In preserving the Buddhism in an attempt to propagate it in various Eras, different individuals came forward and projects were launched.
After the Buddha attained Nibbanahood, the main objective was to preserve the original word of the Buddha as written in the Tripitaka text. In that attempt kings like Ajasaththa and Arahants like Kasyapa and Ananda theros were playing a leading role.
With the elapse of 100 years, after Buddha attaining Nibbanahood, there was a time of great controversy related to the vinaya or the discipline among the Sangha. The main aim of that Era was to preserve the word of Buddha by eradicating various misconceptions. To fulfill the objectives of the pro Buddhist movement, thero's like yasa, Sabbhakhami and King Kalashoka
came to the fore.
Two Hundred and Thirty Six years after the parinirvana of Buddha, there was a bleak period in which Buddhism completely faded away and was a great need to uplift it. For this purpose two envoys namely Moggaliputta Tissa Thero and King Dharmasoka were sent from Brahmaloka. Theros's like Mihindu helped the King Dharmasoka
everyway in the massive project launched by him to propagate
Buddhism.
King Dharmasoka's Buddhist movement was a great need of the time for the uptiftment
of Buddhism when the society was down trodden with frequent
conflicts and wars.
In Sri Lanka King Devanampiyatissa who was the King at that time was a Great
man of the Era Who fulfilled those tasks.
In Sri Lanka the Buddhism which was about to fade away due to constant conflicts, wars and famine were well preserved due to the timely effort taken by the Buddhist priests to preserve them for future generation by writing them on ola
leafs.
With the help of the Buddhist Kings the priests were able to preserve it and bring it to the present generation. If there was no suitable person to do the work envoys were brought from other worlds. Nagasena was such a person brought from divya loka and Moggaliputtatissa was brought to this world from Brahmaloka. Milinda Panha
was also a good attempt taken during that era to preserve the
Buddhism.
What is the present day requirement? Arthur C. Clarke in an article
has said, in the near future all the religions will gradually fade
away except Buddhism which will remain as the universal religion of
this world. On that day we Sri Lankan's have to present to the world
the Buddhism in its purest form because the future generation will
value the Theravada Buddhist tradition over other traditions.
To fulfill that task there should be a place or a center to give the
world what they are looking for. Need of such a centre is important
because, the future generation the world over will look for a place
to research and debate the important aspects of Buddhism, written in
a universal language like English.
The project launched to build the Sambuddha Jayanthi Mandiraya by Ven. Kirama Wimalajothi Thero
is a step taken to cater to the need of the Era, We have realized
after careful study of the plans the centre comprises of all the
state of the art facilities to serve the prospective researchers and
intellectuals who are interested in doing further studies of
Buddhism at global level.
Therefore I firmly believe your donations towards this project is not a waste of money, but it will fulfill a great need of an Era.
Written by the Most Venerable
Davuldena Gnanissara Maha Thero
Translated by Hemantha Samaranayake
For further information.
Please contact:-
The Director,
Ven. Kirama Wimalajothi Thero.
Buddhist Cultural Centre,
No. 125, Anderson Road,
Nedimala,
Dehiwala.
Sri Lanka.
Tel - 0094 011 2726234,
2734256,
2738468
E-mails - bcc456sltnet.lk, director@buddhistcc.net, info@buddhistcc.com
