𝑾𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝑾𝒂𝒊𝒍 ( දුක් ගන්නා රාළ )

A few senior boys and their thugs stormed into the school during interval/recess time to beat up a classmate, when we were in grade 10. We did not say nor do anything to avert but watched in shock as we did not know what to do. The chemistry subject was the period immediately after the break and as the master entered the class, we knew that he was not in a mood to teach. He was silent for some time and we waited for him to say something. Then he asked all of us a very simple question. "What kind of young men are you, watching your fellow student being beaten up by thugs on the school premises and doing nothing?" There was no chemistry lesson that afternoon and some enjoyed the break but a few started pondering the incident seriously. Having enjoyed success the previous day, the seniors and thugs revisited during the interval with the idea of bashing the poor fellow up a little more. What happened thereafter is well known in the school history and that was the last time we had...

What hopes can we have What inspirations can we get From the message and belief, If innocent aid workers And journalists Are being killed in cold blood To protect the message? What are they so afraid of now? And what have they been trying to stifle for centuries? Freedom of expression Or the desire of living beings To have something better Than their prevailing conditions. I count my blessings today Because I was born a Buddhist And exposed early to Buddha’s teaching, Especially the Kalama Sutra. Kalama Sutra set me free And it can set anyone free.