Thursday morning UB had a special honor. Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne came as a global peacemaker to speak to the youth of the university. At the age of 76, Ariyaratne explained that although he has not rested since he arrived on the shores of this North American continent, his physical fatigue is nothing compared to his youthful vigor. “The world is so busy, so stressed, so unhappy. Look at me! I have less than three hours of rest, am 76 years old, but I am happy!” At the end of the program, the university announced him as not only an honorary fellow, but also a 22-year-old college graduate.
Dr. A. T. Ariy aratne began as a science teacher from the nation of Sri Lanka. His country was one that suffered, as many nations do, from a rift between two ethnic groups that have been at war for thousands of years. The Sinhalese and the Tamils are not the only issue that has been affecting Sri Lanka. This conflict along with the catastrophic tsunami that hit in 2004, killing more than 59,000 people, invoked a call for peace, rebuilding and what Ariyaratne would call “The Awakening of All”. One day in response to his sharing about all of the impoverished, under-privileged locations across their country, his students asked him: “Why can’t we do something about it?”
He replied “You can,” and that was the start of it.
Ariyaratne has told people to go live with the untouchables, let go of the ego and serve the world. He is now known for founding one of the biggest grass-roots peace movements across the globe, Sarvodaya, which literally translates “The awakening of all.” For this, he has been awarded the International Gandhi Peace Prize and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. It is estimated that 11,000 people have been directly helped by this movement. Founded about fifty years ago, it currently extends to more than 15,000 villages across Sri Lanka and has supporters from around the world.
However, Ariyaratne clearly expressed in his message that all of this is not about the numbers: its not about what is being done, it’s about
Many of themes that Ariyaratne touched upon, such as loss of ego, desire and transformation of greed and hatred, hit a very internal and religious note. He did not feel intimidated by our American culture that has for so long tabooed the mixing of religious teaching and volunteer work. What was equally refreshing was that the spiritual base that he presented was one of an inter-religious movement and had no sect’s representation in mind. “We can’t build a peaceful world from economic and industrial development. It begins in our minds and hearts.” Ariyaratne talked also about expecting parents’ role in a peaceful society. Apparently the spiritual art of bringing new life to earth was as important to Ariyaratne as was living in a peaceful, harmonious way. For this reason he emphasized a place in communities where the parents can go and can learn meditation and the basic principles of non-violence and self- realization.
When asked what compelled him to take on such an extensive tour at his age, specifically to American Colleges, Ariyaratne explained that through the years many universities have had students and faculty that have gone to Sri Lanka, sent interns and have even written books on what is happening there. Their support has never gone unnoticed and Ariyaratne expresses his gratitude and responds to the interest and concern expressed by making the long trip to the states to share directly with students about what is happening in Sri Lanka and how successful this non-violent, Gandhian movement has proven to be. He made the same trip two years ago and spoke on different campuses. Ariyaratne expressed that he came to share, not to make a calculated impact. “The impact is their choice,” he says.
After traveling to a number of campuses we asked him what his opinion of American youth was and if he had anything to say about them. He looked down for awhile and looking up, peacefully said “Full of promise. I always have great faith in youth; they will do great things for the world”. It turned out that Ariyaratne was a huge advocate and supporter of youth. “I work with thousands of youth everyday and I know what they can do. It is their efforts that have made all the difference” Surely hearing such support and confidence from the venerable guest did us all some good and made us think about what difference we can make.
These thoughts were further ignited by Shasir, the UB IPED graduate that, after receiving his master’s degree in International Relations, traveled to Sri Lanka and began to work with Ariyaratne. He now is the executive director of the Sarvodaya Shramadana foundation in America and is working to impact his own nation of Nepal. Throughout his undergraduate years at UB, Shasir was constantly thinking of how to help his country: the poverty and violence that he longed to alleviate Nepal of. He wanted to make that change, and now he is in a position that can enable him to do so. It was an inspiration to see. He credited much of the staff of UB, particularly the President and Dean Ward with helping and supporting him through his years of study as an international student. ” UB gave rebirth to my intellectual path”
Overall the talk was a success. As far as Ariyaratne’s goal of awakening something within each of us, well that’s very difficult to calculate.
how it is being done. The end goal in all of this does not lie in fed families and resolved conflicts: it is much more. “We have to change the way we think: transform our consciousness. We have done so much but that’s not enough. We have to think about the whole world; not just the economic and developmental situation of a few people.” The inner man, the spiritual aspect, Ariyaratne says, must also be considered. Firstly loving kindness and respect for all must be cultivated, but then it has to be translated into compassionate action. This methodology has in fact brought together many Sinhalese and Tamils and well as Muslims.