakthi Geetha - භක්ති ගීත demonstrations in temples and in Buddhist, State and Non-State Organizations, as well.

Wesak Full Moon Poya Day and the day following are public holidays in Sri Lanka.  Suppose, the Wesak Full Moon Poya Day falls on a week-end holiday (Saturday or Sunday) or any other Public Holidays, a holiday will be given on the next working day, on behalf of Wesak.  

People do several kinds of good work on Wesak Full Moon Poya Day.  But, it is not the real concept that Gauthama Buddha said and preached.  We have to understand the reality of Buddhism.  It is worth doing the good things and practice them through out our life. Whatever we do - good or bad- will come after us until we exist in this earthly world.  If we do good things through-out, we will get good things during this life, as well as in next birth.  We can make our lives in a better way by doing Dhana - දාන (alms givings), Sheela - ශීල (precept) and Bhavana - භාවනා  (meditation).  

We should do good work, helping others, practice love and kindliness frequently in our lives, without limiting them only in Poya days.  If we understand actuality of what our Lord Buddha - Gauthama Buddha - preached, we should spread - out love and kindness through out the planet, without any barriers.  We can make a better and lovely world, without any conflicts, if we follow our Lord Buddha's footpath.  Then there will not be any disputes among religions, nations, skin colours, countries or races. We can live in a PEACEFUL PLANET,  WITHOUT WAR & BATTLE !

  

A HEALTHY LIFE

HEALTH IS WEALTH

Health is the most profitable thing we ever have in our earthly life.  It is said by our Lord Buddha as "Arogya Parama Labha".   The meaning of this saying is " Health is the noble profit in this life".  I am cock sure that everyone in this world will agree with me in this saying.  There is no any other betterment in any illness from cold to any other serious sickness.

When you talk about health, we cannot forget our mental health.  Always, body sicknesses will have a connection with mental illness.  If you are mentally depressed, your body will react accordingly. That means, your body, too, will show some ailment tallying with the mental illness.  

International Health also called as "Geographic Medicine" or "Global Health".  Health Care, generally attached with public health.  There are several Institutions, Agencies and Organizations, includiing Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), working with the public health and medicines. We must take necessary preventive measures to avoid spreading the sicknesses.  Since the world population is increasing day-by-day, the sicknesses will be increased automatically, because of the environmental pollution.  Therefore, we must take every measures to prevent and avoid spreading the germs of all kinds of sicknesses among the human community.  Despite medical treatment, we have to improve sanitary, water supply, nutritious food, housing, proper education to safeguard citizens' health.  

There are a plenty of days, nominated for curing the Health of the people in the globe.  (www.cfr.org/global-governance/Global-Governance Monitor).

But, still the sicknesses are increasing all over the world, such as Malaria, Tuberculosis, Osteoporosis, Diabetes, heart ailments, blood pressure, cancer, AIDS, Ebola, etc.  Infectious diseases kill approximately fifteen million people each year and more than four million people die from AIDS, malaria or tuberculosis alone, around the globe.

Even in wealthy countries, you will experience the sickness of consumption of drugs, obesity, diabetes and heart ailments are spearheaded among their nation, as well.  Therefore, we have to get necessary measures, country-wise, nation-wise and religious-wise.  People should be educated via announcements, newspapers, new technology, banners, radio, television, CDs, VCDs, movies and so on.  Still we can use the social networking websites, such as, Facebook, Twitter, Twoo,  Google, Linkedin, etc. to educate people and younger crowd to refrain from various diseases, which can be prevented easily.   

Process of eating habits, too, will improve the mental and physical health.  Rather than eating short-eats, snacks, oily and fatty foods from outside, it is better to have the home-made food with full of nutrition, such as Cabrohydrates, Vitamins, Iron and Fiber,  Always try to eat natural things, fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, leafy green vegetables, eggs, hereditary food and consume plenty of water.  Always, try to be in cleanliness.  

Please get-together to make Healthy People! Prevention is better than cure!! Long Lives!!! 

SINHALESE AND HINDU NEW YEAR
IN SRI LANKA

It is 14th of April, in most years, we, Sri Lankans celebrate our New Year in a grand way.  New Year is always falling on April and the New Year will be dawning on 13th or 14th of April. In 2015, the New Year has been dawned on 14th of April, and 13th is known as "Old Year".  This is a very famous Festival in Sri Lanka among Sinhalese, as well as, Tamils. We call it as "Sinhala and Hindu Avurudda" (සිංහල හින්දු අලුත් අවුරුද්ද).  According to the Sinhalese Astrology, New Year begins, when the sun moves from Meena Rashiya (the House of Pisces) to Mesha Rashiya (the House of Aries).  It is also a boundary of the end of the period of Harvesting of Paddy and the end of Spring.   

Generally, elders, as well as children are waiting to the arrival of New Year to start a new life.  People will clean, renovate and paint their houses for the New Year.  Also, they shop for buying new clothes for the whole family and buy new pots and pans to make milk rice (කිරිබත්).  Ladies of the houses will prepare special sweets to celebrate New Year.  Some of them are oil cakes (කැවුම්), kokis (කොකිස්), mun kavum (මුං කැවුම්),  asmi (ආස්මි), aluwa (අලුවා), athirasa (අතිරස).  All these food will make before the dawn of New Year and keep ready to eat at the auspicious time, according to the Sinhalese Almanac (ලිත) or Calendar.  But, they will prepare milk rice (කිරිබත්) only on the auspicious time, according to the Astrology.  There are several auspicious times given in this Alamanac to do several important things for the Sinhalese.  

First of all, we have to finish our house chores, according to the time given in the Sinhalese Calendar. That period will call as "Punya Kaalaya" (පුණ්‍ය කාලය).  At that time, we have to finish all the cooking and other things.  We have to go to the Temple and worship Lord Buddha, offering flowers and lighting oil lamps.  Afterwards, there is another time to start work, which is called as "Wada Alleema" (වැඩ ඇල්ලීම).  At that time, we have to light our fire place (or cooker in the present context, as most of the houses do not have firewood fire places) and start cooking milk rice.  Some people used to boil milk in the middle of the living room and then cook milk rice in new clay pots. When the milk rice is ready, there is another auspicious time to start eating, which is called "Ahara anubhavaya" (ආහාර අනුභවය). There will be a dining table full of milk rice, oil cakes, kokis, mun kavum, asmi, plantains and an oil lamp will be lighting at the middle of the dining table.  Before start eating, the eldest person in the house, most probably grandfather or father, if not mother will feed their children with a bite of milk rice and all the members of the family sit at the table together and start eating milk rice and other sweets.  After eating, they start giving plates full of all these food to their neighbours and visiting their relatives with food and gifts.  Children will offer beetles to the elders and worship them.  The other day, there will be another auspicious event, called as "Ganudenu kireema" (ගනුදෙනු කිරීම).  That means, children are getting money, mostly coins, wrapped by beetles from the elders.  In ancient days, all the villagers are going to headman of the village and they get these coins from him.  Nowadays, even Banks start this procedure and their customers go to their Bankers and deposit some money in their Savings Accounts and then Banks will offer a small gift, such as a mug, bag or an umbrella to their customers, who are coming to the Bank on the auspicious hour to do the money transactions.  There will be another auspicious hour to apply oil on the head and to have a bath.  This oil will be prepared with several kinds of special herbs by elders.  The oil apply will be done by a Buddhist Priest in the temple or by an elderly person in the home or in the village at a special place. Thereafter, another day will be nominated to start going to work.  In olden days, since most of the people are attending to agricultural work, they go to their fields to start cultivation work. But, nowadays, most of the people, who are residing in cities are working in offices, they cannot follow this procedure.  After that the New Year procedures will be over.  But, people will visit their relatives and some celebrate New Year Festivals in their villages during the month of April.  

There are several famous New Year games, which plays during New Year Season.  In the houses, children and adults play with five sea shells, call "Pancha Dameema" (පංච දැමීම), which is a very interesting indoor game.  Children and young girls, too, are riding swings during New Year Season. There are outdoor games, such as Kotta pora (කොට්ට පොර) - two people are fighting with pillows on a cudgel, Kana mutti bindima (කණා මුට්ටි බිඳීම) - a person, covered his eyes will break a pot of water hang on a line with a stick, Scraping coconut (පොල් ගෑම) - this will be done by ladies, Weaving coconut leaves (පොල් අතු විවීම) - this competition, too, will be done by ladies, keeping an eye on the face of an elephant (අලියට ඇහැ තැබීම) - an elephant will be drawn on a board and the person, with his eyes covered will go to the correct place and keep the eye on the elephant's face, Cross Country Running (ගම හරහා දිවීම), Competition of New Year Queen (අවුරුදු කුමාරි තේරීම), Fancy Dress Competition (විකට ඇඳුම් තරඟ) are some of the famous games at the New Year Festival Celebrations.  Some people and children are participating in these events and some are going to see these festivals and have fun with their friends and relations.  

During the New Year all the Sri Lankans are starting work together, eating together and firing crackers on the auspicious hours to announce all the people of these auspicious time.  It is a time to forget all the grudges they had and everyone get together to have fun.  This is a special function among Sri Lankans, which is originating from ancient days.  

HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR FOR ALL THE SRI LANKANS AND EVERYONE IN THE GLOBE!!! 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY - INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!!!

 If you are a woman, you can donate everything to every one in every day !!!

Again, another International Women's Day came on 8th of March, 2015.  It is wonderful to wish all the women across the globe A Happy Anniversary of International Women's Day!

When it comes to talk about "Women", we have to consider all the angles of women, such as social, financial, career, politics, marriage, domestic violence, rapes, tortures, physical and emotional side of the women in the world. Women act as several major roles in the society, as a daughter, a sister, a wife and a Mother.    

As a daughter, you are taking care of your parents, helping to their day-to-day work, doing house chores, cooking and preparing meals.  Also, once you educate well, you share the financial burden of your parents, too.   As a sister, you take care of your siblings and helping their educational activities. As a wife, you take care of your husband,  husband's parents and his siblings, as well.  As a mother, you are playing a role model to your adorable children and lovable husband.  

In ancient days, girls were not educated well.  Nowadays, everywhere in the world, girls are taking much interest of educating themselves and make them valuable among the world population.  Women take the lead in every sector of the career and they hold white collar jobs everywhere in the present context. They entered into the political sector and do a great deal of social work to the nation. Fortunately, the society is now try to make a room for the women gradually, but in a slow motion.  

While acting several titles of the society, unfortunately women face domestic violence, rapes, tragic deaths, disrespect, criticism, ignorance, disregard at home, society and her work place, still.  This is a very pathetic situation of women.  Though they bear the major share of the financial situation and attend to other work as well, still she gets disrespects, face domestic violence at home.  She contribute a major share for the economy of a country by working abroad and facing terrible situation in those countries. In my point of view, our society is not taking much consideration of her valuable contribution to the community.  

As far as my knowledge, even the high ranked women face unethical dishonourable and unprincipled incidents in their work place by the male companions.  Regrettably, most of the working women do not know the factual laws of the women's rights.  It is essential to keep seminars, workshops and conferences regularly for women to learn about existent laws against violence, abuse, rapes and all the misconduct being faced by them in their work places, in the society and at home and what action they can take against these improper manners.  

In the meantime, it is necessary to educate our sons from the inception to respect to their mother, and sisters at home, school and in the society.  It will help them to grow - up with open mind and to treat their female companions with equal rights.

Dear women, please try to gain respect by fulfilling your duties to the society, world and generation and spread out love and kindness across the world!  Be straight forward and take another step to prove your strength and courage to stand - up with equal rights with men ! 

  

  

LIFE

Live the life, you've always wanted !!!

What is life?  Can anybody define this word?  In my view, life is a magnificent thing, if one can lead a meaningful and unforgettable life. Life is a spirit, which comes to the world and move away within a duration of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years.  Nevertheless, life can stay in the minds of friends, relatives and people in the world, if we can donate treasures to the world.   Only a life lived for others is worth Living.

Ancient lives donated the future lives wonderful things, that cannot be forgettable by anyone today, tomorrow or in future. The things they donated to the world are such precious items, such as medicines, science, technology, education, love, spirituality and the support to the needy.  Unfortunately at the same time, some lives donated bad karma to the world, such as weapons,  guns, pistols, missiles, bombs and drugs, like heroine.

Life made all these things to create another life, develop a life or to end-up a life.  One should giveaway to the world something for a promotional purpose, something helpful or useful to upgrade another life, but not to tarnish a life.  Life's responsibility is to protect a life and not to spoil a life.   Since a life no longer a permanent thing, it is better to understand the reality and the target of life.

We came with life  to this earthly world to fulfill some task.  Therefore, we should  show the aptitude to cover - up its' obligation faithfully.  If we take the correct path, we can manage to achieve the intended assignment.  If it takes the wrong path, then it is the end of the life.  If we take the shorter steps, without facing barriers, using corruption, perhaps, we can enjoy the life only a short period. If we go along the correct and longer path, we have to face barriers and problems, but at the destination, we can be over-joyed by the results. At the end, we gain a lot of experience and can be satisfied with our mission.

Our lives have more powers, though we do not know about it.  One can use this unlimited power and can create a better world.  We are short-term tenants of this earthly world. Some of us understand the truth of a life and some may not.  It is our duty to make a better world for the future generation.

There were lives like, Lord Buddha, Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, who have spread-out the love and kindness through out the world.  Also, there were some people, who shook - out the world with hatred.  If we want to emulate our lives, we have to take the footsteps of the people, who taught the world "love, affection and kindness".  Then we can be a role model to the future lives and the new generation.  Life is too short to hate anyone.  

Sometimes, life is difficult for us and sometimes it will be smooth and calm.  It is better to face the difficult times and joyous times with a smile, because time will solve all the problems.  In my personal experience, I can guarantee that this is a correct saying. Because nothing will remain unchanged in this world.  Sadness and cheerfulness exchange every time through-out the life.  So, we should be happy and satisfied with what we have.  There are a lot of people, who are less privileged than us.  In that case, we are better- off and at the first instance, must try to support a needy person.  

Life is like a question paper and we have to find out the answers.  Some answers may correct and some may wrong, because we never get a life with an answer sheet.  We may loose in some subjects, but win in some with a highest score.  So, do not worry, live according to your heart!   But, do not forget to love, laugh, cry, worship, thank, support and feel the nature's gifts.  Time will fly and life will over, one day.  Well, live and love fully, have a cup of coffee with friends, make a funny trip with your family and with all these things, do not forget to stop to smell a ROSE!!!

Life is not a bed of Roses, but please don't give-up!!!

YOU ARE GIVEN THIS LIFE, BECAUSE YOU ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO LIVE IT !!!

- (Mrs.) Shrimal Champika Wickremasinghe -