When
the white basin
with
water was filled
within
it residenced
the
pure moonlight lay.
Perceived
I the truth
for
but a moment
and
the mind stilled in silence
for
but a moment.
Is
it not possible
to
retain
to
sustain
that
stillness
for
eternity?
Slipped
hands into basin
drew
some water
drank
my fill
my
heart’s fill.
That
was
another day.
And
stepping out
one
early morning
readying
to squirt
the
night’s accumulated liquids
the
eyes fell upon the kiri habarala
noticed
a tender leaf
resplendent
in
unblemished adolescence
and
upon it a large drop of dew
like
the immaculate love
of
a mother
who
had suffered
from
long before time
to
long after time.
‘Dear
Lord!
Who
but you
could
craft
an
exquisiteness
such
as this?’
The
heart was re-lit
overflowed
with faith.
And
at the moment of discharge,
mused:
‘Dear
Lord!
This
is my offering
in
your holy name
to
the kiri habarala.’
He
was alone
there
before the Ruwanweli
before
the great chaithya
dusk
was the hour
and
in the sky
a
single star,
Jupiter.
It
shone and shone
this
star.
‘If
only I could
turn
it into adornment!’
he
thought.
He
walked
to
and fro
several
times
until
that singular point he found
where
pinnacle, star and eye
were
one.
Atop
the Ranweliseya
that
star
at
that moment
rested
and
in all directions released
the
incomparable light
the
transcendental colors
as
emanated
and
emanates from the Buddha.
His
mind was at peace
the
resplendent stillness
of
comprehension:
Deepena thama
Dhansinaa!
The
gloom was thereby dispelled.
O
Great King Dutugemunu!
Did
you such splendor
ever
witness?
[This
is the eighteenth part of the translation of Mahagama Sekera's epic
poem 'Prabuddha', an exercise that has the permission and blessings of
the immediate family of Mahagama Sekera. Parts I, II, III, IV, V, VI , VII, VIII, IX, X , XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI and XVII can be found in www.malindapoetry.blogspot.com.]
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