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'No fear in death, nor longing for life'

Rain is falling
Like a melodious song:
Well-thatched is my hut
Pleasant, and from the wind, sheltered,
And my mind well-composed;
O cloud! Rain as you please.

Who dwells in this hut?
'A bhikkhu, free from passion
And mind composed
Dwells herein.

Know you, friend,
That your hut
Has thus been made useful'.

These are just two samples randomly picked from 'Thera-Theri Gatha' - inspired utterances of Buddhist monks and nuns - translated and presented in simple English by Edmund Jayasuriya in a publication by the Buddhist Cultural Centre, Nedimale.

Explaining the history of Thera-Theri Gatha, the author says these belong to the Khuddaka Nikaya of the Sutta Pitaka in the Pali Canon where the Pali term 'khuddaka' has been defined as 'minor', but should not be understood as 'insignificant' or 'unimportant'. They were uttered in verse form over a period of 300 years from the end of the sixth century to the middle of the third century BC.

The author who was fascinated with the Thera-Theri Gatha after reading Martin Wickrmesinghe's 'Teri Gi' as a schoolboy in the fifties, says he was enchanted by its poetry.

"The gathas kept haunting me for a long time afterwards. It was this fascination that induced me later in life to study them earnestly," he says.

He read the original Pali verses as well as Sinhala and English translations and responded with "awe and admiration to the efforts of the pioneers" and was also struck by the diversity of expression and interpretation. The selection for his own work has been guided by the concept, the mood, the brevity of expression or the unusual sentiment communicated. He believes his presentation will provide the reader with a glimpse into an unusual array of minds and will equip him (or her) with a new vista and perception where our temporal existence seems trivial compared with tremendous human courage in adversity and trial.

Nature figures prominently in the 'gatha' .The vast open spaces, the mountains, flowing streams, undulating grassy mounds, elephants and peacocks seem to engage the mind of the recluse, as he seeks in them peace and tranquility.

Thera Vanavcca sees a trait that soothes him: "The mountains covered with 'indagopaka' insects where abound cool, lucid, blue waters". Thera Ekavihariya speaks of forests: "Pleasing to the sages and sought by the elephants". They convey a sense of calm and sanctuary. The cool, blooming forest, the bath, cave, hill top, sweet-scented cold winds, flowers and cool mountain slopes suggest a world apart where the heat of passion cannot reach.

Thera Ajita, in a few words, expresses a profound concept:

No fear have I in death
Nor longing for life;
Attentive and mindful
I will abandon this body of mine.

Some create word pictures. Thera Cittaka says of the forest: "Blue-necked peacocks with graceful crests roam," and how their call affected by cold winter winds awakens the sleeper to meditate.

The author gives several examples of verses which are impressive in their brevity of expression. For example, Theri Visakha's advice that we should follow the Buddha's teaching, which when followed does not make you lament. She says:

Be quick! Wash your feet and sit apart.

'Wash your feet' indicates that one should bid farewell to the life one led so far; get rid of the accumulated 'dirt'. 'Sit apart' symbolizes a complete submission to a new way of life.

Fifty Thera Gatha and thirty Theri Gatha - some long, some short - are included in Jayasuriya's publication. They are easy to read and the print is excellent.

Kushan Manjusri, fast making a name for himself just as his father did, has done an attractive cover to suit the theme.

Professor Bhikkhu Dhammavihari, in a foreword, compliments the writer on the choice of the theme: "if one wishes to gain confidence in the message of Buddhism and together with it seek inspiration for the zealous pursuit of its path, there can be no better source than the stories of the Theras and the Theris, who are proof of the efficacy of the message of the Buddha".

Ranat

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