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Today's Dhammapada
Mano Pubbangama Dhamma
Mano Setta Manomaya
Manasace Passannena
Bhasativa Karotiva


Mind precedes all knowables,
mind's their chief, mind-made are they.
If with a clear, and confident mind
one should speak and act
as one's shadow ne'er departing.
Happiness Follows The Doer of Good

Explanation: All that man experiences springs out of his thoughts. If his thoughts are good, the words and the deeds will also be good. The result of good thoughts , words and deeds will be happiness. This happiness will never leave the person whose thoughts are good. Happiness will always follow him like his shadow that never leaves him.
Source: Buddhanet.net



Core of Buddhism - An introduction to Dhamma
A fully equipped meditation centre was established at Dekanduwela, Horana on a 10 acre land in 1993 by the Director of BCC, Ven. Kirama Wimalajothi thero. Atop a mountain located in Kananwila, off Horana in the Kalutara District exists the Institution called Dekanduwela Meditation Centre which is engaged in dissemination of knowledge gathered from ''Buddhist teaching to devoted Buddhists who have a general understanding of the dhamma. The idea is to teach them how one can achieve mind and self control through proper practice of Buddhist teachings.

At Dekanduwela, uniqueness about the place is that it provides a training to both men and women of all ages to lead a simple life while engaging in spiritual practices. The usual program is of 2 weeks duration and one can live like a monk during that period. This has become vey popular among both young and old irrespective of their religion and gender.


In-house training on meditation from 2 days to 2 weeks were organized in this panoramic place. The centre could accommodate 40 participants at a time.
Besides local participants including Bhikkhunis, over 2000 foreign persons have been trained by the Centre. Participants from Germany, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, Russia, Thailand Sweden and some other countries attended these sessions. One year training course in Tripitaka Dhamma for Bhikkhus and lay devotees is now being conducted at the Centre.

Temporary (two weeks) Ordination program was launched in 2003.This was designed to give basic knowledge in Dhamma, Meditation and Social Work. This novice training was conducted once in two months. The program gained popularity among the youths very rapidly. Most of the people who stay there are students, graduates, professionals and fathers and mothers from various social back grouns. After one year of this basic training, all of them are enrolled as members of the ‘Ariya Mittha Sansadaya’, main objective of which is to propagate the Buddha Dhamma among the school children. This activity is carried out in addition to the Sunday Dhamma Schools.

10 youths were ordained in March 1995 for the purpose of spreading the Buddha Dhamma in foreign countries. Most of them are now following higher studies abroad.


 







Why do Bhikkhu need training? According to the tradition in Sri Lanka the main method of entering priesthood is to ordain a person in his childhood. There fore they need an education system which should be able to with stand any impact coming internally and externally. Pirivena education is the accepted well known education system for Bhikkhus which is coming from generation to generation to-date. Pirivena means small university like schools which can accommodate and educate large number of Bhikkhus which was started more than 1000 years ago as maha Viharara.

When the Young Bhikkhus grow up part of them are choosing Pirivena education while the others are pursuing the University education. Most of the Pirivena educated Bhikkhus lead a traditional way of life such as preaching Bana  and chanting Pirith and conducting practice sessions of meditation to the lay people while they themselves cultivate their minds through meditation. Most of the Bhikkhus who are pursuing university education expect employment under the Government on the following subjects which they study in the university as academics. Some of the subjects are Sinhala, Pali & Buddhism, History & Archeology, Social science, Sanskrit etc. By working they expect a financially secured life to build their own temples mostly in the cities to serve the lay people better.

Founder of the BCC understood the problems what the above two categories are facing. As a remedial measure the Venerable thought of giving training for all the Bhikkhus practically and theoretically on the following manner.

01 Who is a real Bhikku?

02 How can he serve him self?

03 How can he serve the world?

04 How to be impartial in a Politically and economically diversified society?

Hence the founder Venerable Kirama Wimalajothi Thero plans to build a complete Bhikku training centre with all the facilities such as lecture halls, Auditorium, A complete library, reading rooms and  accommodation. Foreign student Bhikkus also can improve their knowledge on Buddhism using these facilities.
 







Today the Sri Lankan Bhikkhunies are facing several problems. Some of them are

01. Lack of Education.

02. Deficiency of recognition in the society.

03. Lack of Security.

04. Deficiency in delegating responsibilities to them and no Proper Organizational System

Bhikkhuni order is becoming popular in the country. But there are only three Bhikkhuni educational institutes to train them. Due to this, the educational level of Bhikkhunies are at a very low standard. Their knowledge of preaching, teaching and chanting as well as their mind cultivation should be uplifted to obtain recognition from the society at large.

Steps have to be taken to uplift their educational level very soon. By doing so they are given an opportunity to go to society to spread the word of the Buddha while getting the due respect.

As women priests, they should be able to lead a well secured and conflict free life. To maintain this they should organize themselves. Also the society has its own role to protect them as their mothers and sisters.

To achieve a solution to the above three ( 01. Lack of education. ,02 lack of recognition in the society, 03. Lack of security.) they should understand their responsibility to organize themselves. The Bhikkhu sasana also give their utmost support for overcoming Bhikkhunis problems.

Understanding this situation the creator of the BCC has decided to build an International Bhikkhuni Training centre including all the facilities such as lecture halls, Auditorium, A complete library, Reading rooms and also accommodation, even suitable for foreign trainee Bhikkhunies.