Dr. W. M. Dhanapala, the senior lecturer in Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology at the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, particapted 12th International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak 2558/2015 28th – 30th May 2015 in Thailand.
In his answer to “How Sri Lanka has been contributing so many Buddhist scholars since the history”, Mr. Dhanapala had wholeheartedly thanked to the traditional monastic education where the young novices or laity children had assessed the elementary knowledge of Buddhism, as well as the primary linguist ability to do the Buddhist researching. As he said, the monasteries have been offering the Pali, Sanskrit and English training since history. Continuously, he said: “though the modernization might have overwhelmed the traditional monastic education, actually the later still influentially engage in the modern monasteries.”
Corresponding to my request for his suggestions to the young scholars, Mr. Dhanapala wishes we, the young Buddhist scholars to promote Buddhism to the higher class of society, in order to make Buddhism more pervasive and longer-living. Seemingly, he still held the belief that Buddhism could have worked more and deeper in our life if more and more influential figures had converted to Buddhism. His argument based on the Buddha himself who had converted many rich and high-profiled ones during his 45 years of dhamma-preaching.
At last, Mr. Dhanapala clearly cited that Buddhism and the Buddhists should serve the many more and in much vaster aspects.
“Voice of Sangha” reported from the Executive Lounge of Kemaco Classic Hotel.
