The mood was lighthearted, jovial, and enthusiastic on the night of Buddha Purnima in Kandy. The aromatic grain had been cooked and was ready to be served to the eager children and their laughing parents. They watched the charity workers lifting up the tubs of multicolored curries, and the guests knew that dinner was served. By seven at night, long lines of visitors had gathered at the dansal to enjoy the fragrant rice and scrumptious curry sauces. “Each season we serve around five thousand visitors and we cook over 350 kilos of rice with additional curries,” comments H. M. Priyawansa of the coordinating committee, with a smile.
Visitors enjoying dansal sandwiches. By Sean Mós
The festivities for Vesak (or Buddha Purnima) have concluded around the world, and one would have assumed that this dampened the Buddhist mood in Sri Lanka. In reality, the island’s Buddhists faithfully continue to give alms and donate even after the season of celebrations is over. One way this is being accomplished is through the dansal movement. One of the most important virtues of Buddhism is the idea of giving and sharing. The mention of dansal can be found in the earliest Buddhist writings. In both ancient languages and the contemporary Sri Lankan, dansal indicates a place which gives freely without any obligation.
Long lines waiting for free dansal food. By Sean Mós
In ancient Buddhist India as well as Sri Lanka, a dansala denoted where the king and the affluent donated food for the less fortunate. In the Mahavamsa, the Sri Lankan chronicle which records written history for over 2000 years, mentions dansals in operation during the reign of King Devanam Piyatissa (247 – 207 BCE). In later times, it is mentioned that the consequent kings would order a dansal to be open throughout the year, offering free food for the poor and the needy of the day. This practice was considered to be of great merit and that belief continues to the present day.
Milk coffee dansal by Hotel Queens, Kandy. By Sean Mós
A significant rise of movements like the dansal was recorded as the British colonial occupation eased the rules for the practice of Buddhism in the island. One such dansal in the district of Matale boasts a history of over 130 years. The Wembley Cinema Dansal has operated during each Buddha Purnima since 1978. “This dansala is a unified effort of people from all religions. Our Katukele United Youth Society includes among its ranks Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims. Each Vesak, we organize this dansal for the benefit of our community which enhances the communal bond,” says Mr. Priyawansa.
“Each year we would visit this dansal in Kandy. After worshiping the Temple of the Tooth we come with friends to eat at the dansal. So on the Wesak day we never have dinner at home,” Dr. S. B. Bothota commented jovially while standing in the queue with his group of friends.
The dansal movement does not only concern itself with giving away cooked rice and curry. In some instances dansals give away beverages like tea, coffee or iced coffee and occasionally desserts, like ice cream or cakes. The Past School Prefects Society of Kandy district had organized a coffee dansal with the collaboration of the public relations office of the Kandy police station. “We have been organizing this for ten years,” comments Thisum Wijethunga of the Prefects’ Society.
Wembly Dansal Organizing Committee. By Sean Mós
In the context of a multiethnic society like Sri Lanka, caring about each other and sharing what we have as a community promotes harmony and co-existence. Vesak day, which celebrates the birth, enlightenment and the passing of the Buddha, gives an opportune moment to practice giving while we remind ourselves that he spent his life working for the benefit of all beings. In that aspect, the dansal movement prepares the ground for individuals and communities to come together for the benefit of the poor and the needy of all society.