20 February 2002

Dear Dr Dipak Barua,


A Commendation on the publication of the Bangladesh Buddhist Welfare Association journal “AMITABHA”


From
John D. Hughes Dip. App. Chem. T.T.T.C. GDAIE
Vice-President World Fellowship of Buddhists
Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.
33 Brooking Street
Upwey, Victoria 3158 Australia
Telephone: +61 3 9754 3334
Email: wbu@bdcu.org.au


Thank you for giving me the opportunity to write a commendation on your historic launch of the journal ”AMITABHA”.

In my capacity as Vice-President of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, I take this occasion to thank you for all the good things your welfare Association has done on behalf of the Buddha Dhamma practitioners of the world. Many of your people work for the welfare of humankind and world peace. As you are aware, I welcome all efforts being made to publish Buddha Dhamma writing in the English language.

Many years ago, your great scholar Professor B. Barua who wrote in English set up the first Pali language institute at an Indian Sanskrit university. Persons around the world were enabled to study his writings on your Bangali knowledge, history and religion. Bangladesh has a history of producing well sounding professors fluent in the English language and able to inspire readers.

The great awakening of Eastern scholars writing in the English language that followed assisted the globalisation of Buddha Dhamma. You have not been alone but have had the capacity to reach world audiences. In February 2002 CE I was at a globalising conference in Bangkok, Thailand, and am happy to report the launch of the World Buddhist University’s journal written in the English language.

I have visited Bangladesh three times and have had many interesting stories told to me on the history and culture of the ancient Buddha Dhamma practitioners who lived in the Chittagong Hills and perpetuated the Buddha’s message and practice the Buddha’s Teaching since ancient times.

A readable publication derived from within your country to capture this glorious history and culture would help the materialistic world that is suffering from too much wealth and too little wisdom.

In the Subha-sutta of the Majjhima-nikaya the Buddha twice declares himself a vibhajja-vada on the question of the relative advantages of the household life and that of the renunciant, not an ek’-amsa-vada as regards this.

In this and other passages the Buddha is a vibjajja-vada in the sense that he is ‘one who differentiates’ or responds critically. Among the Dhamma practitioners of Bangladesh are awakened vibjajja-vadins who can expound the Buddha Dhamma with astounding clarity so it is useful and practical for everyday life.

For decades, our Centre has been helping the Bhikkhus who manage orphanages in Bangladesh. I am fortunate to have seen for myself this work, so worthy of the highest praise.

Dhamma dana is the highest dana so oceans of merit will follow your action.

The Bangladesh Buddhist Welfare Association is to be commended for their enterprise in publishing the quarterly English language journal “AMITABHA”.

May the Bangladesh Buddhist Welfare Association flourish and may your Sangha and scholars continue to write and publish about your nation’s Vibhajja-vadin practice. We will place information of your latest activities on our website http://www.bddronline.net.au.

May the Triple Gem bless you and may all Devas and Devatas of learning come to help you in your noble work. We are happy to help you to continue with your publication.

With Metta,

Saddhu Saddhu Saddhu

John D. Hughes


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