Astron Argon

The Ex-Thera Ananda Metteyya

(Reprinted from the Buddhist Review, No. 8, pp. 217 ff.)

THE work of the Ex-Thera Ananda Metteyya, directed, from beginning to end, to the one aim of making known in the West the teachings of Buddhism, is known to all readers of this journal. We know how, with that aim, he founded the Buddhasasana Samagama, the International Society, in Rangoon; how, for years, he edited the beautiful journal called Buddhism, and pressed into its service literary skill and scholarship from all round the world: best of all we know him from his own remarkable and original writings on Buddhism itself. Some of us know that all this work was accomplished in spite of a struggle against chronic ill-health. His health at last growing worse, he was invited, some three years ago, by his sister, to come to her home in California, that climate being considered an extremely good one for asthma patients. In I914 his doctors pronounced that he must, if his life were to be saved, leave the Burma climate at once, and his friends in Rangoon decided to send him away. But at that time he could not be sent direct to California, for his sister was in England; so they sent him to England, that he might go thence to California with her. Accordingly he came, was taken in for a while by two members of the Liverpool Branch of this society, his ticket was taken on the steamer by which his sister was sailing, and his friends took him to the ship, where his sister met him. Then, to the dismay of all, he was refused a passage by the ship's doctor on the ground that if he passed him, he would inevitably be sent back for reasons of health by the Immigration Authorities of the United States. So his sister had to sail without him.

In this emergency, he was taken in by a third member of the Liverpool Branch, a medical man, under whose roof he still is, and who has given him, not merely housing, but incessant medical care, for now two years. An attempt was made to get him through to America by means of the United States Embassy, but this was frustrated owing to the War, his brother-in-law rejoining the British Army, so that the home in California was broken up, while his sister came to stay with friends in England, and can no longer offer him a home.

A sum of about £30 had been raised in England for his passage-money to California, and this (the portion paid to the steamship company having been refunded) was carefully used, as long as it would last, for his outgoing expenses. Needless to say, it has long since been exhausted. His health has, in spite of all care, been growing gradually worse, especially the asthma, and he is now exceedingly weak. Attacks of asthma recur now more than once in the day, are induced even by crossing the room. This, incidentally, adds most heavily to the expense, for the price of the only medicines that are of any use in allaying these distressing attacks has gone up enormously owing to the War, This generous medical friend has, up to the present time, not merely given housing and care, but has had to bear nearly the whole of the out-going expenses. It is impossible for this to continue, for the claims of his own large family of sons and daughters just going out into life are as much as he can bear.

Mrs.. Hla Oung, the former supporter of the ex-thera when in Rangoon, has, with her well-known generosity, offered £10 a year towards his maintenance. Much more, however, will be needed, on account of the high prices of the medicines aforesaid, and the present cost of living generally. And, if annual maintenance is not forthcoming, then he will have to be placed in some institution supported by public charity, and it will be difficult to find such an institution, save one which no one will like to contemplate.

In any case, we appeal for a sum of money to re-imburse the generous friend who has done so much. He ought not to have to bear expense when he is already giving housing and the constant care of a patient. Yet he has already spent far more than he can properly afford. Towards this several friends have now contributed about £8, and another member of the Liverpool Branch has given, in three instalments, a sum of £50.

To raise the remainder, about £4O, we appeal to the members of the Buddhist Society of Great Britain and Ireland, a society which owes its existence to the movement which was started and long carried on by the ex-thera. We appeal to all, whether in West or East, who take an interest in the movement for making known the Buddhist teachings in the West. And finally, we appeal to all who have themselves profited by the ex-thera's own writings­writings that express in such high degree his genius, energy and devotion.

Contributions should be marked "For the A. M. Fund," and sent to S. A. G., 43, Penywern Road, Earls Court, London, S.W.

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