Ananda College Celebrates 120th Birth Anniversary
Anniversary: The highest
seat of Buddhist education in Sri Lanka and the centre of national
revival Ananda College of Colombo celebrates its 120th birth
anniversary on November 1. While all the Anandians spread throughout
the world join in the celebrations, it is our bounden duty to
remember Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera, Ven.
Migettuwatte Gunananda Thera, Col. Henry Steele Olcott and other
pioneers of Buddhist education with gratitude.
Sri Lanka underwent radical changes during the first
half of the 19th century under the British regime. The colonial
rulers wanted to create a group loyal to their culture. With that in
view, they launched a frontal attack on Buddhism, Buddhist
education, Sinhala customs and culture. In order to achieve their
aim they used education as an effective tool.
Sinhala Buddhists learnt their culture, ethics, and
customs through education received at the temple. The British rulers
who understood the link between the Buddhists and the temple took
measures to destroy it. As a result, the maintenance of temples and
educational activities suffered immensely.
Meanwhile, British rulers opened their own schools
and made them popular among the people. Those who were educated at
schools run by foreign missionaries became a privileged lot who
received high social status and well-paid government jobs. This
resulted in such people converting themselves to Christianity.
Sinhala Buddhists thus became Christians through English education.
In this situation created by the British rulers,
Sinhala Buddhists could not get any government job. They also lost
the opportunity of receiving education at the temple. It was at such
a time when Buddhism and culture were deteriorating that Col. Olcott
and other Buddhist leaders ushered in a period of revival, as a
result, an educational system in accordance with Buddhist traditions
came into being to the 1880s.
With the birth of Ananda College, there came into
being a generation of Sinhala Buddhists well versed in English.
Ananda College was the first Buddhist school that ushered in a
resurgence in Buddhism and nationalism.
Are we not placed in a similar situation today?
Although we are no longer a British colony, brown sahibs are doing
the same thing under the neo-colonialism.
Education is one factor that decides a nation's
destiny. Napoleon of France, Hitler of Germany and other warriors
propelled their nations to war and destruction through education.
They knew that education is not confined to subject learning.
Today's student enters society as an adult tomorrow.
Therefore, his knowledge of languages and other subjects and his
thinking should be of a very high standard. The role of education is
to help people to gain an accurate knowledge and understanding of
the world and its multifarious affairs.
Education should not only be an ornament but also a
guiding light to lead a fruitful life. Modern society is embroiled
in a meaningless life pattern.
This shows the hollowness of education the students
have received. In the past morals were given the pride of place.
However, today society is giving more prominence to money.
Consumerism, comfortable vehicles, clothes house and property have
become over-riding factors in modern society.
It is not easy to arrest the downward trend in
society which worships Mammon. The nature of all societies following
this trend is somewhat similar.
We have to remove these weaknesses from society. The
path to a righteous society lies through education.
The growing up child should be educated and enriched
with morality. Then he will become a useful citizen tomorrow. This
shows the important role played by schools in the rehabilitation of
social ethics. Educational institutes are not only centres for
children but also for their parents.
Through this process the school is connected to
society. Therefore the school is the best place to remedy all social
ills such as destructive competition among in individuals and
frustration. All Anandians are expected to be educated citizens who
respect morals. Knowledge of subjects such as science, arts,
commerce or administration should be imparted with a touch of
humanism. Buddhism helps children to lead meaningful lives.
The principal, the staff and old Anandians have the
onerous duty of passing on the 'Anandianism' to future generations.
On the other hand, we have to safeguard our motherland.
In order to accomplish that task we are duty bound to
produce a future generation of students who are well educated and
well mannered. That is the highest tribute we can pay to our
pioneers of Ananda College.
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