More the Decline of Buddhist Order, Taller the

Statues

Ravi Palihawadana, Chairman, Dr. E.W. Adikaram Foundation

Dr. E.W. Adikaram

Today, when nationalism and religious bigotry are being whipped up more than at

any other time, isnt Dr. Adikarams message even more relevant?

His was a timeless message. Yes, one can say that it is more pertinent today.

However, unfortunately, only the older generation is taking an interest in his ideas.

The teachings of Dr. E.W. Adikaram, a

colossus of the intellectual tradition of Sri

Lanka in the 20th century are even more

relevant today than during his time. This

discussion with Ravi Palihawadana, the

Chairman of Dr. E.W. Adikaram

Foundation and Secretary, Krishnamurti

Centre, Sri Lanka is a revisit of that

intellectual tradition. Books by Dr.

Adikaram and J. Krishnamurti can be

purchased at Dr. E.W. Adikaram

Foundation located at 310, High Level

Road, Colombo 6 (Telephone: 2811076)

where a Reading Room and a Library are

also maintained.

Despite having made his thoughts available on Facebook, etc, only a few individuals

of the younger generation are interested in his teachings.

Dr. Adikaram is known among some of us as a true Buddhist who never recited the

five precepts. What is your idea on that?

Yes, it is true that he didnt recite the five precepts. But he never broke them.

Having seen the trend towards following rituals rather than practicing the core

teachings of Buddhism; he couldnt help observing that, More the decline in the

Buddhist Order of Sri Lanka, taller the statues.

Ravi Palihawadana

Wasnt there a controversy at the time

regarding his not reciting the five precepts?

Yes. Once in the eighties when Gunadasa

Liyanage interviewed Dr. Adikaram on national

television; Liyanage asked him, Was it because

you never broke the precepts _ having taken

them once _ that you dont recite the five

precepts over and over again? Adikaram

retorted, When you set out from home, do you

make a promise to yourself that you wont smear

on your face the muck you find by the roadside?

When you understand deeply the harm caused by

such actions, they just drop away from you.

There is no necessity to make a promise to

oneself to refrain from them.

Adikaram also maintained that it was not necessary to study all the Buddhist

scriptures if one understood the crux of Buddhist philosophy.

What can the younger generation gain from Adikaram philosophy?

I am reminded of what Professor J.B. Disanayaka said at the Adikaram birth

centenary lecture. Disanayaka mentioned that Adikaram was a multi-faceted

personality who was: 1. A first class linguist, 2. An educator, 3. An environmentalist,

4. A scientist, 5. A philosopher, 6. A proponent of Ahimsa and 7. A social reformer.

As an educator, he also espoused J. Krishnamurtis truism that, The aim of

education should be to make a child flower in goodness.

What are the basic tenets of Adikaram thinking?

1. Living a simple, uncluttered life.

2. Living by the light of ones own insight without clinging to any dogma or belief.

3. Treating all living beings with love and kindness as a mother would treat her

only child.

If we lead our lives according to these three tenets; it will eventually lead to global

peace.

At present, there are accusations that there is an international conspiracy hatched

by Western powers against Sri Lanka. There is also the allegation that the present

government is not respecting diversity among communities. What can be said

about this?

Everybody is entitled to live according his or her worldview. But there is no basis for

alienating into separate groups according to religion or nationality. Once, J.

Krishnamurti was awarded a peace prize by the United Nations. In his acceptance

speech he mentioned that the very concept of United Nations is flawed. It does not

make sense to divide the world into separate nations and then try to unite them

under one umbrella. It is a contradiction of terms to say that the Sinhalese, Tamils

and Muslims live in harmony in Sri Lanka.

But isnt it practical to accept certain conventions when there is such division?

These divisions are nothing but glorified tribalism. Wherever there is division, there

is conflict.

Why is there a tendency in our society to engage more and more in activities based

on superstition?

It is due to the lack of physical and psychological security. Although people are

becoming more knowledgeable, they are increasingly lacking in understanding.

In those days, Dr. Adikaram, Dr. Kovoor and Martin Wickramasinghe built up an

intellectual tradition. It has collapsed now. Why?

There may be a number of reasons. Let me mention one. The majority of people in

this country call themselves Buddhists. Although Buddhism places a special

emphasis on free inquiry, people are happy leading a life of conformity.

After Gunadasa Liyanages interview with Dr. Adikaram on national television, the

Maligakanda Temple invited Dr. Adikaram for a discussion. The monks gathered

asked many questions in earnest. One monk asked him about his hopes and

aspirations. Adikaram said, "I hope that before I die at least a few monks in Sri Lanka

would embrace Buddhas teachings."

Interviewed by: Thimbiriyagama Bandara, Translated from the original Sinhalese

version (carried in the Aththa newspaper on 26th January 2014) into English by

Ravi Palihawadana