Swarna's book on Buddhism

Title of my book is, Buddha in Sri Lanka: Remembered yesterdays.

This book gives the reader an intimate view of how Buddhism exists as a lived vibrant culture in Sri Lanka. I share stories of myself, my family, friends, and acquaintances, as we all lived Buddhsim in Sri Lanka. I detail Buddhist beliefs, customs, rituals, ceremonies and folklore. I try to make the stories come alive through many Jathaka stories.

A particularly notable aspect of my book is my detailed discussion of the sangha, the institutional monkhood in Sri Lanka, the oldest monastic instituion in the world. I try to show the ordinary reader its history, codes of conduct, the evolution, and resilience over time. I try to show the difficulties the monks face living in the twenty-first centry and balancing their lives trying to live according to a code of conduct set by the Buddha twenty-five hundred years ago.

Lastly I have shown how a wide variety of extra-religious beliefs which we practices, alternative alters which are strictly not a part of textual Buddhsim, have over time become amalgamated with what passes off collectively as Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

View from home

Sorry, I am late to enter the Oakton Blog world.

I do not like to be left behind -- In my job I had learnt many new things-- change is always a fact-- Why not this one too with Richard. This is my chance to get into the water and learn to swim with the help of friends like Gretchen, Karen and others or drown. Whatever the outcome This is agreat experience.

I have been round the world in 32 days -- But here I am!

This is a picture I took of my home town Kandy in the Central highlands of Sri lanka when I was there this summer, 2008.
This is a view from my home. You are looking at the famous site -- It is the Dalada Maligawa- (Temple of the Tooth Relic of the Buddha) It is a beautifully crafted Temple, considered the foremost sacred place of worship for the Buddhists all over the world. The Tooth of the Buddha is lovingly and respectfully preserved and housed in this temple. The legend is that whoever possessed the sacred Tooth Relic had the devine right to rule the land. Many millions visit the Maligawa every year. A great tourist attraction.

As I look at the lake below me, I hear day after day at dawn, near noontime, and when the dying day casts its long crimson shafts at the walls of the Temple in graceful muted tribute to the Buddha, I hear the gaceful measured beating of the ancient drums and the flutes played in perfectly harmonious unison. I thought I would share this experiece with you.

This was my home, here in kandy as I walk round the lake -- yes all the two miles and thirty eight feet -- I hear the sibilant voice of the past say you must stay here, but I say I must go, my home is in Chicago with its unabashed vastness, prosperity and modernity.