'Upasthana' for the sick is one of the noblest of activities
which Lord Buddha has valued so much.
"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving & sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of selfishness overcome their minds. Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared, if there were someone to receive their gift. But because beings do not know, as I know, the results of giving & sharing, they eat without having given. The stain of selfishness overcomes their minds." (Lord Buddha) (Iti 1.26; Iti 18) |
Dear friends in Dhamma, 16th September 2009
Ven. Gothama is the chief incumbent priest of the Dharmendraramaya temple, Hotel Road, Mount Lavinia. He says he has observed a sad situation whilst he was hospitalized many times. He has noticed that quite a number of old, ailing monks who have no permanent place to live get themselves admitted from hospital to hospital just to find shelter. According to Ven. Gothama very few people have really seen or know the plight of these monks and the pathetic state in which they live. Ven. Gothama being a very compassionate monk wants to help at least a few of these monks by putting up a building to give shelter to these old ailing monks.
One might question ‘why is it that Sri Lanka being a Buddhist country and having so many temples, bhikkhus fall into this plight?’. Ven Gothama explains, even in lay life, in some families there are children who do not look after their elders and abandon them. Likewise in the Sangha community too, due to the ‘puthujjana’ nature sometimes there are circumstances where the old ailing bhikkhus cannot go back to their original temple. Ven. Gothama says, ‘so instead of finding fault with the situation, its better for us to do whatever we can and help at least a few such bhikkhus’. He is willing to make use of the vacant land available at Dharmendraramaya temple, Mount Lavinia and requires funds to put up the building.
For this purpose he has started an organization by the name of ‘Jinarathana Gilan Bhikku Suwa Sewa Padanama’ and opened an account at Peoples Bank, Dehiwala Branch. How to Donate
If you feel you want to partake in this meritorious deed you can either deposit your contribution direct to the Padanama account, or hand over your contribution to Ven. Gothama.
You can also visit Ven. Gothama at 21, Hotel Road, Mt Lavinia (Tel: 4583710 or 2712852) and discuss and find out more about this meritorious deed.
The estimated cost of this project would be approximately Rs 7 million to construct a building to give shelter to about 10 bhikkhus. A number of doctors have volunteered to attend to the medical needs and the people of the area are more than willing to offer 'dana' to these ailing monks.
Please pass on this email to friends and relatives who may want to partake in this meritorious deed.
The Chief of the Saddhammayukthika Maha Nikaya Most Ven Rekawa Gunasiri Maha Thero, Chief Incumbent of Dhammapalaramaya Mt Lavinia Aggamaha Panditha Most Rev. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thero, Prof. Mendis Rohanadheera, Public Trustee Mr Sarath Seneviratne, Ven Bambarapane Sugathananda Thero, Ven Ratmalane Rahula Thero, Mr Maithree Ilangakone, Mr Sunil Lankatilleke are patrons of the Jinarathana Gilan Bhikku Suwa Sewa Padanama.
May you have the strength, courage, confidence and effort to lead an eventful wholesome life. May you be happy, healthy, peaceful and content. Much merit to you.
Theruwan saranai.
PROPOSED PLAN - to build a ward for old ailing Bhikkhus in Sri Lanka Bill of Quantities
