News
The eternal liberation taught in Buddhism is gained while one is alive
December 29 is Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day
It is common to see ‘May you attain Nibbana’ notices at funeral houses. But, it does not happen that way. All these are illusions. The eternal liberation taught in Buddhism is gained while one is alive. I will not believe if someone says that I will get something after my death as I will not be able to hear or see what I will get. I will only accept what I receive while I am alive. That is why Buddha talked only about an enlightenment before death.
Which would you prefer – something given after your death or before? We can only give credence to something given before our death. But, unfortunately, some people wish to have ‘liberation’ after their death. It is the misfortune of not realizing the truth. It’s clear how a wise person could be confused being caught in the false notions that exist. Where have the thousands of people ‘eligible’ to attain Nibbana gone? They have gone to hell.
As long as the path is ‘closed’, most people would end up in hell and only a few will go to heaven. But, none can attain Nirvana until the path remains closed. So, what needs to be done? The path has to be opened. We have to show the Nirvana by opening the path. It is something that happens while being alive and can never be attained after death. We cannot accept ‘offers’ that could be had after death.
The liberation preached by all Buddhas is gained before death. Now, the problem is how to attain it? What steps to follow? What is the correct path? Now, would you like to attain Nibbana by following the path or not following the path? Both can exist within you. Can anyone realize the truth by not following the path and not practicing the mind? How can it be done?
So, why haven’t you attained Nibbana until now? That’s because you have listened without preparing yourself. Only listening will not work unless you prepare. You have seen how children play. If a ball comes your way and you want to catch it, but will not be able to do so by having your hands behind you. The reason is you were not prepared to catch it.
Therefore, be prepared to listen. Maybe, you need only one specific word in your lifetime. How long have you been searching for that word? Hundreds of lives….thousands…. millions….? Before you start following the path, your heart should say this is the correct path. Then you listen.
When a person let go everything by mind, he becomes nissarana. Then, why do people enjoy pleasure out of senses? Because they are uneducated. They do not know about the path to Nirvana. Why do people hate each other? Because they do not know about the path to Nirvana.
People have arrogance, overriding others, showing qualities that they do not possess, gaining fame through lying, trying to be popular, chasing what they do not deserve, trying to acquire things they cannot, not willing to accept suffering, fear and sickness, what are all these about? It is about how uneducated and stupid they are. If people are wise, they accept all these. Accept and be prepared.
– Sri Samanthabadhra Thera
News
Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56
Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.
In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.
He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.
Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.
He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.
Five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, who were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), were further remanded until 30 January by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The former Minister’s , sons Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando, and two others, were arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of a Sathosa vehicle during Fernando’s tenure as Minister.
Investigations are currently underway into the alleged misuse of state property, including a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa, which reportedly caused a significant financial loss to the state.
In connection with the same incident, Indika Ratnamalala, who served as the Transport Manager of Sathosa during
Fernando’s tenure as Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested on 04 January.
After being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, he was ordered to be remanded in custody until 09 January.The former Sathosa Transport Manager was remanded on charges of falsifying documents.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that indictments had been filed in the Colombo High Court against former Minister and NDF Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake over a corruption allegation.
The Bribery Commission notified the court when the case, in this regard, was taken up yesterday before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.
At the hearing, the CIABOC notified the court that indictments had been presented before the Colombo High Court against the accused.
Accordingly, concluding the proceedings before the Magistrate’s Court, the Magistrate ordered MP Dassanayake to appear before the High Court once a notice was issued.
Alleged drug kingpin and ex-Olympian Ryan Wedding arrested after years on the run
Showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in the Northern, North-central, and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee district
Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56
Johnston, two sons and two others further remanded over alleged misuse of vehicle
CIABOC indicts MP Chamara Sampath in HC on bribery allegation
High-level discussion held to enhance Sri Lanka Agricultural Productivity with Chinese assistance
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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