Rev. Danny Fisher

Bhante Wellawatte Seelagawesi Thero, a Sri Lankan monastic and healer, during a visit to the Burmese Vihar, Bodh Gaya, India, Fall 2006. Photo by the author.

My friend Bhante Wellawatte Seelagawesi Thero, a Sri Lankan monastic and healer, sent me the following note recently. Bhante is amazing, and I’m happy to support a cause he believes in. If you’re moved to help with this situation, please contact him by email and he will walk you through the process of donating.

Dear beloved Danny,

Yesterday I was aware of my practice of Noble Sharing for the remarkable experience that I have gained in the robe over the 20 years.  I sat for radiating love and compassion at 6.00 in the morning.  After the meditation, I had an idea to contribute a laptop to [a young student I know] who is studying for a Physics Degree in the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka.  I have a desire to explain a bit about my intention.

[Her family came to know that her mother] has cancer in her colon. She believed her cancer was terminal. She is a nurse and being in the medical field she felt that this form of cancer will lead towards her death. She had prepared her mind and as her dying wish, she has informed her husband of her last wishes.  ”Please attend to the education of children and find a house very close to Girls’ High School in Kandy since [our daughter] studies in Girls’ High School”.

Husband was distressed and shocked by the apparent reality of her revelations.  After hearing about me they first came to see me in 2003 seeking my help and guidance. I started spiritual healing and also I advised them to find the energy by chanting Girimananda Sutta and doing Buddhagnana Sammarshana Bhavana (Meditation) at ‘Wel Bodhiya’ continuously  on Thursdays and Sundays. They were very humble to accept my advice and to trust it as the solution to overcome their illness.

Later the doctors were surprised to diagnose the signs of her recovery. 7 years on…. [the young student's mother] is now a healthy person to lead her duties. Saman and Anoma are now my students helping my spiritual healing team.  They are much devoted to their spiritual life and to take a part in my activities.

Their daughter  was a secondary school student during that difficult period. During her Ordinary level exams, she had certain doubts about her mathematical skills which made her underperform in her exams.  I guided her and asked her to select mathematics for her higher studies.  She had self trust and this contributed to a successful outcome, she was able get through the course.  At her first attempt, she was given a place at the University of Peradeniya to study for a degree in Physics.

She decided to attempt her A/L examination for the second time which subsequently gave her better results, with this she was given a chance to apply for engineering.  However she felt it would be better for her to study Physics and now she feels that she had made an excellent decision to follow her initial thought.   Her sister  has recently passed her O/L examinations and now she is studying science subjects for A/L.

I personally feel that this is an opportunity for us to assist [this young student] with her continuing higher education by donating a laptop, with this in mind I would like to request contributions towards this. To purchase a suitable laptop we would have to raise a sum of £350. I would be grateful to you for your positive response.  I believe that we are worthy to have selfless joy in this remarkable contribution for the 20th anniversary of my recluse life.

May you have courage and energy for a self-illuminated life!

With much love and compassion,

Seelagawesi Thero