Journey of Thirty Years of Pali and Buddhist Studies

Recently the Postgraduate Institute of the Pali and Buddhist Studies (University of Kelaniya) celebrated its 30th Anniversary with a series of events culminating in an Academic Seminar which was held at the BMICH from 9th -11th December 2005. The occasion was graced by    the Minister of Education, Hon. Susil Premajayantha as the Chief Guest, Professor David J. Kalupahana, who traveled all the way from Hawai and a number of other distinguish guests and academics from across the world.

The current Director of the Institute Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne welcoming the distinguished gathering at the Opening Ceremony presented the highlights of an arduous yet fruitful journey of the Institute through the years. Looking to the future he urged those in authorities to provided a permanent abode to the ‘near mobile Institute’. This was an occasion to felicitate all those who served this Institute from its inception, from 1970 to date, particularly the former Directors Ven. Dr. Havanpola Rathanasara, Prof. L.P.N. Pererea Prof. Jothiya Dheerasekara now Prof. Ven. Dhammavihari, Prof. Y. Karunadasa, Prof. Tilak Kariyawasam and the current Director Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne. Listening to the impressive track record of the Institute and its contribution to Buddhist studies in Sri Lanka and abroad which is little known and considering the Government’s goal of a ‘Dharmmaragya’ the Honorable Minister  pledged his utmost support to ensure a permanent abode for the Institute before long.

The highly acclaimed internationally reputed Buddhist Scholar Prof. David J Kalupahana delivering his keynote address stating that he knows not of any other academic

 

programme that emphasizes the study of Original Buddhism except those in the Universities in Sri Lanka stressed that Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies (University of Kelaniya) stands above all. Amongst the other speakers on this Occasion were Prof. B.R.R.N. Mendies, Chairman University Grants Commission, Ven. Walamitiyawe Sri Kusaladhamma Thero, the Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya and Prof. M.J.S. Wijeratne, Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya.

Amongst the highlights of the Opening Ceremony was a novel and an enchanting musical interlude ‘Sound of Buddhism’ presented by monks from a number of Countries i.e. China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand and Sri Lanka who are the students of the Institute highlighting the different sounds of Buddhist worship and chanting of each Country. ‘Sound of Buddhism’, a concept by Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne, the current Director was made a reality by Mr. Navaratne Gamage who directed the music under a mystic background of sounds and lighting effects. This was indeed the best evidence of the Institute’s role as a platform for bringing together a multitude of Buddhist traditions from around the World using Buddhist Studies as a medium.

The two day Academic Seminar held on 10th and 11th December 2005 which marked the culmination of the grand celebrations was a rare gathering of Buddhist Academics of the Country. The Seminar which commenced by Prof Senaka Bandaranayake calling for re-defining the scope of Buddhist studies to widen its scope to go beyond the traditional Pali and Buddhist studies to include areas such as Buddhist horticulture, Buddhist Paintings and rock monasteries etc, after 2 days of presentations made by the cream of our Buddhist Academia and from around the world on a wide range of topics finally concluded with a  vibrant call for returning to fundamentals, Buddhist  studies aimed at its goal, Nibbana. It was noteworthy that this call was lead by Prof. Kalupahana, Prof. Dhammavihari and Prof. Premasiri from the Peradeniya University being three out of the four distinguished academics from the concluding panel. Towards the same direction there was a appeal to include Meditation as a subject in the curriculum.

At the Concluding Session Prof. Ven. Dhammajoti, Prof. D.J. Kalupahana, Prof. P.D. Premasiri and Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne presented an overview of the two day event which was chaired by Prof. Dhammavihari.  The Guest of Honour from Hawaii, Prof. Kalupahana referring to the success of the series of events culminating in the Academic Seminar, stated that in his entire academic career   he had ‘not witnessed anything like this before’. Both Ven. Prof. Dhammavihari and Porf. Kalupahana  urged all in the field  to  continue to come together  in furtherance of common goals and particularly to  support and strengthen those  with a vision and courage to organize an event of this caliber. On this occasion a special tribute was paid by Prof. Kalupahana to his mentor Prof. N.A. Jayawickrama.

Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne concluding the seminar and thanking all those who helped in numerous ways to make this event a success proposed a ‘National Council for Buddhist Studies’, a Policy formulating Central Body for Buddhist Studies comprising of the key academics of the Country which could assist and influence the Government in formulating and implementing Buddhist Study Programmes.

For a complete list of papers and their authors see the program attached below:

Inauguration Ceremony

Chairperson: Venerable Professor Dhammavihari
Keynote Speach : Professor Senake Bandaranayake (University Grants Commission)

    

Session I

Chairperson: Professor Chandra Wickramagamage (University of Sri Jayawardhanapura)

How can there be Sociological Study of Buddhism? Professor Kapila Abhayawansa (PGIPBS)

Recent Sociological and Anthropological Studies on Buddhism: A Critical Survey.
Professor Asanga Tilakaratne (PGIPBS)

    

Session II

Chairperson: Professor R.A.L.H. Gunawardana (Emeritus Professor, University of Peradeniya)

Buddhist Studies in Myanmar (Burma). Venerable U. Pandita (PGIPBS)

Buddhist Studies in Thailand. Dr. Pathompong Bodhiprasiddhinand (Mahidol University: Thailand)

Theravada Buddhist Studies in Scandinavian Countries. Mr. Sumana Ratnayake
(University of Peradeniya)

        

Session III

Chairperson: Professor Vimal Balagalle (University of Sri Jayawardhanapura)
  
Some Observations on Dhammapada 306 and its Commentary. Professor Mahinda Palihawadana
(Emeritus Professor, University of Sri Jayawardhanapura)

Studying the Buddha-dharma by means of the Buddha-dharma. 
Venerable Professor Kuala Lumpur Dhammajoti (PGIPBS)

Sri Lankan Contribution to Theravada Buddhism. Professor Oliver Abeynayake
(Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka)

The Pali Commentaries as Source-material for Buddhist Studies. Professor Toshiichi Endo (PGIPBS)

        

Session IV

Chairperson: Professor S. Weeratunga (University of Kelaniya)

Pali Grammatical Tradition in Sri lanka. Professor Ratna Wijetunga (University of Sri Jayawardhanapura)

Buddhist Sanskrit Studies in Sri Lanka. Venerable Professor Waragoda Pemaratana
(University of Peradeniya)

‘Tathata’ as the Main Concept of Yogacara Idealism. Dr. S.A.G. Wijesinghe (University of Kelaniya)

      

Session V

Chairperson: Professor Daya Edirisinghe (University of Kelaniya)

The Cardiac Theory of Consciousness and Body-Mind Relationship in the Post-Canonical Pali Literature. 
Fr. Dr. Aloysius Pieris, s.j. (Tulana Research Centre)

Philosophical Studies in Buddhism. Professor P.D. Premasiri (University of Peradeniya)

Session VI

Chairperson: Professor Kusuma Karunaratne (University of Colombo)

New Trends in the Study of Pali Language since 20th Century. Mr. Sanath Nanayakkara
(Encyclopedia of Buddhism)

Pali Textual Studies. Dr. G.A. Somaratne (University of Peradeniya)

    

Concluding Session

      

Participants

        

      

 
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