Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions

Among developing nations, Sri Lanka has been identified as the country with the best National Blood Transfusion Service, which is a matter to be proud of said President Mahinda Rajapaksa, speaking at the World Blood Donors Day 2013 celebration at Temple Trees, Friday (14). The celebrations were held on the theme `Donate blood as a gift of life`. President Rajapaksa further said that the World Health Organization appreciating this service has selected Sri Lanka as the host country of the Blood Donor Day 2014.

Dilanthi got into the bus and looked around fearfully, wondering where to sit. She notices two empty seats at the back and goes towards it. She sits down hoping no one will sit next to her. An elderly man in his fifties sees the empty seat next to her and makes his way towards it. He grins lecherously at Dilanthi and sits down with his shoulder brushing against her. A few minutes later, the man reaches down to his leg and briefly touches Dilanthi`s knee. 18.02.2013By: Shyamala Gomez

Dilanthi pushes him away and moves closer the window of the bus. The elderly man then puts his arm on the back of her seat and touches her neck. Dilanthi feels sick and gets up to leave her seat. As she passes him, he whispers `why don`t you come home with me`. She looks at him scornfully and hits him with her handbag.

Mage sweety kella thabili gediya raththaran

This song was written By Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thero.

There are many bhikku (buddhist monks) meditation kutis ( hermitages) in this area.

pasuthawillen walakinna

Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thero

Minister Ashraf & Ven, Soma Himi (TNL Disscussion)

Forest Hermitage Udakirawa - Sri Lanka

Nilagala Forest Monastery

`Buddhaghosa has composed one of the great spiritual classics of mankind. If I had to choose one book to take with me on a desert island, the Visuddhimagga would be my choice.` Edward Conze.

Visuddhimagga or The Path of Purification, is a Theravada Buddhist commentary written by Buddhaghosa approximately in 430 CE in Sri Lanka. It is considered the most important Theravada text outside of the Tipitaka canon of scriptures. The Visuddhimagga is a systematic examination and condensation of Buddhist doctrine and meditation technique. The various teachings of the Buddha found throughout the Pali canon are organized in a clear, comprehensive path leading to the final goal of nibbana, the state of complete purification. Originally composed in the fifth century, this new translation provides English speakers insights into this foundational text. In the course of this treatise full and detailed instructions are given on 40 subjects of meditation aimed at concentration, an elaborate account of Buddhist Abhidhamma philosophy, and explicit descriptions of the stages of insight culminating in final liberation.

youtube: Imagine cameras have been around since the creation of Earth to record every major event.

Take a photographic journey thorough time from the violent birth of our planet four and a half billion years ago, through ice-ages, massive volcanic eruptions and the dinosaurs` reign to the first humans. For the first time, see the incredible story of our planet unfold in one single, seamless camera move.

Dhamma Brothers is the documentary film on a group of prison inmates who participate in a 10 day Vipassana retreat. The film raises the question `is it possible for these men, some of whom have committed horrendous crimes, to change?

The Dhamma Brothers tells a dramatic tale of human potential and transformation as it closely follows and documents the stories of the prison inmates at Donaldson Correction Facility who enter into this arduous and intensive program. This film, with the power to dismantle stereotypes about men behind prison bars also, in the words of Sister Helen Prejean (Dead Man Walking), `gives you hope for the human race.`

Documentary on Vipassana meditation in prisons in India

In the early period of His ministry, the Buddha did not lay down any regulations regarding dwelling places. The monks lived in the forests, at the roots of trees and in caves.

After 2600 years, however, the Order of Monks is well established and is well supported. They do not lack dwelling places or educational facilities to pursue their path to enlightenment.

Unfortunately, however, the Order of Nuns, at least of the Theravada Order, had much lesser support, such that in the present time, they have few aramas of their own. According to the Vinaya (Code of Discipline for the Monks and Nuns) Nuns are not allowed to live in unsafe places, but have to live in enclosed places such as monasteries that ensure their safety.