Some 35 years ago, a youth seeking the roots of his own intellectual culture undertook a pilgrimage to Lumbini, or the ancient Rumindai mentioned in the Asokan edicts. He journeyed along the ancient route, traversing the Ganga Valley and entering the fertile Tarai. He was no stranger to this landscape, shaded with green paddy fields, or to the people who greeted him with gentle smiles. His own culture, after all, had introduced him to Tathagata, or 'the perfect one', who was born to Queen Maya in a beautiful grove at Rumindai. The prince, who was named Siddhartha, or 'the one who achieves his goal', was to gift to the world the message of loving kindness, peace and contentment, not to mention an ability to see things in their true perspective. Siddhartha's doctrine shaped the culture and thinking of this youth, excited at the prospect of touching the hallowed ground where the illustrious teacher first saw the light of this world. Having finally reached Rumindai, he rested under a canopy of stars, embracing exuberant thoughts of his own encounter with Siddhartha. At dawn, he stepped out of the lodge, and then – time stood still!
Some 35 years ago, a youth seeking the roots of his own intellectual culture undertook a pilgrimage to Lumbini, or the ancient Rumindai mentioned in the Asokan edicts. He journeyed along the ancient route, traversing the Ganga Valley and entering the fertile Tarai. He was no stranger to this landscape, shaded with green paddy fields, or to the people who greeted him with gentle smiles. His own culture, after all, had introduced him to Tathagata, or 'the perfect one', who was born to Queen Maya in a beautiful grove at Rumindai. The prince, who was named Siddhartha, or 'the one who achieves his goal', was to gift to the world the message of loving kindness, peace and contentment, not to mention an ability to see things in their true perspective. Siddhartha's doctrine shaped the culture and thinking of this youth, excited at the prospect of touching the hallowed ground where the illustrious teacher first saw the light of this world. Having finally reached Rumindai, he rested under a canopy of stars, embracing exuberant thoughts of his own encounter with Siddhartha. At dawn, he stepped out of the lodge, and then – time stood still!
What visually greeted me on that morning 35 years ago is still imprinted in my memory, never to be forgotten. Colours of all shades merged with the dawn sky, depicting a vast emerald sea. The green hue from the paddy fields touched purple, seeping into the blue horizon of the misty mountains, and reached out to the majestic sun-bathed, snow-capped mountain that stood there, glittering, releasing a rainbow of hues in all directions. This must be the centre of the universe, I thought, where the Great Mount Sumeru majestically occupied its epicentre. The whole saga of Siddhartha's birth unfolded before me. The dream of Queen Maya, the collection of water from Lake Anavatatta, the procession to her parents' home, and finally, the birth of Siddhartha. For a youth from Sri Lanka, this was spiritual and cultural connectivity at its best. Indeed, we must recognise and celebrate these elements of our shared heritage, lending connectivity to the poles of Southasia.
Historicity of conflict