Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

In MemoriamAt the invitation of the late Venerable Tai Tsu, the well known Buddhistleader of China, the Venerable Madihe Panfiasiha Thera (now Maha NayakaThera), the Venerable Soma Thera, and I, went to China to establish a PaliCollege at Sianfu, the ancient Buddhist Centre in Shensi Province, the homeof Fa Hsien the famous pilgrim. Arriving in Shanghai in early July, wefound that fighting had broken out in Shensi between the Nationalist and theCommunist forces. There was no possibility of proceeding further. TheVassa-vdsa, the rainy season residence, was spent in Shanghai after which themission returned. During this period Soma Thera's radio sermons were muchappreciated. Besides, he addressed many gatherings in various parts of the city.The Shanghai Y.M.B.A. which he founded had, by the time the mission left,nearly three hundred members. He also conducted a Pali class, which waswell attended. In November that year the Mission returned to Hong Kongwhere, too, Soma Thera addressed various groups of Buddhists. Arriving inSingapore in January 1947, the mission had to wait two months for a boat.Meanwhile Soma Thera delivered sermons and lectures to large gatheringsboth in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The Mission returned to Ceylon inMarch that year. Soma Thera returned to the Island Hermitage at the endof 1948 and remained there till 1954. After his return from China, on hisinitiative, two important Buddhist associations in Colombo, The SasanadharaKanta Samitiya and The Banks' Asoka Society, were formed in 1950 and1956 respectively. He was the founder-patron of the latter.With the approach of the Buddha Jayanti celebrations, it was suggestedthat a bi-monthly called 'Buddha JayantV be published for the duration ofthese celebrations for the benefit of the English reading public. When in1953 the organizers came to ask Soma Maha Thera for his help, he threwhimself wholeheartedly into the work, for half-hearted effort was alien to hisnature. Most of the editorials on the Dhamma in the 'Buddha Jayanti 9and a large number of translations from the Pali and the German, besidesoriginal articles, and the Jayanti Miscellany, were from his versatile pen. Hismasterly articles on 'The Greatest Mahanayaka Thera of Our Time' and theeditorial 'A Maker of Good Men' on the passing away of the VenerablePaelaene Siri Vajiraiiana Maha Nayaka Thera, were written at a time whenhe was much harassed by asthma. Finding that the long stay at the IslandHermitage had worsened his asthma and seeing the advantage of being withthe Venerable Paelaene Siri Vajiranana Maha Nayaka Thera at Vajiraramawith its well equipped library, Soma Thera came to reside once more atVajirarama. Both the Maha Nayaka Thera and Soma Thera were happyto meet; for, as far back as 1919, the former had inspired the latter by hisgreat knowledge, understanding, and kindness. Soma Thera's regard andrespect for him kept on increasing during the years. They used to converseon the Dhamma and on allied subjects such as literature, history, grammar,folk-lore, and so on, for hours at a time. The Maha Nayaka Thera, too,was always ailing, but when both of them began to converse they forgot theirxvni