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THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF THE SRI LANKA ASSORCIATION FOR BUDDHIST STUDIES

G.A. Somaratne, Department of Pali & Buddhist Studies, University of Peradeniya

Highlights of the SLABS Conference Nov. 15.16. 2003

The Sri Lanka Association for Buddhist Studies (SLABS) held its inaugural conference from November 15 – 16, 2003, at the Palipane Sri Chandananda International Buddhist Center for Research and Development in Kandy. This first conference was organized by the Peradeniya Forum of Buddhist Studies, the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies of the University of Peradeniya, and was sponsored by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana. Over 130 Buddhist scholars and teachers, experts and amateurs from Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Japan, Korea, the US, UK and Poland attended and over 30 papers on varying topics related to Buddhist religion, philosophy, psychology, history, culture, and languages were read.

The conference started with a colorful and well-planned inaugural session presided by the Most Venerables Warakawe Dhammaloka and Niyangoda Vijithasiri, the two Lekhakadhikari Mahatheras of the Asgiriya and the Malwatta Chapters, and moderated by Mr. Sumana Ratnayaka. After hoisting both the National and Buddhist flags, the lighting of the oil lamp took place in the midst of chanting of Parittas by the Mahasangha. Among the distinguished invitees were Hon. W.J.M. Lokubandara, the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Minister of Justice, Law Reform and National Integration, Hon. Monty Gopallawa, the Governor of the Central Province, Hon. Kesara Senanayake, the Mayor of Kandy, Hon. Neranjan Wijeratne, the Diyawadena Nilame of the Tooth Relic Temple, Major Suradhaj Bunnag, the President of the World Tipitaka Project in International Scripts, Prof. Kapila Goonersekera, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, Prof. W.M. Sirisena, Dean Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, and Mr. Nimal Weralupitiya, Secretary of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana.

The President of the Association, Prof. P.D. Premasiri welcomed the participants and Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne, Joint-Secretary of the Association introduced the key-note speaker, Dr. D.J. Kalupahana, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hawaii. Prof. Kalupahana is the author of many books on Buddhist Studies, some of which have become the textbooks in the US Universities for the study of Buddhism and Buddhist Philosophy. While delivering the keynote speech on “Sinhala Buddhism,” he noted that he has spent most of his life studying, and more than forty years teaching, most philosophical traditions in the world, Eastern and Western. Yet he has not come across anything like the original Buddhist tradition anywhere in the world, even among the other countries where Buddhism has remained a viable force. He emphasized the need of reading both the Pali Nikayas and the Chinese Agamas for the study of the original form of Buddhism. He criticized those Buddhist institutions in Sri Lanka which have conferred honorary degrees on those who even misinterpret the Buddha’s teaching, and are antagonistic toward Sri Lankan Buddhism and Buddhist scholars.

Among the highlights of the conference was the showcasing of the recently completed compilation of the Theravada Buddhist scriptures into a sumptuously bound and painstakingly edited 40 volume set, which was undertaken in Thailand, under the auspices of M.L. Maniratana Bunnag Dhamma Society Fund. The Theravada Buddhist scriptures, largely regarded to be the oldest and most complete set of the Buddha’s utterances and dialogues, have existed in various written forms, or recensions, over the last 2,000 years, in countries ranging from Sri Lanka to Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia and others. The World Tipitaka Project, under the leadership of leading Pali scholars of Thailand began its editing work of the Sixth Buddhist Council edition of 1956 some four years ago. In 2003, they completed part of their work, and the result is the 40 beautifully bound volumes, embossed with gold, which, “will be invaluable to Buddhist believers and scholars for many generations to come,” according to Major Suradhaj Bunnag, President of the Project.

The Buddhist scriptures that preserved by the Theravada tradition are written in the Pali language, an ancient language which dates back almost to the time of the Buddha himself, and is acknowledged to be the scriptural language which is closest to the language that the Buddha used when he spoke. The Pali language, however, is composed of the sounds made when spoken, and can be written in various scripts, such as the English, or Romanized, script. The existing versions of the Pali canon of the Buddhist scriptures have been recorded in Burmese, Thai, Sinhalese and other written forms. It was the aim of the World Tipitika Project in International Scripts to bring the Sixth Council edition in Romanized form. At the Le Kandyan hotel, a special dinner session of the conference was held on Saturday evening, Nov. 15. At this session, the 40 volumes were presented for the inspection of the SLABS conference participants, and a multi-media presentation of the work was given by Major Suradhaj Bunnag. Prof. Mrs. M. Kamonpatana of Chulalonkorn University, Venerable Prof. Na Bangchang (Nun Vimuttiya), a PhD graduate of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Peradeniya, Dr. A. Peltire, and Dr. Buja Bujadham were also among the Thai Buddhist delegation.

Other highlights of the conference included a panel discussion on Buddhist Counseling Psychology. This session was presided over by Prof. P.D. Premasiri. Prof. Padmal de Silva, Dr. H.S.H. Nissanka, Dr. D.V. J. Harishchangra, and Ven. Wetara Mahina Thera were the panelists. Buddhist counseling psychology has received a lot of attention in recent years, as Western psychologists and counselors have recognized the efficacy of Vipassana meditation techniques in allaying some of the neuroses of modern life, and the expositions on the nature of mind and matter found in the Abidhamma texts have found resonance in the investigations of scientists into the inner workings of the brain. Prof. Padmal de Silva, King’s College, University of London, observed the fact that in mainstream psychological therapy, the use of mindfulness training for certain clinical problems have shown promising results.

Twenty-eight other scholars presented papers at nine separate sessions presided over by the distinguished Buddhist scholars of Sri Lanka such as Prof. Chandima Wijebandara, now the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Sri Jayawardenapura University, Prof. Tilak Kariyawasam, Former Director of Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Prof. Oliver Abeyanayaka of the Buddhist and Pali University, Prof. P.D. Premasiri of the University of Peradeniya, Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne, now the Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Ven. Dr. Godagama Mangala, the Vice Chancellor of the BuddhaSravaka Bhikshu University, Anuradhapura, Ven. Dr. Medagama Nandawansa of the University of Ruhuna, and Prof. Chandra Wickremagamage.

Prof. Thilaka Meththananda from the Department of History at the University of Peradeniya presented a paper on, “Buddhist Revivalism and the Establishment of Girls’s Schools in Sri Lanka” which showed how these schools played an important role in the Sri Lankan Buddhist revival of the late 19th and 20 centuries. Mr. Sumana Ratnayaka from the same University presented a paper on the Buddhist Concept of Metta: Its Effective Application in Real Life Situations. He emphasized the therapeutic significance of the cultivation of loving-kindness. Prof. Nalin de Silva, Department of Mathematics, University of Kelaniya, talked on Western Science, Buddhism and Chintanaya. He pointed out how Western science is based on the Greek Judaic Christian Chintanaya and how Buddhism is based on the pre-Vedic Chintanaya. Prof. Cetiya Witanachchi’s topic was Beyond the Brahma-Kaya. He focused on the origin and development of Buddhist cosmology. Dr. Toshiichi Endo of the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies presented a paper on The Latest Frontiers of Pali Commentarial Research. He introduced some of the emerging areas of research in Japan in the study of the Pali commentarial literature.

Other interesting papers read at the conference were The Ethical Application of Aesthetic Education by Mrs. Latha Meegodagamage, Development Patterns of Buddhist Monasteries by Dr. Mrs. Princy Merlin Peiris, Resemblances in the Jain and Buddhist Canonical Literature by Ven. Dr. Nabirittankadawara Gnanaratana, Buddhist Attitude towards Water Consumption by Ven. Dr. Makarawara Ananada, Philosophy of Buddhism: A Methodological Approach by Prof. A.D.P. Kalansuriya, Higher Ordination and Spiritual Development by Ven. Kotapitiye Rahula, the Five Sense Organs and their Significance in the Buddhist Path by Ms. Yu Nam Hyun, the Buddhist Councils and the Formation of the Theravada Canon by Prof. Russell Bowden, Idealistic Analysis of Reality as Presented in the Abhidhammasamuccaya by Ven. Prof. Waragoda Pemaratana, Ten Jnanas of the Sarvastivada: Their Nature, Scope, and Classification by Ven. Yuan Liu, Buddha’s Comments on the Nine Attainments by Bhikkhuni Toon Herng, Controversy on the Arupadhatu in the Abhidhamma Tradition by Ven. Weishan, Relationship between Modern Scientific Experiments and Buddhist Concepts by Mr. G. Halgaswatta, Buddha’s Thought of Sacrifice, Wish and Fulfillment by Mr. R.G.D. Jayawardena, Aspirations of the Jataka Stories Represented at Ajanta by Dr. M. Somatilake, Theravada View of Antarabhava by Mr. G.A. Gamini, the Attitude of Missionaries in Sri Lanka during the 19th century by Mrs. R. Hettiarachchi, the Role of the Bhikkhus by Ven. Layanegama Chandasiri, and Buddhist Teaching on Hygiene by Ven. Kanattegoda Saddharatana. Many of the presenters, it was noted, were young scholars.

Prof. Mejor Merek from the University of Warsaw in Poland gave a short talk about his country’s efforts to establish a Buddhist studies program in post-Soviet Eastern Europe. He was very happy that he could participate at a conference of this nature in Sri Lanka and hoped to develop relationships with Sri Lanka in developing the Buddhist Studies programmes in his country. Dr. S. M. Haldhar from the Department of Buddhist Studies at the University of Delhi in India presented a paper on the History of Buddhist Studies, and said he was, “very pleased with the results of the Conference.” “This was an important conference for several reasons,” explained Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne, the Joint Secretary of SLABS. “It is the first conference of SLABS, which is quite an achievement for an organization which is only a year old. While many Universities and Scholarly associations have made use of materials gathered in Sri Lanka, it is important to realize the many achievements of the scholarly tradition in Sri Lanka as well. At future conferences, we hope to have even more local and international participation, and one of our aims in holding conferences is to give more opportunity for our young scholars.”

Prof. Oliver Abeynayake, the Vice-President of SLABS explained that while academic investigations into the meaning of the Buddhist scriptures and the practices of people living in Buddhist cultures were often connected to the activities of the Buddhist faithful, the study and the practice of Buddhism had some important differences. “For people who believe, that belief is often enough to sustain them,” Prof. Abeynayake explained, “But for professional scholars, many questions remain unanswered. Examining the ancient texts, comparing them to other ancient texts and putting them in the context of Indian philosophy and the philosophical world in general, are but some of the activities in which Buddhist scholars are engaged around the world.”

Prof. P.D. Premasiri, President of the SLABS, pointed out that, “In certain periods of history, Sri Lanka was the paramount location for the study of Buddhism. In the current age, with the coming of globalization and the modernization of academic facilities, there are now several centers, such as Colombia University and the University of Virginia in the USA, and the School of Oriental and African Studies and Oxford University in the UK. It is entirely appropriate that Sri Lanka take these steps to assert its prominence in the field of Buddhist Studies as well.” In his presidential address at the General Meeting, Prof. Premasiri added that the conference was a successful and profitable one as it was the first attempt of the Sri Lankan scholars. “I am sure we will be able to improve upon it,” he concluded.

A participant from the United States, John Mensing, who is also a postgraduate student at the University of Peradeniya, offered his support for the work of SLABS and recognized the achievements of the Conference, “To many scholars in the United States, Sri Lanka is a third world country to be studied only for its place in history or for the remnants of a premodern culture which still exist here in what is imagined to be a more or less pristine state.” “However,” Mr. Mensing continued, “Scholars in Asia have long recognized the academic achievements of Sri Lanka’s centers for excellence in education. Holding international conferences in Sri Lanka, such as this conference by SLABS, helps the rest of the world get the good news about Asia’s flourishing scholarly traditions.”

As it was decided at the General Meeting, SLABS expect to hold the next Conference in 2005 in Anuradhapura. It is also to be noted that at the General Meeting, the Association also awarded honorary memberships to Ven. Dr. Godagama Mangala Mahathera and Dr. Aloysius Peiris for their contributions to Buddhist studies. Let us come together to develop the academic studies of Buddhism in our country.