Mother is the sweetest word in the world.
It is exactly five years ago that she passed away after living a memorable life of 80 years. She had 7 children and worked for 38 years as a dedicated school teacher in many parts of rural Sri Lanka. She started her career as a school teacher in Kurunegala Namalalanga Vidyalaya and retired from teaching after serving at Halkandaliya Vidyalaya, Nivitigala, Ratnapura. She opened the eyes of many thousands of children and was known to about a thousand Buddhist monks all over Sri Lanka as a staunch Buddhist upasikā (lay female devotee).
I am so grateful and thankful to her for she was an amazing mother and she is the one who is responsible for most of who I am today. As anyone else for their mother, I too am in short of words to express my gratitude to the mother who gave me birth and took well care of me without any complain or without any burden. May I take this opportunity to transfer all the merits to her that I have accrued so far in my life and throughout my Samsara (circle of transmigration or circle of rebirth according to Buddhism).
May all these meritorious deeds become one united power and bless her, help her, protect her and guide towards her final Samsaric goal - the Supreme bliss of Nibbana! (final goal of all Buddhists - the liberation from samsara.)
Salutation to the Mother (Sri Lankan Tradition)
Dasa māse ure katvā
Posesi vuddhi kāraṇaṃ
Āyu dīghaṃ vassa sataṃ
Mātu pādaṃ namāmahaṃ.
(Having cherished me in your womb of divine cradle nearly for ten months of time, you raised me up wishing me all the success. My dear mom, please let me bow down at your feet wishing you long life!)
Transferring Merits to the Departed Relatives
Idaṃ me ñātinaṃ hotu – Sukhitā hontu ñātayo.
Idaṃ me ñātinaṃ hotu – Sukhitā hontu ñātayo.
Idaṃ me ñātinaṃ hotu – Sukhitā hontu ñātayo.
(Let this merit be with our relatives, and may they be well and happy! Let this merit be with our relatives, and may they be well and happy! Let this merit be with our relatives, and may they be well and happy!)
May all my attempts and dedications towards the Dhamma be a lamp unto you Mother!
(Late Chandra Ambalangoda : 1936-2016)
May you be well, happy, healthy and safe wherever you are!
May you attain the Supreme bliss of Nibbana!
Sadhu! Sadhu!! Sadhu!!!
I wish to share this poem that I wrote sometime back as a mark of respect to my mother. Hope this would be a little token of appreciation and salutation to all the mothers on earth.
Your caressing ways
Your cherishing thoughts
Always kept me
High from within
Your blissful rays
From the innermost heart
Went through me
In all my veins.
You as my teacher
Uplifted spirits
As veritable promoter
Made me sprite.
You showed me the world
You showed me the path
Your love is true
Pristinely pure.
You sweetened my ears
You fulfilled my eyes
Oh! My dearest and sweetest mom
Please be mine
In many births to come!
- Ven. Nivitigala Sumitta
Some of the Social Welfare Activities that we did together with our mother:
Helping children in Saman Uyana, Parakandeniya, Sri Lanka.
Flood Relief to a village in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Support to the Children's Home in Anuradhapura. Flood relief to a remote village in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. We supported the entire village walking from house to house and helping them with food items and other requisites. Nearly 50 volunteers were involved in this beautiful humanitarian service.
Photos from the previous Dāna Ceremonies to transfer merit to her at Lankarama Buddhist Institute, La Puente, CA 91744. The late Venerable Aluthnuwara Sumanatissa Nayaka Thero, Most Venerable Ahangama Dhammarama Nayaka Thero, Venerable Vanavasi Rahula, Venerable Dhammavaro, Venerable Yonghwa Sunim, Venerable Khemananda, Venerable Medhankara, Bhikkhuni Chanda and Bhikkhuni Susila blessed the occasion.
Bhante Dhammārāma, Bhante Yogāvacara Rāhula, Bhante Dhammavaro
Few More Photos of Her love and care:
With her daughter and grand daughter
with her grand daughter
with her sister and grand daughter
at sacred Buddhagaya Maha Bodhi Vihara, Buddhagaya, India
at sacred Buddhagaya Maha Bodhi Vihara, Buddhagaya, India
Click
here for a useful article about Transferring merits to the Departed relatives according to Buddhist tradition.
Pāli Chantings used in the ceremony:
May she attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana!
(Nibbanassa paccayo hotu)
