The Four Noble Truths

1. All being are subject to Dukkha. Dukkha is usually translated as suffering but it actually encompasses a wide range of negative feelings including stress, dissatisfaction and physical suffering. Dukkha exists as all beings are subject to illness, separation from loved ones, not getting their desires, aging and death. 2. Dukkha arises from desire and craving. All beings crave pleasant sensations, and also desire to avoid unpleasant sensations. These sensations can be physical or psychological, and dukkha arises when these desires and cravings are not met. 3. Dukkha can be overcome by the elimination of desire and craving. Nibbana is the state of peace where all greed, hatred and delusion, and thereby dukkha, have been esadicated. 4. There is a way out of dukkha, which is the Noble Eightfold path. Dukkha can be reduced, weakened and finally eradicated and Nibbana thereby attained, by following this path as taught by the Buddha.

The Noble Eightfold Path

1. 2. 3. Right Understanding To understand and accept the Four Noble Truths. Right Thought To cultivate thoughts of generosity, loving kindness and compassion.

Right Speech To refrain from lying, slander, harsh words and gossip. To cultivate truthful, peaceful, kind and meaningful speech. Right Action To abstain from killing, stealing and sexual misconduct. To cultivate harmlessness, honesty and faithfulness. Right Livelihood To avoid occupations involving killing (of both human and animals), the sale of animal flesh, the trading of humans, weapons, poisons and intoxicants. Occupations which are unethical, immoral and illegal should also be avoided. Right Effort To apply mental discipline to prevent unwholesome thoughts that have arisen. To develop wholesome thoughts and to maintain those wholesome thoughts that have arisen. Right Mindfulness To be aware of the body, and bodily postures and sensations. To be aware of the mind and its thoughts, emotions and feelings. To be aware of the Dhamma. Right Concentration To practice meditations to train the mind to be focused and disciplined in order to cultivate and acquire wisdom.

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BURIED GLORY OF LANKA

Sri Lanka is a land of ancient civilization. The ruins of ancient cities bear a mute testimony to an aura of glory during the reign of its Royalty. Astonishing crafts, ever shining paintings, marvelous sculpture, exquisitely design and erected shrines and Dagabas, palaces and audience chambers, gigantic tanks and universally recognized irrigation works still compel and command our admiration. The joy and happiness felt by our ancestors is savoured by us even today as we tread on these ancient cities. Anuradhapura is oldest seat of government in Sri Lanka is considered to be flourishing even before Rome was founded. It also became the first centre of Buddhism in Sri Lanka when Mahinda Thero, the son of King Asoka, converted King Devanampiyatissa and his subject to Buddhism. After that unprecedented changes were initiated in the indigenous society, culture and economy of ancient Lanka. Anuradhapura covers an area of about fifty-two square kilometers in extent with a network of roads and irrigation systems, salubrious parks, attractive ponds, sacred Buddhist sites are situated in this city. Of these Sri Maha Bodhi, grown from a cutting, brought by Sangamitta, the daughter of King Asoka from the Bo-Tree in North India under which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment, is historically authenticated as the oldest tree in the world. The dilapidated Brozen Palace is the most impressive structure of stone work among the mighty edifices built by the ancient kings. The lofty Thuparama, the first Dageba, built in Sri Lanka and the stupendous Ruwanweli Seya and all else convince any visitor the majestic look possessed by the ancient city, Anuradhapura and also the craftsmanship of the people in ancient Lanka. Fifty miles South-East of Anuradhapura is Polonnaruwa, the second capital of ancient Lanka. when the glory of Anuradhapura faded at the end of ninth century Sinhala sovereignty was restored, consolidated. And steered towards greatness and glory in Polonnaruwa. It was King Vijebahu the first who made Polonnaruwa his retreat capital but it reached its zenith of glory during the reign of King Parakramabahu the great. Thuparama Quadrangle, Oblong Image House, exquisitely designed Vatadage, eligently inscribed Stone-Book, magnificent floral alter, gigantic recumbent figure of Buddha and the lovely ponds and pavilions are of stunning and incredible beauty. When the invaders disloged Polonnaruwa as the capital Vijebahu selected Dambadeniya. It was a rock fortress fortified by a mote and a marsh and sturdy walls and gates. Guilty conscience drove King Kasyapa to build a rock fortress at Sigiriya in the fifth century, in fear of being avenged by his dutiful brother, Mugalan for the cruel murder of their farther King Dhatusena. The summit of this square rock rising upto a height of nearly four hundred feet commands a view of the landscape for miles around. Its antiquities and architectural features are almost beyond comparison to those found elsewhere in the country. The entrance to the top of this rock is through the jaws of a huge couchant lion made of stone with its winding stair-case half way up. The whole design concept of mathematical precision and planning of this building complex and ornamental gardens bring evidence to the unparallel and indomitable courage enterprise and resourcefulness of the ancient Sinhalese. The most remarkable spectacle that evokes the admiration of the visitors is its twenty one exquisite frescoes in aside rock cave. Sigiri Graffiti inscribed on the mirror-wall are recognized as lovely and sensitive folk poetry. Sigiriya has now been declared as a monument of world heritage. Another picturesque rock hewn fortress, rich in sculpture is Yapahuwa. During the thirteenth century, the scared Tooth Relic was safeguarded there in a specially built shrine adjacent to the Royal palace. Some fifteen miles to the west of Sigiriya in the rock temple of Dambulla, full of images of the Buddha, the roof of which is painted with frescoes in crude colours. The latest seat of Sri Lanka Royalty was Kandy. The palace of Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, the last king of Lanka, is the present Repositary of the Scared Tooth Relic of the Load Buddha. The site is adorned by the charming lake and the forest reserve clad in rare species of flora and fauna. The audience Hall constructed with richly carved coloums of wood is a loving example of Kandyan art and craftsmanship. The annual Esala Perahera is a procession of pagents watched by thousands of visitors from the four corners of the world.

READING
Once there was a fox. One day it was very hungry. It started walking to find some food. He saw a tortoise coming. He hid behind a tree and waited. The tortoise came. The fox jumped and stopped the tortoise. The fox said I am very hungry, I am going to eat you. The tortoise said You cant eat me. My body is very hard. If you want to eat me, soak me in water. Then the fox took it to the nearest pond. He kept the tortoise in water and put the leg on it. After sometime the fox asked the tortoise Are you wet enough now?. the tortoise said Yes, but the place under your leg is not wet. Then, the fox took his leg up. The tortoise went into the water happily. 01. Who was hungry? 02. What did the fox see? 03. Where did he hide? 04. What did the fox say? 05. Where did the fox take the tortoise?