Dr. A.T.Ariyaratne, Founder, Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement of Sri Lanka

In the spirit of Martin Luther King, he has led peace marches and meditations with millions of poor people. In the mold of Mahatma Gandhi, he has quieted angry masses through his personal example. Like Jimmy Carter, he has successfully mediated intense conflicts and helped build hundreds of homes. Like the Dalai Lama and the world’s greatest preachers, he has an impressive ability to rally ordinary citizens to see the spiritual wisdom of looking beyond their own salvation to help ensure the salvation of others. But he is definitely his own man...

Sarvodaya is the largest non-government organization in Sri Lanka, this grassroots movement involves people in more than 11,000 villages rediscovering their ability to influence their own destinies. Sarvodaya has energized them to build more than 5,000 pre-schools, community health centers, libraries and cottage industries; establish thousands of village banks; dig thousands of wells and latrines; promote biodiversity, solar energy, rehabilitation…and peace.
Rooted in Buddhism and other ancient Sri Lankan traditions, Sarvodaya celebrates the involvement of many of Sri Lanka's bikkus--local monks who play an active role in village life. But the movement is open to anyone. One can visit a participating village and see houses built by Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and Muslims next to one another. New homeowners eagerly tell of their close friendships despite different religious and cultural traditions--friendships that come from working together for common goals.

Excerpt from the interview:

Dr. Prasad: One question I have is there are many people who have been interested in Ahimsa or Bhoodhan and Sarvodaya and some of them. But there is a magic that you seem to bring about where you were able to grow this from 100 villages to 1000 villages to 16000 villages and multi activities that are taking place. What do you think is the secret? Why is it that you are able to make this grow and happen where as many other people talk about it and many other people are passionate about Sarvodaya but are not able to make the same kind of improvement and make same kind of contribution that you are able to do?

Dr. Ari: There are lots of people who are really making a good contribution. But they don’t have a good karma for the people to know that they are doing a good thing ( laughs ). I have had a good karma so people know that I am doing these things. Anyway I am not proud or say that I am better than other people but what I am saying is that if a person is totally committed, he can succeed. Now I have completely committed, I never looked back from the day that I started. I was never discouraged by the opposition and all kinds of trials and regulations that I had to go through.

Because I had in my own mind, by doing what I was doing I am perfecting Paramithas the moodhitha is expected to fulfill. Now that itself is enough. You know when paramithas are perfect, we become a perfect human being. I benefit the soul, giving away, morality, detachment or renunciation, development of wisdom, having lot of effort, developing patience, searching for truth, having determination, developing loving kindness and equanimity. Those are called the 10 principles for a person who wants to attain an enlightened life, to be perfect. I keep these 10 perfections in mind. Whatever I do work I do fit into that program. If I fail I am determined again to do it and succeed. If somebody condemns me and not allow to do this work, I will have loving kindness to that person and win him over.