Prof. John Mathew, Dean of the faculty of World Religions and Theology in world-renowned Harvard University in America has recommended the new book
“The Buddha Word as Cosmic Doctrine” for all Buddhists and others interested in learning more about Buddhism.
Dr. Herath Goonetilleke, a senior media personality and a retired Public servant is the author of this work.
He has submitted the completed PDF version of this work to a panel of professors in the faculty of World Religions and Theology in Harvard University in the USA.
Having read this treatise thoroughly Prof. John Mathew states that:
“I strongly believe in creationism: God has created the human world and the Universe. However, this book clearly and properly describes the Middle Path which includes the universal peace message preached by the Buddha for peace, welfare,progress and betterment of all human beings.
In fact, this treatise would be more useful as it describes practically and spreads the peace message among present world citizens to spend their lives peacefully.
Hence it could be considered as an outstanding achievement for world peace. I would like to nominate this treatise as the most appropriate one for the Nobel Peace award.”
“The present world is suffering from terrible terrorism, human violence including war while most of the areas are faced with the threat of famine such as food shortage and numerous epidemics.
People undergo much difficulties and have become helpless and suffering with the present social -economic decline. The Society, according to the
Buddhism, like every other process in nature is liable to change from time to time.
The factors that determined this evolution were economic and ideological, for men were led to action by their desires and beliefs. Therefore, according to the teachings in Buddhism there are two main reasons for social evolution: The decline of the human economy occurred due to depreciation of limited resources as a result of competition and massive consumption with unlimited greed and the craving of man.
The other reason is man’s political or religious fundamentalist extremism derived from their incorrect and wrong ideologies.”
Prof. Mathew said that the most important fact depicted clearly in this book is the possibility to achieve peace and prosperity in inner spirituality of man and external sectors within the society through the Middle Path shown by the Buddha while discarding extreme, false and wrong ideologies and reaching social well-being and economic development through the law of Dhamma or righteousness.
The above academic work was compiled by Dr. Goonetilleke as a result of the research studies carried out on Buddhism and Verification at local and foreign universities during the past four decades.
In accordance with the theme of the treatise it is important to rethink why the message of the sublime teachings and philosophy preached by the Buddha to the world 2,600 years ago have not yet been well conceived by the entire world.
He has made numerous references such as Pali Canon which is considered as sources of the Tripitaka, in Theravada Buddhism as well as several sources in Mahayana Buddhism.
Dr. Goonetilleke has served approximately three years as a lecturer in Philosophy in the then Vidyalankara University and subsequently has served 20 years as a Research Assistant in Mass media at the Information Department.
Dr. Goonatilleke has penned several investigative books such as “ Buddhism and modern cosmology ”, “Buddhism for the 21st Century”, “Attitude of the Buddhism on modern world terrorism” and has published several research articles on the Dhamma.
Residing in the Panduwasnuwara area in the Kurunegala District he generously and voluntarily shares his Dhamma knowledge with the Sunday schoolchildren.
Wisdom publishers affiliated with the Harvard University in Massachusetts in America has given their consent to publish his research work as an international publication.
However, a large amount of money has to be spent in this regard. Even though this work is published by a local publication the author is seeking to publish it as an international publication with the help of a sponsor.
This work is specially dedicated to all the religious leaders and the Heads of State in the world and to all the global organisations dealing with universal peace including the UNO. The author can be reached at [email protected].