OLDEN  AGE

Old is Gold

Olden age is the precious age among the three stages in the life.  When you reach to your Old Age, you are thorough in everything.  You have gained a very good experience in life, whatever good or bad.  You know what mistakes you have done previously and at least, now you can put yourselves in the correct path.  Or else, if you think, now you do not have time to adjust, you can, at least, help the youngsters to make their lives perfectly.  Everyone do not get a chance to experience in everything in the life.  You can learn the other things from your friends or relations, what and what hardships they have undergone and what are the things they think to keep - up the lives in a perfect way.

Whatever the experience you gained, it is good, if you keep your health in order.  Must do regular exercises, walk daily, eat healthy food and have a good sleep.  You would have under-gone a tough life in previous days.  So, this is time to rest and keep - up yourselves, without any mental agonies.  

Do not keep grudges against anyone, as it is like you are taking poison, thinking that other person to die.  So, forgive and forget.  This is the time that you really understand, all are not the same. Different people are having different ideas, behaviours and qualities.  So, accept all and you go on your way of quality life.

Don't think much on little things.  There are good and bad things, that you have to undergo, through out your life.  Everyone has to under - go different things during the life path.  So, you are not the first one or the last one that experienced bad things and sad things, as well.  That is the life.  Anyway, at this stage, you faced everything and come upto some extent.  So, you should be happy and now is the time to have fun.

Don't give up love life.  Love you partner, love your family, love your friends and love your neighbours.  Take time to read about love and love everyone, who are around you.

Keep - up your hobbies.  If you don't have one, start now!!!  You can do reading about everything, such as Autobiography of famous people, then you come to know that most of the things that you come across, all the others, too, have come across, upto some extent in their lives.  You can do gardening and when your plants blossom with flowers and fruits, you will be cherished.  You can distribute them among your own family, friends and neighbours.  Then you will feel to grow more and more.  You can write some documentaries, blogs and articles to Newspapers or to the Internet. When they are published, you will cherish and you will feel to write more and more!!! 

Don't give - up to think about your outer personality.  It is worth to take time to go to the salon and make your hair, do a facial, do your eyebrows, manicure and pedicure.  Once in a way, go for a head massage and foot massage.  You will have a thorough relaxation.  

Go to a park and spend time with children.  Go to the beach and look at the waves for sometime.  It will give you a good experience of your life.  Waves are going up and down, as if your life.  There are ups and downs in the life, too.  You can breath good air and can have a good relaxation, when you go to the sea beach.  You can do Yoga or meditation.  That, too, will give you a good relaxation. 

Once in a way go to a coffee shop, lunch or dinner or to a movie with a friend.  You can talk about your past, how you cried on a silly boyfriend and you can have a good laugh.  Now, there is no secrets to cover - up from anyone.  All the stupid things, you have done in your small age and young age, now you can wipe - off with a good laugh!!!

Try to learn something, you loved to learn, such as a different language, to play a musical instrument, or to make cakes or attend to a cookery class.  You can marvel your grandchildren or friends, with what you learn.  

Have chats with youngsters and learn whatever you can get from them.  Don't criticize them or their work! They are the future of this world.  They will direct the world as per their choice and desire. Surely, you can advise them, but not under-estimate their thoughts and work.  They are better in current technology. You can learn them and try to keep an e-mail circle and be a partner of the new techniques.  

Do not take care of what others would think or tell about you.  That is none of your business.  Give them the freedom to think or talk, as per their wish.  You do whatever you like, as far as, your behavior is not guilty or harmful to anyone.  

Go on a trip, once in a way with your family or friends and enjoy the situation.  Attend to the religious activities in the temple or church, weddings, parties, graduations, musical shows.  If you can afford, travel all around the world.   Help the people, whenever you get a chance! Admire other's good qualities!  Praise their good behavior !!  Wish the Best of Luck for others !!!  

ALWAYS TRY  TO PLANT THE BEST IMAGE IN THE HEARTS OF YOUR CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN, FRIENDS AND THE SOCIETY! 

BE HAPPY  WITH EVERY SITUATION AT YOUR BEST, AS YOU HAVE ONLY A LITTLE TIME TO HAVE FUN IN THIS BIRTH!  

- Mrs. Shrimal C. Wickremasinghe - 

  

JAYA SHRI MAHA BODHI

(SACRED BODHI TREE IN SRI LANKA)

Jaya Shri Maha Bodhi Tree is situated in Anuradhapura, which is the capital city of North Central Province of Sri Lanka.  It is said to be the southern branch of the Shri Maha Bodhi at Buddhagya, India, which is known as the oldest tree in the world.  It is, also, known as the "Sacred Bodhi Tree", under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.  Some says that this is a sapling of sacred Jaya Shri Maha Bodhi of Buddha Gaya in India.  Whatever, it is belonging to the Sacred Bodhi Tree, under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. 

After Arahath Mahinda, who was the son of King Asoka, then emperor of India, brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka from India, King Devanampiyatissa requested King Asoka to send some sacred treasure of Lord Buddha from India, under Arahath Mahinda's advice.  So, the King Asoka sent his daughter, Sangamitta Therani, who is the sister of  Mahinda with the branch of Shri Maha Bodhi Tree to Sri Lanka by a beautiful ship.  She has been first landed at  "Mathagal", a village situated in the Jaffna Peninsula and handed - over the plant to King Devanampiyatissa.   

This sapling planted in the "Mahamewna Park" in Anuradhapura by the King Devanampiyatissa, while chanting "seth pirith" by the Buddhist Monks, with a great ceremony, in the presence of large number of assemblage with royal guests.  This sapling was planted in Anuradhapura 247 years before Christ was born and on an "Uduvap Full Moon Poya Day" in the month of December.  This was planted in the 3rd century B.C.   It was planted on a high terrace of 6.5 meters from the ground and surrounded by railings to protect from wild elephants.  It is recorded in the ancient Pali and Sinhala Books that eight seedlings from this tree were planted in eight selected places in Sri Lanka and one at the "Dambakola Patuna", where Sri Sangamitta Thera landed with this plant.  

Several Kings in Sri Lanka took several steps of protection of this Sacred Tree, by putting up a wall and a water canal around it.  At present, the canal is not to be seen, but there is a Golden Fence around the Sacred Tree.  Other fig trees also give the full security to this Sacred Tree, by storms and other animals, such as monkey, bats, etc.  

This Sacred Tree "the Shri Maha Bodhi" in Anuradhapura is known as the oldest tree in the world, with a recorded history of 2260 years. This Sacred Tree is very worthy and a leading light to Buddhists in Sri Lanka and all around the world.  We can be proud, as a nation that the oldest tree is situated in our country - Sri Lanka.  

It had some illnesses some years back and then government has taken immediate measures to treat the sacred tree by the foreign phytologists.  This Sacred Tree is a Great Mature Giant for our nation and the country.  It is like the heart of Buddhists.  Buddhists are keeping Bodhi poojas, offering milk rice, worshiping with flowers, oil lamps, making vows and telling all of their enormous problems to this sacred tree, as if telling to an existing Lord Buddha.  They make several wishes under this Sacred Tree, with a belief that their wishes will be fulfilled.  There are a plenty of worshipers are going there through - out the year and observing precept (Atasil) on the full moon poya days here.  This Sacred Tree is very famous all over the planet.   It is our - Sri Lankans duty and responsibility to protect this dignitary tree for the future!  

Long Life JAYA SHRI MAHA BODHI !!!   

**Abstracted some phrases from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaya_Sri_Maha-Bodhi and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangamitta and Junior Observer of 15th December, 2015.

- Mrs. Shrimal C. Wickremasinghe - 

Young Age

Young age is also a marvelous age in the life.  Youngsters are full of strength, energy and courage.  They try to explore the world with eagerness and with enthusiasm.  Their hearts are full of love.  They can award a lot of things to the world by learning and gaining experience. 

They should listen to their parents, elders and the society.  They can make a huge change in the planet.  They should not go after wrong.  They should try to be honest, faithful and dutiful.  They are the future of the world. 

The adults should not find wrong in their activities always.  They should not be criticized and their actions should be welcome and if there are any mistakes, they should be taught correctness of their activities. 

Young blood is aggressive.  But, it can be calm by loving them and welcome them, as they are into the society.  Like adults, they do not have much experience in life, but nowadays, they are the genius of the current world and new fields like technology, computing and science.  So, adults should learn from them the new fields and must teach them the value of the good behaviour.  Also, they should be taught and made them listen to the adults and make the world better by learning from the adults' life experience ! 

We must understand the needs of the young.  We must convince them that they are part of the world and they are the leaders of the world tomorrow.  We must make them to understand their position in the present context properly and accurately.  Afterwards, we should give them remarkable roles for them to achieve their goals.  Young are the strength of one's nation and country.   Likewise, every country must have a good and better young people to make their country a rose garden, without hassle, war and unnecessary battles. 

HAPPY YOUNG AGE !!!


- Mrs. Shrimal Champika Wickremasinghe - 

SMALL AGE

Small age is the fantastic age in one's life.  There is no any responsibility.  Everyone pass the small age and come to young age and olden age.  When you arrive the old age only, you realize how fun was the small age.

When we were small, we had a fine time.  We were like free birds.  We ran after butterflies.  We danced like life never ends and time will never pass - away.  Parents provided all we need and we only had to consume whatever they give to us.  We had to go to school in a certain age and read.  We thought in that time, it was the difficult period.  But, when you reach to the olden age, you know the value of the small age.  

Our parents, adults and all the other people loves children.  They admire what we do and act. Children are the angles in this world.  They love everyone and each other.  They do not have any grudges against anybody.  Their minds are very beautiful, mild and pure like flowers.  They love drawing, dancing and music.  They love to play immensely.  

Sometimes, children teach good things to the adults.  They teach adults to keep away the anger and hatred from one's life.  They teach adults to make friends, amidst the differences of religion, race and creed.  Their hearts are full of love and kindness.  They have pure and open minds.  They never treat people according to their financial situations.  

It is our duty to help them to carry - on their good behaviour through-out their lives.  Also, we must support them to keep - up their love and kindness along their path. We must teach them that there is no difference in between races and all are human beings.  Therefore, every one should be treated in the same equal way.  

Adults have to help small ones to keep - up happiness and joy through - out their way of lives.  We have to help them to understand and face ups and downs in the life in a positive mood.  Then they should have sense of humour along their lives.  It will help them enormously in their long run.  We must think of contributing best things to their small age to make them happy, as that age will never come in their lives again.  It is our - adults' duty and responsibility to provide a peaceful and loving atmosphere for small ones to enjoy their precious small age!!!

Happy Small Age!!!  

- Mrs. Shrimal C. Wickremasinghe - 

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 !