Browsing by Author "Abeywardana, C."

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The Effect on Repetitive Listening to Pirith Blessing Sounds on Human Brain (Healthy Individuals) by Using EEG and Functional MRI
(International Postgraduate Research Conference 2019, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Abeywardana, C.; Ranaaka, U.; Palliyaguru, C.
Back ground- A number of Sri Lankan and foreign studies have been done on Sri Lankan rituals earlier, including Buddhist rituals. Many studies have been done regarding Buddhist pirith chanting, sound therapy, music therapy, drumming etc. No studies have been done on the effect of repetitive listening to pirith on human brain Sri Lankan Buddhist rituals (Chanting of pirith, Bodhi Pooja, sethkavi,) are believed to promote health and well being and are widely practice in Sri Lanka. From among the 24 paritta sutta described in the Pirith Potha, five parittas viz Girimananda Sutta, Isigili Sutta, Maha Kassapa Thera/ Maha Moggallana Thera/ Maha Cunda Thera Bhojjhanga by Buddha is said to be specifically discoursed to cure illnesses
GIRIMĀNANDA SUTTA AS AN AUDIO-VISUAL & BREATHING RELAXATION THERAPY FOR DRUG ADDICT COMMUNITY
(The Library, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2024) Abeywardana, C.; Kaluarachchi, A. S.; Hettigoda, K.
Drug addiction among young people is a critical issue in both Eastern and Western countries in the 21st century. Addiction impacts not only the individuals using drugs or alcohol but also their families and society. The main objective of this study is to determine the therapeutic functions of the Buddhist ritual performance in promoting physical and mental health issues using human senses, specifically the effects of mindful listening to Buddhist Paritta (Girimānanda sutta) chanting with mindful breathing, called Ānāpānasati. The emerging researches are exploring low-cost and non-invasive interventions as a therapy for drug addiction relaxation. One such intervention is the recital of Paritta, which aims to protect living beings from disasters, pain, and fear. It is believed that reciting Paritta verses soothes the nerves and induces mental and physical balance through the six senses. The Girimānanda Sutta, which includes ‘Dasa Saññā’ and ends with the mindful breathing exercise called Ānāpānasati, is noteworthy. This study adopts mix method will be received ethical approval from the research council of the University of Kelaniya. The sample consisted of 150 individuals from rehabilitation camps in Gampaha, Matale (Raththota) and Anuradhapura (Galkiriyagama). Participants listened to low-frequency Paritta sounds (>70Hz) for 35 minutes while the meanings of the Paritta were displayed on screens. The box breathing relaxation technique was used in conjunction with Ānāpānasati. The study assesses mood changes in the subjects before the intervention, immediately after, three days after, and one week after exposure to the repetitive Paritta sounds, visuals, and mindful breathing technique. Anxiety and stress levels were measured. Mood improvement was assessed using a subjective pain assessment scale rated from 0 to 10, and a Mood Barometer in which drug addict communities rated their mood on a visual analogue scale. Results indicated significant mood improvement following the intervention. These findings suggest that Paritta blessing sounds, combined with visual and mindfulness breathing techniques, could serve as effective, non-invasive and low-cost therapies for drug addiction relaxation.
Modern western dramas and Sri Lankan demon ceremonies: A study in the use of dialectics, the concept of blessing in exorcism and the aesthetics of healing in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Abeywardana, C.
The major objectives of this research are to study how to achieve the blessing concept of human mental and physical purification and the use of dialectics in Sri Lankan exorcism. A remarkable amount of Sri Lankan and foreign studies have been done about modern western drama and Sri Lankan demon ceremonies earlier. Also many Sri Lankan and foreign scholastic attention have already been paid to this area, based on concept of human mental and physical purification in Modern Western Drama and Sri Lankan Exorcism separately. As a consequence, a considerable number of academic research studies have been done about ritual arena, technique, stage, stage language, gesture, posture, décor, masks, costume, props, sound, music, mime and lights . Yet, they have not paid attention to the use of dialectics in both traditions . Purification is a ritual concept used in modern western drama originated in the 20 th century as a resolution of modern human problems in western society instead of producing a well-made play. As a consequence, Antonin Artaud’s the theatre of cruelty that abstracted purity of mind was based on the Balines e Theatre. Bertolt Brecht’s epic theatre was designed to bring about change on the macro or social level. Brecht attempted social change with his plays that engaged the viewer by presenting objects, issues and characters alienated using alienation effects in Chinese acting. Jerzy Grotoweski produced a poor theatre which eliminated all nonessential to eliminate human internal complicit. Sri Lankan exorcism (Sinhala: Sanni-yakuma, Maha-sohonsamayama, Riddi-yagaya, Suniyamkapuma) is being held for the wellbeing of society. According to Prof. M H Gunathilka, Kolam is held to benefit pregnant mothers and it is a ritual prevalent in the Southern province of Sri Lanka.