The NeoSynthesis Research Center
In Sri Lanka, sacred forest groves have traditionally surrounded temples or shrines. The 'temple forest' or Aranya has been referred to in Buddhist texts as far back as 200 A.D. Recent works by scientists at the NeoSynthesis Research Centre (NSRC) in Sri Lanka, have demonstrated that these temple forests are, in many areas, also the last refuge for native biodiversity.
The Temple Forest Program of Sri Lanka began in 1996 with the NeoSynthesis Research Center (NSRC) working with the Chief Incumbent Rev. Dodankumbure Deerananda of the Watarakkgoda Raja Maha Viharaya Temple to extend the natural link that Buddhism has with forests. In planning, building and executing this project it became clear to all of the participants that the philosophy extended by the Buddha is predisposed to such action. Not only does the major events in the life of the Buddha have association with trees, his commentary on trees and forests demonstrate the depth of understanding and personal joy that this all-knowing being experienced in nature.
Prince Siddahartha was born in the Lumbini Sala grove. He attained Buddhahood under a Bodhi (ficus religiosa) tree. On the fifth week after attaining enlightenment the Buddha remained seated under a (Ficus bengalenisis) tree. The seventh week was under a tree called Raja-yatena. The Buddha attained parinibbana under a sala tree. His relation and knowledge of nature is reflected in the following sayings:
" I am enthralled by the sight of birds resting on trees in the noon and the melodious sounds that they make"
"The forest is a peculiar organism of unlimited kindness and benevolence that makes no demand for its sustenance and extends generously the products of its life activity; it affords protection to all beings, offering shade even to the axeman who would destroy it"
" Those who plant trees in temple gardens monasteries and forests will gather merit both day and night"
Three statements that should make personal action very clear for many Buddhists.
The first demonstrates the very personal delight that any being can attain from nature. The second, referring to a forest as 'an organism' prefigures the modern ecological realization that there are organizing principles bigger than an individual or species imperative. The third gives an opportunity to all Buddhists to participate and gain merit.
The Temple Forest Project was then seen to be a useful activity through which the knowledge of the Buddha could be utilized to benefit biodiversity, landscape stability and community empowerment.
Thus the project was expanded to a program by NSRC with a view of creating an independent trust to manage it in the future.
The Temple Forest Program will develop a network of Temples as individual projects with different donors. Each project reflects the vision and goals of each temple.
Rogersongama Temple :
In 1933 The village around Wattadara on the foothills of Sri Lankas central mountain massif was swept away be a massive erosion event. The entire flank of the hills had been cleared of their forests for the coffee and tea plantations. Without the protective forests the hillsides eroded. The 17 families who lost their homes in that incident was translocated by the only stable environment on the hillside, a patch of forest with the last of the remnant vegetation protecting the watercourses. The person who helped the village get re-settled was The British Government Agent at the time Mr. Rogerson.. The village named their new home after Mr.Rogerson and Rogresongama was born. The temple moved into the village in 1945 . The reverend Ambanwelle Ratnasara Maha Thera began by planting a Bo (Ficus religiosa) sapling and the temple grew from then on. The temple itself abuts 39 acres of relict forest, this forest is linked by a small stream reservoir to 9 acres of remnant forest about half a kilometer away.
Together these two forest patches represent the only significant area of native forest on the entire hill flank. The forest patches are owned by the forest Department but due to its remoteness and small size cannot afford to exercise effective control or management of the forest. This forest may possibly be one of the few examples of the forests of the second peneplain of Sri Lanka.
The chief Incumbent today is Rev. Ambanwella Chanda Wimala Thera. Five very fruitful discussions have been held with him about his temple participating in the Temple Forest program and aiding the conservation of the natural forest as an activity. Rev. Ambanwella has been very enthusiastic about such a possibility and has provided the assurance that he will accept responsibility for helping to implement the program.
The Project:
Consolidating the existing forest around the temple is a first priority. This means fixing live fences and creation of nurseries to generate the planting material for the forest enrichment and expansion. The trees to be used for planting will be grown in a nursery to be established and managed by the temple and derived from the temple forest. The forest will be mapped out and a negotiation process will begin with the Department of Forestry to hand the management of the forest to the temple. Studies will be done on the presence and distribution of the biota.
The nursery stock will be used to enrich the forest and repair the boundaries where trees have been cut in the past. The tree planting plan will be designed to achieve ecosystem restoration, habitat enrichment and extension of the existing forest system. The priests of the temple, visiting trainees and volunteers will form the bulk of maintenance and development labour. Hired labour will be kept to a minimum.
The outcome:
The unique patch of refugial forest at Rogersongama will be conserved with the temple acting as the steward. The native biodiversity will be enhanced and connections will be made through the growth of corridors so that they enhance geneflow between forest patches and circumvent the species losses that follow forest area loss.
The project is expected to result in an expansion of local forest cover through community reforestation . The development of such forests will also extend great benefits to the surrounding communities by regulating and extending dry weather flow, by increasing the production of traditional herbs and medicines and by acting as a 'store house' for genetic material for local use. The environment at the village level is expected to gain significantly from the development of such forests.
The participation of the temples will enhance local as well as national support for the conservation of forests. The development of such forests will also extend great benefits to the surrounding communities by regulating and extending dry weather flow, by increasing the production of traditional herbs and medicines and by acting as a 'store house' for genetic material for local use.
The training is expected to enable the priests to harmonize environmental education with Bhuddist values and ethics so that it can be utilized in the presentation of Bana (sermons) . In this way a traditional communication channel can have modern environmental information harmonized within it.
