Crossing the Wilderness, January 23, 2026

Click the image to read "Crossing the Wilderness,, Apannaka Jataka"

After waiting a suitable time, the second merchant set out. In the middle of the desert, the demon appeared exactly as before. The wise merchant, however, using logic and critical thinking, recognized the demon and sent him away, ordering his men not to waste even a drop of water. That evening, they found the abandoned carts of the first merchant with bones scattered around. The second caravan arrived safely at their destination and conducted their business even more successfully than they had expected.

As we first read this story with the students, we treated as an ageless parable warning seekers of the Truth not to follow false teachers and not to adhere to spurious doctrines. This interpretation is backed up by the occasion on which the Buddha told the story. Five hundred friends of Anathapindika had taken refuge in the Triple Gem, but, as soon as the Buddha had left their city, they reverted to their earlier faith.

Shortly after that class, Trump invaded Venezuela and abducted President Maduro and his wife. In a flash, it occured to us: Trump is a yakkha! Just like the demon in the story, he blatantly lies (30,573 during his first term), and, as the epitome of a conman, he convinces people to commit acts completely contrary and detrimental to their own welfare. Just as a yakkha casts no shadow, Trump has no conscience. He is gleefully leading all who follow him to utter destruction and damnation. It is the responsibility of all of us to follow wise leaders, to realize that Trump is truly a yakkha, and to do all we can to resist his evil intentions and schemes and to prevent him from destroying all that is wholesome, not only in the United States, but in the entire world.

Two of the most heinous deceptions (lies, if you will) which Trump is propagating which may ultimately lead the planet and humanity to destruction, are the claim that global warming, climate change, or climate catastrophe, as it is now known, is a hoax and that there is no established foundation for international humanitarian law. The consequences of these two positions taken by Trump have been so clearly explained and examined in articles by internationally recognized scientists and commentators that we need not say anymore here. It feels so much like the end of the world that we wonder whether we can survive three more years.

Let us conclude by pointing out that the followers of the chief of the yakkhas seem to include Marco Rubio, J. D. Vance, Stephen Miller, most of the Republican members of Congess, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Vladmir Putin, all of whom correspond to the followers of Devadatta in the Jataka.

				Mary Thannissara is perhaps the clearest and most articulate voice of Buddhist activisim in the United States.
Dennis Kucinich, the former Mayor of Cleveland, who lost his seal in the House of Rerpresentatives through gerrymanderng.by the Republican Party, stands firmly for world peace and social justice.

Here is a poignant recording of Woody Guthrie's 1948 song,, "Plane Wreck at Los Gatos," which was made popular by Pete Seeger and was recorded by Joan Baez and Bob Dylan as "Deportees." This recording was made in 2017 at Joan's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. induction ceremony
		"Cops of the World," Phil Ochs
Click each image to view and listen to the recording on YouTube.

These two articles appeared in The Sunday Island, January 18. Aloka has truly captivated the world!

Here are the Buddhist Relief Mission flyers that have been distributed since our last report..
Click each flyer to view it larger in PDF.

Cyclone Ditwah disaster relief work continues.

Books Available from Buddhist Relief Mission
Click any book cover for a catalog with a description of all of the books and information on purchasing them worldwide

On December 20, 2025, we held a dana in honor of Ven Janaka (seated at the head of the table), who has been called to Japan to become the abbot of a soon-to-be established Burmese temple in Kansai. The dana was also a celebration for Ven. Mettajiva (seated on Ven. Janaka's left) on his completion of a pilgrimage to the sacred sites in India and Nepal with a Sri Lankan group, which included his mother. Of course, we shared merit with all the victims of the disaster and refugees worldwide.

Lorena spent several days with us before leaving Sri Lanka to continue her work with Goenka's Vipassana Institute in India.		In mid-January, Martine and Beatrice, SERVAS travelers from France, stayed with us for a few days.
As we are writing this, Frank and Therese, also French SERVAS travelers, are with us for their third visit. They have returned to Kandy every year for ayurveda and accupuncture treatment by Dr. Heenkenda. Also with us is Sandy, from Colombo, whom we first met years ago at the Nonviolent Commnication seminar sponsored by Ven. Lekdron.

	Auriga

We are amazed that such a thing is possible, and we were astounded at the results, which are interesting, but troubling. The poem and song do not reflect how see ourselves. We are not "charioteers." AI tends to distort the truth and to exagerate the ego, which explains why Trump likes it so much.We are postng this, not to praise ourselves, but to demonstrate the power of AI, which we find terrifying.

Auriga was the name of our house in Japan. When Peter asked us for the name of our house in Sri Lanka, we gave it the same name. Auriga is a constellation near Orion. In Greek mythology Auriga was the charioteer of the gods. The word "auriga" also means "chariot."

Two travellers

Two travellers, Ken and Visakha--wanderers between worlds--who followed the trail of the Buddha's art and heart. From Japan's quiet classrooms to Sanchi's sacred stones, from refugee camps in Thailand and the Philippines to the serenity of Sri Lanka, their journey became a living Jataka--a story of compassion, service, and devotion.

Their home, Auriga, stands as both a resting place and a chariot--a constellation guiding those still on the road. Here, they found peace, purpose, and the rhythm of giving--30 years of relief, stories retold, and Dhamma shared

	Auriga: The Charioteers of Dhamma
Verse 1 They met in the land of the rising sun, Two teachers with hearts unbound. They taught the tongue of another world, But the Dharma was what they found. Through temple bells and crowded trains, They dreamed of a gentler road — Where wisdom spoke in quiet rain, And kindness was the code. Chorus Auriga, Auriga, under your silver sky, You carried two souls across the world, You never asked them why. From Sanchi's stones to Lanka's shore, They followed Buddha's flame — Auriga, Auriga, the chariot bears your name. Verse 2 Through refugee camps and hungry nights, They taught the children to read, And in their hands the candle burned For those with every need. From Thailand's fields to Manila's rain, Their mercy took its form, A mission born of sorrow's gain, A vow to heal the storm.
			Chorus Auriga, Auriga, the wheels still spin in time, Two travellers found a resting place, Where love and labour rhyme. From Jataka tales to giving hands, Their story's softly sung — Auriga, Auriga, forever they stay young. Bridge Now thirty years the candles glow In a house beneath the trees, Where stories bloom and kindness flows Like wind across the seas. They built no throne, they sought no crown, Just peace that will endure — And the charioteer keeps guiding them On paths serene and pure. Final Chorus Auriga, Auriga, constellation bright, Guide the hearts that journey on Through darkness into light. From Japan to Sri Lanka's dawn, Their life a sacred song — Auriga, Auriga, May your chariot roll along.
N. B. We did not mention that Japan is "the land of the rising sun." We did not mention "crowded trains." We did not "teach children to read." Two versions of the song: A B
						Sanchi