Sinhalabuddhism In Sri Lanka

February 23, 2013 | Filed under: Colombo Telegraph,Opinion,Popular | Posted by: COLOMBO_TELEGRAPH

Sharmini Serasinghe 1Colombo Telegraph

Sharmini Serasinghe

“A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side” Aristotle

If Lord Buddha were here now there is one thing he would do- ban Sinhalabuddhism in Sri Lanka! – With apologies to Mark Twain.

As a Sri Lankan and a Buddhist by faith I take it upon myself, as others have not the right, to define the significant differences between the philosophy of Buddhism as per the teachings of Lord Buddha and what is practiced by the majority in this country under the umbrella of Buddhism. This I do, not to wear my religion on my sleeve but to explain to my fellow multi religious Sri Lankans and others who may be in a confused state regarding the current goings-on in this country by the name of Buddhism.

To start with the majority of Buddhists in this country who label themselves ‘Buddhists’ are those who were born to Buddhist families. Therefore they did not become Buddhists through an understanding and conviction of the Buddhist doctrine but were simply born Buddhists.

Buddhism in its pure form is too deep and complex a philosophy to be understood by the average and undisciplined mind; its teachings, therefore, are greatly misunderstood and misinterpreted by ‘born Buddhists’. Hence a majority of those Sri Lankans who label themselves ‘Buddhists’ and practice it as a religion do so with their own perception of the doctrine.

Therefore what is practiced by most Sri Lankans under the Umbrella of Buddhism is a conjured up blend of ritualism and symbolism that bears no resemblance or relation whatsoever to the philosophy of the Buddha.

For instance Lord Buddha never asked his followers to go to temple on Full Moon (Poya) days or any other day for that matter and offer flowers stolen from a neighbour’s garden and deposit them in front of a clay or stone statue perceived to be his image. He never told his followers that by doing so a great load of merit would be bestowed on them.

Lord Buddha never asked his followers to pour pots of water on the ‘Bo tree’ (Bodhi Puja) thereby encouraging it to rot and die. He never told his followers that by doing so a great load of merit would be bestowed on them, deliver them from their misery of a ‘bad period’ resulting in ill health, loss of employment, wealth etc.

Also Lord Buddha never asked his followers to invite home Buddhist monks to lunch (offer alms) in order to transfer merit to dead people so that they will go straight to heaven. He never told his followers that by doing so even rapists, murderers, child molesters et al will be born as angels in heaven or attain nirvana, courtesy almsgivings.

Therefore as illustrated above, ‘Buddhism’ as practiced by most Sri Lankans is a theory that satisfies the simple minded uneducated and unenlightened majority of a ‘need’, whatever it may be.

The root cause of this phenomenon is that Buddhism has no God to appeal to in times of crisis like in other faiths. The average human being needs a supernatural power to look to when faced with a crisis, so the first instinct of a Sri Lankan ‘Buddhist’ is to run to the temple, pile flowers in front of statues, pour gallons of water on the Bodhi tree, visit the Hindu Kovil and break coconuts and even run to a Church and plead with Jesus, Virgin Mary and Saints, etc.,

All these above-mentioned and more rituals are performed in the fervent hope that one be released from suffering or to gain merit (Pin) in order to acquire more and more materially. Therefore the Buddhist theory of ‘Karma’ (cause and effect) the fundamental doctrine in Buddhism has no place in Sri Lankan ‘Buddhism’ for it offers no divine salvation in times of need.

This is not to say that there aren’t any Sri Lankans both amongst the Buddhist clergy and the laity who follow Buddhism as it should, but the majority unfortunately, politicians included, observe the other- Sri Lankan Buddhism.

According to Sri Lanka’s political history it was the late SWRD Bandaranaike who threw scruples to the wind and propagated the concept of ‘Sinhalabuddhism’ much to the detriment of Sri Lanka as we now know. Recognising the fragility and weaknesses of the Sinhalese who were mainly ‘Buddhists’ which made up the majority vote base, he himself a born and buried at death Anglican Christian, became a pro tem ‘Buddhist’ for political mileage and created a mass hysteria under the banner ‘Sinhalabuddhist’ the curse of which has today become the root of all ills plaguing this nation. As ‘Karma’ (cause and effect) would have it Bandaranaike was gunned down by none other but a pistol-toting Sinhalabuddhist in saffron robes.

This demonic concept of a ‘Sinhalabuddhist’ introduced by the late SWRD Bandaranaike was to become sine qua non for future politicians of Sri Lanka especially in his SLFP to garner votes at elections. The UNP regarded more as a bourgeoisie party practiced ‘Sinhalabuddhism’ more subtly. The late JR Jayewardene portrayed himself as a prima facie Buddhist as per the Dhamma and therefore never openly encouraged ‘Sinhalabuddhism.’

His successor however, the late Ranasinghe Premadasa turned Sinhalabuddhism into a form of art. Not satisfied only with what ‘Sinhalabuddhism’ afforded him, Premadasa went on to embrace Hinduism as well. With this he set the trend for subsequent politicians to pray to Hindu Gods at various Hindu temples in Sri Lanka and India for more and more of whatever they desired.

So here we are today in ‘Sinhalabuddhist’ Sri Lanka reductio ad absurdum thanks to the myopic and selfish politicians of a bygone era. We are now nothing but a decadent nation of murderers, rapists, child molesters, rogues et al, with an Idiocracy for a government mostly made up of ‘Sinhalabuddhists’ and a ‘Sinhalabuddhist’ ruler who reportedly assures that “the government, while ensuring religious freedom for all communities by enhancing interreligious harmony and tolerance, is always duty bound to safeguard and foster Buddhism”.

I believe what he meant was “safeguard and foster Sinhalabuddhism”.

Today in the name of Sinhalabuddhism, the revered saffron robe donned by disciples of Lord Buddha has been turned by some into a uniform of bigots of ‘Sinhalabuddhism’ who propagate intolerance, cruelty and disrespect of other religions; the very opposite of Buddhism as per the Dhamma.

As a lay-student of the world renowned most Venerable Piyadassi Maha Thera I consider myself privileged to have had such an eminent Guru of the Buddhist order. Rev. Piyadassi as I referred to him had been a close friend of my family for generations with whom we had frequent interaction. Here was a Buddhist monk who would insist that we sit with him at table and have lunch along with him while I as a curious teenager bombarded him with questions on Buddhism which he answered patiently and clearly. This type of interaction with such teachers is what is required today.

With Rev. Piyadassi’s demise in 1998, in my eyes at the time, he left shoes too big to be filled. But now I know better. For there are many Buddhist prelates and monks of his caliber out there who are worthy of being revered and worshipped as the true messengers of Lord Buddha’s philosophy and they are those who can guide Sri Lanka’s future Buddhist generations on the correct path.

If Sri Lanka’s incumbent President sincerely wishes to safeguard and foster Buddhism in its pristine form then it is his bounden duty to disband all those ‘Sinhalabuddhist’ bigots in saffron robes and either rehabilitate them or put them away for good preferable behind bars, so as to ensure they will never sully our nation or the Dhamma again.

Furthermore, the President must also take it upon himself to bring forth a system whereby our impressionable younger and future generations of Buddhists are taught the Dhamma by intelligent and educated Buddhist prelates as opposed to those stick-in the-mud Buddhist monks who by no stretch of one’s imagination are pristine models of Buddhism to do the job.
Further it would augur well if the incumbent President was sincere when he reportedly assured “religious freedom for all communities by enhancing interreligious harmony and tolerance” to consider introducing the subject of Comparative Religion to all schools.

The primary benefit of this would be to afford our children at a very early age to acquire a deeper understanding of the fundamental philosophy of different religions practiced in Sri Lanka.

A child who has undertaken such a course of study will undoubtedly have a much deeper understanding of human beliefs and practices and therefore be more tolerant of each other and not feel threatened by the religion of the other.
This would ideally lead to a finally peaceful Sri Lanka where all ethnic groups and religions could live together in harmony as Sri Lankans under the undivided umbrella of Sri Lanka!

The question is, are our politicians selfless enough to take up such a challenge?

Read the Sinhala translation here. Translation by Yahapalanaya Lanka.

*Sharmini Serasinghe was Director Communications of the former Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) under Secretary Generals Jayantha Dhanapala and Dr. John Gooneratne. She counts over thirty years in journalism in both the print and electronic media.

237 Responses to Sinhalabuddhism In Sri Lanka

Well, Ms Serasinghe, after reading this (didnt rush thru as i usually do with online articles – need more energy, time, etc., than i have), I really wd like to meet u before I die – something of a ‘nothing’ as I am.

manel fonseka - February 23, 2013
7:34 pm
- It is really laughable how the so-called educated cattle in Sri Lanka (basically westernised) line up to criticize anything that can make them seem non-western. They are living in shame, and would be better off living in other countries.
  This author has no idea what Sinhala-buddhism mean. It is not just a religion. It is the framework which provides the world view, beliefs and values to a majority of Sri Lankans. It is not an objective or pure buddhism, and there is no such thing. Religion is a part of most cultures and those cultures are more than just religion. There is a co-existence and co-evolution. Our knowledge, beliefs and values develop within that context. You have got some basic understanding of some non-existent pure religion and are making a pathetic attempt to apply that to a real situation. Can you name one country where a religion exists in a pure form with no cultural influence?
  It is funny how people with such shallow understanding of history and knowledge try to generalise and pontificate using a few quotes from some western philosophers. Quoting others does not make you smart. It shows you for the imitator that you are.
  
  Don Karolis - February 24, 2013
  11:38 am
  - Don Carolis, you should stick to making furniture. You appear to be entertaining a personal grudge against the writer. This is not a place to wash your dirty linen.
    
    Psychologist - February 24, 2013
    1:19 pm
    - Learn to criticize the content, not the author.
      
      Dominique - February 25, 2013
      6:47 pm
  - Karolis
    
    You may have a point.
    
    But, you are mostly dealing with the writer. Not the subject matter. Play the ball. Not the player.
    
    Religious nationalism is a big problem. For many countries. Including Sri Lanka. “Balu Sena” is the latest example.
    
    See how it affects USA. Christian fanatics are a big force in American politics. USA does a lot of dumb things around the world due to their influence in Washington.
    
    We should not let that heppen here through Sinhala Buddhist bigots in Sri Lanka.
    
    Ben Hurling - February 24, 2013
    3:54 pm
    - I think Don Carolis has done quite well in analyzing the matter, it is inevitable that the author has to be mentioned in the process. This is like picking unwanted brick bats by the international community when Srilsnka defeated the tigers. They wanted terrorism stopped without getting rid of the terrorists.
      
      Banda - February 26, 2013
      5:12 am
  - Karaolis DON:
    
    I am a Buddhist and a Sinhalese,
    
    after reading your fine comments, I thought to learn Your So called SINHALA Buddhism from you.
    Because I am Learning/ fallowing Lord Buddha’s Philosophy called BUDDHISM.
    
    Pls tell me, Where can I buy This Sinhala BUddhism.
    
    As you Say this YOUR SINHALA BUDDHISM IS THE REILIGONIZED FRAME WORK OF WORLD VIEWS,BELIEFS, AND VALUES OF MAJORITY OF SRI LANKANS.
    
    As per my knowledge our Lord Buddha’s Philosophical teachings are called BUDDHISM.
    
    you say that;
    
    “”Religion is a part of most cultures and those cultures are more than just religion.”"
    
    what a elaboration of the word “Religion”
    
    after reading this para, I felt that I suddenly got blow on my head and Attained SINHALA BUDDHIST NIBBANA.
    We appriciate your highly understanding of history and knowledge of So called Sinhala BUddhism.
    
    Are you Still a SINHALA BUDDHIST teacher?.or??
    
    as “Psychologist”said, did you sold your furniture making business.
    
    We Hope,at last You all May Attain Nibbana with all other living beings.
    
    JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA - February 24, 2013
    6:54 pm
    - If you kind enough to reach Dr,Nalin silva’s kalaya.org,there many literature pertaining with SINHALA BUDDHISM context.
      
      w.m.k.Samarasekara - February 25, 2013
      12:44 am
    - Try reading Mahinder Chindanaya – it is also another form of Sinhala Buddhism . Goata’ one will be out soon.
      
      Lanka Liar - February 25, 2013
      1:01 pm
  - Stick to the furniture business that your name suggests you come from mate. To be fair by the author, she has stated that the contents of the article explaining real Buddhism are not for the average undisciplined mind.
    The truth does hurt sometimes but our nation would be a better place if people deal with it. Its not good enough to blame culture or tradition.
    If you believe something, you ought to know why you do and have good reason to doing so.
    
    Dav - February 24, 2013
    6:59 pm
  - It is this Don Carolis bugger’s ancestor Don David Carolis Hewavitarane alias Anagarika Dharmapala who claimed “the Sinhala nation is the historical custodian of Buddhism”.
    
    That traitor is the root cause of all racial intolerence in this country especially between the Buddhist Sinhalese and Muslims.
    
    Read our history if I’m wrong.
    
    Mahadana Muththa (Jnr) - February 25, 2013
    1:01 pm
  - Thank you for your good analysis of this whole episode, of English version of pure Buddhism against the culturally adopted version practiced, in their names the locals and the natives. You have done a splendid job.
    
    Banda - February 26, 2013
    3:55 am
- Please translate this article and publish it in the mainstream Sinahla media.
  
  Sinhalese need to read it.
  
  Ben Hurling - February 24, 2013
  11:50 am
  - Ravaya published the Sinhala translation on 17/3/2013
    
    Dr. M K herath - March 19, 2013
    4:21 pm
- This article and the one written before this by Sharmini Serasinghe should be translated in Sinhala and Tamil and published in the Sri Lankan news papers and should be shared in the social media.
  
  I have never heard such crystal clear discription of the truth prevailing in Sri Lanka in such simple language. Hats off madam!!!
  
  Even the Buddhist clergy is unable to understand this simple fact. Sharmini Serasinghe should be commended for this great service in enlightening the lab rats to differenciate a religion from a language/ethnicity. The problem is, vast majority of the people in Sri Lanka are Fools. With their bigoted vision, they will never be able to understand all these. I hope Sharmini Serasinghe will write more such wonderful articles to enlighten the Sri Lankans.
  
  Silva - February 24, 2013
  7:50 pm
- Sinhala-Buddhist Monks in Sri Lanka
  
  Are the Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka practicing Ahimsa (non-violence), Karuna (compassion), Metta (affection), and Maithriya (loving-kindness) towards fellow humans (irrespective of race/religion) or are they in the name of Buddhism promoting ethno-religious (Sinhala-Buddhist) chauvinism and hatred?
  
  Buddhist monks are supposed to have given up all the worldly things (Materialism) but in Sri Lanka, it’s a different story. The Sinhala-Buddhist Monks are Corrupt to the Core.
  These so called Sinhala-Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka do business, handle money, have Bank accounts and apply for Bank loans. They even sell the ata pirika (robes and other stuff) that the people donate them to earn money. Some of them are even employed. They engage in gambling, buy and sell shares, buy lottery tickets and so on. See the number of Pin-keta (tills) in the Buddhist temples. What they do with all the money they collect? Most of the culprits caught in printing fake currency notes were found to be Sinhala-Buddhists monks. They make money by selling the Car permits given to them. They print, record and sell books, magazines and Bana/pirith cassettes, CDs, etc. and earn thousands of rupees in a short period. Buddha Business has made the Sinhala Buddhist monks very rich. They own bungalows and real estates and have luxury cars and vans, employing drivers. Very soon they will also apply for driving license. They also have the latest most expensive mobile phones. They do not go from house to house with the begging bowl as instructed by the Buddha, instead the villages bring food to the temple and also the Sinhala Buddhist monks employ cooks in the temple. We have also seen Sinhala Buddhist monks selling posters, begging for money, going from door to door asking money. Buddhist-monk led politicians wheeling and dealing in imported Mercedes Benz and being caught with the pants down illegally selling tax-free motor vehicles.
  
  They grow hair and make themselves attractive, adopt customs, habits and lifestyles like normal people, have secret love affairs, some of them live in boarding houses instead of temples, they listen to music and watch movies and have illegal sex with women or young boys. They keep mistresses in the temple (Buddhrakitha Thero and Ms. Vimala Wijewardene), and even take part in terrorist activities such as assassinating Prime minister (Somarama thero). Some of them drink alcohol, I have heard about monks who even keep Beer in their fridge. Some of them even form trade unions/associations; there was a time when the leader of the Nurses trade union in Sri Lanka was a Sinhala-Buddhist monk.
  
  Some of them perform false miracles and pretend to heal sick people with pirith water. They tie pirith thread and bless people expecting the people to fall on their legs and worship them. Some of them preach their own Bana (sermon) instead of Buddha`s Bana.
  
  The Sinhala Buddhist monks were War mongers, they supported and encouraged war. They take part in racist politics criticizing and condemning all other religions and races and creating communal hatred among Sinhala Buddhists and others. They take part in protest rallies, burning flags and effigies and also engage in fast unto death. Some Buddhist monks shredded their robes to take AK-47s and earn more respect. We saw how monks were involved in brawl in the parliament with blood soaked faces.
  
  Another new trend is the love for eating non-veg food (Meat and fish) among Sinhala-Buddhists monks. A new school seems to see nothing wrong in Buddhists eating animal flesh (including fish). An article by Ven. Dr. Vilegoda Ariyadeva thero, a former University of Ruhuna academic is a giant step toward guilt-free `Buddhism-friendly` meat eating. Dr. Ariyadeva thero claims meat eating is customary in Theravada Buddhist societies. Now a days when the Sinhala-Buddhists monks visit houses for Arms-giving (Daane) they expect expensive sea food and sometimes meat too. There are also Sinhala-Buddhists monks in Sri Lanka consuming food/drink in the afternoons/night even though they are not supposed to do so.
  
  Even though Buddhism does not have any caste system, caste is used among Sinhala Buddhist monks more than lay people. Different nikayas are formed according to the caste.
  
  Most of the Sinhala Buddhist Monks do not even follow the 5 basic moral principles (Pancha sila) what Buddha has preached. These monks are a damn disgrace to Buddhism?
  
  The Buddhism preached by the Sinhala Buddhist monks is no longer able to provide any vision or guidance or constructive power but are only occupied in maintaining their own petty positions in an already atrophied hierarchy resting on a utterly disillusioned and rapidly crumbling society from which the spirit has long since departed. They have subordinated the interests of the society to national goals and the narrow ambitions of nationalist and racist leaders.
  
  Janaka Fernando - February 25, 2013
  11:32 am
  - Yesterday was POYA DAY.During this day did you get ASTANGIKA SIL. If not better to practice it before making this type of comments.
    
    w.m.k.Samarasekara - February 26, 2013
    1:33 am
  - Janaka, Maithriya and meththa means the same thing – Loving kindness. Maithriya is Sanskrit, meththa is Pali.
    
    K Tilak - February 27, 2013
    9:29 am
- If one wants an analogy from the past in order to predict the fate that awaits Rajapakse, one needs to look no further than at what happened to SWRD Bandaranaike! An oxford-educated barrister who had a very privileged and Westernised upbringing, who came to a very sticky end when he stirred up Buddhist nationalism in order to get into power.
  History repeats itself as a new generation of politicians seek to endear themselves to “the common people” by going native through their adoption of religion, native dress, etc.
  The dogs they unleash on their own people are too dumb to differentiate good from evil. They will maul their masters in the end.
  
  Gerard Thurai - March 5, 2013
  7:18 am
According to this great Buddhist Philosopher , Sinhala Buddhists are born Sinhala Buddhists and it is bad.???

Wonder whether this is different to Hindus, Christians, Muslims and of course Jews?.

Should we be banning the Thai Buddhists, Cambodian Buddhists Burmese Buddhists and not forgetting the largest segment and ever increasing Chinese Buddhists?,

Perhaps Ms Serasinghe thinks she is Richard Geer.!!!

K.A. Sumanasekera - February 23, 2013
8:10 pm
- the group of people you have mentioned are mongolians. you are the only racial group i mean black to follow mongolian buddhism and worship mongolian buddha. to borrow your own words is yellow skinned mongolian buddha a kallathoni. kick the kallathoni pariah buddha out.
  
  Rama - February 23, 2013
  10:33 pm
- K.A. Sumanasekera
  
  “Sinhala Buddhists are born Sinhala Buddhists and it is bad.???”
  
  Didn’t you know this simple truth?
  
  Keep the religion away from your language. If these two are mixed it become a lethal cocktail.
  
  “Wonder whether this is different to Hindus,”
  
  No it is the same, Tamil/Saivaite cocktail has thrown up the all sort of reactionary leaders.
  
  Religion and language should not mix in the political context.
  
  Sinhala/Buddhist is a narrowly defined nationalistic identity. Buddhism has nothing to do with Sinhala/Buddhists. In fact I want to liberate Buddhism from Sinhala/Buddhists am working on it.
  
  Start thinking that you are either Buddhist or a Sinhalese you will see the difference, and relieved. You are carrying an unnecessary burden all your life.
  
  If you are simply a Buddhist you will feel freer. If you are simply a Sinhalese you will feel freer.
  
  No one expected the Sinhala/Buddhists to carry the burden of protecting Buddhism. As you said billions of them living outside the island who are much more capable of being Buddhists.
  
  So let go the Sinhala/Buddhist identity and embrace both identities not as one but as two, Sinhala and Buddhist.
  
  If you need help just drop me a mail.
  
  Native Vedda - February 23, 2013
  11:03 pm
  - “No it is the same, Tamil/Saivaite cocktail has thrown up the all sort of reactionary leaders”. Why don’t you just say LTTE created Buddism. They created the tsunami why shouldn’t they? For you breathe LTTE you cannot write your shopping list without mentioning them. See who has made the mark in your mind Buddism or LTTE
    
    Lanka Liar - February 25, 2013
    12:51 pm
    - Lanka Liar
      
      “See who has made the mark in your mind Buddism or LTTE”
      
      Do you think above is the most difficult question I ever have to respond to?
      
      Native Vedda - February 25, 2013
      5:46 pm
      - try writing something without mentioning the LTTE. Then you will see who you are.
        
        Lanka liar - February 26, 2013
        10:58 am
      - Ok I will give you an easy question. Which country committed the worst war crime in the world ?
        I give the answer below. Try first ? Don’t cheat ok.
        
        Sri Lanka.
        See you have cheated.
        
        Lanka Liar - February 26, 2013
        11:57 pm
        
        Lanka Liar
        
        Tamil Eelam and Sri Lanka.
        
        We need to have a comparative study in relative atrocities committed by both parties to the conflict in order establish the number one worse offender.
        
        Native Vedda - February 27, 2013
        2:24 am
- All over the world Buddim is perceived as a religion of peace and harmony but not the Sinhala Buddhism . That is why this special focus on Sinhala Buddism by the auther. There is nothing wrong with Buddhism but the there seems to be lot wrong with the Sinhala part. Count the number of sins committed by the Sinhuala Budist, and the endorsement for such crimes by the Buddist of Sri Lanka especially the leaders and monks. To day they are depicted as criminals and thugs. This should change. This can only happen with a regime change. Need a very strong moral leader. Do we have one. I doubt very much because there are no Buddhist in Sri Lanka only we have is Sinhala Buddhist.
  
  Lanka Liar - February 24, 2013
  12:45 am
- What the hell are you talking about Sumanasekera?
  
  Had too much to drink last night and your little brain has dissolved?
  
  Mahadana Muththa (Jnr) - February 24, 2013
  4:34 am
- Sumanasekera has to talk cock
  
  P.B - February 24, 2013
  7:40 am
- Hail,
  
  This K A S IS A GREAT SINHALA BUDDHIST and A PHILOSOPHER In 20th century to 21st century,
  
  JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA - February 24, 2013
  9:11 am
- Don’t forget accroding to right-wing Christian fanatics in the USA, Jesus is a Republican!
  
  Ben Hurling - February 24, 2013
  11:53 am
  - Just saw a Documentary about how Jews were persecuted in 12th and 13th Century England. There are fanatics in every religion, and we seem to be going through the Dark Ages of Sinhala-Buddhism now. Sharmini should let those people who want to go to the Buddha, as a God who can grant them favours, do so. That is in the Spirit of True Buddhism, which is Kindness and Compassion for those who need the support of someone higher than themselves. They will soon be able to listen to the True Dhamma and walk on the Right Path.
    
    K Tilak - February 25, 2013
    4:32 am
    - In 13th Century, English persecuted the jews. Was it happening today? Today we are in the 21st Century, Racism and racial violence is rampant in sri lanka with the state blessing. Buddhism is a noble philosphy that was distorted by some sinhala/Buddhist preachers. Buddhist teaches 5 Sils. These roque buddhist monks are not taking any sils. They only wear the robe and bring dishonor to the robe as well to the priest who strictly follow buddhism as preached by Gauthama Buddha. These rogue monks are trying to create a rift between the muslim and sinhalese community. I am from colombo and I have more sinhalese friends than muslim relatives. Functions at my house are well attended by majority sinhalese community. The rogue monks from remote village have not co-existed and they do not cherish the value of co-existing.
      
      Fairose - February 27, 2013
      9:56 am
- Don’t be a cretin in this argument. She is only pointing out to the newly emerging right-wing fanatics who misuse this name to hide their sense of nakedness and bankrupt ideals.
  
  So far the majority of Sinhala people don’t subscribe to this, and the hope of the writer is to let the fence sitters see sense in knowing whether to fall onto the landbside or sea side.
  
  Eventually the two words will not be used together as there is NO concept of true Sinhala Buddhism. It is just a myth of a few seeking an audience and following.
  
  Patta Pal - February 25, 2013
  9:16 am
- Sumane, it is Richard Gere you ignorant mule
  
  lawyer - February 26, 2013
  4:26 am
- Najachcha Wasalo Hothi, Najachcha Hothi Brahmano
  Kammana Wasalo Hothi, Kammana Hothi Brahmano
  
  One does not outcast by birth or Genius by birth
  Thus will be outcast by deed or will be genius by deed
  
  No Sir, Nobody is a born Buddhist. He or she is a Buddhist by deed only
  
  A Sinhala Buddhist - February 27, 2013
  12:37 am
Sinhala-Buddhist is a mere political invention to shield political filth with the nobility and tolerance of Buddhism. In fact, Sakkayaditti (socially conditioned personality view – Sinhalese, Asian, etc) is one out of ten fetters a follower of the eightfold path breaks at the point of stream entry (sotapanna or sovan). So, reinforcing ethnic identity in Buddhist practice amounts to delaying one’s entry into the path of healing. You may see my article “a brief note on Buddhism, Ethnicity, and Peace” on Groundviews.

Thrishantha - February 23, 2013
9:02 pm
I always wonder why the supreme protectors of Buddhism in Sri Lanka the Mahanayakes do not act definitely against the Bodu Bala Sena and other groups monks and individual monks who are not acting according to the teaching of Buddha. The individual monks and groups of monks should be disrobed by the Mahanayakes. If this is not done by the Mahanayakes, then the Mahanayakes become part of these huligans.

Park - February 23, 2013
9:02 pm
- You know the very question that I ask myself repeatedly. We the many feel those mahanayakes are superior in SL but the problem lies that there are no laws or the relevant lawful guidelines to apply when some so called saffron robed buddhist monks abuse the lord budda´s buddhism according to their own setups.
  
  The similar problems exist almost in every area not enabling to go against the unlawful behaviours in the country.
  
  a) It is said that some viharayasa are being abused by so called thugs but claiming all incomes that come under particular temples belong to them just because they worked for those temples for long
  
  Reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8xscNpT6c4
  
  b)All forms of abusive vendors seem to be harassing in buses – this is simply petty issue if the politicians could take their actions against them. Some bus drivers and conductors sound to be fear of threat of these vendors – but when it goes for investigations – there will be no relevent laws to enforce – so the problems of this kind stay unsolved for months or years – if this was the case on any Country in developed world – rulers would not neglect without taking proper actions
  
  Reference:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c8dIw81m5M
  
  Ann - February 24, 2013
  10:07 am
  - Thank you for your comment Ann. Reading your comment brought out memories that were hidden in my mind. Years ago in 1984 I wanted to study Japanese and my tutor was a young Buddhist Monk. One day after my lesson he made a comment which until today is relevant in Sri Lanka. His comment was “Lankawe hondama business dekai thiyenne, ekak tuition kadayak daganne eke, anith eke para aiyene bogahak hoyagana pansalak arinna eke”. Which means “there are only two good businesses in Sri Lanka, one start a tuition shop, and the other is finding a Bo Tree and starting a buddhist temple.
    
    Park - February 24, 2013
    11:35 pm
    - thanks too.
      Can you please explain me why we the lankens are yet difficult with reforms to the prevailing laws in the country – to be useful to see forward in every issue. EU countries bring amds to prevailing laws after discussing the emerging problems – so amendments should be made to the paragraphs where it is necessary – be it in terms of Buddhists behaviours or vendors´behavoiurs to be better controls, we need appropriate laws. Lanka is proved to have highest literary rates with the average are becoming clear why we need reforms to new laws to improve the qualitiy of the life. Right atthe moment, Germany´s hardliners CDU is trying to set equal rights for homesexual married couples, while italians seem to be fear of Balasconi´s reelection. These mean even developed nations too have problems in many areas – because of the we are all human beings. But what bothers me even if we the lankens have adequate professionals in Justice/Law areas, not adequate is being made. Alone the fact that LLRC ´s minor recommendations are yet to be implemented – as Rajiva himself reiterated – calling the move is painfully slow – why our folks cant move as malaysians or comparable folks have done – I believe, we need society buidling machineries rather than those building or road constructions – LANKEN state should investe more in that areas and work together with universities closely. Studying closely the likeminded problems in Germany or any other country that were torn by long held wars – sociologists, psychologists and the related professionls should work hard to shape up the mind sets of the average folks – then it can help achieving final goals.
      
      Ann - February 25, 2013
      10:12 am
      - Hi I agree with you. But for the Sri Lankan Government to follow the path you have prescribed, the leaders of Sri Lanka should have an open mind and above all they should be serious in their minds to find a solution for the issues. Unfortunately, the leaders today are only worried about the bribes they can collect and do not care or worry about the country or the people. My fear is we may have a bigger issue than LTTE in years to come as all the diaspora today are earning more than ever before as they have been in their host countries for 30 years now and have got involved in the politics in those countries and above all they have the block votes to change the minds of any foreign country. This is the biggest fear I have. The opposition in Sri Lanka is also a division of the ruling UPFA, hence Sri Lanka is going from bad to worst each day.
        
        Park - February 25, 2013
        2:55 pm
- The Mahanayakes are not speaking out against BBS and other S-B extremists for the same reasons that the Vatican has kept silent for years about sex perverts among catholic clergy.
  
  Chandra - March 3, 2013
  3:00 pm
The so called “Rituals” you referred to, are needed to “direct” the people of less understandings and intelligent capacities to the “PATH”. The trouble with large majority of our Buddhist Temples and Priests is that they do not make an effort to lead such people through this step to the next of more enlightened step of “understanding” and “awareness”. They like to “keep the flok” in tact and slowly convert it to a “big business”. This “business in Temples is very lucrative and “attract” the attention of the “hawkish” politicians, because if you frequently visit and support it, there is nothing more to do to get the most wanted “vote” to gain entry to the Parliament, which is a much “Bigger Business Outfit” than the Temples. The corrupt politicians know it best and that is why recently, a “Dane Pinkama” in the form of “Tax Free Vehicle Permits” were offered with “Public Funds”to the Temples and the Priests. So the “Theory” now is keep rituals and lead to “affluence”. For them it is a better state than Nirwana.

douglas - February 23, 2013
9:15 pm
- An Earthly Nirvana
  
  Ceylonese - February 24, 2013
  7:46 am
- I agree with you, keep monks and temples out of politics. When involed in politics they will not serve the public but only the politicins. That’s what the bodubalasena is trying to do as they have no political affiliations. Buddhism being a very peaceful religion that is non invasive and non compulsory on even among the followers, has to be protected from the other fundamental religios sectors who would ultimately destroy it as seen in many countries.
  
  Banda - February 25, 2013
  2:01 pm
Now a day’s our monk’s not follow Buddhist philosophy. They fallow blind politicians. Finally laymen become victim. Because, they fallow monks blindly. We appreciate your courage to write this type of sensitive issue without any fear

Dasanayaka Mudiyansalage Thushara Jayarathna ( Sri Lanka Law collage final Year Student) - February 23, 2013
9:40 pm
- Thank you Sir.
  
  You are one amongst a few who understand the messages I try to get across through my articles.
  
  Sharmini Serasinghe
  
  Sharmini Serasinghe - February 24, 2013
  4:53 am
  - Could you please stop insulting the Buddha by refering to him as ‘Lord’ Buddha?
    
    Lordship is part of the British hereditary peerage system and a human being can not rise above others by a feudal family right like that.
    
    Thinking that we need to honour the greatest human being who lived on this earth by making him a Lord is a shameful colonial hangover.
    
    Just refer to him as Buddha and if you understand even 1% of what he preached, you will begin to see that is what he would have expected.
    
    Ajith Randeniya - February 24, 2013
    12:30 pm
    - Address the main point. Lord or God or Mate is not important here.
      
      Lanka Liar - February 25, 2013
      12:34 pm
    - Ajith – Wouldn’t calling a great teacher just by name disrespectful?
      
      Hussain Fahmy - February 25, 2013
      2:43 pm
      - @ Fahmy, Buddha is not a name. It means the Enlightened One! Before He became Enlightened, His name was Siddhartha Gautama.
        
        K Tilak - February 26, 2013
        2:31 pm
  - Please stop ridiculing Sihala people, who are Buddhists. You are aiming these articles to western oriented mostly Christian elite and the NGO base who would love to see our culture criticized. You may have been brought up in a highly westernized atmosphere where all Sihala traditions such as Dane, pinkama,Pirith , bana etc are considered being a Godaya. You say Buddha did not ask to do all that. Then do you think what your friends in Colombo do in their churches, are all what Christ wanted done. Never mind I don’t question you about the Muslim friends. Why are you so angry and despise the Sinhala Buddhist culture. I’m bigining to think you are payed by a NGO to bring disrepute towards the Sinhala Buddhists.
    
    Banda - February 24, 2013
    2:25 pm
    - Banda, you must be a Kandyan bugger. Do you know what we from the South call Sinhala back-stabbers and traitors? We call them Banda with no spine!
      
      So go and hide your fat bum under the thuppotiya.
      
      Mahadana Muththa (Jnr) - February 24, 2013
      3:05 pm
      - Makkai kiyanne gong bass.
        
        Banda - February 25, 2013
        2:30 am
      - Yes Im , and am not ashamed. we fought for the country did not change our religion and would fight even now.The author and you who are the slaves of the Englis master is not very happy about bandas , simons etc. The author thinks only Rvd. Piyadassi is able to preach, as i remember he knew a little English. she takes pride in associating with him but not the very educated other monks who are Sinhala scholars.Any one without English back ground is shunned by this category.Im not ashamed to be a banda but im not Dalu banda but Punchi banda.
        
        banda - February 25, 2013
        5:42 am
        
        Banda you are a true Banda of Sri Lanka – Always out of point. Keep it up.
        
        Lanka Liar - February 25, 2013
        11:46 am
        
        Banda,
        
        What slaves you talk about……. “slaves of the Englis master is not very happy about bandas”
        
        Could you show where in our history that say Sinhala people were slaves of British……..In fact the Sinhala people were lazy to work, that British brought Indians to grow tea, rubber and coconut, tar roads and the railway lines in Sri Lanka… now which you proudly drink and ride, while tea bringing in Billions of Dollars of foreign exchange. What science, math, sports, law, commerce and arts you learnt before British came.Why don’t you go in your Gon Karatta wearing amude…your national dress to show your national pride……
        
        Wern’t you the slaves under your own Sri Lankan kings, who sons did the same jobs that their parents did…..and kings who gave most cruel punishment for convicts. It is British who brought in Law and Order to our country. Read before you write.
        
        It is nothing but you people with empty swolen false pride that ruin our country and make nway for your down fall along with your Low minded Theravada buddhist fanatic monks who preach peace while instigating violence among communities.
        
        Mahayana Buddhism is more reserved, advanced and practiced in the eastern and Western developped countries.(please check in google)
        
        Go and get yourself a Bullock cart to see Vesak with your partner. Yamang Bando vesak balanna……..
        
        Jayantha - February 26, 2013
        1:27 am
        
        According to learned Jayantha, I should be wearing a ambude and ride a gong karate, all because of my Sinhala name. Thank you. We need a lot like you to get country forward. May be get rid of all Sinhala Buddhists too. English speaking Christians who can move and converse with suddas will be the pride as in the old Lanka. Fantastic. First win the election.
        
        Banda - February 26, 2013
        11:57 am
        
        The fellow who is writing under Jayantha seems to be a Tamil, who has been influenced by Subramanium Masalami and co.. I have no arguments or dealings with that kind. Take care and be with the British.
        
        Banda - February 28, 2013
        5:20 am
      - How you call the South Banda – or you just kidnap him without calling anything is it
        
        Lanka Liar - February 25, 2013
        12:36 pm
      - Even Kandyans want to be educated in Christian Schools.
        
        Lucky - February 25, 2013
        3:06 pm
    - Hooooo.
      
      Are You An Another DALU BANDA?.
      
      JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA - February 24, 2013
      7:32 pm
      - Dalubanda may be an insult with you and the idiot author woman, but not for us.
        
        Banda - February 25, 2013
        2:34 am
        
        You spaek Sinhala Buddism. Good grammer
        
        Lanka Liar - February 25, 2013
        1:02 pm
        
        Banda, Arent you still drinking the same cup of tea every morning and night which your British masters who introduced 300 years ago. Also it is the same railway that you go to kandy and same subjects you study and same medicine, surgery and sports you do. There are other 80 odd countries that were under British rule who are doing much better than us togay…….why….
        
        Please tell me one visible thing you and your Govt. did to improve our economy,peoples life styles, society, communities and their income………other than nationalising all the private sterling companies who brought in valuable foreign exchange. You know those same companies went to Kenya and Ethieopia and grew tea and coffee there…..and now they are the world leaders in both by quality and quantity in tea and coffee manufacturers of the world. Go and check what is happened to our Tea, rubber and coconut industry.
        
        No other governments went after IMF and WB loans such as Rajapakses……and while the highest rates of the world paid by the Sri Lankan customers for Electricity and petrol…..still govt. is running with Billions of rupees in losses. What is happening….Please ask your beloved govt.
        
        How can you run a country with grade 10 qualified while knowing nothing what’s going around the world with a bunch of Parliament muts to run the country……….
        
        OBATA BUDU SARANAI…………..APITA KARUMAI……
        
        Jayantha - February 26, 2013
        10:41 pm
        
        Banda
        
        JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE A RACIST IDIOT DO NOT INSULT THE AUTHOR..
        FIRST LEARN THE BASICS OF BUDDHISM.
        RACE OR CASTE ARE NOT OF ANY WORTH IN LORD BUDDHAS MESSAGE.
        
        Somapala - February 28, 2013
        7:31 pm
  - You should first understand that Christianity and Islam are aggressively expanding two political religions. Both Christianity and Islam are killing simply because of sectarian violence. One reason why Buddhism disappeared in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh was islamic violence.
    
    Now, they are trying to do the same in Sri Lanka. Because of that, Sinhala – Buddhist people need political – Buddhists.
    
    Thank god, snakes like you people failed in the LTTE – Peace Secretariate.
    
    Under the circumstances, if you are asking people to be true buddhist, Sinhala-buddhist civilization vanishes in Sri Lanka.
    
    Jim Softy - February 24, 2013
    5:44 pm
Great article Sharmini. Colombo Telegraph, please translate this article to Sinhala for the benefit of mono lingual SinhalaBuddhists.

PresiDunce Bean - February 23, 2013
10:25 pm
The writer seems to think she has a special connection to the Buddha to be able to say what Buddha would have said in today’s Lanka. This is the same problem here in the West, some people think they know what Jesus would have said.

Moslem fundamentalism is about to engulf South Asia, within next 20-30 years. The Hindu birth rate in India and Buddhist birth rate in Lanka cannot cope with the exponential Moslem numbers which has no family planning. Time to wake up, Sinhala people! Your wonderful little paradise willl be ringing in Allahu Akbar and when Moslems are in majority you will be like the Hindus in Pakistan. You will be totally subjugated, persecuted until you convert to Islam.

Jay Chambers - February 23, 2013
11:11 pm
- Hello just in case you did not know Buddhism is a philosophy and, any body , not just Sharmini, who is wise, and can grasp its contents , I guess would feel, and could figure out what Lord Buddha ,would say in these circumstances. So , jay , first understand the first principals of what Buddha thought, and then apply it to the stupid , political crap of, Pataliputra and Gamanpila and Xand Y and Z . He most certainly would have let them remain Sinhala and, removed the Buddhist bit. Reason being , dressing in pristine white ,and praying to statues is not Buddhism. In fact he was at first reluctant to preach Buddhism , because he was not sure if the people would understand it. But those around persuaded him to do so at least for the few( like the present day Sharminis) who could grasp the philosophy.
  So NO to Pataliputra no to Gamanpila and most citrtainly no to Sinhala and Buddhists, IF it is to attack any other person or religion.
  Well written article Sharmini
  
  P.B - February 24, 2013
  7:51 am
  - Buddhism means many thing for many people. For some it is kidnapping. For some it is murder, for some it is lying for some it is mediation. All the crimes in Sri Lanka is committed in the name of Buddism. A Buddhist is not happy to build a Buddhist temple he wants to destroy another temple belonging to another faith and then build a Buddhist temple in its place. that is the greatest service he can do to the great religion. Remember the most respected Buddist in the world His Holiness the Dalai Lama cannot step foot in this country. That is the status of Sinhala Buddisim.
    
    Lanka Liar - February 25, 2013
    11:51 am
- Before conversion, the fear of extinction will drive to an early grave.
  
  Ceylonese - February 24, 2013
  7:57 am
- BBS and JHU will adore you Jay Chambers.
  
  kattakarawala - February 24, 2013
  8:00 am
  - Hope they unite and become BJBHSU
    
    Lanka Liar - February 25, 2013
    1:03 pm
- Jay
  
  Perhaps you think you have found a window of opportunity to espouse your despicable KKK racism on a gullible Asian readership? If you made a statement like this in your own country you would be in jail.
  
  While you are waking up to the challenges of the global village, Sri Lanka has enjoyed a rich tapestry of multiculturalism and pluralism for over 2000 years, a concept unheard of in the west till the last century.
  
  A bunch of goons who annihilated an entire civilization of Indigenous people in the Americas, thugs who traded in human flesh in the form of the slave trade, who are you preaching to?
  
  We can manage our affairs. You stick to yours, please!
  
  Nabil - February 24, 2013
  1:44 pm
- JAY!!!
  
  THIS LADY IS TALKING ABOUT BUDDHISM AS TAUGHT BY THE BUDDHA.
  YOU CANNOT COMPREHEND IT. JUST KEEP SHUT. AND NOT WRITE A LOAD
  OF IRRELEVANT “HOGWASH”
  
  AYMAN - February 24, 2013
  4:32 pm
- Jay Chambers,
  
  I think you are overly reacting. The kind of Islam you talk about will fade in coming years. Already in Saudi Arabia women are becomming more liberal and calling for their rights and independence. With the introduction of new technology and communication societies are changing….world is changing with the new thinking, liberty and freedom.
  
  Therefore don’t get scared of a Muslim invasion. After all there are wars, epidamics and natural causes happening to balance population, races and religions.
  
  Don’t worry…..Be happy.
  
  Jayantha - February 26, 2013
  10:55 pm
- You have seen the reality, not that Jayantha does not see it but he is some body’s agent, in a Sinhala name.
  
  Banda - February 28, 2013
  5:27 am
It is an excellent article. It is unfortunate that people like KA Sumanasekera still does not get Sharmini’s message. What she says is that a person does not become a real Buddhist just because he was born to a Buddhist family or he carries the label of a Buddhist. Most of the Sinhalese have become Buddhists by birth and not by conviction. Majority of them follow the traditional rituals that have been copied into o Buddhism from Hinduism and other religions which believe in a God, a creator of the world. On top of it radical monks have encouraged people to believe that Buddha has given a special task for Sinhalese Buddhists to safeguard Buddhism. Due to this false assumption Sinhalese Buddhists could resort to any violent act for sake of their race or Buddhism. The sad part of it is that majority of the Sinhalese Buddhists know next to nothing on real Buddhism , which they are willing to protect over their lives. If they know Buddhism well they would understand that nothing is permanent in this world including the race and the religion. Even the ‘Self” is a misconception and there is no real person in us. If there is no person why we are taking the heavy burden of protecting our race and other entities surrounding us? A Buddhist would try to protect humanity as a whole without any discrimination. He would extend loving kindness to all the people without any restriction.

Mahendra de Silva - February 23, 2013
11:53 pm
We now understand why Buddha never wanted women to be ordained.this desktop buddhisam .good for journal Articlae to attract so caled educated mob in west

solomon mendis - February 24, 2013
12:46 am
- He probably knew they were smarter than you. They could do their bit even from the corner of a kitchen!!!!
  
  P.B - February 24, 2013
  7:54 am
I openly say people commenting positively for this article here and the writer are complete idiots. What Lord Buddha taught and what Sinhala-Buddhist civilization and Sinhala- Buddhists are completely different.

For example, Jesus Christ said “love thy neighbour” and asked peoples who never did sins, when the W###hore was close to death by stoning, to come forward. That was Jeus. Yet, catholic Church created by the Roman kingdom, vatican and the pope who carried out crusades were against Jesus Christ’s preachings.

Writer, you are not capable of understanding the difference between what Lord Buddha taught and who Sinhala-Buddhists and Sinhala-civilization are.

Jim Softy - February 24, 2013
1:16 am
- You know so much and your contribution never makes any sense.
  
  Ceylonese - February 24, 2013
  8:01 am
- I think K A Sumanasekera and Jim Softy had too much kassipu last night.
  Hangover today and can’t read or understand. Pickled brain syndrome.
  
  Umbala Kada - February 24, 2013
  8:24 am
- To J S and K A SUMANA
  even though you two are born idiots [J S AND K A S},
  We hope and pray that both of you,
  After getting Educated And Enlighten,
  May attain NIBBHANA .
  
  JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA - February 24, 2013
  7:12 pm
- It has been proved time and again by many readers in CT that the biggest idiot in this forum is none other than Jim Sotty.
  
  Silva - February 24, 2013
  7:35 pm
- Jim Softy,
  
  It is not what Lord Buddha told what matters……..but the disciples or the clergy who preach his teachings and their behaviour that matters.
  
  Yes Jesus christ preached about the “Love thy neighbor” concept….but now there are thousands of Christian churches who preach the same Gospel and the concept around the world while people are watching. In the end people will judge which church is the best example of Jesus preaching.
  
  Similarly in Buddhism there is Theravada and Mahayana sects. While Therevada doctrine is preached in countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Butan and Thailand…….Mahayana is preached in China, Japan, Korea, and most Western world (Pl.check google)
  
  Finally people in those countries will decide which doctrine is closest to Buddha preaching.
  
  Therefore it is not a matter of an outside religion that is invading to another religion……..but the people are rejecting one, due to it’s weaknessess and joining another.
  
  Therefore no one can force anybody to either join or reject a religion. It comes from their own hearts and through examples.
  
  Finally no religion in the world approve violent acts or behaviour of their clergy against another religion.
  
  Good luck.
  
  Jayantha - February 26, 2013
  11:16 pm
Excellent article . Hope the article will have an impact on the Mahanayakas and Sri lanka’s PoliticL leaders .

Roger Kumar - February 24, 2013
1:20 am
Excellent article . Hope Sri Lanka’s Political Leaders and the Mahanayakas will bring about the necessary changes for a loving, and compassionate Sri Lanka.

Roger Kumar - February 24, 2013
1:24 am
The problem lies in the fact that the popular Buddhism being practiced is built on a ritualistic Hindu base and beliefs. The very cobwebs that had obscured the philosophical Hinduism in Lord Buddha’s time on earth ( and yet do ) and which he sought to clean-up, have become part of Buddhism today. The need for a God of course is a human condition. Unfortunately in Sri Lanka the ill- understood Buddhist philosophy at the popular level has been hijacked by politicians and political monks and morphed into Sinhala- Buddhism. What prevails now in popular practice is Sinhala – low grade Hindu- low grade Buddhism. This amalgam has been adopted by politicians as a political tool to perpetuate their rotten rule to fool the people and fool themselves. I see many monks who are intellectually capable of comprehending the great philosophy propounded by Lord Buddha, but they are also entrapped by tradition and habit to follow a dwarfed form of Buddhism. Most people who practice the dwarfed amalgam that is called Buddhism in this country today, however understand and practice the fundamental Buddhist principles of Metha ( kindness), Karuna ( Compassion), Mudita ( Sympathy) and Upekka (Equanimity). Excessive Upekka has in fact has made almost all to tolerate what is happening in and to this country very calmly. This is not conducive to developing a vibrant and effective democracy in this country.

Dr.Rajasingham Narendran

Dr.Rajasingham Narendran - February 24, 2013
2:22 am
- Dr.Rajasingham Narendran,
  In my opinion the fundamental or ideal Buddhism can only be practised by the Arhats who have attained Nibbana. But as you say most Sinhala Buddhists understand the Buddhism that was established in the third Sangayanawa. On the contrary to writing by this writer that is what we here at bana.
  
  One need not follow fundamental Buddhism or seek to attain Nibbana at this life or next life to be a good Buddhist. If only you read Kalama sutta you may understand what I am trying to say.
  
  For that and many other reasons, I do not agree with your saying that ‘what prevails now in popular practice is Sinhala – low grade Hindu – low grade Buddhism.’ Nowhere in Dhamma Buddha said one would go to hell for seeking help from Gods. He only said it is futile.
  
  There are five, eight, ten, or sixteen Precepts in Buddhism. Monastic orders have longer lists. But they are not a list of rules to follow. I say that because, one does not end up in hell if he breaks any of it. So, unlike theistic religions, Buddhists have a choice to chose the number of precepts they can follow. Now think of why most Sinhala Buddhists chant five precepts twice daily.
  
  Olcott Buddhists such as this writer Sharmini may have chosen to read her chosen precepts only once in her lifetime. I do not complain for that for Olcott Buddhists are becoming different bread to that of Sinhala Buddhists. Like Mahayana Buddhists, who uphold only the ‘Three Pure Precepts’, Olcott Buddhists may also have developed their own understands of five precept. Who know they may have only Four Half Pure Precepts.
  Leela
  
  Leela - February 24, 2013
  11:10 am
  - Leela ,
    
    Thanks for your response. I cannot dispute what you say, because you know more of Buddhism than I do. I studied Buddhism as a subject for the ordinary level examination and have continued to study religions since. What I have learnt most is from what I hear and what I see. My comment arises from this back ground.
    
    The story of how Lord Buddha taught the lesson of Karma to the distraught mother who wanted him to revive her only child who had died ( asking her to bring first Mustard seeds from a home that had not experienced any death) always guides me. This is quintessential Buddhism to me. The noble eightfold path and the four principles essential to life, I have referred to above , define Buddhism to me.
    
    A perpetual search for spiritual upliftment should be a the hallmark of a Buddhist, although nirvana/nibbana/ liberation are distant goals for most souls. It is a journey, few Buddhists in Sri Lanka understand and hence the distortion and dwarfing ,I see around me. The rituals that are embedded in Hinduism have been the Maya that has hidden the greatness of Hindu thoughts and concepts from most Hindus. Rituals have evolved into an attempt at bribing the God/ Gods in Hinduism today. The same phenomenon is manifested in the Buddhism practiced here. Hinduism and Buddhism in reality are thoughts and philosophies that stimulate and fire the intellect. Unfortunately, they have been reduced to the level of blind faiths and beliefs today. Both religions have lost their dynamism and direction in practice. Both religions have been brought to the level of the masses and the masses have not been challenged to jump as high as they can to partake as much as they are capable, of the sublime and profound in both. The need to strive has been negated in both religions in practice.
    
    I do not know whether I make sense to you. I have however tried my best to explain.
    
    Dr, Rajasingham Narendran
    
    Dr.Rajasingham Narendran - February 24, 2013
    3:56 pm
    - As per My Knowledge I agree with your Ideas mentioned in this reply to leelarathne.
      
      JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA - February 24, 2013
      7:18 pm
Pristine form of Buddhism is a highly spiritual and philosophical religon. It elevates the human being to a very high state of spiritual existence.

Let us hope that Buddhist will value this legacy and learn to separate the eternal truth from the rituals and racial concepts that have crept in over the years.

The human being can reach the highest state of existence as well as fall to the lowest.

Safa - February 24, 2013
2:40 am
This is one of my favorite beautiful conversational statements I learned from the history of Ceylon while I was pursuing my Buddhist Studies in Sri Lanka. I am not very much sure about the names of the persons, but I am sure about their posts.

The King, who is a devout Buddhist himself, a protector of Buddhism himself and a righteous ruler, offers his kingdom to the Sangha, headed by the Mahanayaka. The Mahanayaka, the head of the Sangha, the ones in the right path prescribed by the Buddha, replies – Oh king, the protector of Buddhism, the righteous ruler and the lord of men, rule righteously, and the king did so.

Miller - February 24, 2013
4:12 am
I am glad. Sinhala Buddhist People criticize their practice of religion. That is the pathway to develop insight. Most religions wont allow that.

Gihan - February 24, 2013
4:43 am
- Every religion allows that except some sects of Islam. The biggest problem with Sinhala Buddhism is the ignorance. The word “Only” is the biggest problem in Sinhala Buddhism.
  
  Lanka Liar - February 25, 2013
  12:31 pm
This post stands nothing but little knowledge about the context. The writer should do more study on the subject matter. Being a Buddhist is not only the qualification for write a paper on SINHALA BUDDHISM.

1. She did’t reveal lastly what happen to Somarama and Buddharakitha. They both changed their religious faith. Why, They knew that by involving with pragaghatha was one of the offence that leads to dis allowing them to behaving as the Buddhist monks.

2. She didn’t distinguish with Ollcut Buddhism and SINHALA Buddhism.

3. Forget to write about Anagarika Dharmapala (the siahala buddhist national leader) and his task.

Therefore herewith I am suggesting DO HOME WORK PROPERLY AND FURNISH THE LETTER AGAIN.

w.m.k.Samarasekara - February 24, 2013
5:30 am
This essay should be circulated and posted in every social media.

To the educated the current hatred orchestrated by BBS cannot surely be the teachings of Lord Buddha. The Sri Lankan Muslims have always had held high regard and respect to Lord Buddha. Never seen or heard them denigrate the founder of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in private or in public. They refrain from it for the simple reason that they are prohibited to do so. Haraam – The opposite of Halaal. What is difficult to fathom is the attack on the healthy eating habits, the modest dress code and to earn an ethically asset backed shariah compliant return on their investments as Muslims in Sri Lanka. We do not expect the politician to solve this issue as historically they have sold their faith and the country for a few pieces of silver. Asking politicians to save the economy is like asking Bernie Madoff to manage our household budget and John Wayne to entertain our young children. Politicians by their very nature and their very presence distort/destroy/sodomize economic order. Politicians create law after law to alter human action and the resulting human interactions we label an “economy”. Politicians also steal from the unborn and create economic distortions in the future, kind of like meddling time travelers.

BBS has to recognise the threat within their belief system and should focus on strengthening Lord Buddha’s authentic teaching if they are to survive the next millennium. The Muslims should united as one community and respect each others different preferences to following their Imaams or schools of Islamic thoughts. To us the life in this world is a test and the results are apparent when we release our last breath.

Hussain Fahmy - February 24, 2013
6:01 am
- People like Hussain Fahmy seem to have more respect and regard for Buddhism than born Buddhists and BBS types.
  
  Peace Dove - February 24, 2013
  1:51 pm
- I read with glee that Mr Hussain Fahmy is very concerned about Buddhism survive the next millennium. My immediate thoughts were; if only Mughals and other Muslims of yesteryear had likewise thoughts even for a glee, today, we would be having a lot priceless idols, monuments, original scriptures of Asoka era that were there at Nalanda and elsewhere.
  
  Though I say this none of it may be worthy for real (pure) Buddhists like Sharmini and co for Buddha had never asked us to save them or worship them. For that reason, I am sure Sharmini and co would defend all barbaric acts by Mughals. Mr Fahmy need not bother.
  
  I also have noted Mr Fahmy wanted Shamini and co to strengthen ‘Lord Buddha’s authentic teaching enable ‘true’ Buddhism to survive the next millennium’.
  
  However, we can visualize his inner thoughts when we read his comments at the last paragraph. Fahmy doesn’t say he wanted Buddhist or Buddhist Monks to unite. But he says; ‘Muslims should united as one community’ and different Islamic schools also to unite.
  
  Mr Fahmy should read my comment where I said; ‘in my opinion the fundamental or ideal Buddhism can only be practised by the Arhats who have attained Nibbana.’ Mr Fahmy should also note that Monks and laymen at BBS do not aim to attain Nibbana at this life.
  Leela
  
  Leela - February 25, 2013
  10:20 am
- Try telling this in the middle east your head will be gone.
  
  Lanka Liar - February 25, 2013
  12:32 pm
Excellent article by a true Buddhist Philosopher. I request you to translate this into Sinhala and try to publish in local papers.

Parakrama Abeygunawardena - February 24, 2013
6:18 am
Thank you Ms. Serasingha for being bold enough as one comment says to enlighten the Buddhists.She is learned enough to say what she has to say as she has been a disciple of Most Rev .Piyadassi and has a grasp of what the Buddha taught.I totally agree with her when she says the crux of the matter is that there is no God in Buddhism to look upto in times of personal crisis.People living in the modern world are loaded with challenges affecting their lives for which the lay Buddhist do not get counselling from learned monks.Her suggestion to introduce comparative religious studies in schools is commendable.There is much more to write regarding Sharmini’s article.But at the moment I ask all those lesser individuals who send email after email rousing emotions of laymen to read and reread Sharmini’s article.

Sunila Mendis - February 24, 2013
6:22 am
You are not the first one to try and ban Sinhalabuddhism.
Several European nations tried for 500 years.
It survived, and still provides the basis of culture, philosophy, arts and livelihood for a majority of Sri Lankans.
I’m sure it will survive your pathetic attempt. Quoting some Europeans is not going to help.

Mark Souza - February 24, 2013
6:37 am
This article deserves to be posted on the most racial Lanka Web and test the reaction of those like Waduge and his dirty dozen. It’s comical to read them happily rolling themselves in their own feces.

Ceylonese - February 24, 2013
8:17 am
Go get a brain man and learn English first.

Mahadana Muththa (Jnr) - February 24, 2013
8:18 am
- This is for Mark Souza.
  
  Mahadana Muththa (Jnr) - February 24, 2013
  12:00 pm
- Why not you try it first before asking others to do so.
  
  Samson - February 25, 2013
  10:21 am
this an excellent article, ppl like you should come forward and safeguard the nation before it became too late
thanks

saif - February 24, 2013
9:33 am
As far as we are concerned, Sinhala race is evolved over a two thousand five hundred years by assimilating various races like Yaksa, Naga, Raksa, Deva and etc with the descendents of Wijaya. And the Buddhism that Arhat Mahinda brought to this country is the Buddhism that was established in the third Sangayanawa. But the tree worshipping that was practised by the said tribes meaning ancient Sinhala people was not discarded by Arhat Mahinda. Indeed one could say that worshipping and bathing of Bodhi tree is a continuation of that practice. So, one could conclude that the Sinhala Buddhism we practice today is the Buddhism that has been practised from the time of King Devanampiya Tissa.

Buddhism that this lady appears to follow is a far cry from the Sinhala Buddhism that I have rationally and briefly explained above. We call such people Olcott Buddhists. Olcott Buddhists need not necessarily have studied at schools established by Colonel Olcott. You can identify them from their love to pally Buddhism with western science, western rationalism and western empiricism. These people have conveniently forgotten ‘sath sathiya’, ‘Kalama sutra’ and Jathaka Katha. Not surprisingly, they propagate with their fellow NGOs that it is not in agreement with Buddhism for Buddhists to go to war with LTTE.

Even this day, Olcott Buddhists worship the British Raj. So much so, they would like to forget that Sinhala Buddhists were discriminated and harassed by our colonial masters much more than other minorities. They even love to forget that our freedom struggle is associated with “Sinhala Buddhist Revival” towards the end of the nineteenth century. Fortunately, likes of them are a limited variety.
Leela

Leela - February 24, 2013
9:40 am
- Leela of the infamous Leepotter, what kind of Buddhism are you practicing? The BBS and JHU kind?
  
  You are a bloody rogue who played out people through your Leepotter business and now brag that you have a big house with a big garden in Horana, another one in Colombo, another one in UK and life member of Otters.Of course you can live like a king on stolen money.
  
  Please don’t insult Buddhism by calling yourself a Buddhist.
  
  You are just another rogue like MARA & Co., you bum suck.
  
  Mahadana Muththa (Jnr) - February 24, 2013
  1:47 pm
  - I think Leela is an executive member of the BBS, He has not denied it, there is a Dr. who is their lay spokesperson
    
    Nabil - February 24, 2013
    6:01 pm
  - M M
    you should not get angry.
    
    we all can understand who are the hunters and looters are.
    One day they are supposed to pay for their Sins.
    
    There is a saying that ” dogs bark, Jackals Howl, But Caravan never stops.”
    
    JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA - February 24, 2013
    7:29 pm
  - Hey Muththa
    If you want to take my comments personal and wish to shove me out of this blog by pointing fingers, I say you’ll never succeed. I couldn’t care two hoot about your bloody lies. You may live in your lair wherever it is but I have been living in my real life paradise where I am for more than three decades. As I said before, it is always open for those that matters. But, there are two Rottweilers to welcome dirty buggers like you.
    Leela
    
    Leela - February 26, 2013
    4:35 am
    - You are a bloody crook and a liar just like your pay masters. Hope some one drowns you in the Otter’s pool.
      
      Mahadana Muththa (Jnr) - February 26, 2013
      3:29 pm
- Leela,
  
  Do the Tamils come under the etc. category? Why the coyness in naming a very significant component of the Sinhala identity?
  
  Dr. Rajasingham Narendran
  
  Dr.Rajasingham Narendran - February 25, 2013
  2:12 am
- Pardon me for sharing my view with you. Nagas are a tribe that existed in the State of Orissa some 3000 years ago. There was also a tribe known as Kalabras which invaded Tamilaham (combination of Chera, Chola & Pandiya regions) and were instrumental for the spread of Jainism and Buddhism. However, the fact remains that Lord Buddha was a born Hindu. Buddhism was described as a refined Hinduism by the late Jawaharlal Nehru. Buddhist philosophy is noble and widely acclaimed throughout the world. It had the force of converting Emperor Asoka to practice tolerance, love and compassion, but not cruelty. Hinduism to my knowledge is more than 12,000 years old. For your information, the official language of Hinduism was Sanskrit though there were other languages. Language is only a means of communication. The names of places such as Himalaya, Saraswathi (River), Malaya, Indonesia, Singapore, etc, are Sanskrit words which were in usage for more than 12,000 years. Similarly, the word Arabic is a Greek word. Moreover, Afganistan was known as Hindu Kush region which were ruled by Hindu rulers. Zoroastrianism was the dominant religion in Iran, but people practicing Zoroastrianism were massacred mercilessly by the Muslim invaders. This is recorded history. I am not against any faith or religion. Civilizations perish on account of natural disasters from time to time. Islam is the youngest religion. With the passage of time Islam was accommodated. Every religion teaches the path to reach God. No religion promotes violence and hate propaganda. Even in the Rig Veda it is mentioned that all are equal before the eyes of God and that women should accorded a special place. Every religion maintains one God. Even in Hinduism, the truth is there is only one God, but the ancient sages had seen God in the masculine and feminine form, without which the world cannot survive. Only thing there is a difference in the nature of Hinduism and other religions. Hinduism is individualistic while others are congregational. Hinduism is liberal and tolerance. At the same time there were religious war in Europe between the Catholics and the Protestants. With the passage of time the realization of their faults saw the incorporation of Human Rights Charter in the constitutions of every country as well as in the United Nations Charter and the European Union., whereby civilized people recognized others’ human rights and denounced cruelty on various pretexts. It is a tragedy that Asian countries had not paid attention in the formation of an Asian Union with the incorporation of Charter of Human Rights and Freedom. I had the privilege of associating with the Buddhists and especially with the Buddhist priests. The Buddhists were really sportive gentlemen which I found during the matches (cricket) when I played with the Army and the Air Force. Moreover, with due respect I should mention the experience I had with some Buddhist priests who really showed their love and were really humble when I visited their Viharas and guided me in the participation of their danas. When we discussed, it was almost the same like in Hinduism and exchanged views. Buddhist priests are of the view that anyone is at liberty to worship their places and conversion is not a must. (Even in the churches, we were guided properly by the churchmen and lend a helping hand in participating at their functions without any restrictions. It appeared that service was their motto.) They are hell bent on non-violence and against cruelty. They are one who will never forget the assistance rendered by me during the evil days of Premadasa when Sinhalese youths were massacred on suspicion. Even when the Twin-Tower was attacked, we were discussing and they had expressed their sorrows for not realizing the precious innocent lives. Presumably it is against such a background, the Buddhists may have turned out to be extremists. We cannot come to an immediate conclusion that they are against the Muslims. However, it is a sordid state of affair to observe that some house-maids are sent under Muslim names by agents which indicate that religion has been utilized for commercial purposes. But the Muslims also should also adapt themselves to changing conditions. There are good-hearted Muslim Parliamentarians for whom I have defended and they were always for non-arrogant. But in Colombo, I know a case where a Muslim politician transferred a Sinhalese Inspector of Police to a different place when he discovered that this Muslim politician had a hand with the underworld criminal gang which engaged in illegal activities on a complaint lodged by an affected person. Sometimes revealing truths are bitter. It is this type of fears that compel a Sinhalese into Buddhist extremists. Moreover, since Science and Technology has advanced to the extent that explosives are hidden in the garbs they are wearing, Western countries are worried about the security, which I think is an accepted fact. Similarly Passports and Identity Cards are also manipulated. Moreover, in this century women should be given legal recognition in the true of spirit of religious teachings. The punishment given to women is beyond imagination. These are also matters inter-twined with cruelty. With the passage of time will this culture be introduced to Sri Lanka which can run in the minds of Sinhala-Buddhist extremists. Will this not tarnish the image of democracy in Sri lanka. Politicians are up to anything for gaining votes. I feel that Sinhala-Buddhist extremists should also have a fair hearing and have to look into their grievances and aspirations and have a meaningful negotiation. The same method can be attributed to the Muslims as well. The best method is for educated people and religious leaders to thrive this issue on a stage monitored by a recognized international body, so that hate propaganda can be defeated.
  
  Citizen - February 25, 2013
  9:02 pm
- Leela and her ilk should learn what is right and what is wrong before trying to understand the real buddhism. She or he seems to be seeing the otherway around even if the majority of the readers see something common. That is the uniquness of this leela – transe from Horana, now advocating to have got married to a lady. I did not know that lanken state allows lebian marriages. Anyway, Leela is not the representative for the average villagers as she is insisting.
  
  Seelawathie - February 26, 2013
  10:48 am
thank you sharmini, its great reading for srilankans who can understand, but many will not,it is the reason why our country will never go forward, going through the comments you have got it just shows what a country we live in ,with people like you we can start change , and hope the change comes soon before its to late.

mela - February 24, 2013
10:52 am
Sharmini Serasinghe is a bloody silly woman to talk about something she doesn’t know. If she’s born Buddhist, she wouldn’t speak in this way. If lord Buddha was there, he wouldn’t banned Buddhism at all. He would know what to do next. If he was there he would change this silly woman’s mind and ignorance. Has she got a religion? If you talk about somebody, you have to be in that specific person’s shoe stupid woman. No wonder these people get killed in SL.

Sami - February 24, 2013
2:03 pm
- Sami,
  
  your ilk of people are the majority in the country – that has no doubt been the threat to real buddhists like Ms Serasinghe. If you study the article closely, that should have been clear to you and the ilk. How many of commentators have added their comments to this thread. That alone proves how magnificient she has explained the reality of the buddhistic values. As she described it above –
  
  “Buddhism in its pure form is too deep and complex a philosophy to be understood by the average and undisciplined mind; its teachings, therefore, are greatly misunderstood and misinterpreted by ‘born Buddhists’”
  
  So long the majority folks behave as you do – nothing will be in our society. That is the message I wanne to pass you here.
  
  Seelawathie - February 26, 2013
  11:48 am
- Sami
  
  This article is not meant for brain dead retards like you who cannot differentiate facts from
  fiction and still believe in myths. If you cannot understand Sharmini Serasinghe how on earth will you understand Buddha’s philosophy? Please do not waste your time here, these articles are for people who can think.
  
  Silva - February 27, 2013
  12:05 pm
Read the history of Buddhism stupid woman!! Read what lord Buddha had done in old India. He didn’t ban any other religion.

Sami - February 24, 2013
2:06 pm
- Aiyo Sami, why do stupid fools like you waste space on this thread with your idiotic comments? You need to get your spectacles replaced so that your compressed brain can understand what Sharmini is saying.
  
  kattakarawala - February 24, 2013
  2:56 pm
A few questions for Sinhalabuddhists!!!

It is said that the Lord Buddha arrived at Kelaniya to prevent a war between two tribes.
Can you tell me a few names of any leading Buddhist priests who tried to stop the war or tried to prevent it from escalating at least?
The Lord Buddha never ever condoned the caste system.
Almost all the sects (Nikayas)ordain children as priests based on caste system. For example Siyam Nikaya ordains only those from Govigama caste. Can they be named as true followers of the Lord Buddha?
The Lord Buddha’s doctrine is for all the people of the world, not for a particular ethnic group.His Sasana or the priesthood is open for any ethnic group.
How many Buddhist priests have tried to propagate the Buddha’s teachings among the Tamils,and Muslims, at least among those who live outside North and East?
How many Tamils or Muslims have been ordained as Buddhist monks by our Sinhala Buddhist priests?
Did the Lord Buddha say that Buddhism should be preached only in the western countries?Did the Lord Buddha say that the Buddhism should be the property of only the Sinhalese?
Please enlighten me.

premalal - February 24, 2013
3:31 pm
- premalal,
  Are you serious when you challenged ‘Buddhist priests’ to propagate Buddhism among Muslims and ordained them. You have absolutely no clue about Islam. What do you want; do you want to get the head chopped off of the evangelist or the apostate. Search Google and read the Koran on line. Verses 4:89, 9:11-12, 2:217, 9:73-74, 88:21, 5:54, and 9:66.
  
  I’ll answer you if you ask sensible and rational questions. I see no point in answering question with no logic and that attack Buddha Sasana for the sake of harassing it.
  Leela
  
  Leela - February 25, 2013
  9:17 am
  - Leela
    
    Why are you dishing out bull crap in mass quantities? Even Sinhala-Buddhist monks are converting to Islam and you continue to utter bull crap. See this video clip and you also think of becoming a Muslim, I guarantee you will attain Nibbana.
    
    Sinhala Buddhist monk speaks about how and why he converted to Islam.
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgSaWUlgsxk&feature=player_embedded
    
    Silva - February 27, 2013
    12:16 pm
Leela mentioned Kalama Sutra in several comments. I wonder whether she knows what Kalama Sutra Is? Kalama Sutra says that just because some religion or philosophy is given to you by tradition, by custom, by birth, by parents, by learned teachers, by acceptance by majority of people or in other instances- Do not believe or accept anything. How should we accept a teaching or religion according to Kalama Sutra? – Just analyze it and see whether the practicing the said religion does any good to you and to others. Will it harm you or others? I if you find that it will harm others do not believe it even though you feel good. Traditional Buddhism we learnt wanted us to follow rituals. Worshiping the Bodhi tree and gods. Building Buddha status in all places and worshiping Buddha status with food and other things. Chanting Pali verses most of the people do not understand. Traditional Buddhist clergy practise caste systems. Sinhalese Buddhism is full of misconceptions. If we follow Kalama Sutra, we should not follow all the things our Sinhalese Buddhist monks preach or coming to us by tradition or by parents, blindly. We have to study Buddhism by learning and studying original Buddhist texts and interpretations given by Scholars. Then we will realize the Sinhalese Buddhism is much different to real Buddhism Buddha taught. Impermanency, Suffering and Soullessness (Anithya, Dukka, and Anathma) are the basics. Then Buddha offered 4 noble truths and 8 fold path as the solution. Anyone who has a slightest idea of these concepts will not advocate communalism. Anyone who has slightest understanding of Buddhism would not discriminate against people from other religions or communities. What Leela, KA Sumanasekera , Don Carolis are suggesting is that only people who want to attend Nirvana should study real Buddhism and others would be alright if they just practice rituals in Sinhala Buddhism. My dear friends there is no difference between one who is following just rituals and one who does not have any religion at all. There is rush to study Buddhist philosophy, meditation techniques all over the world. Psychologists, Scientists and Doctors often use Buddhist techniques in their work. Meditation classes are conducted in even in remote cities in the world. It unfortunate and sad that majority of the Sinhalese Buddhists live still lives with ignorance and illusion that they are the best Buddhists and guardians of Buddhism, and do nothing to follow what Buddha taught.

Mahendra de Silva - February 24, 2013
3:47 pm
Phew Sami!..your own pitiful religious stance shows its nakedness in the way you write and address this woman, who, as is her right has given a view point and a challenge that is obviously way beyond the grasp of the likes of you Sami… Yes and helo, you too mercenary Leela,( how much do they pay you machang for following these posts and adding your brand of dung ? and of course our pitiful masochistic KA Sumanasekera(who gets excited by a good bashing!)and Jim Softy and The Karolis chap(such APT names boys wow!)
If you were anywhere near true Buddhists or at least self respecting analysts you would:
1. be able to give this piece a balanced and dispassionate critique
2. See the merits of this article in the light of the urgent need for snuffing out racism ..and a racism draped fashionably in saffron robes at that!
3. Put the needs of the country at this time, ABOVE your own wee rather disgraceful agendas (and boring hackneyed conspiracy theories..yaawn!)
4. Know the skill of making a worthwhile response on a space like this and not disgrace your selves by serving up the drivel you have in your pitiful contributions.

I note a particularly low standard of critical ability here..as compared to other articles.. has your testosterone perhaps taken a beating ?? Eh Sami ??(aiyo machang! amaaru the?)she really gets your goat doesnt she?? Have you STOPPED TO THINK WHY?? ( or are you sitting on that thing you think with?)

This woman has done more to safe guard real Buddhism than these bird brains can aspire to do in their life time!

E,Shanthini - February 24, 2013
4:09 pm
- Shanthini,
  Please read my comments and particularly the one at far below and tell me from where you, Sharmini and the so-called real Buddhists learned your real (pure) Buddhism.
  Leela
  
  Leela - February 25, 2013
  8:58 am
- Shanthini
  
  Please ignore Leela, he is an executive member of the BBS and will not tolerate a dissenting voice
  
  Nabil - February 25, 2013
  4:57 pm
Native ,who is one of my few mates here says keep Sinhala and Buddhism separate.

How can we ,when Ms Senarasinghe says we are born with Sinhala Buddhist tattooed on our foreheads?.

It is the Sinhala Buddhist who protected Buddha and his teachings when his own brethren including his own caste Brahamins destined his philosophy to the dust bin of history in India.

Thanks to our Sinhala Buddhist President Prema, Buddha’s history is back and alive in his birth place.

And brings in a decent income in FX to the poor natives in the region.

Rather than banning us Sinhala Buddhists, Lord Buddha would have given us inhabitants a pat on the back and said well done dudes.

One thing Ms Thisaranee has forgotten or left out is the freedom that us Sinhala Buddhists enjoy with respect to our right to practice religion.

As Ms Thisaranee pointed out inhabitants are the only Buddhists who have compassion and faith in other religions too.

Putiting a few bucks in Poosari’s pocket to ask for few favors from his Lords, or praying to Virgin Mary and making a vow to go to St Annes.are examples of genuine freedom and tolerance of other religions.

No Mahanayaka can excommunicate us and stamp never admit in our passports even if we rubbish our own religion and our monks.

s

K.A. Sumanasekera - February 24, 2013
4:27 pm
- K.A. Sumanasekera
  
  I know you are weak in arithmetic.
  
  Buddha’s teaching has nothing to do with Sinhala/Buddhists which my elders consider a regressive socio political force, actually it is a fraudulently constructed identity.
  
  Buddha renounced kingdom, family and everything he once possessed. Sinhala/Buddhists exercise total political power, grab land, can be easily bribed, don’t respect for life, ……………above all irredeemably stupid.
  
  Sinhala/Buddhist don’t practice what Buddha taught. They live in Dukka and make others suffer Dukka.
  
  There are about 400 million Buddhist living through out the world who don’t consider themselves as Sinhala/Buddhist. Most of them are adhered to Buddhism and the appear much happier.
  
  There is no end to Buddha’s teaching. However I am not sure whether Sinhala/Buddhism can survive another 30 years.
  
  On the side I am working on liberating Sinhala people and Buddhists from Sinhala/Buddhists.
  
  How can you help me?
  
  Native Vedda - February 24, 2013
  7:19 pm
- K.A. Sumanasekera
  
  Buddha’s teaching belongs to the world but Sinhala/Buddhist identity belongs in the trash bin.
  
  You are free to chose between the two. Do you know which one to chose if you want to avoid Dukka and really want to attain Nibbana?
  
  Native Vedda - February 24, 2013
  7:35 pm
  - And the trash bin belongs to the world isn’t it. Very confusing.
    
    Lanka Liar - February 25, 2013
    1:07 pm
KA
Time you retired to bed you are now confusing even the author of this with some other woman..and your reference to Native.. helo?! he hasnt even written in..good night! ( Take the hint man!)

E,Shanthini - February 24, 2013
5:20 pm
Sri Lanka became multi religious because Sinhala women were ready to court with foreigners.

That trend continues even to date.

Jim Softy - February 24, 2013
5:46 pm
- Jim Softy
  
  Are you a irrational male chauvinist p.g?
  
  You say:
  
  “Sri Lanka became multi religious because Sinhala women were ready to court with foreigners.”
  
  This amounts to public scrutiny of women’s private parts. Don’t the men court white skin women? Or do the Sinhala/Buddhist men court white skinned men?
  
  There may be important reasons for women choosing foreigners:
  
  Local men are not good in bed shall we say impotent.
  Local men are horrible and repulsive.
  Local men cannot have hold intelligent conversation with local women.
  Local men are stupid.
  Local men enjoy sex but do not understand love making.
  Local men cheat.
  Local men ……………..
  
  These are few of the reason as to why local women chose to go out with foreigners.
  
  As a result local men rape local and foreign women.
  
  Native Vedda - February 24, 2013
  8:33 pm
  - Native;
    Do you have any liking to reply to Maniacs and Psychopaths LIKE THEIR BOSSES.
    
    I think, It is Waste Of Time, and theses Lot never Ever learn as they are Paid to Comment
    
    JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA - February 25, 2013
    3:12 am
    - JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA
      
      “I think, It is Waste Of Time, and theses Lot never Ever learn as they are Paid to Comment”
      
      If they are paid they are not doing a good job at that.
      
      MR should be the greatest stupid to hire these paid cheerleaders.
      
      I know MR is like his fellow citizens, a stupid but he is not that stupid to hire fellow stupid.
      
      These people support and provide MR free service without any request.
      
      Native Vedda - February 26, 2013
      3:21 pm
  - Softy is right (in a way). The rate of marriage between diaspora Sinhalese females and Western (white) men is quite high. That is why I said elsewhere that, in fact, Sinhalese are liberal. They assimilate very well in Western nations.
    
    Lester - February 25, 2013
    6:42 am
Great piece of work. Thanks Sharmini.
Ignore the comments made with hatred. Those authors are collecting bad karma for themselves.

Paba - February 24, 2013
6:13 pm
After reading this article, I looked up Piyadassi Thera, the venerable teacher the author mentioned, and read a little about him and some of his work. Read his introduction to his translation of The Book of Protection: Paritta

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/piyadassi/protection.html#s4

From just reading his introduction, it appears to me that her teacher would not have spoken so harshly regarding the rituals that are important in people’s lives. By starting off criticizing how she thinks the majority of Buddhists in Sri Lanka practice their beliefs, she set herself apart and lost the opportunity to get her main point across. My impression was that she was mocking other people, which to my limited knowledge does not reflect right speech. I admit I know very little about Sri Lanka but I admire the kindness and integrity of the Sri Lankans I know. I am a “Westerner” who as such many who posted here may criticize and who may tell me to mind my own business. However, I mean no offense to any of you and I wish the best for all of you. I appreciate all that I have learned of the Dharma from the work of Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka who have translated the Pali Canon and have made it accessible to people around the world, like me.

Mary Jane McEwan - February 24, 2013
11:13 pm
- Mary Jane McEwan,
  
  Rev. Piyadassi Thera was a popular Buddhist prelate both in Sri Lanka and around the world because he was able to translate the teachings of the Buddha to the educated and the uneducated with equal finesse.
  
  With the less educated, he didn’t denounce the Buddhist rituals performed by the average Sri Lankan but explained in simple language what the symbols involved in these rituals meant.
  
  Take for instance the offering of flowers to statues. The Buddha compared the similarities of a flower with the human body, “Just as these flowers fade, our bodies will undergo decay and fade.”
  
  Likewise, the ritual of watering the sacred fig tree (Bodhi or Bo tree).This tree provided shade while the Buddha meditated and so his followers kept nourishing the tree with water.
  
  The average Buddhist who has no understanding of the significance of these symbols have turned them into rituals in the hope of gaining merit and a better afterlife. This is contradictory to the teaching of the Buddha.
  
  Similar is the offering of alms (food) to Buddhist monks. The death of an individual is a Rite of Passage and so Buddhists invite monks to the home where the departed lived and offer alms in memory of the departed. This act of sharing food and good thoughts help the living relatives to feel less sorrow at the absence of the departed. But many Buddhist who perform this ritual believe that the merit gained by this act could be passed on to the departed.
  
  In ancient times the Buddhist temple (abode of monks) was the center of social activity unlike in modern times. So the temple became the gathering place for the community to do something together. Hence the rituals of offering flowers to statues, watering the Bo tree etc became
  the Buddhism they could relate to. The Buddha never asked his followers to perform these rituals so they could obtain merit. But the less educated Buddhist believe otherwise.
  
  Rev. Piyadassi Thera didn’t denounce these practices which are harmless anyway but they are still performed for all the wrong reasons despite him having explained the symbolic significance of these practices.
  
  Peace Dove
  
  Peace Dove - February 25, 2013
  3:55 am
  - Dear Peace Dove
    Yours is the best comment on this page. It is written in the Spirit of Buddhism, recalling the Brahma Viharas or Divine Abodes of Meththa and Karuna, (Kindness and Compassion).All of us do not have the Learning and Intelligence to understand the Buddha’s Teaching in all its entirety, but we do love to honour him as a Man who reached a High level of Mind that is attainable by all humanity. Everyone has to start at the bottom, and it is the duty of Buddhist Monks and Teachers to lead us through the first steps of the Noble Eightfold Path, even if it means social rituals and chanting, at the start. As Sharmini points out it is the selfseeking Politicians who are making a mockery of the Buddha’s Dhamma.
    
    K Tilak - February 25, 2013
    8:05 am
  - Dear Peace Dove – I guess this is the Buddhist teaching needs to be revived. Thank you.
    
    Hussain Fahmy - February 25, 2013
    3:00 pm
    - Hussain Fahmy
      
      Buddha’s teaching should be liberated from Sinhala/Buddhists.
      
      Native Vedda - February 26, 2013
      3:15 pm
      - Dear First Generation, Native Vedda – His teachings Should be polished and re-introduced to the Sinhalese in its pristine condition. Perhaps it should be started with the Sinhellist (BBS/JHU/SR)
        
        Hussain Fahmy - February 27, 2013
        6:28 am
Shamini Serasinghe, well written. But it is a tragedy that rulers are politicizing Buddhism. This is the curse for the country.

Citizen - February 24, 2013
11:49 pm
- I think it is a two way business going on in Sri Lanka politics and Sinhala Buddhism.
  
  Why did SWRD Bandaranaike who was a Christian and a St.Thomas and Oxford graduate came to Sri Lanka and changed to a Buddhist…..and also changed National language as Sinhala only in 24 hours.
  
  There are many I could write…….but now both Politicians and the Buddhist Priests have hi-jacked our country to fulfill each others requirement.
  
  I still feel that Mahayana Buddhism which is practised in developped Eastern and Western countries is more realistic, more nourishing and more into Buddha preaching than Theravada Buddhism which is been practiced in Sri Lanka and other under developped countries.(please check Google to see the difference and what the comments say)
  
  BUDDHISM AND SRI LANKAN POLITICS NOURISHING EACH OTHER FOR POWER GRAB AND USED AS A WEAPON TO UNDERMINE AND SUPRESS OTHER RACES AND RELIGIONS.
  
  Jayantha - February 26, 2013
  1:49 am
Mary Jane McEwans

I appreciate your response and the spirit in which it is made (thoughtful, founded on research, and sensitive to all)Many have a lot to learn from this approach to dialogue on a space such as this. I disagree with you however on your take on the authors criticism and your impression that she was ” Mocking other people”.

I appreciate that our Srilankan way of calling each other to account may be blunt,harsh and so direct it may grate on your sensibilities. However this author is probably a very local woman, like my self who has been raised among,seen,tasted and been nauseated by the relentless abuse and distortion of the purity of faith principles for political and other gain.A degree of divergence, dialogue and soul searching about ones faith among a community of faith practitioners is I believe healthy and necessary to keep the belief wholesome, relevant and not a tool of evil in wrong hands. This author has stimulated such a dialogue.

Ms McEwans, we have lived through 26years of the horrors of war which were incited by racism and a racism couched and cossetted in this aberration of pure Buddhism.There are times you have to call a spade a spade. With our kind of bloody history, we cannot afford to pussyfoot and flirt with dangerous racist thought processes any longer. I would forgive her this harshness, in fact I understand where it comes from and I go as far as appreciating her courage to challenge her own faith community KNOWING very well of the penalties of going against the majority in a country like ours.

I love my homeland dearly and its that love that drives many to want to see truth and justice prevail and the see the end of racism.(sadly others cant get beyond their”conspiracy theories” to interpret this love)Thanks for your comment Mary.

E,Shanthini - February 25, 2013
3:07 am
- Who said this woman is a very local product, she is more westernized than Ms. Mcevans. Don’t have to make excuses to a woman who thinks all these traditions local people practice is mockery. She must read a bit on psychology. There are certain things people do to bring solace to one self in grief and in other situations, as long as they are not antisocial but innocent rituals such as, offering flowers(she thinks they are stolen from a neighbor), offering Dane. Bodipuja etc. are very good deeds. May be Buddha did not ask to do them, but over the years some of them have got in to tradition of a culture. Why does she want to kill that innocent culture , who is or what NGO is behind it.
  
  Banda - February 25, 2013
  8:13 am
  - Ado pea-brain Banda, you are obviously intellectually retarded and can’t understand the message in this article. So shut up and get lost. The rest of us are trying to engage in an intelligent debate here. The likes of you nitwits are wasting space on this thread.
    
    Umbala Kada - February 25, 2013
    8:42 am
    - Where is your intellect, may be in your ass, touch and see whether you have any left you bloody karawalaya.
      
      Banda - February 25, 2013
      11:16 am
  - What is wrong in being Westernised, Banda? Have you got an Inferiority Complex that you believe all things Western are Bad? When you have your Cup of Tea in the morning, you are imitating the British who introduced Tea and Coffee to Sri Lanka so many years ago. Think about all the things that you do, that have come from the West, and be thankful that you have them. You seem to like to live like the Proverbial ‘Frog in the Well’. The Key word now, is Globalisation, not Westernisation!!
    
    K Tilak - February 25, 2013
    11:38 pm
    - Who said it is bad. I only replied to somebody saying she too is a typical local woman. That’s all. What’s this globalization , westernization, what else, muslimisation etc etc , can go on.
      
      Banda - February 26, 2013
      1:50 am
      - Banda there is no west without the east. If you destroy the east the west will be gone? It is all in your hands.
        
        Lanka Liar - February 27, 2013
        12:09 am
THIS IS THE SINALA BUDDHISM
* The Sinhalese are the sole owners of the Buddhism.
* They have no compassion for the Tamils and the Muslims.
* The Sinhala Buddhist priests safeguard the caste system by ordaining only those of their own caste.
* They do not want the Tamils and the Muslims to be Buddhists or Buddhist priests.
* They have the right to own private property.
* They give priority to rituals, not to the noble teachings of the Lord Buddha
* They have never attempted to stop violence against other ethnic groups.
* The Buddhist temples are the private property of the heads of the temples.
* The owners of Buddhist temples are not willing to share their wealth even with the poor Sinhala Buddhists.

premalal - February 25, 2013
5:11 am
I agree with the previous writer Ms. McEwan.
While Sharmini Serasinghe has her viewpoint about the way Buddhism should be practised, and Buddhism entitles her to follow it her way, it is the harsh manner in which she has approached the issue by denigrating those who practise Buddhist religious philosophy differently to herself that bespeaks of intolerance.

I do not think the Buddha or for that matter Bhikku Piyadassi would have approved of her attitude as it is stands contrary to their approaches to teaching of the Dhamma, which shuns Arrogance and instead fosters Compassion and Understanding.

mahesL - February 25, 2013
7:13 am
A great article. Congratulations to the author. As can be seen it has elicited very good response, if one one were to exclude the views of the uninformed. It has answered my long standing question ( not articulated in public ) why the Budhists sought salvation from Hindu gods such Ganadeiyo, Amman. Bhatrkali etc.

One because Budhism is an intellectual phiosophy too preistine for the ordinary Bhuddists to understand. Second, not being a religion it did not offer remedies and salvation as the other religions did. Hence they continued to observe the Hidhu rituas whiast being a Bhuddist.

Thanks Sharmini

Illagovan from Canada - February 25, 2013
8:25 am
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
There was no coyness or shyness what so ever to declare that Sinhalas have Tamils blood. I emphasize Yaksa, Naga, Raksha and Deva for they were first people join up for the formation of Sinhala race by Pandukabhaya.

My wife is western educated but a typical Sinhala Buddhist like many villagers here. Once a year I have to go to Munneswaram with her for otherwise, she says she feels uncomfortable. However, I do not participate in any of the poojas there. Instead, I spend my time walking around to observing the reasoning behind the poojas by different type of devotees. So, I cannot but agree with you when you said, “Rituals have evolved into an attempt at bribing the God/ Gods in Hinduism today.” But I do not believe as you say they (Buddhists) have been reduced to the level of blind faiths and beliefs today. Here are some reasons for it.

But first a brief answer to Mahendra de Silva is a must. I am no historian. However, if you are a thinker, you should have explored deeply into what I have briefly written few comments above yours about the evolution of Sinhala Buddhists before criticizing them for worshipping Bodhi tree and gods. If you cannot dig that deep, at least try find out why all Christians assemble Christmas trees in their homes and hang presents in it. Can you think of why do they congregate at various churches and pray for their Lord or Yahweh at mid night on that day. Had Jesus commanded them to do so? No. There is not a single verse that says Jesus was born on December 25th in any of the four chosen Gospels leave out hundreds of other Gospels that were discarded by Constantine when he assembled the present day Christian Bible. These are habits copied from Roman pagans afterwords. Christians said to have imported the Saturnalia festival in to Christianity in the 4th century CE hoping mass conversion of pagans into its fold. There was nothing intrinsically Christian about Saturnalia. To remedy this, then Christian leaders named Saturnalia’s concluding day, December 25th, to be Jesus’ birthday.

As I have said before in my comment, from the time of Devanmpiyatissa, various concepts from other cultures have been absorbed into Sinhala Buddhism. If not for such absorption of other cultures into Sinhala Buddhism, there would not have been any Sinhala Buddhists or even Sinhalas in this country today. So, I am least surprised self declared kalu suddhas like Shamini and her ilk and their separatists backers in the NGOs attacking Sinhala Buddhists for not following real (pure) Buddhism.

Talking about the so-called rituals of Sinhala Buddhists what kalu suddhas and their ilk hadn’t understood is that Sinhala Buddhists never put Buddha at the head a pantheon of Gods. Indeed, Sinhala Buddhists believe pantheon of gods have worshipped Buddha. For instant, take the case of Vishnu in Hinduism: Dr Narendran may correct me if I am wrong. Hindus consider Vishnu is a form of Brahman and in that sense we can consider him as an immortal being. But in Sinhala Buddhism, Vishnu is not immortal but a bodhisathva who would attain Nibbana in the future. Also, Hindus integrate Buddha into the Hindu culture in the form of an avatar of the god Vishnu. I wonder whether the likes of Shamini and co that criticize Sinhala Buddhist do understand such simple differences of judgment even a villages upasaka amma is well acquainted with.

There is another point. Alongside the Theravada tradition Mahavihara, we had the Mahayana tradition Abhayagiri side by side for sometime. Unlike Sinhala Buddhist Bodhisathvas, the Mahayana Bodhisathvas are immortal and live indefinitely in abodes of Sukhavathi etc. In fact, certain Mahayana sects have made the Buddha also to be immortal. But none of the major Mahayana tradition were assimilated or absorbed to Sinhala Buddhism.

In his introduction to translation of Vissudhimaga, Oxford scholar Ven Nanamoli says that during King Mahanama’s time (412-434) Ven Buddhagosha of Kancipura, India, heard there were many valuable Sinhala commentaries of tripitaka in Lanka and he came to read them and compile them into one volume of Pali commentary and take it back to India.
It is a known fact that many such Buddhist texts at Nalanda and elsewhere in India was burned and destroyed during the Muslim rule afterwards. Books that were available after that were the ones from Burma, Siam and etc. Talaing Chronicle of Burma mentions an elder named Buddhagosha of brahman stock who went from Thaton to Lanka to translate the Buddha’s word to Talaing and bring it back.

That means the tripitaka and its commentaries like Vissudhimaga that is available today in English were the originals that were translated from Sinhala to Pali. In the circumstances, I like to know from where this Sharmini and co, the so called real Buddhists learned their real (pure) Buddhism.

Leela - February 25, 2013
8:45 am
- Leela,
  
  Thanks. My readings and understanding of the history of this island indicate that,
  1. The Sinhala identity has evolved on the basis of the language and Buddhism. Buddhism , a philosophy ,was overlaid on a Hindu base, and acquired a religious mantle. Sinhala- Buddhism is a political ideology, that has been progressively developed painstakingly over a very long time. The belief that Lanka is the land where Buddhism will be preserved in its pristine form implies that the Sinhalese are the custodians of pristine Buddhism. However, this mixture of Buddhism, Sinhala language , Hinduism and political ideology has some or other eaten into the vitals of Buddhism as a philosophy. We are the poorer for this.
  2. Yes, the Hindus believe that Lord Buddha is an avatar of Lord Vishnu. This syncretism has permitted Buddhism to be absorbed Into Hinduism. A similar syncretism is at greater play in Sinhala- Buddhism. The word Hinduism itself is a misnomer. There is no monolithic belief called Hinduism. It is a British invention. Hinduism as it stands today, as it has been always, a collection of beliefs that have a common thread running through them. This is why Buddhism was not able to sustain a distinct identity in India. Buddhism swept through South India at one time and this was an Age of Enlightenment and literary creativity. Buddhism made India more humane and gave birth to Mahatma Gandhi’s adoption of ahimsa as the founding principle of satyagraha.
  
  3. I should mention the story of German Swami of Sella Sannathy in Jaffna. He was a German born in an aristocratic family. In pursuit of Truth, he was attracted to Buddhism and was ordained a monk. He travelled through India and later came over to Sri Lanka. He could not find what he wanted in the Buddhism being practiced in India and Sri Lanka. Disappointed and frustrated, he was yet searching for someone to show him the path to truth- a guru. He was told of Yoga Swami of Jaffna. In him, he found a guru and was shown the path in Saivaism. As a teenager I was made to stay in his ( German Swami’s) ashram by my father and there I learned lessons that are deeply embedded in me.
  
  The morale of this story, is that Sinhala- Buddhism is a religion that is in practice sans the philosophy and intellectuality of Buddhism. It is a religion of the common folk now. It is not a path to truth and does not encourage the personal discovery of the truth. Hence, it is becoming a banner of the crusaders of majoritarianism in this country. It is becoming less and less tolerant with the passage of time. This intolerance is unfortunately a growing phenomenon among its monks and intellectuals. I theorise the adoption of Christian tactics to advance the cause of Buddhism in the Colonial era has given the monks and some intellectuals the crusaders mindset.
  
  I view this development with much sadness. This not mean that the Sinhala – Buddhists are bad people. definitely not. They are a great people, in whom the concepts of Metha, Karuna, Muditha and Upekka are a way of life. But, unfortunately they have been rendered a people, whom as I have stated earlier, who are not seeking the truth by a step by step striving towards Nibbana. Sinhala- Buddhism has sapped the essence of Buddhism in this country.
  
  Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
  
  Dr.Rajasingham Narendran - February 25, 2013
  12:08 pm
  - Dear Dr.Narendran Rajasingam, there are interpretations for the word ‘Hinduism’ which needs consideration. The derivation of the word ‘Hindu’ from which the word India has gradually developed with the passage of time is an interesting subject. The origin of the word ‘Hindu’ has led to numerous views. Whether it refers to a place or people practising a specific faith or a culture has to be analyzed in the context of religious texts and possibly with archaeological finds in the absence of recorded history.
    The ancient Hindu religious text known as Birhannaradi Pura gives an account of the derivation of the word ‘Hindu’. One of the verses states :
    ‘Himalayam samarabhya yavat bindusarovaram
    Hindusthanmiti gyatan hi antaraksha-rayogath’
    
    There are two words in this verse namely ‘Himalayam’ and ‘bindusarovaram’. Himalayam refers to the Himalaya mountains and bindusarovaram refers to Cape Cammorin sea. The combination of these two words indicates that the region or country between the ‘Himalayas’ and the ‘Bindusarovaram’ is Hindusthan. This is endorsed by a Sanskrit scholar, Swami Mangal Nathaji. The compound letters ‘Hi’ within the word Himalayas and the component letters ‘ndu’ within the word Bindu could have led to the formation of the word ‘Hindu’ or Hindusthan.
    In the Rig Veda, Bharatha is referred as the country of ‘Sapta Sindhu’ – the country of seven rivers. Sapta means Seven and Sindhu means rivers rivers. It is should be noted that during the Vedic period, Zoroastrianism was practised by the Parsees in Iran. There was no Pakistan at that time. Avasta was their religious holy book. In Sanskrit the sound of ‘S’ converts to ‘H’ in the Parsee language. The word Hindu found its way in the Zoroastrian’s holy book of Avesta. Hence Zoroastrians express the people across the people as Hindus. Since the Zoroastrian’s scripture Avesta mentions of Sapta Hindu, it would have given birth to the word Hindu.
    Moreover, the name Hindu began as a designation of a group of people or to a people of a specific region. Hence there is a possibility that the Zoroastrians could have adopt the usage of the word Hindus to those people living on the eastern side of the Indus river.
    I think this will help you to analyze the subject matter.
    
    Moreover, there are some historical evidences to show that Sinhalese are people from the State of Orissa – taking into consideration of their dress, behaviour, Buddhism, script, the boat that was drifted with a Prince towards the Palk Strait, etc. Even the Nagas tribes are reported to be living in the region between States of Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. It has to be taken into account that Saivaism, Vaishnavism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sakthism all existed in India, During the 300 year rule of Kalabras Jainism and Buddhism were promoted and encouraged. There is also report that a Sinhalese poet (I cannot remember the name) was in Tamilakam during Kalabra’s period engaged in works on Buddhism. Mention should be made that during Kalabra’s period Brahmins were arrested and detained which saw the downfall of Saivaism.
    
    Citizen - February 26, 2013
    4:32 am
    - Citizen,
      
      Thanks for the scholarly expiation. While the origins of the words , Hindu and Hindustan, as you explain it are feasible, it is likely the British, who could not at the beginning of their colonial rule, understand the differences between the many related faiths existing in India- Hindu/ Hindustan-, who called the collection, Hinduism. I will welcome hearing of any alternative explanations.
      
      Dr. RN
      
      Dr.Rajasingham Narendran - February 26, 2013
      9:23 am
      - Correction: the word intended was ‘ explanation’ and not ‘ Expiation ‘
        
        Dr. RN
        
        Dr.Rajasingham Narendran - February 26, 2013
        9:40 am
  - The word Hinduism may have had its origins in the Persians referring to individuals living on the other side of the Indus river. This said, it is an internally coherent intellectual world view based on the concepts of Dharma, Karma, Samsara and Moksha. It emphasized the trivarga/muppal i.e. Dharma/Aram, Artha/Porul and Kama/Inpam.
    
    This world view influenced the history of Cambodia and Indonesia, not to mention India and Nepal. It influenced Tamil identity.
    
    Buddhism was a parallel philosophy undoubtedly linked to Hinduism and Jainism – much as Judaism, Christianity and Islam are related to each other.
    
    Buddhism in turn decayed in several places at different times – China, Korea, Japan and India while growing resilient elsewhere – Burma, Thailand and Tibet. Lets not unduly criticize Sri Lankan Buddhism which remains dynamic regardless of the Rajapakse types.
    
    The criticism that I have with Sharmini Serasinghe’s otherwise honest article is that it confines Buddhism to philosophy. But Buddhism always had its lay dimension as witnessed in the Buddha himself encouraging the laity to repeat the Paritta to safeguard themselves. The Buddha himself taught the Karaniya Metta Sutta, the Ratana Sutta and the Khanda Paritta to ensure the protection of the monks or laity.
    
    Regardless, I pray for a day when Tamil Hinduism and Sinhalese Buddhism engage in a constructive dialogue in Sri Lanka given the evident parallels in philosophy, tradition and practice.
    
    DD - February 27, 2013
    4:02 am
  - I disagree with Dr. Rajasingham Narendran when he says ‘The word Hinduism itself is a misnomer. There is no monolithic belief called Hinduism. It is a British invention’.
    
    This is the standard missionary line!
    
    As I had stated in my previous comment, there is a significant internal intellectual consistency that provides uniformity to the Hindu religion. Further, no religion is monolithic – not Buddhism, nor Christianity nor Islam.
    
    A highly symbolic and ritualistic Tibetan Buddhism is distinct from the Pure Land Sect of Japanese devotional Buddhism which in turn is distinct from the intellectual Theravada
    
    Now to the Kalabhra point made by Citizen. The Kalabhra interregnum in Tamil history is usually considered a dark period as it entailed the end of the Sangam-era and the inflow of a northern Prakrit into what was until then an indigenous Tamil literary tradition.
    
    DD - February 27, 2013
    6:34 am
    - Leela, Citizen and DD,
      
      On reading your comments, I refered to Dr.S.Radhakrishnan’s book titled ‘Indian religions’. He says ( Page 170), “Buddhism did not start as a new religion. It was an offshoot of the more ancient faith of the Hindus, perhaps a schism or a heresy. While the Buddha agreed with the faith he inherited on the fundamentals of metaphysics and ethics, he protested against certain practices which were in vogue at the time. He refused acquiesce in the Vedic ceremonialism. When he was asked to perform some of these rites, he said: Änd as for your saying that for the sake of Dharma I should carry out the sacrificial ceremonies which are customary in my family and which bring the desired fruit, I do not approve of sacrifices for I do not care for happiness which is sought at the price of others’ suffering.”
      
      He also says (Page 163), “In the life of the Buddha, there are two sides, individual and social. The familiar Buddha-image is of a meditating sage, absorbed and withdrawn, lost in the joy of his inner meditation. This is the tradition associated with Thervada Buddhism and Asoka’s missions. For these the Buddha is man, not God, a teacher and not a saviour. There is the other side of the Buddha’s life, when he is concerned with the sorrows of men, eager to enter their lives, heal their troubles and spread his message for the good of the many: bahu-jana-sukhaya bahu-jana hitaya. Based on this compassion for humanity, a second tradition matured in North India under the Kusanas (70-480 A.D) and the Guptas (320-650A.D). It developed the ideal of salvation for all, the discipline of devotion and the way of universal service. While the former tradition prevails in Ceylon, Burma and Thailand, the latter is found in Nepal, Tibet, China and Japan.”
      
      In another book titled ‘Our Heritage’ Radhakrishnan says ( Page 66), “What is that makes the message of the Buddha so attractive to people who are cultivated, who are intellectual? Because his message is something which is deeply rational and profoundly spiritual. Rational, because he looks at the world and finds out what the problems of the world are and pursues a quest and reaches the fulfilment of that quest.”He gets out of the Prince’s home, looks at the world, sees the image of a dead man, a sick man, an old man and says: “Is this this the world full of death, sickness and old age? Is time the final arbiter of all things? Are we to be content with sickness, old age and death? Or is there a way out?”
      
      It appears the faith/ sof the Hindus ( The people of Hindu- the land), came to be known as Hinduism. However, the definition per se is not central to the discussion.
      
      In terms of what Radhakrishnan sees in Buddhism, where does Sinhala-Buddhism, Theravada no doubt, stand? How does the Bodu (Budu?) Bala Sena fit in? Where are the rationality and spirituality? Where is the meditation on the real issues confronting this country and her people?
      
      Sharmini, thanks again for a thought provoking article.
      
      Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
      
      Dr.Rajasingham Narendran - February 27, 2013
      10:38 am
      - Agreed. For your information Hinduism is actually termed ‘Sanathana Dharma’. Dr.S.Radhakrishnan and Swami Vivekananda maintains the same. Hinduism is a vast topic originating in India (known as Bharatha) about 12,000 years ago or even earlier. Similarly Islam also preaches brotherhood. But Bodu Bala Sena is a creation by the rulers to divert the attention of the Sinhala people and secure their position and power. Religious animosity should not be encouraged, but politicians attaching a religious stigma for illegal activities cannot be tolerated by civilized Nations. That is why Western countries view some Muslims with suspicion, because of the heavy damage on lives and property they have inflicted. If every religious can consider that a country is a home to live peacefully, then there won’t be any problem Sharmini’s effort has to be appreciated as she has condemned extremism with the final paragraph which states that when a child undertakes to acquire a deeper understanding of the fundamental philosophy of different religions practiced in Sri Lanka will undoubtedly have a much deeper understanding of human beliefs and practices and therefore be more tolerant of each other and not feel threatened by the religion of the other. This is a message that everyone should appreciate.
        
        Citizen - February 27, 2013
        2:31 pm
- LEELARATHNE;
  
  After your reply to Dr N R,
  
  now only I understood that all over the world,[Burma , Siam , Vietnam, China, Korea], now they are believing and practicing your SO CALLED Sinhala Buddhism.
  
  AS per my knowledge Lord Buddha preached to all ,
  
  ” COME, INVESTIGATE, UNDERSTAND AND BELIEVE”.
  
  HOW CAN I BELIEVE A GREAT LIE?.
  
  pLS EXPLAIN TO THIS O/L EDUCATED RE-CONVICTED CRIMINAL.
  
  Julampitiye amraya.
  
  [a Buddhist, Sinhalese.by birth]
  
  JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA - February 25, 2013
  7:42 pm
  - What a pathetic illustration of hatred towards a majority religion in the country. Only sympathize. Education does not matter there are plenty of Sinhala Buddhists even without o/l in the villages who have more understanding and insight than the moron who wrote above.
    
    Banda - February 26, 2013
    3:12 am
    - Dear Dalu Banda;
      
      I cant help that, that you are a moron,
      
      I can Only Say Pls Try To,INVESTIGATE, UNDERSTAND AND BELIEVE.
      
      First, Buddhism is not a Religion, only a great Philosophy.
      
      When I Pray In Sri LankA, I don’t say or memorize;
      
      SINHALA BUDDAHANG SARANANG GACHCHAAMI.
      
      When I was in Singapore,I did Not pray/Say; Singapore BUDDAHANG SARANANG GACHCHAAMI.
      
      Henry Steele Olcot did not say,
      American BUDDAHANG SARANANG GACHCHAAMI.
      
      Even My Teachers,
      VEN DIulapitye Wimalarathna Thero or
      Ven Darmitipola Rathnasara thero did not tell me, that, There are Buddhists ,but not So Called SINHALA BUDDHISTS.
      
      From now on Try to say; BUDDAHANG SARANANG GACHCHAAMI only.
      
      JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA - February 27, 2013
      6:03 pm
Why do all the people get so excited about a thought of a person . Who has just put her ideas in a journalistic manner.
That’s her opinion . Let’s respect that.

In the same way we must not forget that that none of us are born to this world
With a perticular religion.
The only thing I think everybody born to this world, has one thing and one thing only that’s wisdom.its how you develop you wisdom that you react to other person ideas. Ideology differs. Ideology is your upbringing . ideology is what you learn and come to belive in.it depends on your surroundings , learning and history.HISTORY PROVES THAT.
There has never been perfect world . There has never been perfect person.
let’s not insult
Each other . At the end of the day if all the religious leaders that each of us BELIVE in even had slightest clue that there
So called creation of humans are now fighting over RELIGION,ETHNICITY ,COUNTRIES, CAST, CREED you name
It . May be there might not have had human animals.
So kindly all of us let us be wise enough use you’re are wisdom and live in peace.

Suraj - February 25, 2013
9:16 am
Ms Mary Jane McEwan.

You Are Most Welcome and we all appreciate your comments on this and it is open for all of us.
that opportunity given by the COlombo telegraph .

As Buddhists and with a limited Knowledge of Buddhism, we are expressing our ideas,
So do I.
For The Buddhist Philosophy, There Is No Barrier as to that Race , Nationality, or Other Beliefs.
Only for the who can Follow the Path of Truth.

Lord Buddha’s Teachings, preached to be based on all living being’s lives.
Specially the Life of humans and changing of their behavior pasterns to get away from all sufferings and attain Nibbhana.

Unfortunately as Sharmini Serasinghe mentioned, only a very few adhere and follow buddhism.
It Is shame to say that some of the Buddhist monks do not follow the lord Buddha’s Philosophy / teachings and only wear the Yellow Robe, not the real guardians of BUDDHASAASANA AS they claim.
however We hope that, including you,
All living being may enlighten and attain NIBBHANA.

JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA - February 25, 2013
9:23 am
I have discovered a very strange coincidence on this thread and and others on CT. There is a group of people comprising Leela,Jim Softy, K.A. Sumanasekera and a few others including newcomer ‘Banda’ who repeatedly accuse authors of articles on CT as NGO agents.

It is very obvious they they have no proof of this fact, but they rant and rave anyway just like landing s–it on a fan.

Now. who are the most anti-NGO clan? MARA & Co., of course. So what is the obvious conclusion? This group of traitors mentioned above are on the filthy pay-roll of their masters. This type of scum will even part with their mothers, wives and daughters for filthy lucre.

Leela in particular had better watch out, because despite all the ‘Bana’ he preaches,the fact that he is a rogue who played out so many people for hundreds of thousands of rupees, has ensured him a special place in hell.

This group of muck should be banned from CT because they are generating a lot bad karma at themselves.

kattakarawala - February 25, 2013
9:46 am
- It’s not us who are ready to part with the mother , daughter or brother etc, for money.I have told earlier in a comment about it, which the karawalaya has stolen. The NGO lot will do anything for a few dollars more. We are the ones who will rescue this nation from those dollar kakkos.
  
  Banda - February 25, 2013
  11:33 am
  - Banda dont worry NGO will bring your own share too. Like a true Buddhist be patient. I hear some Buddhist NGO cropped up very recently. Naturally you will exclude them and say the great Sinhala Buddhist word “Only” non Buddhist NGO that is a better way of putting your point – Sinhala Buddist way.
    
    Lanka Liar - February 25, 2013
    12:57 pm
  - ANE BANDA.
    
    “”We are the ones who will rescue this nation, With U S passports and Begging bowels,”
    
    they came to save, Rescue [Sic,] This nation from whom???????????.
    
    “”"”THIS IS AN ANOTHER WESTERN CONSPIRACY AGAINST OUR PLANS TO LOOT SREE LANKA,
    BROTHERS, TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY.
    ARRANGE WHITE VANS TO ABDUCT ALL THOSE DISBELIEVERS OF SINHALA BUDDHISM AND SEND AARAKSHKA GOONS WITH KUDU VERMIN TO ATTACK AND MAKE THEM DISAPPEAR”"”".
    
    TRYING . FEW DOLLARS MORE.
    
    JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA - February 25, 2013
    7:19 pm
    - I don’t think this needs any response as you are only an anti government campaigner. Any comment or analysis is from that base. I have no political affiliations other than love for my country. Any party that has a love for the country irrespective of color or creed is ours. But will not betray the country for a few more dollars.
      
      Banda - February 26, 2013
      2:44 am
      - Yamang Bando Vesak balanne!
        
        K Tilak - February 26, 2013
        2:47 pm
      - aney DALU BANDO.
        
        ANTI GOVERNMENT ?
        
        YES OF COURSE,
        
        WE ARE AGAINST OF THIS TYPE OF CORRUPT GOVERNANCE LIKE THIS WITH THE PRESIDENCY OF A NO 1 CROOK AND BOGUS PATRIOTS LIKE YOU,
        
        Then what affiliation you have with this type of
        looters, and killers.
        
        Helping Hambanthota had Many Millions Of dollers.
        
        Not few more dollars,????????????.
        
        talking big about PATRIOT S???????????.
        My A X X.
        
        Ask Your Next pay check in Dollars.
        
        then go and worship praying Sinhala buddahang Sarananag Gachchaami.
        
        JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA - February 27, 2013
        6:22 pm
  - Banda,
    
    With your kind of brains I’d rather not be rescued by you or your type.
    
    Mahadana Muththa (Jnr) - February 26, 2013
    3:42 pm
  - Banda,
    
    With your kind of brains I’d rather not be rescued by you or your type.
    
    Mahadana Muththa (Jnr) - February 26, 2013
    3:43 pm
- If you want to take my comments personal and wish to shunt me out of this blog by pointing fingers at me I say you are sadly mistaken. I couldn’t care less about your kattakarawala lies.
  Leela
  
  Leela - February 25, 2013
  2:12 pm
  - When using the word ‘pointing finger’ we should also remember that other fingers are pointing reversely at the same time without one’s knowledge. This applies to everyone including myself. So let us have a healthy exchange of views.
    
    Citizen - February 25, 2013
    11:53 pm
Ms Serasinghe
I think most readers have misunderstood you because of the title of your article. My reading is that you were trying to address two aspects of the Sinhala ethos; one the acculturation of the Sinhala people over the years, the other, their practice of Buddhism.
I am not sure if these two aspects of our people can be treated together, despite the two being interconnected. Historically Saivaites and Vaishnavaites have had a strong influence on the Sinhalese and as the Sinhala culture evolved through the ages. This ritualism is to be expected. Muslims too are influenced as the Dravidian converts to Islam continued their ritualistic practices and even to this date Ceylon Moors as they are described, practice rituals similar to those practiced by the Saivaites and Vaishnavaites such as alms giving etc., practices alien to Islam and Muslims across the rest of the world. While you pine for a pure form of Buddhist practice, I don’t see harm in the way Sinhalese practice their form of Buddhism.
I have heard that the Muslims are having the same debate, such as the debate on Kanthuris (a religio-social gathering and feast). There are those who defend the right to practice it without discontinuing, despite it being contrary to Islamic teaching. It is argued that a Kanthuri is a reason for families to get together and doing away with it may remove the reason for people to get-together. Muslims have borrowed rituals such as tying of the thali kodi etc from South Indians, so have the Sinhalese, some minor aberrations that shouldn’t bother anyone.
Many readers who have commented on Shamini’s article take umbrage for the wrong reasons and do not address her core argument. She is focusing on the implications of misinterpreting Buddhism. Naturally the lack of deeper understanding of any religion, philosophy in this case has its attendant problems while the politicization of religion can have disastrous effects.
She bemoans that lack of political will to prevent the perversion of Buddhism, as averred by the constitution, not mobilizing the resources at the disposal of a government to impart the quality of Buddhist teaching that is expected from those who profess that their bounden duty is to ensure the continuity the pristine form the philosophy!
Finally, her plea for inter-religious harmony is pragmatic and can be easily implemented. Our country is divided based on Language and religion and we practice a form of segregation such as was done on colour by the whites. If we are willing to dismantle these walls, and also teach comparative religion to our children we can begin to rebuild trust among each other. I would also add one more aspect, a rather controversial one at that; revise our history books that portray the Tamils and Muslims as marauding invaders and present a more nuanced and fact based history.
In conclusion thank you Shamini, you should take comfort on from a quote in the bible “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown” Luke 4:24

M Y Foote - February 25, 2013
10:31 am
‘Dhamma’(meaning, to hold on) is not something a person searches outside himself, because in the final analysis, man is Dhamma and Dhamma is man. Therefore, true religion, which is Dhamma, is not something outside us that we acquire, but the cultivation and realization of wisdom, compassion and purity that we develop within ourselves.

Buddhism is not mere mumbo-jumbo, a myth told to entertain the human mind or to satisfy the human emotion, but a liberal and noble method for those who sincerely want to understand and experience the reality of life.

Kudos to you Sharmini, for right perspective

Shelley Dharmaratne - February 25, 2013
10:45 am
- Karma is action and reaction or cause and effect. It has both internal and external dimensions. Dharma also has both internal and external dimensions. One’s inborn nature is Swabhava and is dictated by karma or genetics. One’s personalised values in terms of what is wrong and what is right develops as a result of interactions between inborn nature and environment ( the circumstances, family , friends , teachers, values etc., a person is exposed to) . This is called Swadharma. There are concepts of Dharma- rights and wrongs, duties and responsibilities-that are established in every society and taught through parental and societal example, and through parables, proverbs, religions and philosophies. This is also Dharma. Tamils have defined this concept as Aram. The first alphabet is taught to children with the profound words , ” Aram seiya virumbu ( desire to do what is right)”. Aram is further defined as ” Theemai ilaatha seyal ( actions that are not harmful)”.
  
  Dr. Rajasingham Narendran
  
  Dr.Rajasingham Narendran - February 25, 2013
  4:01 pm
“I know of Buddist who feed ants with sugar but will not hesitate to kill his neighbor” – Somebody said thsi

Lanka Liar - February 25, 2013
11:54 am
Lanka Liar – I know a respected political leader, in the aftermath of the 7/83 pogrom, appropriately remarked in a Press interview “Sunday
Sil – Monday Kill” Of course, the 7/83 organised pogrom began on a Monday. I say this not to open old wounds but to emphasise we must learn from our past mistakes.

Senguttuvan

Senguttuvan - February 25, 2013
1:51 pm
- ISS,
  Mark my word. As I said may times before, such things will never ever repeat in this country for the UNP will never come back to power and everything is in affable hands of an astute politician.
  Leela
  
  Leela - February 25, 2013
  5:28 pm
  - Dear Leela,
    
    Although this comment is a departure from the concerns of the related article, I have to respond to a part of your comment.
    
    Affable – yes. Astute- yes. politician- yes. However, although he won the war, tried and did his best for the IDPs, restored normal life to a onsiderable extent in the north and east, and got the much needed infra structure develoment cum urban renewal projects in motion- which are to be much appreciated-, he has failed to address the fundamental problems in this country and has in fact made them worse .
    
    1. He has failed to address the so-called Tamil political grievances , despite his promises to do so. By this he has to be also labelled deceitful. Worse, he added insult to injury by banning the singing of the national anthem in Tamil and initiating moves to shut the doors on Diaspora Tamils seeking dual citizenship.
    2. He has foisted on the Tamils,men and women, who are unacceptable as leaders. This questions his judgement.
    3. He has recruited thousands of graduates into the state sector, who are twiddling their thumbs and do not have work to do. This questions his management skills.
    4. He is tolerating massive corruption, bribery and wastage in the public sector, which questions his value system.
    5. He has undermined the constitution and the judiciary, and worsened the law and order situation, which questions his understanding of the principles of governance.
    7. He encourages agriculture, but ignores the need to secure a reasonable return to the farmers and reasonable price for the consumers, symptomising the knee jerk and shallow reactions he and his government manifest towards many problems besetting this country.
    8.The manner in which he is responding to the BBS phenomenon and its anti- Muslim and extreme agenda, also makes me question his vision for this country.
    9. The manner in which he is managing our international affairs, makes me question his wisdom.
    10. The quality of persons he has appointed to the cabinet, makes me question his judgement, again.
    11. His insensitivity to the burden, cost of living has become to most people, shows that he has chosen to live in an ivory tower.
    12. He is misusing his charisma and credit accrued from winning the war and his acting skills to hide a whole rotten pumpkin in a plate of rice. This is betrayal of a people who trusted that he was the messiah this country needed.
    13. The on-going program to name structures, schools and even projects built with public fund,in his name, during his life time, is cheap, ugly and nauseating.
    
    The list can go on and on. I have ended it with the unlucky thirteen.
    
    I am very disappointed and sad that a man given opportunities and the circumstances, few before him had, epecially in terms of popular expectations and much hope, could have failed the people and country so much.
    
    Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
    
    Dr.Rajasingham Narendran - February 26, 2013
    3:20 am
Mary McEwan,

For those who seriously study the soothing teachings of the great wisdom contained in Buddhism – seriously and sincerely, it will be seen one acquires true peace of mind and body. When the Buddha was asked by an acolyte what he gained from meditation he answered
“Nothing” He added “However, let me tell you what I lost – anger,
anxiety, depression, insecurity, fear of old age and death”

What this country and our society will be if the mass of our people
really understood and practised this great process of philosophical thinking. When I visited Burma (Myanmar) – in a delegation lead by Minister Laksham Kadirgamar – we were deeply touched by the dedication and practise of the Buddhists there. With very little, they remained calm, serene and said about their poor economic condition “it is Karma. It will change – if not now, perhaps later and our children will be happy” My prayers are this hope of that pious lady and mother will come true soon. Signs are it may well be.

Senguttuvan

Senguttuvan - February 25, 2013
2:11 pm
- Being in the company of the Late Kadirgamar: cannot see some of his diplomacy rubbed in.
  
  Hussain Fahmy - February 25, 2013
  3:31 pm
  - With your eyes closed you cant see a thing you know. Try opening it. You don’t need a Kadirgamar for that
    
    Lanka Liar - February 27, 2013
    12:06 am
This needs to be translated in Singhala &Tamil should be published in daily news papers.

Jim Hardy - February 25, 2013
2:46 pm
All these comments clearly shows how divided Sri Lankans are. Unless we are prepared to listen, understand, reason out and discuss the various schools of thinking, Sri Lanka will become a paraya state soon.

Lucky - February 25, 2013
3:10 pm
including SHARMINI SERASINGHE most of the comments include bullshit!

abeysekara - February 25, 2013
3:43 pm
- Then Why you read Them????.
  
  WE DID NOT TELL YOU TO READ THEM.
  
  Again I remember that Hival ModaWangsa’s quote ” BABA HUKUN”
  
  This is called “” Hiding This thing, Trying to do That with some other-thing.”"
  
  JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA - February 25, 2013
  6:43 pm
- If you enjoy BS hang out in the company of Waduge and the dirty dozen at the most racial lanka web.
  
  Ceylonese - February 26, 2013
  8:16 am
Thank you Sharmini. I do appreciate the article. You have obviously made your point judging from the harsh comments against you. But I thank you for making us aware of the difference in “Sinhalabuddhism” and the teachings of the Buddha.

Joanna Gray - February 26, 2013
2:47 am
I am a supporter of Bodu Bala Sena and I can very proudly say that the government and specially the defense secretary are with us. We will not demand anything without the government blessings. Our main problem right now is the Muslims. If you see the population growth in Sri Lanka from 1981 to 2012, the Sinhalese have a growth of 38.2% and the Tamils have a growth of 20.3% where as the Muslims have a growth of 78.6%. The Tamils were only asking for a piece of land by waging a war but the Muslims will take over the whole country very peacefully if we allow them to grow at this rate.

Whether you like it or not, Sri Lanka is blessed by Buddha (Buddhist country) and it is none other than Buddha himself has chosen the Sinhalese as the sustainers of Buddhism. Sinhala-Buddhists should always be the majority in Sri Lanka, only a Sinhala-Buddhist should rule Sri Lanka (President). In this regard, the government agreed to ban family planning methods that control birth. We will be starting a programme to educate the Sinhala-Buddhists to produce as many children as they can. We are working on introducing new laws to legalize Polygamy so that there will be no legal restrictions in Sinhala-Buddhist men and women taking multiple partners with the objective of producing more and more children. Our Sinhala-Buddhist clergy took entered into politics in order to protect Buddha’s blessed Country and the Sinhalese people whom he chose to protect his doctrine (Dhamma).

The Buddhist clergy in the East is well known for martial arts. They learned it for self defense. As long as the present defense secretary is with us we have no fear but to defend ourselves in Sri Lanka in the future, we may have to form a Bodu Bala Sena regiment/saffron brigade, a separate army to protect the Sinhala-Buddhists.

All the ancient archeological artifacts found in Sri Lanka are only Buddhist and Hindu. Muslims and Christians are aliens to Sri Lanka. The colonial invaders forced the Buddhists and Hindus and converted them to Christianity. Similarly, the Arab traders who came to Sri Lanka married Buddhist and Hindu women and converted them to Muslims and even today they are doing the same. There are several cases of Sinhala-Buddhist women marrying Muslim men; they are forcefully converted to Muslims.

Halaal and other issues are not very major compared to the above but we have to nip it in the bud before it becomes a custom. We should never allow the Muslims and Christians to control anything in Sri Lanka. The law and the legislature should always be under the control of the Sinhala-Buddhists. Sri Lanka is a gift from Buddha to the Sinhalese. The Sinhala-Buddhists are very peaceful and compassionate towards others and that is the reason why we allowed others to live in our country. We know what the Muslims have done to countries that were Buddhist once upon a time (Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and so on). We do not want that to happen in our land. We are very grateful to the present government for giving us full support and strength to carry out our programmes very smoothly.

Bodu Bala - February 26, 2013
8:39 am
- Bodu Bala,
  
  Is this the official position of BBS or it your’s under the chosen name of Bodu Bala?
  It is rather nauseating in this time and age. Is the cat getting out of the bag?
  Dr. Rajasingham Narendran.
  
  Dr.Rajasingham Narendran - February 26, 2013
  9:28 am
  - This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy
    http://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
    
    R.KOVIAN - February 26, 2013
    9:02 pm
- Settled the Tamils and now Muslims –
  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=380652985366237
  
  Ceylonese - February 26, 2013
  10:01 am
- Gosh this is just sick….agree with Dr RN that the cat is definitely out of the bag…the government is in full support of th BBS ….i wonder whether these supporters of the BBS have ever enjoyed a biryani or thosai or even a pizza for that matter….all non sinhala Buddhist food no!! Also i hope you or any of your supporters don’t have relatives working abroad in non sinhala Buddhist countries!!! A lot of this is pure hypocrisy an i can only shake my head in amazement that there are folks who fall for the rhetoric …..and just to make a point how different are the sinhalese from the south Indians ?????? Surnames like gunaratne , weerasinghe etc only take a consonant at th end to make them Tamil!!!, and food like appa ,indiappa are also south Indian!!! So much for sinhala uniqueness and others taking over th country!
  
  citizen perera - February 26, 2013
  10:54 am
- Bodu Bala,
  
  1.Buddha wasn’t a God, so he couldn’t ‘bless’ anything or anyone.
  
  2.Where does it say that Buddha chose the Sinhalese as sustainers of Buddhism? Please tell my where I could find such proof.
  
  3. If Sinhala Buddhists are to have many children, is the government going to pay for their upbringing?
  
  4. Finally is it possible to fight your battles without desecrating the saffron robe?
  
  Mahadana Muththa (Jnr) - February 26, 2013
  12:29 pm
  - Moreover, if MR and co. are very buddhistic, is it correct to kill thousands of civilians in the final stage of the millitary offensive against the rebells ?
    
    In an Interview, previous presidents reiterated, if one would not focus on the civilians, any president would have succeeded the war against rebells. One would not destroy entire housing compelxes in elemination of the Dengue in THE COUNTRY. So, to claim a war victory, to kill all together is a far from buddhistic views.
    
    Bodu balu sena are more or less like interpret all issues according to them. That is not acceptable. Buddhism is a great philosophy, only the educated folks can comphrend it… today´s safron robed so called monks are just a maligancy to the nation.
    
    Seelawathie - February 26, 2013
    3:15 pm
- this looks tongue in cheek, doesn’t it?
  
  Nabil - February 26, 2013
  1:27 pm
- Mr. Bodu Bala,
  
  Instead of banning Halal could you please ban the slaughter of animals in this country?
  
  If people want to eat the flesh of animals, it could be imported and sold at a high price just like the government is doing with tobacco products and alcohol.
  
  If you want this country to be a an example of a Buddhist country, then you must do this.
  
  Animal Rights Activist - February 26, 2013
  3:53 pm
- Dear Bodu Bala Sena, your fear is reasonable, because of the recent attitude of the Muslims. The fact that they are allowed to have four wives which results in the rapid growth of their race is a growing concern not only in Sri Lanka, but also in Europe as well as in India. It is reported that the comparison of the their growth rate with other races in Europe is shown as 8 : 1 or sometimes 2. Having four wives could have occurred as a case of necessity on account of the constant wars between the Muslims and other sects in the Middle-East and Western Asia. This is a silent method of capturing the world. I think Europe will be the first target. Even in Sri Lanka, upon a perusal of sequent of events for the last 20 or 30 years, coupled with the illegal activities in compliance with the illegal objectives of the Islamic Terrorist Organizations, one tends to think whether Muslims have posed a threat, despite their repeated pleas that they are law-abiding citizens. (I assert this allegation because Hindu temples in Batticaloa, statutes of Swami Vipulananda, etc have been damaged by some undesirable characters. Further, I had the experience of how the Muslim politician wanted to do away a person, who had come to know about the illegal activities of Muslims and transferring Police Officer). This is not a racist comment. Apparently there are Muslims with good heart, who wants to integrate with the rest of the communities in Sri Lanka. We have to accommodate the Muslims as our brothers and sisters. Moreover, one should not forget that the concept of Love and Compassion preached by Lord Buddha. The fact that Sri Lanka was blessed by Lord Buddha should not be distorted to create communal flames. We should also realize as to how Sri Lanka was prior to the birth of Lord Buddha. Remember Buddhism had its roots in India and that Lord Buddha was a Hindu, who wanted everyone to live peacefully. The moment the word ‘Sinhala-Buddhism’ is uttered, you are digging your own grave. Even Adolf Hitler uttered this type of word as ‘Germans are the mighty race’ and finally saw his downfall. Buddhism, like other religions, is a way of life practising tolerance. Please remember, whether one is a Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, etc., they are all human beings. It is true that archeological artifacts found in Sri lanka are only Buddhist and Hindu. At the sametime it should also be taken into account that civilizations had perished from time to time on account of natural disasters. That does not mean we should re-claim everything that is lost due to natural disasters. What is required is that man has to refine himself with clear ideas with mutual respect for each other. If everyone build their attitude that a country is home for everyone, irrespective of any discrimination, there won’t be any problem. In Sri Lanka, the basic problem lies in the tussle between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’. Would all these incidents emerge, had there been Federalism either on the Canadian or American model. This is the curse of the counrty. I have suspicion that fanaticism is been utized by the politicians to secure their power and wealth, by deviating the attention of the majority for which Bodu Bala Sena is created. The manner in which Bodu Bala Sena raised its tone, I don’t find any difference between the terrorists and Bodu Bala sena.
  
  Citizen - February 26, 2013
  4:36 pm
  - Citizen,
    
    In my short existence on earth, I have met only two men who have a second wife. I am envious cos seem to be privy to a lot of information about Muslims. I am a proud Muslim who has the option of marrying four, but is happy with one.
    
    Most men have affairs outside their marriage; the test of character is to have the opportunity to do what you please but having the power to say no.
    
    Since you have not the option, I am not sure you are qualified to comment. Also if you would AGAIN ask you to quote statistics from a source.
    
    If you persist, I am afraid this forum will treat you for what you are, a ludicrously obtuse apology for a human being
    
    Nabil - February 27, 2013
    6:29 am
    - Dear Nabil, I have an interesting case for you. I just want to know whether Muslims are law-abiding citizens. When they arrive in a country that cherishes civil liberty, can you let me know how they should respect the law. Even I am confused. The case is given below.
      Now there is a dispute between a Muslim barber and a woman who has requested service. The Muslim barber refused because his Muslim faith from touching women. As far as the woman is concerned, the Muslim barber’s religious freedom is against a woman’s right to request without discrimination. The woman who wears her hair short did not seem to expect the response she received. Now the woman filed a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario stating that she was treated as a “second-class citizen” because she was a woman. The Muslim barber’s position is that if he is forced to cut the woman’s hair, would violate his religious rights. In a country where civil liberties are cherished, what would happen if there is conflict between two equal human rights.
      Over to you Nabil. Even I have close relatives married in Muslim community, and that too in high society.
      
      Citizen - February 28, 2013
      2:08 am
- Bodu Bala,
  
  I see what you say and the ground reality of the country. Yes take the country back to Buddha era……when Bana, pirith and gatha are preached 24 hours of the day while electricity, petrol and house hold gas prices are climbing over the roof……thereby making people to live with coppara lanterns and travel in gon karatte while cooking with dried cow dung.
  
  Sleep more in dark while have dozen children with ample malaria mosquitos around and recite bana and eat punnakku and grass curry.
  
  I think this is what Hambanthota Ga…s gem….a also want to take our country…….after robbing the last left over from National Museum.
  
  Why don’t you go early to Nivana….and leave us alone.
  
  Jayantha - February 27, 2013
  12:45 am
- Saffron-robed Bhikkhu brigade was the only thing missing. Ordain the Sinhala-Buddhist kids as Buddhist monks and send them for military training and put them in the front line like what the LTTE did. BBS is nothing but Sinhala-Buddhist Taliban or just another terrorist organization. These skin headed punks are thugs in yellow robe. Today they attack Mosques and churches, tomorrow what?
  
  Buddhism was a good religion/philosophy once upon a time before it got into the hands of the Sinhalese. Unfortunately, today the Sinhalese have converted Buddhism into Barbarism and renamed it as Sinhala-Buddhism. Buddha statue has become the symbol of Sinhala-Buddhist hegemony and racism. It is planted at every corner where they find a boo tree irrespective of whether there are Buddhists in that place or not. Emperor Ashoka must be grieving in his grave/tomb for giving Buddhism to Sinhalese, the primitive savages/uncivilized Barbarians. These Buddhist Barbarians want to make multi-ethnic/religious Sri Lanka into a Sinhala-Buddhist only country.
  
  Like what Sir John Kothalawela once said, someone should apply TAR on their bold heads as well as on their butts.
  
  Kumar - February 27, 2013
  5:31 am
  - Kumar,
    
    Correction. Buddhism was and will always be a great religion and philosophy no matter who tries to desecrate it. Like in all religions it is the uneducated who try to sully the faith. Likewise those who try to make a mockery of the Dhamma either by word or deed are only spitting at themselves.
    
    The Dhamma will last forever as long as there are intelligent and enlightened people to abide by its teachings.
    
    Peace Dove
    
    Peace Dove - February 27, 2013
    12:47 pm
- BBS is nothing but Buddhism Betraying Soldiers.
  
  Siva - March 2, 2013
  10:33 am
We have the Zionist claiming their promised land by God. Now we have the another race following them and claiming a far fetched promised land. A serious connection between Zionism and BBS is beginning to brew. Did Buddha live in Sri Lanka? How can a Napali/Indian national establish holy land in Sri Lanka? Perhaps the United Nation and the International community should get involved to discredit these claims and take action to avoid another disaster.

The infiltration of the Zionist ideology and their initial funding to the BBS/JHU and the formation of an Atheistic Sinhellism (coined this word to separate the good apples from the rotten ones) movement similar to the belief of Zionism is gaining momentum in Sri Lanka. The warmongers (US/EU) and their captains of weapons industry are sowing the seeds of conflict with Sinhellists (BBS/JHU) and Muslims. The silence of the majority peace living Sri Lankans are a disturbing fact and every evidence points out that the Rulers are complicit with them.

Ceylonese - February 26, 2013
9:11 am
- Hi everyone,
  
  After nearly 12 months of my personal time and money spending on most controversial topic about the birth place of Gouthama SakyaMuni, finally I have proved to myself that nearly 200yrs we were being mislead by British Historian.
  
  Colonial rulers created our history in our recent past, and in the past it was rewritten by Buddhgosha (17 volumes of Buddhist teaching distortion in so called Visuddhi Marga ) and Mahanama (Mahawamsa limited to 37 Chapters) both of Indian origin and later a successful result of a plot they burnt down our history books in the conflict of Abayagiri Monastery.
  
  Here I have included an article from the Budusarana Paper and a web site created with valuable reading on the subject.
  
  Personally I have come to the conclusion based on a very scientific facts that the Gouthama Sakya Muni was born and delivered his world’s most greatest teaching on human existence and psychology in our little Island call pearl of Indian Ocean.
  
  Please have an open mind and do your reference carefully. It is not necessary to believe what I say here.
  
  Yes I Lord Buddha was born in Sri Lanka, Now his teaching has come to the surface in the purest form.
  
  May every being attain nibbana in the path of Bu-Uddha
  
  Ahtnayirp - February 27, 2013
  9:03 am
  - Ahtnayirp
    
    “Yes I Lord Buddha was born in Sri Lanka, Now his teaching has come to the surface in the purest form.”
    
    Thank you for your scholarly work and I am indeed indebted to you for highlighting the distortion in ancient myth.
    
    I have always thought my people are the descendants of Buddha. Can you confirm this fact?
    
    Now you have made another history.
    
    Native Vedda - February 27, 2013
    3:57 pm
a very good analysis of the mind-set of the sinhalabuddist politicions who spreading hatred among the srilankans .If halal is condemned how is it that halal money from middle east that the sinhala buddhist bring home
is good!!

muslim

muslim - February 26, 2013
2:11 pm
“Being in the company of the Late Kadirgamar: cannot see some of his diplomacy rubbed in” un-necessarily and unsolicited says one more member of that grouping the Dutch MP Wilders and many others identify as “irrationally and mentally disturbed” The sick of his ilk are now forced to learn matters in perspective. Predictably, delusions of conquering the country and the world with swine droppings every few months has exploded in the face of this “pure and clean” variety.

Diplomacy, Decency and the like are not spoken of in the same sentence with these degenerates blinded by revenge, hatred and conspiracies from the time the cancer showed up in the world. “This is what we get for giving them room to live in this land – when they had no where to go. Now they lay came to our land” say the BBS. They complain it is the story of feeding milk, out of pity and Compassion, to the viper from the bush. The occasional words of peace, reconciliation etc coming from the pen of such dregs, they know, is believed by none.

Senguttuvan

Senguttuvan - February 26, 2013
6:02 pm
I DONT KNOW WHY PEOPLE ARE CRITICIZING THIS ARTICLE AND THE AUTHOR. BUT AUTHOR AND THE ARTICLE IS VERY TRUE. IF WE PRACTICED REAL BUDDHISM SRI LANKA WOULD NOT HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS. ALL POLITICIANS FROM SWRD BANDARANAYAKE UP TO THE PRESENT ONES HAVE DESTROYED THE COUNTRY.

GIORA - February 26, 2013
7:22 pm
Prohibit all Halal Foods in your country.

But if you prohibit the Halal Foreign money coming for Muslim

countries you will have to die of stravation and then who will protect Sinhala Budhism.

Arab Muslim - February 27, 2013
1:49 am
Play the ball. Not the player

aa - February 27, 2013
5:11 am
Dear Sister,

You pose the following question and I will attempt to answer it with some quotes:

If Lord Buddha were here now there is one thing he would do- ban Sinhalabuddhism in Sri Lanka which I doubt very much.

On a full-moon day in May, he sat under the Bodhi tree in deep meditation and said. “I will not leave this spot until I find an end to suffering.” During the night, he was visited by Mara, the evil one, who tried to tempt him away from his virtuous path. First he sent his beautiful daughters to lure Gautama into pleasure. Next he sent bolts of lightning, wind and heavy rain. Last he sent his demonic armies with weapons and flaming rocks. One by one, Gautama met the armies and defeated them with his virtue.
As the struggle ended, he realized the cause of suffering and how to remove it. He had gained the most supreme wisdom and understood things as they truly are. He became the Buddha, ‘The Awakened One’. From then on, he was called Shakyamuni Buddha.
The Buddha Teaches
After his enlightenment, he went to the Deer Park near the holy city of Benares and shared his new understanding with five holy men. They understood immediately and became his disciples. This marked the beginning of the Buddhist community.
For the next forty-five years, the Buddha and his disciples went from place to place in India spreading the Dharma, his teachings. Their compassion knew no bounds, they helped everyone along the way, beggars, kings and slave girls. At night, they would sleep where they were; when hungry they would ask for a little food.
Whenever the Buddha went, he won the hearts of the people because he dealt with their true feelings. He advised them not to accept his words on blind faith, but to decide for themselves whether his teachings are right or wrong, then follow them. He encouraged everyone to have compassion for each other and develop their own virtue, “You should do your own work, for I can teach only the way.”
He never became angry or impatient or spoke harshly to anyone, not even to those who opposed him. He always taught in such a way that everyone could understand. Each person thought the Buddha was speaking especially for him. The Buddha told his followers to help each other on the Way. Following is a story of the Buddha living as an example to his disciples.
Once the Buddha and Ananda visited a monastery where a monk was suffering from a contagious disease. The poor man lay in a mess with no one looking after him. The Buddha himself washed the sick monk and placed him on a new bed. Afterwards, he admonished the other monks. “Monks, you have neither mother nor father to look after you. If you do not look after each other, who will look after you? Whoever serves the sick and suffering, serves me.”

The war in Sri Lanka is not a religious war but an ethnic war between the majority Sinhalese and minority Tamils and the seeds of the current crisis were sewn immediately after independance when successive Sinhalse goverments failed to treat the Tamils as equlas but as their sujects. Sri Lanka could only survive as one nation by acknowledging two seperate indentities and granting the minority the means to preserve their culture and heritage which means under a federal system along the Indian model.
But sadly people like SWRD whipped up hatred recognising that the vast majoirity of the Sinhalese are inherently racist.
Although the vast majoity of Sinhalese are Buddhists Lord Buddhas teachings is an alien language to them.
Just listen to Gotha and do you sense any compassion other than utter contempt for the Tamils and even Lord Buddha cant do anything to change him.
If Lord Buddha came back and tried to preach he will be IMPEACHED.

But let me share this with you and tell you how sick some Sinhalse minds are.

I lost someone close to me during race riots in Kantalai and he was a research office in the Sugar Factory.
After kiiling him brutally the thugs when returing to their habitat stumbled across a statute of Lord Ganesh. They took the statute and threw it by a canal and wrote the following: PILLAIR NANDA KIYA.

So I like to say Lord Buddha has NANDA KIYA and I am afraid whether he has drowned or when he will be coming back and untill then Sri Lankas misery continues.
Sorry I cant offer any comfort.

kali - February 27, 2013
12:40 pm
Buddhism is the pursuit of liberation, liberation from worldly and materialistic pursuits, thereby pursuing spiritual ideals, to obtain a state of non-existence where there is no suffering – which is Nirvana, not to be confused with a popular American Rock Band.

Now, Sinhala Buddhism, is a farce in all conceivable perceptions, it is vain and it is unworthy of the doctrine which it has hijacked and claimed to itself.

Being Sinhalese, is worldly and materialistic, subscribing to a cultural or a racially idealistic state of living, or entertaining the desire to protect, prolong and dominate as a culture leads to suffering, It is irrational and selfish, and driven almost entirely by ego. This is not the path to attain Nirvana, not even a parallel path.

The Sinhalese have hijacked Buddhism and contaminated it with their tribal survival ideals, thereby depriving it of the opportunity to be approached scientifically or to evolve socially – and has made it yet sodden dogmatic farce- they’ve ruined it for their future generations.

If Buddha bothers to come back, the one to cast the first stone would be a Sinhala Buddhist, yelling out with molten anger “It is insulting to Buddha to call yourself Buddha, Piss off”.

Or Indeed why would he descend upon this sodden patch of soil- given that there are far better and influential places to start making a difference.

Vajira Gayan - February 28, 2013
9:42 am
Dear Leela

“Mark my word. As I said may times before, such things will never ever repeat in this country for the UNP will never come back to power and everything is in affable hands of an astute politician”

This is the ideal and what is guaranteed by the Constitution. I know
“the affable hands” as much as I know old Thonda and, believe me, I have a different take. A few of us were shocked of what he told us when we saw him the day after the attempt on Sarath F at Army HQ.
Still, I hope you are right and I am wrong.

UNP may not come back with Ranil, Karu J or the other pretenders. But
the GoP will rise from the ashes – as it did in 1956 under the able inspiration of tricky Dicky and my friend V.A. Sugathadasa. It may take sometime – but it surely will.

Senguttuvan

Senguttuvan - February 28, 2013
9:16 pm
This is The BEST article I have ever read.

Mohana Prabath Karunanayake - March 6, 2013
3:38 am
- mohana, I agree with you.
  
  Dr. M K herath - March 19, 2013
  4:49 pm
MOST WONDERFUL WRITING.

Saman - March 6, 2013
3:40 am
I have never ever read an article better than this.

Mohana Prabath Karunanayake - March 6, 2013
3:42 am
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SINHALA BUDDHISTS..THERE ARE JUST PEOPLE WHO HAPPEN TO SPEAK A PARTICULAR LANGUAGE GIVEN THE HOME THEY WERE BORN INTO AND HAPPEN TO ALSO FOLLOW BUDDHISM….TAMIL RACE, SINHALA RACE MUSLIM RACE..ITS THE “RACIAL EGO ” THAT CAUSES PROBLEMS NOT THE RELIGION…..PERIOD..

Lanka - March 11, 2013
1:46 pm
It is worth to distinguish culture and religion separately, though they live together. Sinhala- Buddhist is our culture and Buddhist monks are part of both our culture and religion.

Alms-giving and other customs after someone die are our culture, just like Christians are taking the body to church. I’m not against any religion, but i believe praying from a tree is more logical than praying from something invisible or from which we don’t know whether exist.

Ranil - March 12, 2013
5:16 pm

Sinhalabuddhism In Sri Lanka

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