Buddhism in France within twenty years

Ven. Paravahera Candaratana Nayaka thera talks to Nemsiri Mutukumara

Today, the International Buddhist Centre (IBC), the Sri Lanka Educational Cultural and Social Association, and the International Buddhist Association, all function from the IBC built on a one hundred perch land situated at No. 7, Cite Fermin Bourgeios, 93350, Le Bourget in France. The centre was consecrated by the Bhikkhu Sangha led by the most Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Mahanayaka Thera.

As a young bhikkhu, Parawahera Candaratana Thera went to France for higher studies in French. Proficient in Sinhala, Pali and English too, he had no problem absolutely in continuing higher studies in Pali too in Paris.

Introductions given by world renowned archaeologist Dr. Roland Silva, a former Director General of Archaeology and Director General of the Cultural Triangle Project of the Central Cultural Fund and Professor Sarath Amunugama Dean of the Faculty of Arts of the Kelaniya University to French Scholars, Academics and Archaeologists stood in good stead. The young bhikkhu had no difficulty whatsoever in obtaining a ten year student visa to enable him to stay in France.

In 1981, a Sri Lanka Vihara was conspicuous in its absence. However, there was one Cambodian Vihara and one Vihara put up by Laotians and two Viharas opened by the Vietnamese.

Bhikkhu Candaratana found accommodation in one Vietnam Vihara where the Mahayana Sangha spoke and understood English language. For him, the place was very homely.

Now a Nayaka thera of France appointed by the Malvatta Chapter of the Siyam Maha Nikaya, the Venerable Candaratana Nayakathera looks back at the fantastic impact the Buddha Dhamma has made in France during the last twenty-two years.

The Nayaka thera admitted that Buddha Dhamma was not totally unknown to the French people. Ven. Dr. Walpola Rahula's "What the Buddha Taught" was very popular among the learned.

In many educational institutes, there were Buddhist scholars, Pali Pandits and Indologists who were well-versed in the teachings of the Buddha. Yet, most of those being academics, their knowledge of the Dhamma was not meant for the benefit of the ordinary masses.

Before long, Thera Candaratana's disciplined demeanour and the sincerity of purpose attracted the attention of the many Sri Lankans - the Sinhala Buddhist expatriates living in and around Paris and Lebourget. The Sinhala Buddhist Community got together with the guidance of Venerable Candaratana to establish a Sri Lankan Vihara.

Dr. Ananda Guruge, whose name is synonymous with promoting Sri Lankan causes anywhere in the world was a tremendous support for the setting up of a Sri Lanka Vihara. Dr. Guruge addressed a letter to President J. R. Jayewardene.

Armed with the document, Ven. Candaratana met President Jayewardene in Colombo.

The result was a donation of one hundred thousand Francs for the Vihara project with the assurance of further support from President Jayewardene.

Today, the International Buddhist Centre (IBC), the Sri Lanka Educational Cultural and Social Association, and the International Buddhist Association, all function from the IBC built on a one hundred perch land situated at No. 7, Cite Fermin Bourgeos, 93350, Le Bourget in France. The centre was consecrated by the Bhikkhu Sangha led by the most Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Mahanayaka Thera.

With the IBC on terra firm a activities aimed at social and spiritual welfare of not only French Nationals but all people living in France started in utter earnest. IBC attracted all ethnic communities. France has become the home to large number of Portuguese, Polish, Brazilian and quite a number of continental ethnic groups.

Unlike in modern day Sri Lankans in Europe, particularly in France, parents-both mother and father visit the Vihara with their children. Sometimes with the nephews and nieces and grandchildren too.

The Vihara is equipped with different facilities to cater to different age groups. And everyone is happy that none of them is abandoned and their precious time is not wasted. They are made to remark that the time they spent at the IBC is fully worth their visit. The IBC library is stocked with books on Buddhism in French, and a few in English too. Music diskettes on devotional songs-Bhakti Gita, Dharmadesana, Paritta, Suttas for blessing both in Pali and French translations as well.

The IBC, Nayaka thera said that food and soft beverages are provided to all, by participants, at periodical ceremonies. For instance, on the Vesak festival and the offering of Sangika dana, the day following the Esala poya when the Bhikkhu Sangha starts the Vassana period - the three-month retreat, and the festivities connected with the Sinhala Avuruddha. The biggest concentration of the Sinhala residents is witnessed on the Sinhala Alut Avurudu days, the Vesak Poya and the Katina Civara Puja ceremony. The IBC, he said publish a quarterly newsletter - a tabloid-size edition in two languages - Sinhala and French.

"Our mailing list shows the paper is posted to six hundred (600) French nationals and 125 Sinhala readers. We have on roll 800 French nationals and a little over 200 Sri Lanka residents as dayakas.

We provide for the interests of both groups. The Sri Lankan Community is pleased with offering Sanghika dana in remembrance of their dearly departed ones,. quite a nobel gesture. We associate in such a pinkama with dedication and delight.

Their deepest yearning for listening to the Dhammadesana and chanting of Paritta is another aspect of their appreciative religious requirement - which we always endeavour to fulfil.

Anyway, as pathfinders, we are happy the Nayaka thera said, that the Westerners have learnt the traditional oriental manners and customs observed and practised from the time they enter the precincts of the Vihara until their departure.

The French nationals as well as those non-French ethnic people, enter the Vihara with clasped hands.

A pleasing scene can be witnessed when they pay homage to the Buddha in the Budumedura. They kneel down three times and worship the Buddha. At Dhammadesana time, they sit cross legged, or keeping the legs behind and sit in front of the Bhikkhu right at the centre. No walls they look to lean against.
Quite an amazing phenomenon, everyone of them, men, women and children, everybody sit in this manner.

He said, this is the scene at the Sri Lanka Buddhist Centre where the French people come to learn the teachings of the Buddha and learn and engage in Bhavana.

Bhavana he said, is a regular daily practice. They engage in bhavana at home as well as in the Vihara.

Bhavana centres are opened everywhere in France in all traditions-Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana which is followed by the Lamas.

Nayaka thera Candaratna said, there are over fifty Theravada Viharas and Bhavana Centres functioning in the country. Bhikkhus from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos are Theravada, while the Zen Bhavana Centres are organised by the Japanese.

With the high esteem and affection, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is held in the Western World and quite a large number of French nationals have become Lamas. Only a handful of Tibetan Lamas provide them with the basic ingredients of the way of life of the Lamas. All the lamaseries are maintained by the French nationals and other ethnic groups.

Over four hundred Bhavana centres and Buddhist centres have dotted the French landscape during the last two decades.

With the ever growing popularity of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, whose public expression and commitment to peace and harmony has given a fine impetus to the Westerness to follow the way of life.

However, the growing desire of the people to follow the Buddhist way of life is resented by those inimical to the growth of Buddhism.

He said, a French national, a scholar whoh as written books on Buddha Dhamma and entered the order of the Sangha, as Bhikkhu Dhammapalita's future as a disciplined bhikkhu who was capable of changing the entire country towards the Buddhist way.

 

 
At the International Buddhist Centre (IBC), in France

Ven. Chandaratana Nayaka Tera Said Dr Mohan Wijeratna wrote meny books about Buddhism  in French. His books are so popular, they run into many editions in no time. He has alredy translated Diganikaya & Majjima Nikaya into French Language. He si doing a valuble service to Buddhism in France.

The IBC is the sole distributor of Wijeratna's books in France as well as in other continental countries.

Before taking residence in France, he worked in the "Gnanartha Pradipaya" - the weekly newspaper of the Roman Catholic Church. Although he left the robe, he still continues to lead the Buddhist way of life.

The Nayakathera, said, Buddha Sasana has come to stay in France. The Buddha's Message of Peace and Tolerance has attracted the French political leaders. To the French, equality, fraternity-liberty are found solidly in the Teachings of the Buddha and in no other religion or philosophy.

That accounts for President Jaques Chirac to grant asylum to three hundred thousand buddhists from Cambodia and Lao.

Chirac often says, that Buddhists are the only religious followers who have never fought a war on religion.

He also gave a state land as a donation for those people to build their own Vihara for their cultural, religious and spiritual activities.

The Vihara and the Bhavana Centre is situated on BOIs via Vincinnes. The street on Paris 13 is called the Buddhist Colony. Buddhists from all ethnic groups from many countries live in Paris 13.

And this change - change for the better is taking place quite rapidly, because the people need a change, a change for the better, they say, the Venerable Parawahera Candaratana Nayakathera, a highly respected and a popular Buddha Putra in France, said.

Source: centrebouddhique.net