enturies ago, on that Esala Full Moon Poya day
Twilight was fading away
And night was drawing near.
Under a Bo tree in the Deer Park in Saranath, Benares
The Buddha sat, looking at the five ascetics
Kondanna, Vagga and Baddiya
With Mahanama and Assagi.
Birds’ chatter and movements of the herd of deer diminished.
“Friends, my struggle to seek the Truth was arduous,
I could not find a teacher
Neither could I be successful through self-mortification,
You left me then, assuming I was not sincere,
But I continued my lone struggle in Gaya.
With firm determination I sat under a Bo Tree
Truth dawned on me on Vesak Poya Day.
I attained Buddhahood.”
The full moon, was rising in all its splendour
A deep silence reigned.
Knowing the impact His words would have created
He asked, “Have I ever lied to you, my friends? “
“No. Gotama has never done so.”
“Then my friends, have trust in me and listen.”
The whole universe waited
In the deepening silence,
Eager to hear the Buddha’s words
Thus the Buddha preached His first sermon
The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
Setting in motion the Wheel of the Dhamma.
It elucidated the Four Noble Truths;
The Noble Truth of Suffering, the Causes of Suffering
Cessation of Suffering
And the Path leading to the Cessation of Suffering.
Buddha’s words on that Esala Full Moon Poya night
Have resonated like a distant echo through the centuries.
Bringing solace to suffering beings.
– Sunila Nanayakkara
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All of a sudden…
All of a sudden
Heard a clap of thunder
The rain came cats and dogs
Shattering whole area into pieces
No moment to ponder what happened
Everything went out at a blistering pace
Making most refugees losing everything
Others took last breath calmly on the bed coffins
Oh what a destruction!
Is it a curse of Mother Nature?
I am wondering
Earlier ours was the evergreen land
Today it’s the real concrete land
It’s a sheer fault of mankind!
– Thisari Imesha Kannangara
******************************
The Outcome
The germ of social injustice
Almost everywhere dwells;
When voices raised for it
Sometimes the germ destroyed
And rarely the voices silenced
To keep things under control
Yet, the voices of the youth
At junctions, on roads
Obstructing, disturbing
Paralysing...... public life
The youth shout for justice
Forgetting the path
They ought to strive
While parents heave
Sighs of pain and grief
And the fate of this Isle:
Misery and backwardness!
– A. Jayalath Basnagoda
******************************
The Outcome
The germ of social injustice
Almost everywhere dwells;
When voices raised for it
Sometimes the germ destroyed
And rarely the voices silenced
To keep things under control
Yet, the voices of the youth
At junctions, on roads
Obstructing, disturbing
Paralysing...... public life
The youth shout for justice
Forgetting the path
They ought to strive
While parents heave
Sighs of pain and grief
And the fate of this Isle:
Misery and backwardness!
– A. Jayalath Basnagoda
******************************
There is only one person whom you can call mother
She is the only soul in reality and no other
She is a remarkable being, and wonderful
That which the offspring will experience in full
Her love and kindness no one can measure
Her own, on this earth is the greatest treasure
She is best recognized in her motherhood
While growing up, this will be clearly understood
Devoting her entire life for their welfare
Everything under the sky she is ready to bear
Her love and compassion is limitless and boundless
To bear every responsibility she does not feel helpless
Every good thing is engraved in our brain
To find we are right is her happiest gain
Success requires hard work and perseverance
This idea is instilled in us giving guidance
In our lives, she plays the most important role
Helping us to reach our highest goal
From the day one sees the light
She works tirelessly with all her might
To make us good citizens is her right
Encouraging us for a future bright
In her heart all siblings are well cared for
With correct protection sans any kind of foe
So called mum in ancient society
Is considered great with immense piety
She commences the day getting up first
She is the only one whom you can trust
She is the one to dine last
She is the one to go to bed last
According to sacred Buddhist norms
Mother is the second Buddha at home.
– Rupa Banduwardena