Buddhist monk Vepulla has travelled all the way from The Sitagu International Buddhist Academy in Myanmar to The Centre for Mahayana Buddhist Studies at Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU) to pursue higher studies.
The research scholar spends most of his time researching at the ANU library or reading ancient texts. “Buddha has taught that one should not simply believe what one is told. It is essential for one to prove it is actually true,” he says.
Vepulla’s doctoral thesis is on ‘Worldly life, Buddhist model’. Ask him what made him choose the topic, he says: “There is a sea change in people’s lifestyles. They are surrounded by several problems. The development of human race is plagued by issues such as social tensions, wars and conflicts. So, I thought it would be apt to study how a Buddha model could be a solution to problems facing the present day society.”
“Though I am a monk,” Vepulla says, “it is necessary to explore the world and to study contemporary issues and social tensions. An in-depth study in the context of the Buddhist way of life is the need of the hour,” he says.
To a question as to why there are different schools of Buddhism, the monk attributes it to the changes the order has undergone. “In fact, the change was allowed in accordance with Vinaya pitika [code], the collection of texts on the rules of conduct governing the daily affairs within the Sangha.
The refining was allowed to suit the changing needs of followers. However, it led to different schools of thought,” he explains. Vepulla was one of the dignitaries who were present at the inauguration of a painting exhibition organised by the Vijayawada Cultural Centre here recently.
