The pilgrimage, the Camino, to India and Sri Lanka began 60 years ago
In his personal testimony, Nicholas Nanayakkara describes his decades-long relationship with Peter Bachmann. In 1964, exactly 60 years ago, he reached what was then Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, for the first time. In 1964, a small boat was used to transport him from the pilgrimage site of Rameswaran on the south coast of India to Danushkodi in the north of Ceylon. An adventurous journey from the colorful Hindu world of experience continued into the Buddhist spiritual culture on the small, paradisiacal island. Since then, countless encounters throughout the country have enabled and deepened numerous activities, with this guiding principle always having the highest priority: to consistently and unconditionally recognize people and their environment not as objects, but as independent subjects. Peter Bachmann recognized this attitude in the life of the Jesuit Roberto Nobili in the 17th century. He recorded its traces in a dissertation in 1970.* Looking back, this is where the real impetus for further development over half a century can be seen.
Together with the person responsible for the foundation in Ethiopia, Getachew Sale, Peter Bachmann is able to follow the living traces of PBF (from October 25th to November 15th) thanks to a strong network of contacts.
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*MISSION HISTORY No. 8 April 30, 1973
Roberto Nobili SJ, an Indian to the Indians: At the turning point of world mission (Bangkok Conference), also consider history in a positive light – There was not only Portugalism – Nobili, pioneer of partnership – The Swiss Peter Bachmann writes the first comprehensive biography – History of a conflict: Portuguese Christian versus Indian Christian – Prelude to the Rite Controversy – Elite Brahmin caste key to Sanskrit – Expansion of the mission to the lower castes – Today’s Nobilis: Jesuits as Swamis.
Ludwig Kaufmann SI
http://orientierung.ch/pdf/1973/JG%2037_HEFT%2008_DATUM%2019730430.PDF
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Here follows the text by Nicholas Nanayakkara:
It is a rare privilege that I came across in my life to have encountered with a human being who is human in the plenitude of the meaning of the word human. I walked with him to the land of humans where I found my lost humanity. By name he is Dr. Peter Bachmann from Switzerland but by option he is a man for all irrespective of creed, caste, language and country. To make a long story short first I met him in Negombo and he opened the trajectory of our pilgrimage to the land of humanity. It was well punctuated. The land of humanity is a sad story as a whole. Among various projects Peter Bachmann Foundation initiatiated in Srilanka, building houses for the homeless was the first priority. Besides such helping the sick financially to buy medication, assisting the university students of low- income groups to complete their course of studies and building training school for the mentally disabled were the other the stops of this trajectory of the pilgrimage.
BUILDING OF HOUSES FOR THE HOMELESS
Home is an indispensable requirement of human life. PBF gave first preference to the same. It covered different parts of Srilanka specially the remote villages of the country. Some of these areas were elephant infested areas, such as Galgamuw, Kekirawa, Wanathavilluwa and Karuwalagasweva. Besides these Dummalasuiya which came under the supervision of Fr. Tissera. The active participation of house owners was a must. The house was built in such a way the completion of it was the responsibility of the inmates of the house. That is ongoing process of the project. When the people are convinced that the project is theirs and the house is theirs, they will be involved in it day in and day out. The houses the Foundation built are a living witness to such. This humanitarian gesture has enhanced the quality of life and given them the self-respect to own a house. This habitat project of PBF continues to shelter generations of people.
MEDICATION.
Financial help for medication gave the sick new hope. Those who were unable to buy medication were a hopeless lot. As life is temporary this assistance too was temporary but it gave them a new hope to continue their good health.
EDUCATION.
Education is the live wire of the young generation to dream for a better future. PBF has the done the needful for the same. There are so many university students who benefitted from PBF to shape their future. Some became engineers, teachers and attorneys at law.
SERVICE FOR THE MENTALLY DISABLED.
This is another yeoman service started by PBF. Built in Chilaw. From Chilaw it branched off to Vijaya Katupotha and Nattandiya. Actually, this service is a silver lining in the lives of the parents and children with learning disabilities, that gave hope, solace and future to the parents of the mentally disabled and the disabled themselves. This centre was completely managed by PBF almost for fourteen years and thereafter handed over to the Jesuit congregation.
CONCLUSION
PBF services in Srilanka has conscientized the consciences of people as to their responsibilities towards humanity. One’s humanity could be built up, enhanced and enriched only by recognizing, respecting and loving the humanity of the other. This I say by experience having worked with Dr. Peter for years. Let me conclude this short summary of trajectory of pilgrimage to the land of humanity with the words of Fredrick Buechner, ‘’ your vocation in life is where your greatest joy meets the world’s greatest need.’’
Nicholas Nanayakkara