New Pictures have emerged showing President Sirisena imitating President Rajapaksa, worshipping the sacred Tree in Anuradhapura. The resemblance is uncanny.
Such conduct was not seen during the tenure of President Jayewardene or Kumaratunga. President Rajapaksa seem to have pioneered worshiping tarmac, Tree worshipping of this nature and took astrology to new heights.
Is President Sirisena following in the foot steps of President Rajapaksa? We will let our readers judge if the voters have bought Old wine in new bottles.
Leon / January 26, 2015
Please Stop this bloody nonsense of kissing trees. We though kissing trees and tying people to trees are over.
Do we have clone here?.
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Ben Hurling / January 26, 2015
I am a Buddhist. I would never do this. Never. This kind of stuff is nothing but rubbish.
However, these are politicians. This is how they hypnotize their stupid audience. And it works.
Not only in Sri Lanka. Take USA, no political scumbag ever fail to turn up in church on Sundays wielding a Bible.
Cheers!
PS: The symbolic message of this photograph will be truly unfortunate for the new President. Since this is still his honeymoon period the guy still has the benefit of our justifiable doubt.
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Web / January 26, 2015
This tree didn’t help MR and not going to help MS. When are these people going to realize believing stars and trees are not going to help them. Worshipping gods iis Hindu practice not Buddhist. It’s great MR didn’t worship a shit pit. We are living in the world of myths!
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Thiru / January 26, 2015
[Edited out]
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Javi. / January 27, 2015
shit bucket southern sihala buddhist
Try a bit more of vass Gaala Kavi.
With Dalai retirement the moment of buddhism has started to fade in the west and the only takers are terrorist like BBS and burma bunda.
The passing fancy has to come to an end- nothing is permanent.
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Palmsquirrell / January 26, 2015
I wouldn’t call myself Buddhist even though I respect Buddhism; I don’t find anything wrong in what Srisena did.
If he did it to sucker in gullible people then it is wrong but we can’t assume that is his intention.
I just take this as a symbolic act, one that is intended to show respect to the culture of Ceylon. American Presidents go to church , Japanese PM goes to Shinto shrine, Muslim leaders go to Mosque, Israeli leaders go to the Western Wall.
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Mi Mi Khaing Aye / January 26, 2015
“I wouldn’t call myself Buddhist even though I respect Buddhism; I don’t find anything wrong in what Srisena did”.
Definitely, you aren’t a Busshist, but a Rama’s pita-patted squirrel.
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Native Vedda / January 26, 2015
Mi Mi Khaing Aye
“Definitely, you aren’t a Busshist, but a Rama’s pita-patted squirrel.”
Of course his ancestor came to this land with your ancestors, the monkey army. Their descendants are still here, destroying this island, …
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Bomblii / January 26, 2015
Yea, we could smell you are a Christombu.
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Native Vedda / January 26, 2015
Ben Hurling
Traditionally Hindus as well as Buddhist worship trees not because the trees will benefit them with fortunes and power but because if the people don’t revere trees as part of living environment the human race itself will die.
We should start preserving the environment, trees, birds, “animals” every aspect of nature. In the name of development please stop destroying this island. Only the crooks get benefit out of it.
Worshiping trees is only symbolic gesture as to why we should protect them.
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Confucius / January 27, 2015
Native Vedda,
“Worshiping trees is only symbolic gesture as to why we should protect them”.
Wouldn’t it have been better if MS had worshiped a coconut tree? After all it’s far more valuable to humans than a Bo tree, isn’t it?
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Javi. / January 27, 2015
Have you ever considered looking at an English cottage from outside. Do you see the plants and flowers??
You see the underdogs blending with the best to look pleasing to the eye.Never gaudy.But you cut the flowers when I see the high ranking holiest of Buddhist monks have never plucked a flower in their life- that shows respect for all life.
That is democracy doing the best with what you got not importing a tree that grows with crow dropping and taking a square of land from the people because god is in the shit.
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Amarasiri / January 26, 2015
RE: Déjà Vu
“Please Stop this bloody nonsense of kissing trees. We though kissing trees and tying people to trees are over. Do we have clone here?”
Look at the big picture.
They are Politicians and Actors. They want votes.They are going after the same pool of voters.
A substantial portion of the Religious people follow the Religions “protocols” and “Traditions”.
Some pray to Tress. some to Images, Some to No-Images, Images Less Gods,
What is the IQ of the Audience? Customer?
The Question to ask is Who is the audience? Who is the Customer?
http://www.photius.com/rankings/national_iq_scores_country_ranks.html
National IQ Scores – Country Rankings
Rank
——– Country
———————– %
————-
1 Singapore 108
2 South Korea 106
28 Guatemala 79
28 Sri Lanka 79
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Freedom Fighter / January 26, 2015
Well, he should be free to worship anything he likes, from a bus halt to a bodhi tree or his father’s grave.
We in Sri Lanka will not be bound by this new Kazzar-Jewish value system being spread by “Leonards” of this world.
These rogues should learn to respect what others choose to revere. Do they mind if our kids worship a poster of some Hollywood paper hero or a tart? Certainly will not.
So leave him alone. THAT ID DEMOCRACY.
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Amarasiri / January 27, 2015
Freedom Fighter
“These rogues should learn to respect what others choose to revere.”
Yes. Succinctly stated.
Your Devil is my God. My Gold is your Devil.
You and I should have the freedom to worship our Gods and our Devils.
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Javi. / January 27, 2015
There is no God there is no Devil in this Universe but just what we are conditioned to perceive. The mainland Chinese call it a power that created it and the power here is the `one party` which we have to obey or be persecuted similarly all religions in this land.
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Prabash / January 26, 2015
This article is really annoying and hurting the sentiments of Buddhists. I am a practicing Buddhist and against any form of insulting of any religions. These rituals may not be any practical sense, but still they are religious rituals that pay respect/homage to the tree that gave shades to Buddha.These have equal significance of worshiping cows in Hinduism, Haj worshiping in Islam, worshiping unseen gods in Christianity which CT has never criticized. When the issue of halal came to the front, I was against my fellow Buddhists as we are hurting their sentiments even though it doesn’t have any significant scientific value. I really condemn CT for this cowardly act of insulting Buddhist rituals.
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FAMOUS449 / January 26, 2015
There is nothing called “Hajj Worshipping” in Islam.
Performance of Hajj is just a ritual incumbent on all Muslims, whoever can afford to do it financially and only when in physical fitness.
May be you are mis-taught and/or misinformed about Islam and Islamic principles.
We Muslims don’t worship anything or anybody But God, in Arabic only known as “ALLAH”…! We believe in the oneness of God, not in multiple Gods.
We don’t have the spiritual power nor the physical strength to see HIM with our naked eyes because we are just one of his creations.
And, we are prohibited worshipping anything else other HIM and HIM ALONE!
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FAMOUS449 / January 26, 2015
Prabash,
I respect your views on Buddhists rituals in the form of paying tributes and paying homage to Buddha Statues and the Bo Trees about which, it is neither said nor taught in Buddhism; but, I am sorry to say this that I cannot agree on what you had stated about Halal form of food processing adopted in Islam.
You had even gone to the extent of saying that Halal doesn’t have any significant scientific value.
May be you are ill-informed; please take little pain to study further by having to go through some valuable reading materials about this important subject by just typing “Halal Concept” in Islam in any search engine in the internet; I am sure you will be enlightened more on the useful benefits of Halal concept which some Buddhist monks with the support and help of some ill-informed Buddhist followers and devotees with the connivance of the Rajapaksha government did so much to the feelings of the Muslims living in this country.
Anyway, this issue is a bygone and/or a closed subject, I have no intention to rekindle the thoughts on this issue once again as we have had enough emotional disturbances in this country over some unwanted minor religious issues which some unscrupulous political leaders took advantage of for their own benefits.
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Prabhash / January 26, 2015
@FAMOUS449: I am extremely sorry if I hurt your sentiments. I respect the Muslim rituals and sorry again. I just wanted to tell each and every religion has its own rituals that others may not see that important. But, we should respect those and shouldn’t insult those.There is an equal importance in Buddhism for paying homage to the tree that gave the shade for ‘Buddha” to worshiping invisible “Allah” who believed to be the creator of the World by Islamist. We should not play with those sentiments of any religion and use those for any political or personal benefits or agendas. As you mentioned we have had enough of those under Rajapaksha ruling. Also we shouldn’t allow the people like Gnanasara, Weerapanikkiyalage Wimalasena, Hakeem or anybody to play those trump cards anymore. As I see this article of CT is such a third class act. When I see such articles and comments from Buddhism haters, sometimes I feel like blaming myself for voting against Rajapaksha and feel like supporting him in future elections.
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shankar / January 26, 2015
Leon,wear some spectacles please.Where is he kissing the tree?At least the wine is about one year older than the earlier one because he is not kissing the tree like mahinda who went on a kissing spree,kissing the arse of gaddafi,swaziland king etc and got only a fart for his efforts.
However kissing is a good thing.We should have more love in this world than wars shoudn’t we?When we get up in the morning first thing before brushing your teeth even,kiss the wife,the children,maid,dog etc.If you have a driver give him a hug and peck on the cheek.Then when you go to the office give a full blooded kiss on the lips to the receptionist and your secretary if you have one.Then whenever you have any one to one talk with your colleagues for the first time only during the day,give them a hug and peck on the cheek for the men and full blooded kiss on the lips for the women.Remember only once per person per day,otherwise they might avoid you and work could suffer.Same for those who visit you too.Then when you go home again with family,maid and dog(full blooded kiss to the lips or peck in cheek depending on your love for the dog)and then late in the night after you can hear your wife snoring go and give another full blooded kiss to the maid,who will then work herself to the bone for your wife the next day.
Now instead of putting down the kissing habit don’t you think it should be encouraged to make the world a better place.Just see the harmony in your house and in your workplace if you follow my advise.
I know of politicians in some countries on the campaign trail when they go to a fish market they will kiss the fish and the fishermen will vote for them.So what is wrong with kissing the sacred bo tree,The bhuddhist monks will vote for you and they in turn will ask bhuddhists to vote.
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Pyarelal / January 26, 2015
Shankar Jaikishan,
You composed the best of the tunes for Leon Parthasarathy. I love your humour of a fishy-fart.
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Noel / January 26, 2015
Do you still adore the Odin of the third-kind?
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Seelawathi / January 26, 2015
Hi GUYS; regardless of his today s status – I have never heard anything uncultred, megalomaniac nature of MS even before the last election. His gentle nature and the manner he produced them in a form of recapulated version outreached the people of almost all walks in the srilanka. That brought him the victory. As he is a buddhist – what is wrong him kneeling and joining the traditional kind of rituals carried out befor the most sacred bo tree. But I really dont think he would ever go after ONLY that kind of events- as had been the case with Maharajano. Maharajano was PR greedy man – never forget to return to the paddy filed related ceremonies each time after his wasteful entourages and made every effort to manipulate the masses by fooling them. Alone the fact that Kiripiti prices to stay unchanged – at unafordable prices should be against his own principles if he really loved the little ones as he cuddled them. They could tax the rich people but why to have set all avenues to grab the taxes from the poor is what anyone with a bird brain would never get it.
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Amarasiri / January 28, 2015
Leon
“Please Stop this bloody nonsense of kissing trees. We though kissing trees and tying people to trees are over.”
It is Tradition and History.
Botany and Botanism? Like Hinduism. Buddhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christian(ism), Islam(ism) etc.
Tree worship
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_worship
Tree worship (dendrolatry) refers to the tendency of many societies throughout history to worship or otherwise mythologize trees. Trees have played an important role in many of the world’s mythologies and religions, and have been given deep and sacred meanings throughout the ages. Human beings, observing the growth and death of trees, the elasticity of their branches, the sensitivity and the annual decay and revival of their foliage, see them as powerful symbols of growth, decay and resurrection. The most ancient cross-cultural symbolic representation of the universe’s construction is the world tree.
The image of the Tree of life is also a favourite in many mythologies. Various forms of trees of life also appear in folklore, culture and fiction, often relating to immortality or fertility. These often hold cultural and religious significance to the peoples for whom they appear. For them, it may also strongly be connected with the motif of the world tree.
Other examples of trees featured in mythology are the Banyan and the Peepal (Ficus religiosa) trees in Hinduism, and the modern tradition of the Christmas Tree in Germanic mythology, the Tree of Knowledge of Judaism and Christianity, the Bodhi tree in Buddhism and Saglagar tree in Mongolian Tengriism. In folk religion and folklore, trees are often said to be the homes of tree spirits. Historical Druidism as well as Germanic paganism appear to have involved cultic practice in sacred groves, especially the oak.[1] The term druid itself possibly derives from the Celtic word for oak.
Trees are a necessary attribute of the archetypical locus amoenus in all cultures. Already the Egyptian Book of the Dead mentions sycamores as part of the scenery where the soul of the deceased finds blissful repose.[2]
The evidence for tree worship is almost unmanageably large, and since comparative studies do not as yet permit a concise and conclusive synopsis of the subject, this article will confine itself to some of the more prominent characteristics.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botany
Botany, also called plant science(s) or plant biology, is the science of plant life and a branch of biology. A botanist or plant scientist is a scientist who specializes in this field of study. The term “botany” comes from the Ancient Greek word βοτάνη (botanē) meaning “pasture”, “grass”, or “fodder”; βοτάνη is in turn derived from βόσκειν (boskein), “to feed” or “to graze”.[1][2][3] Traditionally, botany has also included the study of fungi and algae by mycologists and phycologists respectively, with the study of these three groups of organisms remaining within the sphere of interest of the International Botanical Congress. Nowadays, botanists study approximately 400,000 species of living organisms[4] of which some 260,000 species are vascular plants and about 248,000 are flowering plants.[5]
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J.Muthu / January 26, 2015
Remove this shit looking tree….Sinhala dumps.
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Real Peace / January 26, 2015
Muthu
You are not Muthu, but mokku!!
Your comment is racist, abusive, provocative and completely unwarranted. There are legislations in place in some countries to take legal action against you for your abusive e-language.
Do you want to spend some time in prison?
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paul / January 26, 2015
This is what they campaigned and voted for. To make Sri Lanka another Maldives. Cutting the tree they will do given a chance.
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Mangoliath / January 26, 2015
Maldives never had huge trees, but men and mangroves.
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J.Muthu / January 27, 2015
Real piss Machang calm down, I never tell lies….bring it on….sleep.. well…
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AKP / January 26, 2015
Just goes to show that chauvinism is well entrenched among the oppressor and the oppressed!
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Mallaiyuran / January 26, 2015
We wrote about this when the New King selected Dalada Maligawa to give his first speech.
In Tamil Nadu, people built a temple for Actress Kushpu, only because of her plump appearances in the movies. So she became a much needed person to all parties, DMK, Congress, BJP, ADMK… Everybody is kissing her leg to drag her in their parties. He has successfully traveled through acting to religion to politics.
Lot of things is ok. Hindus can pray anything. They think god can be anywhere; on anything.. good or bad.. dirty or clean….. So praying anything is accepted by them. I do not know if that too will include an actress who just want to lead an ordinary actress life; nothing less or nothing more. But Buddhism is not asking anybody to carry out a ritual preying like the Hindus practice. Apparently the Hindu Tamil Nadu may need a new religion in addition to voter education.
But our Barbaric (not Buddhist) Lanka needs voter education so badly simply to survive. JVP, at start of the last election, wanted to boycott the election and go for voter education. Unfortunately this socialist party was easily over come by Sinhala Intellectuals, especially by the three learned professors. They lost an opportunity of a historical chance. Next election is for MPs. It will be not as good as this EP election. That is, MPs are normally not reduced enough to pray a tree, other than Pavithira like ministers pray the Kings as, unlike a God Boo tree, the King Trees can give real fruit in the real world.
These actors, the old King and the new King, are not ready give the respect, to the people, which they are showing to tree. In other words, they evaluate the Sinhala voters even less than the tree.
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sj / January 26, 2015
You try to be seen as smart. However, your comment shows our level of education. How about laymen kissing hands of some religious leaders wishing to go to heaven? Do you suggest to stop that too. Try. Good luck.
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Vat69 / January 26, 2015
Some foul-mouths kissed Pope too, he too wiped offed them with his Vatican tissues.
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Amarasiri / January 26, 2015
Muthu
does Muthu mean the same as Muttals (முடால்ஸ் ), Madu ( மாடு ) ?
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sach / January 26, 2015
what is better a lingam or tree?
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Odiyalism / January 26, 2015
Panangottai, they suck at it.
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Javi. / January 27, 2015
Ambude ekee Goo`ta Goo!
and every time a crow shits you open your mouth for a free space to run a harem headed by skin (cold) head with no underware- pedophile|
By the way heard of `mudu varele, mutu katte,
Mutu means Pearl but yes he is a tamil nationalist in the vanni living on knife edge trying to cultivate his land.
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patriot / January 26, 2015
Muthu, your comment shown your ignorant about the bodhi tree. Get some readings before comment.
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Rabok / January 26, 2015
Hey I am a Roman Catholic – but I am completely against this comment – You must respect the religious beliefs of other fellow citizens – If the Buddhists wants to worship their sacred tree and feel better let them do it – what is your problem with it – But the issue here is Politicians trying to hoodwink voters by these kind of pretty showing off – it is high time for the journalists not to give publicity to these kind of silly shows – May be MS really wants to follow this tradition as he is a devout Buddhist – let that be his private business – but our journalist idiots who want to sensationalize every small news must understood what is their prime duty
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Ujjalavarna / January 26, 2015
Gajamuthu, where is your sapling located? I intend to root it out.
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Village Green Guy / January 26, 2015
THE CT editor should steer his rag toward mindful journalism rather than allowing the baser elements of his panca skandha to create “news” out of two disparate pictures. Please interpret the path of Right Speech (samma vaca) by considering how it might affect the two parties involved. IF you were President Sirisena, how would you feel about a reporter writing poppycock like this? Apply Right Thought (samma sankappa) much more diligently prior to publishing the story.
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patriot / January 26, 2015
You should blame President Sirisena, not the CT Editor, for behaving like the previous president(rogue) who ruined the country hypnotizing(exact word used by Ben Hurling) the stupid people by these idiotic acts. It is a shame to the intelligent public to worship a branch of a tree.
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sach / January 26, 2015
he is simply doing a ritual that he wants. Is worshiping a tree that bad? what about worshiping non existent god? At least you can see a tree…
more credibility guys……
Doesn’t he have the right to practice whatever his religious belief? Do you think he should give two cents on what CT readership think when the chief of temple asked him to do it?
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Marwan / January 26, 2015
Sach ‘what about worshiping non existent god’?
What makes you think God is non-existent? Just because God is invisible, it does not mean He is non-existent. To explain the point, just take a look around you from where you sit. You will notice that everything in the room is ‘made’: the walls, the upholstery, the ceiling, the chair where you sit, the computer you hold in your hand, the glass on the table and countless other details. None of them happen to exist in your room of their own volition and accord. Even the simple loops of the carpet were made by someone: they did not appear spontaneously or by chance.
A person who is about to read a book knows that it has been written
by an author for a specific reason. It would not even occur to him that this book might have come into being by chance. In the same manner, a person who sees a sculpture has no doubt whatsoever that it was made by a
sculptor. Therefore, everywhere where there is an order – either small or big – a founder and protector of this order must also exist. If, one day, somebody came forward and said that raw iron and coal came together to form steel by chance, which in turn constructed the Eiffel Tower again by chance, would not he and those who believed him be regarded as insane and be subject to ridicule?
How is it possible to think that the balance and the sense of proportion that is observed in the world came about by coincidence when the extraordinary harmony of nature is observable even with the naked eye? It is the most unreasonable claim to say that the universe, each point of which suggests the existence of its Creator, has come into being on its own and by coincidence.
Therefore, there should be an owner of the balance visible everywhere from our own body structures to the farthest corners of the inconceivably vast universe. So, who is this Creator that ordained everything so subtly and created everything? He cannot be any material being present within the universe, because His must be a will that existed before the universe was created and subsequently the universe came to existence thereupon. The Almighty Creator is One Whom everything finds existence, yet Whose existence is without any beginning nor having an end.
Religion teaches us the identity of our Creator Whose existence we
discover with reasoning. Through what He has revealed to us as religion,
we know Him ro be our creator as Allah, the Compassionate and the Most Merciful, Who created the heavens and the earth from absolutely nothing.
Although most people have the capability to grasp this fact, they
spend their lives unaware of it. When they look at a landscape painting,
they wonder who its painter is. Later, they praise the artist at length for his beautiful work of art. They still disregard the existence of Allah, Who is the only owner of all the world’s most scenic beauties. In truth, not even a lengthy research is needed to understand the existence of our creator Allah.
Even if one had to live in a room from the time he was born, countless
pieces of evidence in this room alone would be enough for him to grasp
the existence of that creator Allah.
The human body so overflows with evidence that it could not be contained in many multi-volumed encyclopedias. Even giving a few minutes
introduction to understand the state of conscientious thought is enough to understand and acknowledge the existence of Allah. The present order is protected by Allah and maintained by Him.
There are many living creatures whose names are still unknown to us. In the intestines of all living beings are millions of bacteria or unicellular organisms that help digestion. The animal population in the world is so many times greater than the human population.
When we also consider the plant world, we see that there is not a single
spot on the earth where there is no life. All of these creatures that are
spread over an area of millions of square kilometres have different body
systems, different lives and different contributions to the ecological balance. It is preposterous to claim that all these have come into existence by chance with no aim or purpose. No living being has come to exist through its own accord or effort. No coincidental happening can ever result in such complicated systems.
All of this evidence leads us to the conclusion that the universe works
with a certain ‘consciousness’. What, then, is the source of this consciousness? Surely it is neither the living nor the non-living beings in it. Nor can they be the ones that maintain the harmony and preserve the order. The existence and glory of Allah reveals itself in countless proofs in the universe. In fact, there is not even a single man on the earth who will not accept this evident reality from the heart. Yet they still deny it ‘in iniquity and arrogance though their souls are convinced thereof’ as stated in the Qur’an. (Surat an-Naml 21:14)
It is important to point out this reality from which some people
turn away because of it being at odds with their beliefs and interests, which further exposes the frauds and their senseless deductions on which some untrue and false allegations stand. There are many diverse subjects that could be put to the test to reveal His existence, that also helps understand Allah through Reason.
In summary, there are indisputable evidence of Allah’s existence all around us, and we bear witness that His will does encompass all things: the ‘Understand through Reason’ will prove this but takes time and space to reveal it all and then, not even the right forum. It must also be emphasized, just as He has created this all-pervading order, He is also the One Who maintains it incessantly.
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Patriot / January 26, 2015
I am another patriot but you must see what is the tree you are referring to really and not just a bunch of tree.:)
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Kalu Nangi / January 26, 2015
I endorse your comment. Why does CT think that this is news? Traditions and customs of an ethnic group should not be a topic for ridicule. Worshiping a venerated tree is not dissimilar to worshiping a Siva Lingam under the Hindu religion. CT should avoid this type of cheap journalism.
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Psycho / January 26, 2015
I changed sides and supported Maithri ( just like he changed side) to start a journey of a just society. True he is trying hard, however tendency of MR copycatting just irritates everyone.
Just imagine his brother a glorified bookkeeper is our telecom chief, MY 3 appointed him although Ranil was opposed. This guy ” Gamarala”‘ s CV is just a bunkum released for public consumption, taking us for fools. If questioned,natural answer will be that he is highly qualified – rubbish, only valid qualification is that book keepers exam. Size or the length of the resume has nothing to do, it’s the quality that will shine.
To MY3 credit appointment of central Bank Governor is a good choice.
It looks like new wine mixed with old kasippu (toxic combination) in a new bottle, gift boxed with ribbons looks appropriate.
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Double standards / January 26, 2015
how can an investment banker appointed as Crental bank Gov be right ? Investent bankers are the worse kind of crooks – remember global crisis 2008? due to bad policies of big investment banks in USA. still being prosecuted
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Nikamatcs / January 26, 2015
Its Jayawardene’s vision they follow ‘A just Society’, meaning “A Nikam Samajaya”.
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Prabash / January 26, 2015
Well I have no idea about Arjun Mahendran. Probably, the brother of MY3 would be a better choice than him. But the likes of Dr. RHS Samaratunga, Dr. Gunaruwan are the best choices.
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Saman / January 26, 2015
This sacred Bo Tree is very historic.
Buddhist people respect it as they respect their Great Master, the Gotama Buddha.
Those who destructively and hatefully criticise the veneration of this sacred place has no respect for their own and also creating hatred among many in our peaceful society.
Anyone can and also is free to criticise these activities but unfortunately they are not wise to understand the true meaning of this respect.
By studying and understanding the teachings of the Gotama Buddha any member in our global society can achieve the peace of mind and accomplish the innermost happiness and peace.
Those who respect the Great master and his incomparable teaching will never disrespect to any sacred place.
Not every single Sri Lankan politician but some may respect wholeheartedly.
By respecting and worshiping these places no one receive any material or gain but when one wisely respect one can feel and experience the serenity of own mind.
Be wise to understand your own mind.
Not only Buddhist places but also other sacred places such as Vatican and even local places in other faiths are giving you the opportunity to make a peace of mind.
Be wise to understand it rather despicably criticise it.
may all beings be well and happy………!
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AVB / January 26, 2015
If you assume Buddha gets feelings, he would really felt ashamed by seeing these foolish acts. Buddha initially refused to talk about his advance theories of human behaviour because he knew it was too complex even for very wise people he knew at that time. So this is what happens when you try to teach these complex and advance teaching to ordinary people. They couldn’t get anything out of those concepts, then they believe this sort of foolish rituals as the core essence of the teaching and stick to them.
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Nallasamy - Kotte / January 26, 2015
LORD BUDDHA NEVER REQUESTED TO WORSHIP HIM OR ANY TREES. IF THE BUDDHISTS FOLLOW HIS TEACHINGS AND RESPECT THE MINORITIES LIVING IN THE ISLAND LORD BUDDHA WILL BE MORE HAPPIER.
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Kalum / January 26, 2015
Shortly before his paranirvana, the Buddha instructed his students to cremate his body and place his ashes and the remains of his bones in a Stupa. People could visit the Stupa, venerate it, and renew their connection to his teachings.
The conversation between the Buddha and Ananda
When Ananda asks, ‘What should we do, sir, regarding the body of the Thatagatha?’ the Buddha replies,
‘Do not trouble yourselves (tumhe), Ananda, with worship of the body (sarira-puja) of the Thatagata. You should strive for the true goal (sadattha)….. There are wise warriors (khattiya-pandita), wise brahmins, and wise householders (gahapati-pandita) who have faith (abhippasanna) in the Thatagatha they will worship the body of the Thatagatha.’
Relic worship is recommended not for true practitioners such as monks but the others such as deities and ordinary lay people. ‘
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sach / January 26, 2015
whether buddhists practice what buddha said or not is buddhist’s problems, not anyone else’s.
And when minority come up with fabricated history contempt is reasonable
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Javi. / January 26, 2015
“This sacred Bo Tree is very historic.”
The original at Lumbini even humans Pee there so what is so great key board warrior.
We done it as students to see if any electric current would pass through like peeing on an electric burner. Nada modaya.
Its how you see! then you touch and finally taste.
If only you could take your mind away and see because that is how we paint.
Gautama has his `eyes closed and hair` what are these??
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Realist / January 26, 2015
If this sacred Bo Tree is very historic and Buddhist people respect it as they respect their Great Master, the Gotama Buddha why do you all have an immoral Buddhist priest as the leading monk of this place who has kept the surrounding area as a high security zone in order to prevent public seeing his family, the wife and the children. Access to this Bo tree is possible only after a thorough security check. Isn’t it? Why? Is it because of the presence of terrorists still or some other mysterious reason only known to this lokuhamuduruwo. People should appoint a monk with proper moral behaviour to look after this so called sacred Bo tree.
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Javi. / January 27, 2015
appoint a vampire parasite and it would devour the tree thereby lessening the burden of rehabilitation process.
They create genetically modified parasites right here like the bumble be for pollination and advance of fruits nuts etc.
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Ponkoh Sivakumaran / January 26, 2015
I agree. The tree has historical significance in Sinhala Buddhism. In Hinduism, every shrine has a sthala viruksham, meaning a sacred tree, which is worshipped. Most hindu shrines begin life with a statue kept under a tree. By worshipping a tree, we worship Nature. This is a laudable practice which is, in a sense, a method of environmental protection.
What becomes bad is that politicians misuse the tree as if the diving blessing is for them only. Priests also comply with this nonsense.
Let us hope that the people do not fall into this trap. They are equal before the Gautama Buddha who respected all life. As in Hinduism, this includes trees too.
I am sure the esteemed Native Vedha who knows this better than all of us, would agree.
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Pimpanella / January 26, 2015
On behalf of the ‘Nativity’ I endorse your comments to be ethically qualified, at least for this news items, Punnakku.
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patriot / January 26, 2015
What are these idiots doing to a huge branch of a tree. As the story says such conduct was not seen during the tenure of President Jayewardene or Kumaratunga. What we, the people, should realize is that Jayawardene or Kumatatunga never thought even for a moment that the people are fools. Unfortunately, people of all religions who voted for the new president will have to wait and see whether he is also a hypocrite.
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Gayathri / January 26, 2015
What a sad situation. We voted this man in, hoping against hope that we will get rid of these idiotic rituals which are performed by politicians wasting time and money. We were hoping for a new era where politicians would work for the good of the country with a genuine interest in the poor hardworking people. Sad to think that our dream will remain a dream.
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sach / January 26, 2015
how do you say rest of the 6200000 voted shared your dreams? The stupid CT readership that value westernization so highly should get a hold of reality..
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Petrocelli / January 26, 2015
Yes, getting rid of these rituals are fundamentally essential is this juncture to rule just a Society. You have got a Muniamma vision, let you rot with your Kaikari brains Goyatree.
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Javi. / January 26, 2015
Tree worshiper like the ant and elephants granted who amore rational & disciplined than humans and have more stable governments ; anytime they can invent a giant telescope, discover a variable star or predict a solar eclipse
But they still have not got a library or museum, Have they??
Cold Blooded Shit buckets Sihala buddist in pres ambude or is he just one of them in civies like the chimps of JHU.
Move you head for the sake of moving look at two monkeys scratching each others ears and there you have the promise of Newton and Einstein.
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Javi. / January 26, 2015
Butt Syndrome of Tree worshipers & 40,000 Nazi Cold Blooded ants and elephants in sihala Buddhist Ambude- Sores in your private parts just like the Werewolf.
Did Gautama have a biological mother?? Scientifically proved that Devi never existed. National Geographic Lumbini excavations by UNESCO and the Japanese.
Scholarly Caution
“The new evidence from this project shows that this ritual activity was taking place centuries prior to the Asokan levels, and this is really significant and interesting,” Young says.
Julia Shaw, a lecturer in South Asian archaeology at University College London, called the claims for a wooden railing surrounding a possible tree shrine convincing but speculative.
She was cautious about the oldest Buddhist shrine claim.
“The worship of trees, often at simple altars, was a ubiquitous feature of ancient Indian religions, and given the degree of overlap between Buddhist ritual and pre-existing traditions, it is also possible that what is being described represents an older tree shrine quite disconnected from the worship of the historical Buddha,” Shaw says.
“Still, it does indeed present some new insights into the archaeology of Indian ritual in general,” she adds.
The Art of Tourism and the jig: By 2020, more than four million pilgrims are expected to visit.
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Manel / January 26, 2015
First of all thank you CT for publishing these photographs.
This enlightens us and shows us that the new president is a clone of the former corrupted president.
Mr President. Please don’t waste time and money also insult our intelligence by doing these idiotic things that the former president did to fool the masses. You have other very important tasks to do. For example, one of the most important things is to get rid of the “cheap justice” We really can’t understand how this man still is holding that position. Also in future please think twice before giving appointments to top jobs. Your brother Kumarasinghe is not the most qualified man for the Telecom job. Also his reputation as an honest man is questionable. Please don’t disappoint us. Don’t rely on Pirith nool, Bodhi pooja, Seth pirith etc. True Buddhists do not need these superficial rituals. Think of what happened to MR who was a Slave of these rituals. I still can’t help laughing at the amount of Pirith nool that man had on his hand.
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Javi. / January 26, 2015
Rustic president said the Yankees!
Satan oscillate my metallic sonatas
chorus of `Rustic` trumpets!” Senile felines.
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Piranha / January 26, 2015
The Sinhala people are easy to fool and any sinhala leader who wishes to fool the people has to show himself as an ardent Buddhist and a true Sinhalese. That means even worshipping trees and making occasional anti tamil statements. These things go with being a sinhala political leader. That is the norm.
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Javi. / January 26, 2015
Picture picture.Tree Huggers /environmentalist.
Some men interpret nine memos
Rats live on no evil star
Is it Elli’s toilet I see?
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sach / January 26, 2015
Tamils are so racist that a tamil leader has to only praise a terrorist in a stage to garner votes. because no matter how many tamil kids are thrown to front line by Prabha Tamils become extremely happy when Prabha kills Sinhala babies by thrashing them on tree trunks…and by the way when whisky sipping Wiggie slipped into a vettri and started uttering some Hindu mantra…..he thought he can get tamil support and he was right.
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Daham / January 26, 2015
How can this country prosper when people specially the leaders waste time on these idiotic rituals. President Sirisena being a son of a farmer should be better off worshipping a Banana tree, a Rambutan tree ,a Banana tree or importantly a coconut tree, trees that give produce for the consumption of human beings. It is sad to note that these politicians trying to fool the people by conducting rituals going against what was preached by Lord Buddha.
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Mallaiyuran / January 26, 2015
You can cut a diamond only with a diamond. New King replacing the old King. What is the big deal?
Only an “acting” war criminal, defense minister or at least acting like a war criminal defense minister can replace a war criminal, defense minister com EP.
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Vibhushana / January 26, 2015
I think the Colombo Central guy is ignorant.
Upon enlightenment, Siddartha Goutama Buddha stood before the tree in honour. In honour of providing him a shade during the most difficult phase in his life.
Honoring those who help you whether it is teachers, elders, school books or even a tree has a purpose in Buddhism. It creates a sense gratitude, an emotion of an higher order, one that brings bliss in a sea of negative emotions.
My3 has walked the talk. Mahinda did not, that was his problem. If you live in a Buddhist country you need to learn these things.
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Puhul Dosi / January 26, 2015
I think CT is correct to publish this pic and draw similarities between the old (corked) wine and the new. It is a reflection of our Lankan society and our silly habit of venerating objects of religious or mythical significance. To this end, it is no different than Christians kissing pictures or statues of Jesus, Mary or other apostles. Like it or not, we are in the midst of a sea of people who do this, imagining that they are paying respects to their chosen deity or object.
Politicians however, are a different breed, and they do this kind of thing publicly to garner nods of approval from the rank and file. However, I would have expected Maithripala to have known better and to desist from this type of cheapening action, standing tall like a simple man that he claims to be.
In addition to this kind of public display of bogus respect, politicians’ batmen, cronies, lickspittles and henchaiyyas would also kiss ends of canals that yesterday’s lunch went through (Dayan J, Booruwansa, SBD, Pavithra, Kshanika, Sajin, MohanP, GLP, Vesudeva et al, are you listening?) – if you hadn’t known how despicable a habit this is, well, know ye now, ye filthy scum.
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PEACE / January 26, 2015
Who ever called the Sri Maha Bodhi tree a shit tree will perish in hell and you deserve to.
All of you are so disrespectful to Buddhists. The veneration to this tree is because the Buddha meditated on scum like you that walked this earth to bring misery to human life and gained enlightenment by detaching from scum like you. After he attained enlightenment he faced the tree that gave him shelter and showed his gratitude. This is not like kissing a tree. Venerating a part of our belief to you scum that disgraces other religions is something you have to learn to accept. Sinhalese are the majority, Buddhism is the majority religion and all you scum bags get the freedom to worship any way you want because of Buddhist tolerance. If you don’t like it get lost. Go somewhere where you can practice your rituals. You scum bag I hope you rot in hell for disrespecting other peoples religions.
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God Sakra / January 26, 2015
I’m God Sakra who takes care of the emergencies of the human world! I have already gotten a lot of complaints about this new president guy of Sri Lanka and when I read Colombo Telegraph I see more and more complaints piling up.
However, you folks elected him just a few days ago and even before he has gotten into his business you guys are making complaints! You have no patience? Look here folks! He has already started his work very honestly and according to his nepotism promise, by appointing one of his brothers as the chairman of a big Telecom institution. His cabinet (I’m not talking about kitchen cabinets here) shows some healthy growth according to election promises (Out of 110 MPs 53 are already ministers). So, let him continue his work! After all, I have to let you know that you guys elected him and now you have to tolerate him and live according to him. I might give him an extension beyond 100 days for his honesty! After all 100 days in human world is just one day here in heaven!
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Susan Guggenheim / January 26, 2015
There are two perfectly reasonable explanations for successive Presidents kissing the tree. President Rajamugabe did it because the tree remained loyal to him. His successor did it during an evening of ribald fun. This was his impersonation of his predecessor. No one dared to impersonate Gota, part because f likely repercussions, partly because of the foul language it would necessitate.
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Diogenes / January 26, 2015
I cannot understand why this useless tree is worshiped as something sacred. It has never done any good to this nation! Has it? Sinhala Buddhists – at least some of them – have become tree-worshiping savages!
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Navin / January 26, 2015
If President Maithripala has a genuine friend in that humongous cabinet of his, he will print out this story the photographs and the comments. He will take them to Sira throw it at him and laugh in his face.
What a dummy we voted for. Fuck my arse.
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Upul / January 26, 2015
Faith is just that..FAITH. Logic, science and formulas can’t explain it and none of you should try too. It always ends up with katey pittu!
Let Sirisena do his thing. Let those who take some value from these photos do so. And, those who think their opinions matter…naaah..your own family does’nt care for your opinion. Why waste all our time trying to trade insults and revealing your limited education?
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moderate / January 26, 2015
Shri Mahabodhi is sacred to Buddhist’s, it is the oldest tree with a history in the world. Please don’t find fault with everything a guy does! He has not committed a crime! For non Buddhist’s it may look awkward? Are there different ways to greet the Pope? There are no pics to show MS kissing the root. Certain traditions are done the same way, although JRJ AND CBK did not do it??
This is extreme journalism angling for a fight! Show genuine faults like appointment of secretaries, brother Kumarasiri, re appointing the Samurdhi DG, etc etc……..
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Aia / January 26, 2015
Not sure what the big fuss about MS touching and worshipping the Bo-Tree. Is it because MR did something that MS shouldn’t do or people think it is a waste of time. If it is latter, he should not waste time even going to the Anuradhapura in the first place. If worshipping the tree makes him feel happy taking much stress out of him, that must be unique to the office of Presidency with almost all power vested up on it, be it so. Don’t expect, just because MR eats hoppers, MS should not have them.
Why do we pick on these silly things. It is a tree which has historical significance as was brought by Sangamitta, the princess, to spread the message of peace, even when I went there, although wasn’t allowed go closer, watching it in close vicinity, its mere presence brought me different feeling. Being a Buddhist, why he cannot worship the way he had chosen. Nor do I have problems other Priz who hadn’t do the same way these two do. Not everything MR did were questionable.
More than worshipping the tree, I am thoroughly disappointed with MS for allowing SBT becoming the Vice President of the SLFP, despite the comment he made about CBK in public.
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Gamarala / January 26, 2015
I think it is the right of an individual to perform the religious beliefs in any manner that he or she considers as appropriate, as long as this practice does not harm or offend others beliefs. I cannot understand how people who support freedom of expression can criticize this right.
Just because we don’t like a person worshiping a tree or a previous unpopular President worshiped a tree does not mean that we should object another person following that practice.
This is a problem with our Asian culture and most Sri Lankans in general. We do not want people to conduct their activities in a manner not agreeable to us. They try to dictate their own beliefs and customs on others and criticize people who don’t agree with such views.
People in this country are individuals and they have their rights. They should be free to follow such practices as long as this practice does not harm others. It is due to this process that the West has much less social problems than the rest of the world. It is high time that we understand this universal truth.
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waterlily / January 26, 2015
True Buddhists do not do this kind of offerings to a tree. I am hugely disappointed.JR and Chandrika had their own faults but didn’t participate in these kind of time wasting silly acts.Mr president please be sensible. You owe this much to the voters who had faith in you.
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Prabash / January 26, 2015
This article is really annoying and hurting the sentiments of Buddhists. I am a practicing Buddhist and against any form of insulting of any religions. These rituals may not be any practical sense, but still they are religious rituals that pay respect/homage to the tree that gave shades to Buddha.These have equal significance of worshiping cows in Hinduism, Haj worshiping in Islam, worshiping unseen gods in Christianity which CT has never criticized. When the issue of halal came to the front, I was against my fellow Buddhists as we are hurting their sentiments even though it doesn’t have any significant scientific value. I really condemn CT for this cowardly act of insulting Buddhist rituals.
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shanker / January 26, 2015
These photos are a disgrace to the modern day mankind. Wonder the people in Sri Lanka still live in medieval age. Indians are no better.
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shankar / January 26, 2015
This may be maithri’s message to the bhuddhists that though he is president to day only because of the non bhuddhists voting enmasse for him,he is still a bhuddhist at heart and birth, will never let down the bhuddhists,though same time looking after the non bhuddhists just as Lord Bhuddha would have wanted to.These are symbolic idiotic gestures but since the country is full of country bumpkins and pumpkins who decide who will rule us it has to be done to assuage their worries and phobias before the parliamentary elections that will be held after 3 months.
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Jim softy / January 26, 2015
Look like dumb devotees of Almighty are pi44ed off.
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paul / January 26, 2015
How could he? These foolish idol worshipers are all the same. Shame shame…
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Prabash / January 26, 2015
Isn’t it better than worshiping invisible, unseen god?
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