In a complete flip of the tune played to media on the night he was released – claiming he will spend his days engaged in meditation and contemplating dhamma – BBS Gnanasara now says he has decided to resume his activism upon seeing the hopeless and confused looks on the face of the youth.
Gnanasara made these remarks to media during his visit to Kandy Malwathu and Asgiri temples last evening, where he told media he was genuine in his claims when he said he wished to spend his days in meditation.
“I was truly exhausted and was genuinely wanting to spend my days in calm and quiet; engaged in dhamma and meditation,” he told media while being surrounded by fellow members of the BBS. “But I saw the confused looks in the faces of youth who came to see me and some even wrote that when I was released, they felt as if their father had returned home…”
“My heart fell, I felt very emotional – how can you ignore when children say such things?” he added.
So, throwing all caution to the wind, Gnanasara says he has decided to become ‘active once more’.
“I told myself there is no time to rest, no time to engage in dhamma and meditation…Attaining nirvana can wait. Now we are in a race against time to be proactive until this danger moves away,” he added.
Meanwhile, responding to a question posed by a journalist of possible entry to politics, he said he is engaged in a form of ‘historical politics’ – a calibre that stands higher than party politics that change every five years.
“I beg of the thugs engaged in party politics – don’t rile me up and take this issue to unnecessary lengths,” he said while adding party politics are irrelevant to him and he is not a goon of Mahinda, Maithri or Ranil.
Eagle Eye / May 28, 2019
In Buddha Sasana there are two kinds of monks; Gramawasi (Villege dwellers) and Aranyawasi (Forest dwellers). In Sri Lanka both these groups can be found. Village dweller monks live with people, attend to their spiritual needs, look after them and guide them. A large majority of Village Dwelling monks perform these duties and in return they get food and other basic necessities from people.
During more than 2000 years old history of this country, whenever the country faced a threat, these Village Dwelling monks have played a main role by putting the country first and monkhood second to save the country. When Dravidians invaded Sinhale, Village Dwelling monks extended their full support to Sinhalayo who fought against Dravidians who came to colonize this country. During colonial rule Buddhist monks played a leading role against their rule and some even went in front of the firing squad. Thousands of Buddhist monks were killed by colonial barbarians.
After British left, the country faced new challenges because Colonial rulers introduced many changes that were detrimental to native Sinhalayo. They brought millions of slaves from Malabar and changed the demographic map. They gave land ownership to Muslims who were given refugee status by King Senerath. Now native Sinhalyo are facing new challenges because of the changes introduced by colonial rulers. So Buddhist monks have a right to play a role to face those challenges.
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Seka / May 30, 2019
By what I just read, what you are describing us patriotism. Let this not be an excuse to provoke Racism in our country. NO ONE has a right to spread hate, especially when it comes to the youth of this country. “RELIGIOUS” leader such as himself should be an example to others.
ALL THAT HE IS DOING is the undoing of Sri Lanka’s Future through violence.
If you Continue to support this by giving lousy excuses like this, you aren’t any better.
It’s time to open our eyes and stand against racist pricks like this that hides behind their blind supporters and “religion”.
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K.Pillai / May 28, 2019
Title {“BBS Gnanasara Pulls A 180 – Says “Nirvana Can Wait -Will Resume My Activism Once More” }
‘A 180degrees pull will make Gnanasara move in opposite direction.
He has the same direction in mind and so 360degrees is more appropriate.
A 90degrees is ‘lateral thinking’. Gnanasara cannot.
In Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Buddhism there is no Nirvana.
The traditional Buddhism101 is heresy.
“….Will Resume My Activism…….”. Of the anti-Muslin 2014 Aluthgama Pogrom type?
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International political activists & journalists identify a ‘Terrorist’ in Gnanasara Thero.
For political reasons MR family allied with Gnanasara, not the other way round.
GR is proud to be a Patron of BBS.
All the lawmakers, exception TNA, do not want to even appear to cross the Gnanasara path.
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The recent amnesty?
The infamous photo session of MS and wife in cordial conversation with Gnanasara?
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Are the Lankan Elites keen to contain ‘Terrorism’?
No. They profit from it.
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Eagle Eye / May 28, 2019
Ven. Gnanasara has not done any harmful thing to peace loving Muslims who have lived with Sinhala Buddhists for a long time. He has been fighting against Wahabi extremists. If Ven. Gnanasara is labeled as a terrorist, all the TNA politicians also should be branded as terrorists because they openly supported LTTE Demala terrorist organization. Few Christian clergy also openly extended their support to LTTE. They also should be branded as terrorists. All the Muslim clergy who kept swords, daggers arms and ammunition in Mosques also should be branded as terrorists.
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Those who take a leading role in bashing Buddhist monks have conveniently forgotten the despicable activities carried out by clergy of other religions probably because they get paid for bashing Buddhist Monks and Sinhala Buddhists.
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Alm / May 29, 2019
So all the house shops and mosques that were damaged and burnt in Aluthgama, Digana, Minuwangoda, Hettipola etc belonged to Wahabi extremists?
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Good Sense / May 28, 2019
As reported it is a complete turn around. Why? It is clear that GG was pardoned after an unprecedented meeting between a prisoner and the head of state within the prison premises itself. So, MY3 took the unprecedented step of pardoning a person punished for contempt of court. Now again why? Putting two and two together, one can conjecture that GG was expected to perform a role after his release. Clearly it cannot be a life of meditation and contemplation. Hence GG had to be reminded why he was released. Now, there are still a couple of cases against GG. So, at any given time he can be made to wear the jumpers if he doesn’t do what is expected out of him.
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JD / May 28, 2019
What most of the comments say and what the article wanted to say was, In Sri lanka that minorities are above and all and majority must behave the way that minorities wants. what a way to live, completely a subdued buddhist majority nation.
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Silva / May 29, 2019
Let it be anything but if again this man set the country on fire, the entire blame should fall squarely on the shoulders of this mad president who set him free.
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roshan / May 29, 2019
Srilankans, whoever it is should understand that if a religion needs to encompass the masses, the religious leaders has to set an example for the others to follow. Sangha members are everywhere with hartsls, press conference etc either interested in making headlines or money. and temples are deserted and people lack enthusiasm attending temples. See the percentage of youngsters visiting temples for spiritual purposes. Lord Buddha left worldly affairs to attain nirvana and our mahasangha are trying the other way around. If your religion is good set an example by leading the Buddha way without oppressing others. In case of old clergy born again they would be surprised to see which religion they are following, By oppressing any religion what anyone can achieve. Politicos have spolt the country, the youngsters and the sangha as well.
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Buramphisincho / May 29, 2019
I have the feeling that they have been controlling CT today.
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edwin rodrigo / May 30, 2019
Buramphisincho, I have got the same feeling. What can we do about it?
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A.Dnyanaranjan / May 29, 2019
It is not worth writing comments for any articles in your paper as they are not published or removed immediately, for reasons best known to you. You can see all sorts of dirty comments being published but decent comments which I assume is not to the liking of the person/s are not published. We are also citizens of this country who wish to live in peace. It is not surprising that many people say that a “media mafia” exists. Your Comments Policy seems to be a joke.
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shankar / May 30, 2019
he is under pressure and so had to do the 180 degree turn.Those who got him released would have blasted him saying why do you think we got you released,to do meditation?You could have done that in your jail cell.We want you to now go after the muslims like the attack dog that you are.
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