..续本文上一页 philosopher”s stone in the form of his representative.

　　Sayagyi U Ba Khin needed a Myanmar citizen of Indian origin to repay the debt to India who would go to India and teach Dhamma in Indian languages. The time came for the fruition of his resolve. His Dhamma son devoted himself to fulfil his Dhamma father”s noble wish. Initially, he had great doubts and hesitation about his worthiness and capacity. But he did not have to do anything. All the work was being done by Dhamma, by his Dhamma father. The Dhamma son was simply a medium for this great work. The firm resolve of this great saintly person was bound to be accomplished. Anyone could be the apparent cause for its accomplishment.

　　At the start of the second Buddha Sāsana, the radiance of Vipassana spread not only in India but throughout the world. What would have happened if Emperor Asoka had not sent Saddhamma outside India, and if the bhikkhu sangha of Myanmar had not preserved it, if the eminent bhikkhu Ledi Sayadaw had not opened the door of this Vipassana technique to lay people

　　 How would it have spread outside of Myanmar

　　 But Vipassana was bound to spread outside. The medium that was needed to accomplish this purpose was chosen.

　　Infinite gratitude to Ledi Sayadaw as well as to Sayagyi U Ba Khin because their boundless compassion enabled India to regain its invaluable technique and paved the way for the people of the whole world to learn Vipassana. Therefore, all the people who have spread the technique of Vipassana outside India in the past nearly four decades are filled with feelings of infinite gratitude for Sayagyi U Ba Khin.

　　The Global Pagoda that is being built is a sacred symbol of the gratitude of all of us.

　　It will also be a sacred symbol of gratitude of all those who have received Vipassana and will receive it in the future during the present Buddha Sāsana. This huge Pagoda will endure as a sacred symbol for more than a thousand years. That is why instead of cement or concrete, the Global Pagoda is being built with stones based on the ancient architectural style of India. The first part of the Pagoda encloses a hall with 20-feet thick walls, with 280-feet diameter and 90 feet height unsupported by any pillars. This is itself a wonder in the entire world. It is a shining example of Indian architecture. When the construction of this 320-feet high glorious Pagoda is completed, it will be evoke much more wonder and admiration.

　　However, the Global Pagoda is not merely an architectural wonder. It will contain a wonderful exhibition about Vipassana, the ancient meditation technique of India. Understanding their responsibility, all present and future Vipassana meditators will complete this vast inspirational work for the benefit of the people of the world. For centuries to come, they will gain the merits of the spread of Vipassana in the entire world. This will shed light on the infinite benevolence of Emperor Asoka and Arahant Moggaliputta Tissa to Bhadant Ledi Sayadaw, lay teacher Saya Thetgyi and my revered teacher Sayagyi U Ba Khin not only in India but the entire world.

　　The construction of the first one-third of the Global Pagoda was far from easy. Beyond measure are the merits of those enthusiastic servers who worked untiringly day and night to complete it. Similarly, inspired by the memory of the infinite benevolence of Sayagyi U Ba Khin, the merits of those people throughout the world who donated the huge amount of money required for its construction, according to their capacity ranging from the price of one stone to hundreds, thousands, lakhs or crores of rupees is immeasurable, incalculable, invaluable.

　　There is an ancient belief that whenever the construction of a pagoda is started, it should be completed, particularly a Pagoda in which the sacred relics of the Buddha will be enshrined. This Pagoda will proclaim our boundless gratitude towards our great benefactor Sayagyi U Ba Khin. For hundreds and thousand of years to come, the people of India and the entire world will remember the great saint from Myanmar whose sole strong Dhamma desire was that the technique of Vipassana, which had been preserved in Myanmar for thousands of years, should return to India and benefit India and the entire world. This Pagoda dedicated to him will inspire innumerable people towards Dhamma. The merits acquired by any assistance given for its construction will be truly priceless, invaluable.

　　Bhavatu sabba maṅgalaṃ — May all beings be happy!

　　S. N. Goenka,

　　Wayfarer on the path of Dhamma

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