Wishing you a year that is filled with all the
fragrance of roses, illuminated with all the lights of the world and be blessed
with all the smiles on the planet. Hope this year will be the year when all your
dreams come true. Happy New Year 2013.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases.
It
is found that a mixture of Honey and Cinnamon cures most of the
diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world.
Ayurvedic as well as Yunani medicine have been using honey as a vital
medicine for centuries. Scientists of today also accept honey as a very
effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without
any side effects for any kind of diseases. Today's science says that
even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine,
it does not harm diabetic patients.
Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, on its issue dated 17 January, 1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by Honey and Cinnamon as researched by western scientists.
HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, chappati, or other bread, instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also those who already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack.
Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heartbeat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as age the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalizes the arteries and veins.
INSECT BITES: Take one part honey to two parts of lukewarm water and add a small teaspoon of cinnamon powder, make a paste and massage it on the itching part of the body slowly. It is noticed that the pain recedes within a minute or two.
ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured.
In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week out of the 200 people so treated practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.
HAIR LOSS: Those suffering from hair loss or baldness, may apply a paste of hot olive oil, one tablespoon of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder before bath and keep it for approx. 15 min. and then wash the hair. It was found to be effective even if kept on for 5 minutes.
BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.
TOOTHACHE: Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth. This may be applied 3 times a day till the tooth stops aching.
CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder
mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to
reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10% within 2 hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken 3 times a day, any Chronic cholesterol is cured. As per information received in the said journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.
COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for 3 days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold and clear the sinuses.
INFERTILITY: Yunani and Ayurvedic Medicine have been using honey for thousands of years to strengthen the semen of men. If impotent men regularly take two tablespoon of honey before going to sleep, their problem will be solved.
In China, Japan and Far-East countries, women, who do not conceive and need to strengthen the uterus, have been taking cinnamon powder for centuries. Women who
cannot conceive may take a pinch of cinnamon powder in half teaspoon of honey
and apply it on the gums frequently throughout the day, so that it slowly mixes with the saliva and enters the body.
A couple in Maryland, USA, had no children for 14 years and had lost hope of having a child of their own. When told about this process, husband and wife started taking honey and cinnamon as stated above; the wife conceived after a few months and had twins at full term.
UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomachache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.
GAS: According to the studies done in India & Japan, it is revealed that if honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.
IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases.
INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food, relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.
INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ingredient, which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.
LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly arrests the ravages of old age. Take 4 spoons of honey, 1 spoon of cinnamon powder and 3 cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, 3 to 4 times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age.
Life spans also increases and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old.
PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of Honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.
SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.
CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month 3 times a day.
FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon power in equal parts, are more alert and flexible.
Dr. Milton who has done research says that a half tablespoon honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3.00 p.m. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.
BAD BREATH: People of South America, first thing in the morning gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water. So their breath stays fresh throughout the day.
HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder taken in equal parts restore hearing.
*NOTE:The honey used needs to be REAL RAW UNPASTEURIZED HONEY. If it says PURE honey it is most likely pasteurized. It is best to only buy honey that says RAW or UNPASTEURIZED on the label. The difference is that the enzymes are all heated out of the pasteurized honey
Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, on its issue dated 17 January, 1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by Honey and Cinnamon as researched by western scientists.
HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, chappati, or other bread, instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also those who already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack.
Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heartbeat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as age the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalizes the arteries and veins.
INSECT BITES: Take one part honey to two parts of lukewarm water and add a small teaspoon of cinnamon powder, make a paste and massage it on the itching part of the body slowly. It is noticed that the pain recedes within a minute or two.
ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured.
In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week out of the 200 people so treated practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.
HAIR LOSS: Those suffering from hair loss or baldness, may apply a paste of hot olive oil, one tablespoon of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder before bath and keep it for approx. 15 min. and then wash the hair. It was found to be effective even if kept on for 5 minutes.
BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.
TOOTHACHE: Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth. This may be applied 3 times a day till the tooth stops aching.
CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder
mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to
reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10% within 2 hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken 3 times a day, any Chronic cholesterol is cured. As per information received in the said journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.
COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for 3 days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold and clear the sinuses.
INFERTILITY: Yunani and Ayurvedic Medicine have been using honey for thousands of years to strengthen the semen of men. If impotent men regularly take two tablespoon of honey before going to sleep, their problem will be solved.
In China, Japan and Far-East countries, women, who do not conceive and need to strengthen the uterus, have been taking cinnamon powder for centuries. Women who
cannot conceive may take a pinch of cinnamon powder in half teaspoon of honey
and apply it on the gums frequently throughout the day, so that it slowly mixes with the saliva and enters the body.
A couple in Maryland, USA, had no children for 14 years and had lost hope of having a child of their own. When told about this process, husband and wife started taking honey and cinnamon as stated above; the wife conceived after a few months and had twins at full term.
UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomachache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.
GAS: According to the studies done in India & Japan, it is revealed that if honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.
IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases.
INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food, relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.
INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ingredient, which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.
LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly arrests the ravages of old age. Take 4 spoons of honey, 1 spoon of cinnamon powder and 3 cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, 3 to 4 times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age.
Life spans also increases and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old.
PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of Honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.
SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.
CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month 3 times a day.
FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon power in equal parts, are more alert and flexible.
Dr. Milton who has done research says that a half tablespoon honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3.00 p.m. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.
BAD BREATH: People of South America, first thing in the morning gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water. So their breath stays fresh throughout the day.
HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder taken in equal parts restore hearing.
*NOTE:The honey used needs to be REAL RAW UNPASTEURIZED HONEY. If it says PURE honey it is most likely pasteurized. It is best to only buy honey that says RAW or UNPASTEURIZED on the label. The difference is that the enzymes are all heated out of the pasteurized honey
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Batathota Lena - බටතොට ලෙන
- A jungle trek to Divaguhawa -
"Mahiyanganam Nagadeepam - Kalyanam Padalanchanam
Divaguha Deeghavapi - Cetiyam Cha Mutinganam
Tissa Maha Viharancha - Bodhim Maricha Vattiyam
Suwarnamali Maha Cetiyam - Thuparama Bhayagirim
Jetavanam Sela Cetiyam - Tatha Kachara Gamakam
Ethe Solosmasthani - Aham Vandami Sabbada"
The Batatota cave temple which had been neglected in a dense jungle has
now become famous as one of the religious sites. It is also held in high
esteem by the Buddhist community in Sri Lanka. This cave temple located
on a mountainous forest is visited by thousands of pilgrims daily with
great devotion and respect.
It was the initiative of the Batatota Ancient Cave Temple Renovation
Society (BACTRS) to commence a speedy renovation programme of the cave
temple which has been of religious significance to the Buddhist order
of the country. Batatota cave temple lies on a rocky mountainous range
in a tiny village called Batatota in Kuruwita, in the Ratnapura district.
To visit this temple, devotees, have to travel seven kilometres on a
narrow Erathna-Kuruwita road, that leads to Adam's Peak. This road
devotees can reach Batatota junction where visitors can proceed half a
kilometre arriving at the foot Batatota mountain. A flight of
beautifully carved stone steps lead to the Batatota cave temple.
Legend says that this cave temple was built by King Nissankamalla (1178-1207) during the Polonnaruwa period in which the King had accidently discovered the temple, on his way to Sri Pada (Adam's Peak).
Batatota cave temple is also venerated for 'Diwaguhawa' where Lord
Buddha is said to have spent the rest of his day with 500 disciples on
his return from the Sri Pada (Adam's Peak). Legend also cites that Lord Buddha has taken rest in this cave after placing the footprint on Sri Pada (Adam's Peak) on the invitation of God Sumana Saman.
It is said that King Nissankamalla had visited this cave temple in the course of his religious expeditions to Sri Pada (Adam's Peak)
and had built the temple which stands majestically with religious as
well as cultural grandeur. The most impressive architectural feature in
this cave temple is its magnificent '
Makara Thorana
' that dates back to the Polonnaruwa period
and a part of it has been renovated by the villagers, as it had been disfigured.
The cave shrine consists of cross-legged, reclining and standing Buddha statues that belong to the Polonnaruwa period.
Most of the statues and paintings in this cave temple have been
exquisitely renovated several times, and retouching has also been done
at later stages.
In 1908, this cave which had been isolated had been rediscovered by the
erudite monk called Sri Subethi, who took great care to renovate it and
built a devale outside the cave shrine. After Ven. Sri Subethi's demise,
this religious site was abandoned in the midst of overgrowth. As a
result this site had become a haven for treasure hunters who destroyed
most of the invaluable statues in the cave.
In 1995 the most Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maithreya Mahanayake Thera
identified this ancient cave temple as 'Diwaguhawa' hidden in the thick
jungle of Batatota. During my short stay at the cave I could experience a
sense of Buddhist traits in a serene atmosphere.
The most remarkable feature in this cave temple is that drops of water
dripping from the ceiling even in dry weather. There is also a water
pond in the cave itself and the sun's rays fall inside the cave from
dawn to dusk. In clear weather condition, the Adam's Peak can be viewed
from the cave site.
Apart from the Batatota cave, 'Streepura'
is another cave situated 200 metres away from the cave site. This cave
is believed to be one of the shelters for God Saman's relative.
There is another belief that the Veddha community is of the view that
this cave belongs to their forefathers. Archaeological excavations have
found traces of human inhabitation pertaining to pre-Christian era.
Although Batatota cave temple's original architectural designs are not to be seen at present, the
the old Sal trees surrounded by different kinds of vegetation can still be seen with flowers in full bloom.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Buduruwagala
Buduruwagala
is located about 5 kms from the Wellawaya on the Thanamalwila road. The name
Buduruwagala means “the rock with the statue of Buddha” and this is exactly
what it is. Seven figured are carved in this rock with a massive 51 foot Buddha
statue in the Abhaya Mudra gesture at the centre. The rock it self has shape of
a kneeling elephant with its head own. Although there is no documented
information about this site in the ancient scriptures, it is now believed this
carvings were done during the last days of the Anuradhapura period. (between 8
- 10 Century). These carvings are of the Mahayana Buddhist style and similar to
the statues at Dova Temple.
The centre figure on the left (as you stand in front) still has most of the plaster and some paint which has been applied by the ancients. This centre figure is thought to be of the figure of Avaloktheeshvara Bodhisattva (the manifestation of all the Buddha’s' compassion in the Mahayana Buddhist teaching - In Theravada Buddhism Avaloktheeshvara is known as Lokesvara). He is identified by the small image of the meditating Buddha in the crown that he wares. This image can be clearly seen the carving. The bare breasted female figure on the right to this is thought be Thara Devi. She is carved in a ‘Thivanka’ position (bent in 3 places). The other is thought to be their son Prince Sudana.
As per the legend there’s a door in to this rock which
is only being opened when the Maitrhri Bodhisattva the 5th
Buddha for this eon is born and on top of this door the curved shape hole
supposed to be the ventilation point to the lamp lit inside as per my guide
from Buduruwagala area.
The centre statue is flanked by two
statues which each about 40 foot in height. These two again flanked by two
figures, one female and the other male.
The tallest Buddha statue in the
world was the Bamiyan Buddha statues in Afghanistan until the destruction of
this ancient monument by the Taliban in March 2001. The Buduruwagala Buddha
Statue is now considered the tallest in the world.
On the same rock where the sculptures are carved,
there is a carved shape of about 3 feet (0.91 m) wide and 4 feet
(1.2 m) heigh. It is of the shape of a flame. The inside wall of this
carved shape is always wet of an oil that smells very much like Mustard oil.
This oil comes to the carved shape with no explainable source or reason.
The centre figure on the left (as you stand in front) still has most of the plaster and some paint which has been applied by the ancients. This centre figure is thought to be of the figure of Avaloktheeshvara Bodhisattva (the manifestation of all the Buddha’s' compassion in the Mahayana Buddhist teaching - In Theravada Buddhism Avaloktheeshvara is known as Lokesvara). He is identified by the small image of the meditating Buddha in the crown that he wares. This image can be clearly seen the carving. The bare breasted female figure on the right to this is thought be Thara Devi. She is carved in a ‘Thivanka’ position (bent in 3 places). The other is thought to be their son Prince Sudana.
On the right is 3 similar figures.
And the centre figure is thought to be the Maithri Bodhisattva. He is the fifth
Buddha for this eon. On the left is the Vajirapani Bodhisattva ( Sanskrit Vajra
: thunderbolt/diamond, Pani : lit in the hand). He is one of the earliest
bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism. He is generally represented with a diamond
club in his hand).
Buduruvagala does not have much historical records. Even
its original name is unknown. It is thought to be a hermitage for monks. The
sculptures of Buduruvagala also include many sculptures of Bodhisattva
images including Mahayana tradition.
How
to reach
You can reach the site from either
Wellawaya or from Thanamalwila depending on which route you take.
You can reach Wellawaya in through
many roads. If you are coming from Badulla or Bandarawela you must tale the
Ella Road which lies between Badulla-Bandarawela Road. On the way you will also
pass the beautiful Ravana Ella too on the way. If you are travelling from
Colombo you can take the Rathnapura - Balangoda Road and turn off from
Koslanda. Taking this route will take you through the 220 metre high waterfall
Diyaluma. Koslanda lies between the Balangoda – Haputhale Road, 203 km from
Colombo.
If you are coming from down south,
may be from Kataragama, you can either use Buttala Route or go through
Thanamalwila. From Buttala town turn to Wellawaya Road. On this route, you will
be also passing places such as Maligavila Statues, Dematamal Viharaya and Yudaganawa.
Form the Wellawaya town use the
Thanamalwila Road and after traveling about 5 km you will come to the turn off
to the Buduruwagala. This place is marked by a board opposite to this road with
picture of the rock and a arrow.
If you traveling from Tissamaharama
or a location west to it, use the Tissamaharama – Thanamalwila road. There is
another route to Thanamalwila from the Udawalawe wildlife sanctuary too. From
Thanamalwila You have to travel towards Wellawaya for about 30 km to reach the
turn off to the site.
The by-road (turn off) form the
Thanamalwila-Wellawaya is a tarred road which become a well maintained gravel
road closer to the end. But this is motorable (van or car) most of the year. On
the way you will also pass the beautiful Buduruwagala lake, ideal place to take
a break, just before the entrance to the temple.
Distances
from Colombo to Buduruwagala through Beragala - Wellawaya
From
|
Colombo
|
To
|
Awissawella
|
60
|
Rathnapura
|
101
|
|||
Balangoda
|
145
|
|||
Belihul Oya
|
161
|
|||
Beragala
|
187
|
|||
Koslanda
|
203
|
|||
Wellavaya
|
220
|
|||
Buduruwagala
|
225
|
|||
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