''My Memorable Days in Sri Lanka''

A Farewell Party

At Aquinas University College

Colombo-08, Sri Lanka

2.12.2011

My Memorable Days in Sri Lanka

10 Minutes Speech by Ashin Sumana (Kyauk Phyu)

Good Afternoon,

All distinguished guests, my honourable teachers, ladies and gentlemen and my dear classmate friends

The tile of my speech today is ‘My Memorable Days in Sri Lanka. It is a great privilege for me to have a chance to share my memorable occasions and experiences that I have learnt from Sri Lanka. First of all, let me express my sincere thanks to my classmate friends for giving this golden opportunity and their warm friendship together with good fellow-feeling.

As a foreign Buddhist monk studying in Sri Lanka, there are a lot of incredible times for me. One of the most interesting days is about the beauty of Sri Lanka people. I was really amazed to see many Sri Lankan people looking and smiling at me when I firstly arrived in Sri Lanka for my further Buddhist studies. In my very early days here, it was a little bit strange for me when the people gave a big smile and talked to me, calling ‘Harmutheru’ and sometimes ‘Sadhuu’. Looking at myself, I often wondered whether there is something wrong with my robes and behavours because I had no idea what these words mean and why they are grinning at me without even knowing my name and nationality. Fortunately, these broad smile-puzzles became so much crystal clear for me after a few months later in Sri Lanka. This is because I came to know that these big smiles and friendliness that belong to Sri Lankan are the best beauty and quality of Sri Lanka. Yes, I will believe so. Nowadays it is so hard to see the broad smiles of people in most countries, who are following after material wealth in the cutthroat business world. Luckily, you are very rich in smiles. It is really amazing.

After we have associated with people from every walk of life, we have found out that Sri Lankans are particularly endowed with self-confidence. That is normally good for a person. With regard to this, one thing that we have to take aware of is that too much overconfidence and over-arrogance can sometimes be an obstacle to success and excellence. The people of this country are generally so much full of patriotic pride and spirit. We always meet and hear a lot of people thinking and speaking very highly of their mother land. In addition to that, most people are in the habit of giving top priority to their own people whenever and wherever they are together with foreigners. Many foreigners like us have got this sort of experience while doing and buying something in a certain place. As for me, I have gone through many waiting days since I have been here for two years. Anyhow, I am very much impressed with their knowledge of patriotic duty and responsibility. They love and value their people and country so much. This type of the mindset of public is really excellent.

There are some remarkable days that I will never forget in my life. It is very lovely to see people in white clothes chanting religious words and offering some flowers to the Lord Buddha under the Bodhi-tree in the every evening at the temples around the country. In my country, there are a lot of people going to pagodas and monasteries in order to do meritorious deeds and listen to the Dhamma-talks as well. In Sri Lanka, it is fascinating to go and have lunch at the alms-giving houses where donors together with all family members and relatives offer alms-food to the monks. Both the ways of alms-giving and preaching and the position of people listening to the Dhamma talk are utterly absorbing for us because the methods are completely different from our tradition. It is also a lovely time to see many adorable young students learning and hear them chanting Dhamma songs at Sunday Schools. So, these are of course the days that make me miss my mother country so much.

The other unforgettable days are the days in this Aquinas University College where I have got a chance to enter into the sea of knowledge of English Language. As a student of Diploma in English Course, I have experienced a lot of heartfelt pleasure because of the kindness and friendliness of my teachers and my dear classmate fellows who are so nice and very sociable. I am very proud to be a student of this college and to have been in Sri Lanka, which is the best country for Buddhist studies.

Finally, I would like to give two suggestions to the youths because my dear classmate friends ask me to give a noteworthy message. The first one is, please try to listen to other people whenever and wherever you are. Paying full attention to others is a kind of recognizing the people and thus we will get mutual understanding and mutual respect, which is the thing that we all have to cultivate. Naturally, you see we have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen to others more and more but speak less. And the last one is, try to develop your loving-kindness and compassion to all beings. Love your neighbours as yourself.

May the Triple Gems bless you!

May God bless you!

Thank you for your full attention to me.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.