Dr. Sunil J. Wimalawansa, Hon. Maithripala Sirisena The President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka President’s Office, Colombo 1 Dear Sir: Chronic Kidney Disease in Rajarata, Prevention and Eradication:- The Way Forward As Your Excellency is aware the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) that has predominately affected the north-central province NCP) of Sri Lanka […]

by Prof. Sunil J. Wimalawansa Safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, but more than 2.0 billion people in the world still lack access to safe-clean drinking water and to sanitation; Sri Lanka is no exception. Contaminated water and poor sanitation claim more lives than any war or any single disease. Toxic chemicals or […]

Prof.Sunil Wimalawansa Please find the attached three events in November,‚ focused‚ to prevent Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) deaths that affects dry zones in Sri Lanka. ‚ also attached is a brief summary of the prevailing issues and solutions that are‚ necessary‚ to overcome the ongoing CKD of-multi-factorial origin (CKD-mfo) disaster that kills ~13 farmers‚ every day,‚ destitute 13 families each day. ‚ At […]

Professor Sunil Wimalawansa, MD,PhD,MBA,DSc Please find the attached two events related to the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affecting the dry zones in Sri Lanka, and a brief summary of the prevailing issues related to this ongoing disaster that kills on average, 13 farmers‚ every day that‚ destitute 13 families each day. Those who are in Kandy/Peradeniya region: […]

The core teachings of Buddhism have sustained for more than 2,600 years and will continue to do so in the future. Venerable Sanghamitta, the only daughter of Emperor Asoka, brought Bhikkuni Sasana into Lanka in 288 BCE and ordinate and empowered Lankan women. Since then, Theravada Buddhism and the Bhikkuni Sasana have thrived in Lanka.

Buddhism was introduced to Lanka in 267 BCE. Arahat Mahinda, a son of the emperor Asoka the Great, brought Buddhism to Lanka. On a Poson Poya day, venerable monk arrived at Mihintale in Anuradhapura district. Since then, Theravada Buddhism and the Buddha Sasana have been thriving in Lanka. The core teachings of Buddhism that sustained more than 2,600 years will continue into the future.

Post-traumatic stress disorders is characterized by serious behavioural and psychological abnormality that occurs following exposure to one or more acute stressful life events, including soldiers and civilians exposed to war situations, and also in several other non-combat circumstances. The latter includes, victims of sexual abuse or rape, mugging, violent robberies and home invasions, natural or man-made disasters, school bulling, and work place harassments and retaliations. It is essential to promptly diagnose these victims and provide them with effective therapeutic programs, enabling them to get back to normality and productive lives.

Buddhism is a universal religion, and its teachings are for all human beings. Buddhist psychology offers us more than methods of investigation. Its core techniques of meditation and self-awareness have much to offer to laypeople, particularly Westerners, whose ever-increasing material comforts have not wiped out rampant, ever-increasing emotional distresses.

Do governments seriously take the responsibility of poverty, scarcity of food and energy, inequity/disparity of their distributions, preparedness for natural or man-made disasters, or global instability? Rather than addressing the real issues, many jump into judgments and conclusions that result in wars and exacerbate the misery of people. Mindful thinking can eliminate such irrational behavior and destruction.

Trying to achieve happiness by seeking sensual pleasures, while non-adherent to the Five-Precepts will lead to misery and suffering. Conduct for achieving a sacred state, such as Brahma viharanaya, is illustrated in metta sutta. A person can become either a Deva or an Outcast (wasala) in this world, in this life.

The practice of Buddhism is relatively simple. It provides the clearest, most systematic, and most profound theory and practice of spiritual transformation. In addition, it also explains life and provides us a clear and peaceful code of conduct. Moreover, Buddhism provides answers to overcome the difficulties in the current materialistic society and to fulfill our needs, as long as people are willing to avoid extremes.

Buddhism expands beyond a typical religion; it is a philosophy and a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-way of life.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ Technically, a philosophy deals with knowledge and the nature of things. In that sense Buddhism has a rich philosophical aspect and more. Buddhist teachings help a person to lead a moral life, develop wisdom and understanding, and be mindful and aware of thoughts and his or her actions. The BuddhaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s teachings Tripitaka, are based on the Dhamma (the Truth). Buddhism provides a clear and peaceful code of conduct to be a successful person in this life and beyond.

We should make use of the milestone of celebrating Sambuddhathva Jayanthi events to recall the values of Buddhism and improve our spiritual lives through the practice of meditation and following the Buddhist principles. Sambuddhathva Jayanthi is also an opportunity to introduce this valuable teaching to the newcomers. Sharing experiences and educating others, while educating ourselves will further widen our wisdom and create opportunities to develop our minds and self-discipline.

No one who has the Confidence of the Three-Refuges needs to go down this route, which wastes time and money. Based on the original Buddhist teachings, no place is allocated in Buddhist temples and shrines to make offerings to gods. Hence, consideration should be given to separate such from Buddhist shrines and from true Buddhism. People look for practical, environmentally friendly, sustainable, and empowering ways to enrich their lives. The vice do not believe in hearsay or stories, nor do they wish to recite religious verses in incomprehensible languages.

Confidence in the Triple Gem; Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha is not the same as developing blind-faith based on hearsay. Confidence is derived from the devoteeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s reasoned conviction based on understanding of the BuddhaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s teachings, the Dhamma, which presents us the pathway to Enlightenment. This emphasizes that along with confidence, development of the wisdom is paramount.

The key approaches to Buddhism are self-exploration and purification of the mind, leading to development of Wisdom. Buddha concluded that persistent unrest in our minds occur as a natural consequence of the human consciousness, and our inability to distinguish between the duality of not-me and me. Our dis- synchronous firing of brain neurones is responsible for both chaos as well as creativity. Consequently we get attached to worldly material created by our perceptions.

Rituals are not a part of authentic Theravada Buddhism. For various reasons, these artefacts have been brought into the practice of Buddhism.

by Professor Sunil J. Wimalawansa Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology, Physiology & Integrative Biology, USA Buddha preached a philosophy of life; life after death, and the path leading to Nibbana”ƒ¢¢”š¬‚the birthlessness”ƒ¢¢”š¬‚cessation of rebirth.ƒ”š‚  The Wisdom of the Truth of birthlessness as taught us by the Buddha is achieved through achieving the Supreme Nibbana.ƒ”š‚  Attaining Nibbana would […]

by Professor Sunil J. Wimalawansa, Professor of Medicine, Physiology & Integrative Biology Robert Wood Johnson Medical School New Brunswick, NJ Buddhism is not strictly a religion, in the sense in which that word is commonly understood, for it is not “a system of faith and worship owing any allegiance to a supernatural being.” Buddhism does […]