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The mind won’t let you take clear and independent decisions if you become a slave to attachments
Tomorrow is Nikini Poya Day
Take the letters A and B in the English alphabet. It’s because of A that B exists. If A doesn’t exist, there’s no B. As A was born, B exists and when A disappears, B also disappears. We cannot talk of B without A. B exists until A exists. B vanishes when A vanishes. All these are relative to each other.
There is a Sutta called Nala Kalaapa in Sanyuktha Nikaya. Nala Kalaapa means a stack of firewood. If there are two stacks of firewood leaning upright together, if the right side stack is removed, the one on the left will fall. I reset the two stacks and remove the left one and the right stack falls. Now, do you understand that both are relative to each other? They exist only until they are together. If one is taken, the other falls.
That is the enlightenment. Now, realize that everything is interdependent. It is same even in the physical world. The fan is rotating due to the flow of electricity. When there is no electricity, the fan stops. Devotees listen to sermons because it is necessary to them. That means there is something behind each and everything, an interconnection. Everything functions in a circulatory system. Lord Buddha has explained in Nala Kalaapa Sutta about physical and mental recognition. These two are interdependent. They have a reversible reaction. Living beings exist due to this factor.
I preach on how to look into these two factors within yourself. Consider your own thoughts. Let’s assume one of you feeling hungry. Why am I feeling hungry? Because, I did not eat yet. What do I feel as hunger? There exists a memory in my mind about an occasion of having a full, half full and empty stomach. Compare them now. After the comparison, my mind says, the current situation differs from the previous situation of a full stomach. That is what you feel as hunger. The intention of the fullness is the cause for the emptiness. This is how you practice the cause and effect method.
I have a glass of water. Someone says the glass is full of water. I reduce the amount of water in the glass. Then the person says, “There is some water in the glass.” His reply is relative to two things. Make a response consciously. What are those two? The answer of that person is relative to the glass and the water. Now, I transfer the same amount of water to a smaller glass. Then, he says the glass is full. Here, he answered considering only the water. That is wrong. The answer should be given by considering both the water and the glass.
I talk about the activities of day-to-day life. Make responses by comparing both. My vision is clearer than yours. I see two when you all see one. That is the clearest vision or the reverse thinking pattern. One who perceives, see not only Dhamma but also the exterior more clearly. He is far-sighted. That means he sees everything in advance.
We go to a well around twelve noon and look inside. If the water is clear, then the bottom is seen clearly in the light. All of you have seen it. We stir water in the well by using a stick and look inside. Now, will the bottom be clearly seen? No, because the water is agitated. Think of yourself. You should understand that you cannot see yourself better because your mind is unclear. The reason is the ego.
You think that many things exist in the world should belong to you, they should behave as you wish etc. Such a person does not realize the reality of himself. Not only that, you form attachments to various things. As a result, your mind does not let you take independent, clear and accurate decisions as you have become a slave to the attachments. Think clearly and break all the gyves in your mind. Learn to think like a noble person without being confined to the traditional frames.
When searching for a set objective in life, keep the highest expectations, not the lowest. But, we don’t think that the maximum should be gained. We accept what we gain. Wish for the greatest. Work for the greatest. If it is not fulfilled, at least a lower level will be achieved. That is my idea.
The greatest gift you can give someone is the noble path, which emerges through the exploration of the meanings of Suttas preached by Lord Buddha. When you observe Suttas with wisdom, you will find the noble path in it. Go deep into the meanings of Suttas, only then you will be able to understand it. You cannot find them without a deep investigation. Walk through the path way. It is a different path. Everything exists in a reversible way.
– Ven. Sri Samanthabadra Thera
Latest News
Flood warning issued to the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa, and Pathadumbara
Due to heavy rainfall received in the upper catchment areas of the Mahaweli River over the past few hours, there is a risk of minor flooding in the low-lying areas surrounding the Mahaweli River within the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa, and Pathadumbara.Residents living in the above mentioned areas and motorists using roads passing through these areas are urged to exercise extreme caution and remain highly vigilant regarding the prevailing situation.
Furthermore, residents living in close proximity to the Mahaweli River in these areas are advised to remain highly alert to the situation and take all necessary precautions to protect themselves from any potential flooding.The relevant disaster management authorities are requested to take all necessary measures in response to this situation.
The National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide Red Alerts to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya effective from 14:00 hrs on 20.09.2026 To 14:00 hrs on 21.09.2026
Accordingly,
LEVEL III [RED] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Dehiowita, Aranayake, Deraniyagala, Mawanella and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district and Kothmale West, Kotmale East, Ambagamuwa and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district
LEVEL II [AMBER] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka in the Colombo district, Nagoda, Thawalama and Neluwa in the Galle district, Bulathsinhala, Palindanuwara, Walallawita and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district, Ganga Ihala Korale in the Kandy district, Bulathkohupitiya and Kegalle in the Kegalle district, Akuressa and Pitabeddara in the Matara district, Thalawakele in the Nuwara Eliya district and Pelmadulla, Ratnapura, Ayagama, Kuruwita and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I [YELLOW] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Niyagama and Baddegama in the Galle district, Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Ingiriya in the Kalutara district, Udapalatha and Yatinuwara in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Warakapola and Ruwanwella in the Kegalle district, Kotapola, Pasgoda and Athuraliya in the Matara district, and Eheliyagoda, Kalawana and Elapatha in the Ratnapura district.
News
Development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common goal – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common, people-oriented objective.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in a discussion held on Friday [September 18] at the Western Province Council Auditorium to review the progress of the development project to rehabilitate Rathmalana Kandawala Road and the drainage system on either side of the road, within the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council limits in the Colombo District.
The project, which commenced on September 10, 2026, is scheduled to be completed before June 30, 2027. Implemented by the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA), the project includes the construction of a bridge at a cost of Rs. 64 million, the rehabilitation of the drainage system at a cost of Rs. 930 million, and the rehabilitation of the road at a cost of Rs. 115 million.
The Prime Minister also paid special attention to the progress of the responsibilities assigned to the Western Province Council, the Irrigation Department and the Ratmalana Divisional Secretariat in accordance with decisions taken at the previous committee meeting. Attention was also given to the current status of the plans being carried out by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLRDC), as well as the construction and maintenance activities being undertaken by the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA).
Commending the expedite and commendable progress of the project, the Prime Minister particularly appreciated the commitment demonstrated by officials of the relevant government institutions to work in close coordination with one another and in collaboration with the political authority.
The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of taking measures well in advance to control flooding and minimise its impact on Colombo and several other districts in view of the rainy weather that may affect the Western Province during the latter part of this year.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Chairperson of the Ratmalana Divisional Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Chairman of the Roads Sub-Committee of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee Dewananda Suraweera, Mayor of the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Parakum Shantha, Chief Secretary of the Western Province K.G. Pradeep Pushpakumara, along with a number of government officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Flood warning issued to the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa, and Pathadumbara
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Development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common goal – PM
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