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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 47

Bhante S. Are Rituals
Pemaratana, born
in Sri Lanka, moved
to the United States Relevant in

in 2008 to serve
in the Pittsburgh Buddhism?
Buddhist Center.
He was ordained By Venerable Dr Soorakkulame Pemaratana
as a Buddhist
monk in 1986 at
the age of 10 years Benny: Rituals are common in almost all religions.
old. His monastic training was under the tutelage What is the Buddha’s attitude towards rituals?
of the most Venerable Attangane Sasanaratana
Maha Thero at Sripathi Pirivena Monastery in Bhante Pemaratana: Rituals can broadly be understood
as practices or customs performed following a
Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka.
previously prescribed pattern. In that sense, rituals
are common in religions as well as in our social lives.
Bhante Pemaratana holds a bachelor’s degree Graduations and oath ceremonies are also rituals.
with first class honors in Buddhist Studies from the However, rituals in religions are viewed as means of
University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, and a master’s bringing success, prosperity, good luck and spiritual
degree in philosophy from the National University of attainments. The Buddha did not teach that rituals
Singapore. Amongst the places he has lectured are have such a power. The Buddha emphasized the power
the University of Peradeniya and the Buddhist and of our volitional actions and our purified mind. In
Pali College of Singapore. the Sigālovāda Sutta (DN 31), the Buddha advised
a young man named Sigala to change his morning
He received his Ph.D. in Religious Studies at the ritual of venerating six directions into practical
University of Pittsburgh in April 2017. He is actions of performing duties to six groups of people
currently the chief abbot of the Pittsburgh Buddhist such as parents, teachers, friends. However, the
Center. He offers workshops on meditation at the Buddha admitted the value of rituals in our social and
Pittsburgh Buddhist Center and Yoga studios in communal lives. For example, the Buddha prescribed
the monastic rituals such as the ordination ceremony.
the greater Pittsburgh area and provides spiritual One is considered a monk only after going through a
counseling to help people to deal with challenging legitimate ordination ceremony.
issues of life.
Buddhism is known as a rational religion because
A regular visitor to Malaysia and Singapore, of its emphasis on enquiry and not blind faith. So,
Bhante has given talks at various Buddhist centers is there still a role for rituals, especially in Early
in both countries. Benny Liow, on behalf of Eastern Buddhism?
Horizon, requested Bhante to respond to several
questions which many lay Buddhists, especially The practice of the Buddhist path involves overcoming
among newcomers, have asked about the role of superstitious beliefs about life. The right view, the
rituals in Buddhism and its importance in our first item of the noble eightfold path is to have a firm
spiritual practice. understanding of the efficacy of our intentional actions
or kamma. There is no magical or mysterious way
of achieving success in life. We need to put forth our