The Angkor Wat of Malaysia

Translated by LIM LIY EE, Guang Ming Daily, July 4, 2009

Ulu Tiram, Johor (Malaysia) -- Large numbers of Singaporean faithfuls flock to Buddhist temples in Johor to pay homage, pray and make donations, and these donations have expedited the development of temples there.

Thanks to the contribution of a Singaporean collector who is also a devout Buddhist, thousands of ancient Buddha statues as well as time-honoured stone, wooded and copper statues have been placed at the Fa Yu Chan Si temple in Ulu Tiram.

These relics include 500 Luo Han statues, thousand-year-old stone tortoise statue, statues of Bodhidharma and the God of Mercy, among others. Such a rich collection has made the temple look like an ancient temples teeming with ancient ruins.

Penang in the northern part of the country, is renowned for its Kek Lok Si temple, and now in the country's southern gateway Johor, a garden-style temple with hundreds of stone, wooden and copper statues as well as epitaphs, the Fa Yu Chan Si temple is fast taking shape.

Built on a 3-acre site about 2km from the town of Ulu Tiram, the temple is currently abboted by Master Shi Zhen Guan. Construction work started around 2001 and its basic structure were completed only in 2007. The temple then decided to open for public worship. As the temple has been built in the woods, it offers an excellent haven for religious retreats.

Other than the Sakyamuni Valuable Palace, the God of Prosperity Temple, Di Zhan Dian Cinerarium Pavilion and the Hall of Spirit Tablets which have been completed within the compound of the Fa Yu Chan Si temple, the remaining buildings such as Buddhist Relics Hall, Cultural Relics Hall and the Bodhidharma Pavilion are under construction.

Rare collection

Even though Fa Yu Chan Si is still undergoing beautification, renovation and further development at this moment, once you step inside the temple, you will be able to find countless of stone statues of Buddha. Other than the most notable Big Buddha's Head and half-body Buddha statues, the most eye-catching relics are the Buddhist columns and pagoda. These masterfully crafted carvings have created an atmosphere of a thousand-year-old ancient temple.

Besides, rows of intricately carved Buddha statues have been neatly placed on both sides of the pagoda and Buddhist Columns.

The Cultural Relics Hall, meanwhile, looks like a relic site full of inscribed texts, stone statues of Buddha, etc, the most outstanding being the 500 Luo Han statues in different postures, costumes, and names. There are also relics from the Tang, Yuan and Han dynasties.

In an interview with Guang Ming Daily, the temple's admin secretary Ms Chen Yi Ping said there are currently many different kinds of relics in the temple, and the most notable include the Crystal Sarira Pagoda containing the sarira of Buddha and and other Buddhist masters, relief carved with the Heart Sutra, the dragon statue said to be the incarnation of Bu Dong Ming Wang, the thousand-year stone tortoise, the five hundred Luo Han, the statue of Bodhidharma made of thousand-year old Longan wood, Buddhist pagodas, etc.

She also disclosed that there is a special statue of the God of Mercy in the temple. Unfortunately, due to technical problems, the statue is not ready for public viewing.

Age of statues yet to be verified

Chen said many of the stone carvings in the temple have been inscribed with the years of manufacture, including the stone tortoise, which almost a thousand years old. According to findings, it is within the period of the Tang Dynasty and it contains thousands of years of history. However, she said as these relics have not been verified by specialists, the temple is unable to ascertain the authencity of these historical items.

She said since the historical backgrounds of these stone carvings have yet to be verified, she advised the public to view these carvings as works of art.

Devotee from land-scarce Singapore builds temple across the Causeway

Land is a scarce commodity in Singapore. Other than the existing temples, there isn't much land to build new temples in the city-state. As a result, Buddhist devotees and monks build their temples on the side of the Causeway, or contribute towards the expansion of the existing temples in Johor.

The abbot of the temple Master Shi Zhen Guan told Guan Ming Daily the thousands of Buddha statues and artworks in the temple have been contributed by a Singaporean Buddhist cum collector.

"By chance I came to know this collector. Originally I only intended to purchase the statues of Hua Yian Shan Shen (Three Sages), i.e. Buddha, Manjuri Bodhisattra and Pu Virtuous Bodhisattva for display at the Sakyamuni Valuable Palace for the purpose of veneration. I never expected that after knowing about my concept of developing the temple, he kindly contributed his collection to Fa Yu Chan Si."

"To me, these relics are invaluable, and their market value is not important to me because the owner's offering came when we were going through the toughest time building the temple. Nothing can replace his generosity and I truly appreciate his kind contribution."

Public viewing welcome

Master Shi Zhen Guan said that initially he felt that many devoted Buddhists gave up their faith when they got old. So he had a vision to build a this Buddhist enclave to provide a quiet retreat for these people.

"Although the temple has already been given a large number of cultural reliefs, due to insufficient funds, we have problem fulfilling the concept of a Buddhist enclave. However, it will remain the focus of our development in the future."

The Master said he hoped to develop the temple to something similar to the renowned Kek Lok Si temple in Penang. While encouraging Buddhist devotees to study the Doctrine and retreat, he also hoped to open the temple for public viewing so that more people could appreciate the relics of great artistic values.

Founder of Fa Yu Chan Si, 38-year-old Master Shi Zhen Guan became a monk when he was only 19. A Malaysian, he used to do his religious studies at Guan Yin Shan in Bukit Timah, Singapore. He moved back to Johor after he decided to build a Buddhist enclave.

He said, "We faced a lot of problems initially, such as the sudden suspension of work due to insufficient funds. Nevertheless, the public have given us their generous support and assistance so that the temple could eventually be completed."

As for the origins of the thousands of stone and wooden carvings in the temple, the Master said he could not be sure whether the collection included those which were hundred or thousand years old.

"The Singaporean collector who presented the relics to us did not reveal the origins of these carvings. Therefore I cannot confirm the values of these items"

Contact

Fa Yu Chan Temple
Lot 380, Jalan Sungai Tiram
Batu 133/4 Kampong Sungai Tiram
81800 Ulu Tiram, Johor, Malaysia
Contact: 016-717 9633 (Ms Chen Yi Ping)

Lighting the way

The Star, June 30, 2009

Malaysian director Ng Lid Sine’s films, The Oil Lamp and The Abbot & The Orphan, clinched awards at the Vesak 2009 International Buddhist Film Festival recently

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- TWO animated films produced by the Buddhist Institute Sunday Dhamma School (BISDS) at the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, won awards at the recent inaugural Vesak 2009 International Buddhist Film Festival (May 9 to 15) in Sri Lanka.

Tale of devotional offering: Mara, the evil one, blowing with all its might to extinguish a tower of oil lamp offerings.

The Oil Lamp clinched the first prize in the International Short Film Competition while The Abbot & The Orphan – The Shrine, Ep 1 received a merit award (the only merit award given by the organising committee) as it exceeded the 12 minute restriction for each short film. Both films were by Malaysian director Ng Lid Sine.

Satoshi Hirayama took second prize for his entry entitled Heart Sutra, a video poetry of the sutra that depicts oneness with the universe. Another Japanese director, Kazuhiko Mizushina, won third prize for Sneakarma, a black comedy, which tells the story of a youth’s intense attachment to sneakers.

Organised jointly by Light of Asia Foundation, The National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, the film festival received over 200 feature, documentary and short films based on Buddhist themes, of which 60 were international entries. Filmmakers from Japan, South Korea, the United States, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Poland, Canada, Brazil, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Sri Lanka competed in the film festival.

Seven shortlisted entries for the International Short Film Competition were showcased on Sri Lanka’s national television during the duration of the film fest. It is hoped that the film fest will continue to grow annually culminating to a grand event in time for the celebration of 2,600 years of Buddhism in 2011.

Ng, 47, director of Cartoon Workshop, received the awards in a ceremony at the New Theatre of the National Film Corporation Sri Lanka in Colombo on June 16. The Oil Lamp tells the tale of a devotional offering of light to Buddha by an old beggar woman. Her devotion is so strong that even Mara, the evil one, is defeated.

“The animation was done some years ago, hence the retro feel to it,” Ng explained. “Characters were based on Indian comic styles with a bit of Asterix thrown in. It took us about three months to complete it,” says Ng.

“The moral behind this nine-minute animation is not how much you give but how you give it.”

The Oil Lamp, says Ng, has never been shown to the local Buddhist community but was presented once to the late Chief High Priest of Malaysia and Singapore, Ven Dr K. Sri Dhammananda.

“The BISDS is continuously searching for ways to propagate the Buddha Dhamma (the Buddha’s teachings) in line with its 80th anniversary theme, ‘Dhamma in Motion’. This animation will most likely be among the movies that BISDS will screen from time to time.”

Presently, Ng is working on a local animated television series and The Abbot & The Orphan animation series, which revolves around an orphan who is cared for by an old and blind abbot.

According to a press release, the Chief High Priest of Malaysia Ven K. Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thera was instrumental in getting the films submitted for the competition. He was happy with the success of the BISDS’ first foray in film production and hoped that the BISDS will receive more support for future film productions.

The BISDS principal, Ven. K Sridhamma Thera, said: “The two animated films which were co-produced with Cartoon Workshop were projects undertaken by the BISDS to propagate the Dhamma in its outreach programmes.

“We hope to produce more contemporary productions to enable us to reach out and touch the young minds who have embraced the digital world.”

The BISDS was established in 1929 by Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society with the aim of educating children on the Buddhist teaching. It celebrated its 80th anniversary this year and is the oldest Buddhist Sunday School in the country.

The BISDS welcomes sponsors for the production of the The Abbot & The Orphan series as a novel way to disseminate the Buddha Dhamma. The Abbot & The Orphan DVD series which are in English and Mandarin are available from the Buddhist Maha Vihara (% 03-2274 1141).

For further enquiries, contact: Vineeta Serisena (tel: 012-2173 310), Catherine Heng (tel: 012-3921 683), Lau Kai Kong (tel: 012-6757 959) or Jackie Chong (tel: 012-3218 006).

Venerable Mahinda on teaching compassion

Video in TheStarOnline.tv (http://thestaronline.tv/v/3675)

The Gems of Life

14th KCBA English Dhamma Youth Camp

Theme: The Gems of Life
Date: 17th - 20th December 2009
Check in Time: 12.00 pm (on 17th December 2009)
Check out Time: 6.00 pm (on 20th December 2009)
Age Limit: 13 - 21 years old
Camp Fee: RM70 per pax

Buddhist Maha Vihara in Malaysia launches a fund for Sri Lankan IDP Orphans

by Sumanananda Premseri, Lanka Web, June 15, 2009

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- The Buddhist Maha Vihara Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur launched the Sri Lanka Aid fund to assist some 400 orphans in an Internal Displaced Camp in Northern Sri Lanka. These children are mentally affected by the conflict- traumatized, socially disoriented and psychologically vulnerable.

It is important to reach out to the children as they are the most vulnerable section of the population in any conflict. In a serious disorientation condition, they can be easily removed away from safety nets and trained to become child soldiers due to naivety, anger, etc or exploited by unscrupulous elements into child labor or prostitution. They are the most vulnerable section of the population in any domestic, localized or full scale conflict.

To help the children, the Buddhist Maha Vihara Brickfields is organizing a project to raise money to educate and provide assistance to these children. Launching the project was Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan who also pledged RM10,000 from the Ministry. The President of the Malaysian Hindu Sangam, Datuk A. Vaithilingam and the Head of the Pure Life Society, Mother Mangalam and Datin Indrani Samy Vellu who is the wife of the President of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), Datuk Seri Samy Vellu also participated in the launching.

The MIC is the largest Indian based political party in Malaysia. The Hindu Sangam is the umbrella body of all the Hindu temples in Malaysia. Mother Mangalam, a socio-welfare activist has been closely associated and worked with the Buddhist Maha Vihara for decades to promote inter-faith fellowship and cooperation.

Joining them to launch the project was the Chief Incumbent of the Buddhist Maha Vihara and also the Chief Sangha Nayaka of Malaysia, Ven K Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thera who will be going to the IDP Camp in Sri Lanka to distribute goods and educational aid to the children.

The Venerable is no stranger to helping orphans as he is also the founder and Spiritual Director of the Tiratana Welfare Society which runs an orphanage, old folks home, half-way home for runaways, welfare centers and a mobile clinic. The Tiratana Orphanage has more than a hundred and fifty children of whom, about 40 percent are Tamils. Some of these Tamil children from the Orphanage too came forward to participate and donate to the fund to alleviate sufferings of fellow children in another part of the world.

The Buddhist Maha Vihara has to date collected about RM30,000 for Sri Lanka Aid. A limited amount of donations in kind is being collected too.

In the period 2004-2005, the Buddhist Maha Vihara has helped Sri Lanka heavily too for Tsunami Relief sending container loads of aid by air and sea for immediate relief providing relief items such as ready to eat food, dried food, clothes, medicines, generators, etc which found its way to all parts of the country affected by the Tsunami including the Northern Region and the Eastern Province.

In Kalmunai, the Vihara funded the rebuilding of 2 Hindu temples destroyed by the Tsunami and sponsored a daily refugee feeding program. These projects were undertaken by the Triple Gem Society of USA led by Ven Y. Wimala. The Vihara also sponsored the building of the outpatient and specialist wing of the District hospital in Tangalle which was equipped later by AmeriCare of the USA.

Terminators ‘R’ Us?

by Shen Shi’an, The Buddhist Channel, June 16, 2009

Dharma Inspired Movie Review: http://terminatorsalvation.warnerbros.com

Singapore -- The Terminator saga, as most would know, is about the anthropomorphism and demonisation of high technology. It is a series of extreme cautionary tales on the potential danger of humans going overboard with unchecked technologisation.

Technology is meant to be a means for relieving human suffering, for bringing ease into our lives. However, technology for our convenience can conveniently overtake us if we are unskillful in handling it. Do we make machines to more efficiently help or harm us? ‘Good’ technology might be as easy to master as it is to manipulate, though machines are really intrinsically empty of any fixed characteristics; just as we are. We choose.

In the movie series, we see human rage against merciless machines. But since they were man-made, that humans ‘toyed’ with, terminators ‘r’ us; not really the machines per se! Inhumane robots made by imperfect humans in their own ‘image’! That said, the saga is indeed about the love-hate relationship humans have with machines. Can sentience enter machines? Machines in the future are supposed to have evolved self-awareness, that is slanted towards self-preservation and destruction of anyone against them. Sounds suspiciously like unenlightened human-nature, except that their Mara-like behaviour does not hint of any Buddha-nature. What irony that humans are forced to use more machines to fight machines, with both sides advancing their technologies. It’s no wonder that the saga will continue!

More than a man versus machine action thriller, ‘Terminator Salvation’ is also a terse study of the borderline similarities and differences between both, with the introduction of a cyborg character ambivalent of his true identity. Are we mere biological machines, just as robots are mechanical ones? If a robot simulates sentience, how would we tell if it’s real or not? If the mimicry is realistic, would it be inhumane to terminate one? Which is worthier – robots which simulate compassion, or hardened humans who seem void of compassion? Can a robot develop Buddha-nature? Does a robot have a case if it denies being mere machine? Even if it appears unsure, does this make it any less possibly sentient?

The cyborg who is half-machine chooses his human side to betray the machines. This is while some humans choose their inhumane side by betraying other fellow humans. With a heart of gold, he fights with a lot of heart, while some humans have devolved to become cold, heartless but calculated fighting ‘machines’ – the very enemies they were to fight. The worst thing that happens in war is not losing to the enemy, but to become the enemy by losing one’s humanity. The cyborg makes the ultimate act of sacrifice by donating his human heart for another human. Take heart! What make us human cannot be programmed – it is the strength of the human heart. Compassion is a strength that eventually wins. Our salvation must come from terminating our hate, along with other defilements.

Does becoming a cyborg make us a better human or just a better machine? Is it an upgrade or downgrade? With humans becoming increasingly connected to peripheral electronic devices, will we eventually have their nano versions implanted within us? At what point will we be more machine than human? The machines saw humans as threats as their makers could unmake them. Do we see technology as a possible threat then? Shouldn’t we – to some extent? As John Conner, leader of the human rebels said, ‘If you are listening to this, you are the resistance.’

Resist greed that demands ever more ‘supreme’ technology. In the future, when machines become more powerful and interconnected, they might become more united than humankind. Beware the ills of placing all our eggs in one basket called technology! Collective human wisdom must evolve faster than all its technologies combined!

Swindlers in saffron robes cashing in on people’s generosity

by TAN KARR WEI, The Star, June 4, 2009

"Bogus monks" becoming a big menace in the streets of Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- BOGUS monks are roaming the streets of the Klang Valley, cashing in on the generosity of the people to make money.

Charming: A man clad in a monk’s attire selling amulets to a tourist in Bukit Bintang.

These imposters can be seen going from table to table in restaurants in the commercial areas, and even approaching people at the public car parks.

According to Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia, Venerable K. Sri Shammaratana, monks who begged for money are violating the Buddhist code of ethics. The alms bowl is strictly meant for food.

According to the owner of a coffee shop in Damansara Utama, who asked not to be identified, the imposters would make their rounds at the various eating places in the commercial area at various time.

“You won’t see them at a specific time. Sometimes they come at about 10am, sometimes they target the lunch crowd,” she said.

There were also reports of such monks stationing themselves at the morning and night markets.

StarMetro also observed the movements of these spurious monks at the busy Bukit Bintang area on a Saturday afternoon.

A man wearing an ankle-length saffron robe with a cloth bag on one shoulder was seen taking a breather outside the Lot 10 shopping centre when a security guard motioned him to move away.

He then walked across Jalan Bukit Bintang and stopped at the junction just in front of the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

The man, in his mid-30s, targeted only foreign tourists and would not even bother to stop locals who walked past him.

He seemed to be holding a small amulet in one hand and trying to sell it to the foreigners.

After about 20 minutes, he then walked back to the area in front of Lot 10 to sit down for a short rest.

Bro. Wei Han: I am not sure if this is the first time this thing is being highlighted in the newspaper but I do believe that I have been telling everyone that I know that it is best not to be fooled by these bogus monks. They are definitely someone who tried to make easy money from the public and we, are the public, should not be encouraging them by giving them donations or buy anything from them in the name of Buddhism.

So, the only thing that I can tell you here is STOP being fooled by these scums!

During Wesak Day 2009

Some photographs taken during Wesak Day 2009. As usual, we were doing our promotion while helping out the Adult doing theirs.

Musical on Prince Siddhartha to be staged at Istana Budaya

Wednesday May 13, 2009, The Star, by YIP YOKE TENG

PRINCE Siddhartha – The Musical, premiered in Kuala Lumpur in 1999 but 10 years later, the intricate scenes depicting how the young Buddha gave up luxuries in search of the truth in life are still dearly remembered by many.

The production is making a comeback and not only that, it will be staged at Istana Budaya.

Written, produced and directed by Ho Lin Huay of Musical On Stage Productions, the show aims to raise funds for the construction of the interior and other amenities for the Great Compassion Building, an extension to the Shan Dao Jing She Temple in Petaling Jaya Old Town.

“It means a lot to us to bring the production back to its homeland again on our 10th anniversary. Making it into Istana Budaya is a significant milestone and we are doubly delighted that it can be shown during the Wesak month,” she told a press conference held at the temple on May 6.

“More than 18,000 individuals watched the production in Malaysia with many saying that they were touched by the story. Overseas audience gave rave reviews, too,” she said.

Apart from Prince Siddhartha, her other productions, Above Full Moon and Jewel of Tibet, are also appreciated as delicate works disseminating the teachings of Buddhism.

Abbot Shi Kai Shan said the extended building was necessary to cater to the growing number of disciples participating in the temple’s activities.

A 4.6m-tall Avalokitesvara-Sahasrabhuja-Locana Bodhisattva status will soon grace the new three-storey building, to make it “a place of solemn worshipping and a place where those who feel depressed can find peace.”

He said the Shan Dao Welfare, Arts and Cultural Fund was founded upon four main pillars, to purify the human heart through studying together, to cultivate talents through the Buddha’s teachings, to propagate Buddha’s teachings through cultural activities and to create a caring society through compassion. The temple is also involved in the provision of health care and community welfare activities.

Shi added that the temple targeted to raise another RM500,000 to complete the project.

The Prince Siddharta - The Musical charity show proceeds would go to the Shan Dao Welfare, Arts and Cultural Fund and would be held on May 31 at 1.45pm at Istana Budaya. Those interested in buying tickets for the charity show can call 03-7783 9536.

A momentous meeting gives reel life to extraordinary monk

by Kumudini Hettiarachchi, Sunday Times (Sri Lanka), May 3, 2009

An encounter between an artist and Venerable Bhikkhu Sumedha gives rise to a film ‘The Truth is Unbelievable’

Colombo, Sri Lanka -- Their paths were not meant to cross until 20 days before his passing away, although many were the times she attempted to contact him.

The one and only meeting that did take place “at the right time” in a bare and humble cave up in the hills of Getambe in 2006, lasted from dawn to dusk, though he was very feeble and frail having had no solids for three weeks and no water for 10 days because “he had a problem with his throat and lungs and found it difficult to swallow”.

That single defining moment has yielded not only a very moving exhibition but also a meaningful film for posterity. As Sri Lanka celebrates the thrice-blessed day of the birth, attainment of enlightenment and passing away of Lord Buddha, audiences here will be able to witness not only the life and times of a man who cast aside worldly pleasures to follow in the footsteps of the Master but also messages and links between Buddhism and the modern world.

‘The Truth is Unbelievable’ is the result of that one and only “encounter of a different kind” between Venerable Bhikkhu Sumedha and dynamic Argentinian painter Cora de Lang.

Bhikkhu Sumedha passed away when he was 75 years old. His body had been ravaged by cancers that he had overcome but when I met him he was after a bad bout of pneumonia, says Cora who is in Sri Lanka with husband Richard Lang, the Director of the German Cultural Centre. Cora had got to know of Bhikkhu Sumedha through Richard who had to read up about important and interesting people when he took up a new posting.

“The first connection came when we saw a catalogue of the paintings of Bhikkhu Sumedha which had been put out by Deutsche Bank,” says Cora, explaining that Richard had pointed out the similarities between those paintings and hers.

Soon after, when she was in Kandy on a painting trip she tried to contact him but was not able to meet him, for he was in hospital. However, later she had got an address and a phone number for his humble abode, Manapa Dassana Lena, hidden away from the madding crowds up 108 steps, in Dulwela village close to the Getambe temple from Ven. Metta Vihari whom they were in contact with.

Richard, however, had gone to the cave earlier to invite Bhikkhu Sumedha to a conference and also to exhibit his paintings on the theme ‘Buddhism in Art’ during the 50th anniversary celebrations of the German Cultural Centre.

The monk while explaining that he was just a hermit had declined to attend the conference but agreed to the exhibition as he was “trying to paint the Dhamma”. Painting for Bhikkhu Sumedha was a form of meditation, says Cora. “It was a spiritual exercise. He sacrificed his art to Lord Buddha.”

He indulged in some “incredible works where you could actually go inside the paintings” and did sell some of his works, while also giving away many to friends and relatives, but Cora believes that as an ardent follower of the Buddha he did not handle cash. He had made arrangements for the funds to go to charities and to develop the Intensive Care Unit of the Peradeniya Hospital.

Although he agreed to be part of the exhibition to be held in August 2007, he clarified one small detail. “I will participate but I won’t be there,” he told Richard, who couldn’t believe his ears. Soon after, Cora had an exhibition in 2006 at Barefoot and it was then that Bhikkhu Sumedha, even though he had never met her, laid down a small condition, sending an e-mail to Richard asking whether she would agree to be the curator of his exhibition.

She was surprised -- it was a very Buddhist thing. Could she handle it?

Why did he pick her? She was assailed by doubts.

The exhibition was held in the meditation room of the Sambodhi Viharaya in Colombo 7, but he had passed away by that time, recalls Cora. If certain things were not meant to be they were not meant to be, she says adding that it was as if he was guiding the whole thing. She cites the example of a huge table that couldn’t be taken out of the room. Wracking her brains how to deal with it she had decided to cover it with white cloth, bought metres of it and hired a tailor to stitch it up. The day before the exhibition when they attempted to fit the cloth, it just would not. Desperate she wondered what to do when an idea crossed her mind – why not use his robes and “that was perfect”.

Cora reveals how Bhikkhu Sumedha who was Aja Iskander, a good artist back home, across the seas, in Switzerland came to don the robes of a monk in Sri Lanka forfeiting all worldly comforts and living in a wet and insect-filled cave. Born to a German mother and Egyptian father, Aja had lived a comfortable life with his mother in Switzerland, after his parents separated. “He held a German passport but never lived in Germany,” she says.

Life took its usual course for Aja – he married twice, had children. “He was very fond of his grand-daughter,” says Cora explaining that many were the visits they paid him in the cave.

Suddenly, as young people do, he decided to travel the world and came to Sri Lanka. Getting into the whirl of Colombo’s social circuit, it was at a party that something happened and he decided, “that life was over”. He went to Kataragama, thinking he would become a Swami and lived in a cave there, only to realize that the only path for him was the path of the Buddha.

Bhikkhu Sumedha was in touch with Ven. Nyanaponika – who was the Editor of the Buddhist Publication Society – in Kandy and it was he who invited him to the Manapa Dassana Lena, earlier occupied by a German Bhikkhuni. That was where he lived for 26 long years until his passing away.

The one and only meeting Cora had with Bhikkhu Sumedha is vivid in her mind. She was painting in Galle when Richard called her and said that he had received a message that the monk who was very ill had left hospital saying that he had certain things to do.

Richard felt it was time to see him as Bhikkhu Sumedha had contacted him and said that the time was close. She came back home to Colombo from Galle and early next morning it was that they journeyed along with Ven. Metta Vihari to Dulwela. Having heard before that he was averse to being filmed, she just grabbed a not-so-sophisticated camera, more for taping his voice.

As they climbed the 108 steps, others had beaten them to it. A crowd had gathered, bringing with them small offerings such as king coconuts. Two nurses were also there, one weeping softly.

“He was very kind to simple people and helped the villagers, attending to their wounds,” says Cora.

The moment they entered, he started speaking. “He was expecting us,” says Cora, explaining that he was sitting on his bed and in one corner of the cave there was a skeleton moving gingerly. When she gestured carefully that she would like to tape what he was saying he gave a sign that it was okay.

The simple cave seemed like a message……there was a bronze statue with the words scribbled on a piece of paper, “DNR” indicating do not resuscitate. Art installations were scattered everywhere. Even a small toilet constructed by Jagath Wijesiri who was by his side until the very end, had been turned into a work of art.

“He saw in advance his death,” says Cora who felt as if she was part of the process of accepting her own father’s death.

For 12 long hours he spoke, “heavy matter – non-stop”, while they filmed and wondered how this frail monk could hold forth like this. “First part was more for us and the second a kind of message to the world,” she says…..lot of material, speaking in German, English, Sinhala, Pali et al. He spoke of modern things – parallel worlds, the modern world with internet and the teachings of the Buddha. He was full of energy – sometimes provocative, also providing his own answers because he had experienced it all, marriage, kids, love, hate, separation.

As the evening shadows lengthened, they sensed he was tiring out and bade him goodbye, with the hope that they would see him again. But as they went down the steps, his voice rang out and still she hears the echoes in her mind ……..“Remember, remember, everything is anichcha (impermanent)”.

It was his final goodbye.

Cora knows of a wish Bhikkhu Sumedha had. He wished to be known as that “Sri Lankan monk” and not a German monk, truly reflecting his love for this land.

---------------
‘The Truth is Unbelievable’ will be screened on May 11 at 5 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. at the BMICH as part of the Vesak Film Festival. It was shown at the Swansea Bay Film Festival in Wales in 2008 and will go to the International Film Festival in Phuket, Thailand and also to Cairo and South Africa.