19 March, 2024

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Joining The Mangala Controversy: The Clergy Should Get Off The Backs Of Sri Lankans

By Shyamon Jayasinghe

Shyamon Jayasinghe

“Hire a monk,” has become a political strategy. Former President has a virtual headquarters in a temple at Narahenpita. This sync is a living one and the trend is dangerous both to the Buddhist religion and to our politics.

Why Clergy is not Suited to Advice, Anymore

Once again, I observe the Sri Lankan clergy coming out to ‘advice,’ Sri Lankans in this time of crisis. The simple fact is that they are not competent any longer to occupy a privileged position in the advisory panel. In the ancient days of the kings, it would have, understandably, been a different situation when Buddhist clergy represented the educated class and pirivenas were the centres of learning. Since then, the narrative took a different turn. Now, the lay educated classes are way above the knowledge level of monks in general.

As a matter of fact, the monks should think twice before giving bana these days. I have hardly listened to a sound and insightful bana for ages. Banas have become ignorant yawns and the occasion is more for socialising.

How many of our monks have had a general education above A’level-which is the basic minimum?  Most of them spend their time in temples memorising Pali texts and studying languages. Even those with degrees are tighlty framed within the ancient languages. They learn no economics, sociology, psychology, politics, anthropology, science, literature etc. They are never in touch with global discourse over topics of contemporary relevance.

The Christian seminaries are a bit better curriculum-wise but, here too, at bottom those aspiring to become priests have barely A’levels. They get bogged down to a life of mucking up the Bible and other sacred texts. This is theology, and theology does not impart knowledge of the empirical world. Theology cannot yield knowledge about existential life.

Clergy on the Political Stage

However ignorant, the sanga has clout in our society because of the robe they put on. Hence, politicians love them. Mahinda Rajapaksa and his cohorts address them reverently as “Ape Hamuduruwane”!As a youth studying at Peradeniya long ago, I witnessed what most of today’s Sri Lankans did not. SWRD Bandaranaike and his MEP brought the clergy onto the stage in 1956 and gave them a big place. The slogan then was: “Veda Gurus Sanga, Govi Kamkaru”!

Banda won with a thumping majority. Within two years, two monks murdered him! They were Buddharakkhita and Somarama. I have vivid memories of visiting the chambers of Buddharakkhita at Kelaniya Rajamahavihara. As a youth in impressionable years that was a shock to see bottles of whisky, gin and wine! But every Buddhist had to worship the bloke. Had Buddharakkhita not assaninated a VIP he, perhaps, would never have seen a jail cell.

Post Buddharakkhita, ordinary people began chasing away political monks and for many decades we did not see these saffrons on stage. Particularly, with the coming of the jaathyalaya regime of Mahinda Rajapaksa the political monks were back again in full fold. Some even had the audacity to enter parliament.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith

Peoples’ memories being short, we now see a resurgence of monks. The Catholic Cardinal Most Revd. Malcolm Ranjith has also joined the latter making politically correct pronouncements all the time as crowd -pleasers.  Before Malcolm Ranjith, Catholic clergy kept a dignified distance from politicians. At local level some of these did engage in political canvassing but that had been discrete and not widespread.

We heard our Cardinal pontificate the other day that Sri Lanka is a Sinhala Buddhist country! Did he realize that he was compromising his own Catholic flock to a secondary position as citizens? Virtual guests? The latter must pick the crumbs left over by Sinhala-Buddhists? No right to demand equality of treatment? Poor Malcolm Ranjith does not know the logical implications of his public utterances.

I have had occasion in the past to draw references to this Cardinal’s political flirtations during Mahinda’s regime. One of my readers, A PhD Catholic columnist for Colombo Telegraph, commented that this sacred gentleman had placated the former President for favours in the way of getting his relatives into the foreign service. If this were true, there we go…

On another occasion, the Cardinal mentioned as a reason for the rise of the new terrorism the change that took place in government.

Undoubtedly, the Cardinal had to have a say when the slaughter of the ISIS took place in churches during mass. No grudge over that. But remember the Cardinal initially urged the destruction of the attackers but soon became more Christ-like by uttering Mother Teresa language. Over this simple one-act transformation somebody thoguht the Cardinal was fit for the Nobel Prize for Peace. We are aware that the Nobel prize is never awarded for singular acts of micro behaviour like this- except for American leaders like Obama who got it for uttering mere niceties and pleasantries. Unfortunately, our Cardinal is not of Obama standing.

Revd Mawaraliye Baddhiya

This monk is the new rising star among public advisors. He was brought in to speak before a big audience the other day at the BMICH. He looked around for Cardinal Malcolmn Ranjith who had been invited. Malcolm Ranjith, in an act of rare wisdom had not attended. However, Hon Speaker Karu Jayasuriya was there and some others of the educated fraternity. His speech is viral over Yutube. Maraliaya Bhaddiya showed the demeanour of a true Rahathan wahanse-speaking as he did softly, to the point and in careful and benevolent tone a manner. However, he mischievously tried to put the security lapse on Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe. He said: Our Prime Minister did not attend Security Council meetings because he was not in good terms with Presdient Sirisena. This was a lie (musawaada) and herein the monk violated one of the precepts. The fact is that the PM was not officially a part of the Security Council and this had been a deliberate omission by the man of the Maitree Yugaya. The monk cast no blame on the Opposition’s role. Revd Mawaraliye Bhaddiya also used the occasion to flay Minister Mangala Samaraweera over the latter’s statement that Sri Lanka did not belong to Sinhala Buddhists. As we shall see, Mangala had a valid point, which he thought he must express unafraid. On the other hand Revd Mawara Liye set that aside.

The monk’s hidden agenda was disclosed. However, the gullible in the audience saw the monk as one about to shoot up to Rahath status. Hope he does not start walking on flowers and having lavish birthday parties like the one who has gone famous over claims of having reached Rahath!

Corruption has Taken over the Sanga

There is no denying the obvious: Our Sanga has become largely polticised and corrupt. This is yet another reason why the sanga can no longer be advisor. Corruption and politicisation go together. Our politicians are using members of the Sanga to push their own selfish agendas. Few among this august body have been able to withstand the pressures that material perks bring. “Hire a monk,” has become a political strategy. Former President has a virtual headquarters in a temple at Narahenpita. This sync is a living one and the trend is dangerous both to the Buddhist religion and to our politics. One monk publicly advised Gota to become a Hitler.

Mangala Samaraweera’s Sin

Against a background of political duplicity, political humbug, and political mendaciousness Minister Mangala Samaraweera impresses as a public figure who is unafraid to speak the truth. Mangala has been doing any job given to him very competently and today he stands as a very sound Minister of Finance. Unlike the UNP’s upper flank of Deputy Leaders, Party Orgainsers and so on Mangala fights for his leader and his government.

Now, what is the sin that Revd Mawaraliye talks of that Mangala had committed? The Minister said that Sri Lanka belongs to all Sri Lankans and that, therefore, it is erroneous to call the island a Sinhala Buddhist country. By itself the island known as Sri Lanka is a mere landmass. Along with demographic changes of populations the composition of the population of all such countries do change. This is a natural process. What would happen in the future one never knows.  What if the Chinese take over? Right now, Sri Lanka has a big majority of Sinhala Buddhists. This does not give Sinhala Buddhists any birthright of national ownership.

Minister’s Logic

The Minister had a purpose in making this utterance. He wanted to set out the logic of the necessity of all inhabitants in the country living in harmony and cooperation. Any claims of superior position by one segment of the demography necessarily has the potential for violence. Our recent history has proved this at great cost to the nation. Sinhala Buddhists must wipe this out of our minds if we are to keep peace.

Directly or indirectly, consciously or subconsciously most Sinhala Buddhists  bear this notion of superiority. Most of our monks, too, share and pedal this dangerous ideology. Politicians revel in this idea and exploit that to the full. Sri Lanka can never retain peace on this basis. Most persons -lay or clergy- are too focused on petty issues of inter- ethnic relative privilege. This makes us a population geared to bicker within ourselves. The overarching need to make correct economic policy that encourage prosperity recedes into the background whereas that should be in the foreground. Crushing another ethnic or religious group becomes more important. The country is going down the drain.

Our National Priority

Minister Mangala Samraweera has solidly avoided this kind of parochialism. He shares the view of the Prime Minister as to what the country should head for if it is to lift itself from poverty and enter the realm of prosperity; they have both identified the central dynamic required for that. The dynamic is to energise entrepreneurship.  The project captioned “Private enterprise Sri Lanka,” is just that. This is the road to prosperity.

Our monks and clergy in general have never been known to focus on the real thing. They must, surely, quit advising us.

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Latest comments

  • 7
    24

    Mangala Samraweera is anti-Sri lankan. and anti-Buddhist. during the LTTE days, he was for LTTE and harassed Army officers. So, nothing else can be expected. Shyamon Jayasinghe is no different.

    • 7
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      Shaymon Jayasinghe, Absolutely wonderful article. Your analysis goes indepth into the minds o the Sinhala Psyche of how they are wrong all along. They refuse to look into the reality and wandering about in the Dream that the SWRD type crackpots created not knowing how the world would be in 50-70 years from then. We all know how Buddhist monks who are famous, infamous, Politically popular, Evangelical types that goes about preaching fantasies and LIES to boost the rating of those MEDIA SHOPS that sells racism and communalism to market their HATE MESSAGES which is scripted according to its MANAGEMENT and OWNERS who are linked to the GOVIGAMA MAFIA RULING ELITES, mainly Rajapakses and Wijewardene families. It is MEGA funny when you read the WESAK messages of the GOVI POLITICAL leadership in the likes of MAHINDA, GOTA, SIRA ushering peace and following the BUDDHA’s path to lead a successful life. All these humbugs are lying through their backside STINKY openings as everyone knows that these SCUMBAGS are anything but FOLLOWING BUDDHA’S so called teachings. They themselves are PROOFS that their belief system is a failure and to achieve “SUCCESS” they resort to LIES, DECEPTION, KILLINGS, RAPES and DESTRUCTIONS caused to the weak in the society. MANGALA is a brave Man from the day one. He never backs off when he wants to say WHAT NEEDS TO BE SAID in plain language. He understands the Dynamics, International Laws and the ethics in it, unlike the CRACKPOTS in the larger political camp/GOBBASTHAN parliament that houses all the criminals. Those who attack MANAGALA on this, are out of fear of knowing the truth. The British can solve this mystery by releasing the ancient documents proving the OWNERSHIP as when they invaded. It is only they who knew what was the condition of the ownership of the land when they took over, that they later made it into a one single entity.

    • 3
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      Thank you Mr Jayasinghe !
      .
      What you have articulated above is the mere truth about SANGA of today and their impact on the society. Taking example from each one of us, we know how monks have been upto sofar. Be them building society or giving pieces of advice to the buddhist laity, more or less, they have been behaving like adding fuel to the fire. Just imagine, if the average mind set would have been knowledgeble enough, would the monks ever be able to be pundits to them ? No. Trully saying with the info revolution through internet, today lanken monks have been cornered as no times in the past. That alone seem to be making them somewhat embarraciing and thus make every effort to stand out through physical violence being self-practised by them. As if the a country, similar to that of tribal africa, they the young monks and their movements being supported by some youth have been abusing their powers going beyond the moral margins.

      I think not monks but professionals should come forward the way Mr SINHALA MAN has been doing, to educate the rank and file. We have enough retired professionals to do the job, but the question arises again how many of them would have been healthy minded about local politics. They may be experts in their fields, but when it goes to lanken politics, even BA, BSC holders belong to the ” political illiterate catergory”:
      Last year I had to travel with a retired teach on souther high way, there she had been repeating about the wonders made by Rajapakshes. One of the wonders according to her little knowledge restrict to ” completion of SOUTHERN highway”: 60 year old female teacher was not aware of the facts that Kenya, Nigeria and even far poor Ethiopians have built the same high ways with the involvement CHINESE loans during the recent years.

      • 1
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        “How many of our monks have had a general education above A’level-which is the basic minimum? Most of them spend their time in temples memorising Pali texts and studying languages. Even those with degrees are tighlty framed within the ancient languages. They learn no economics, sociology, psychology, politics, anthropology, science, literature etc. They are never in touch with global discourse over topics of contemporary relevance.”

        Speak of the devil! ……….. I was thinking the same.

        Some out of the box thinking is needed here! :))

        This is easily rectified by opening/establishing some “International Schools” for monks all around the country. It will do wonders for the future progress of the nation. Instead of holding the country back the monks will be a catalyst and be at the forefront of progress.

        Crowd-funding is a good way of getting the ball rolling.

  • 2
    10

    Since 1930s, because there is a Book talking about COLD WAR MONKS, from 1941 – 1954 published by american Secret Service. Since then everything that happened to Theravada buddhist country in Asia is what shyamon is discussing. what it says, bhikkus keep your mouths shut. Let non-christian (Muslims excluded but they fought against it, that is Wahhabism is there). European colonials since 1505 tried it for 500 years. Evangelists tries it since then, It is still not working. Ranil also jailed about 60 monks. Ravi KArunanayake also tried by becoming the First lay person in Kelaniya. Now, he wants to go to other temples. So, Mangala Says Sri lanka is not what it says. It looks the program goes as they wants it. Shyamon Hold onto Ranil and his Gang he completes the project. Ranil is just like you. IF he is the PResident or the acting president he would do anything that anyone says.
    See how UNP is Prosecuting those ministers who supported the Wahhabi (ISIS is CRAP, ISIS is paid soldiers from different countries) are not removed from UNP. Instead of the NCM, they say they get a conscience vote. So, Central bank gave money to the whole parliament. Then NCM also was the same. Now it seems Rishad Bathiuddin, Hisbulla, Mujibar Rahman, Azath Sally had been the same.

  • 11
    10

    Ranil and Mangala to my mind are dead loss Politicians and both of them are write offs as at today. So the writer who seems to praise their political ideologies and standpoints is way out in his thinking. As for the Clergy not getting involved in the politics of the Country BECAUSE OF THEIR QUALIFICATIONS IN BOOK LEARNING is a very puerile stand to take. Clergy however must not get involved in the Countries politics because they are clergy, and should stick to religion ,be they of any faith. The good Cardinal quite definitely said that he has no objective to take to politics nor to support any political party, and that he has only one leader and that is Jesus Christ. Sadly many Buddhist priests in our land feel that they are obliged to lend their support to one or another politician, without sticking to preaching the Dhamma to their flock.
    ALL Sri Lankans must be eternally grateful to the good Cardinal for his timely address to the Country , and especially to the Christians on the immediate aftermath of the Easter Massacre which avoided a severe backlash on the Country as a WHOLE and the Muslims in particular. What happened in the NW province 4 weeks later was NOT a backlash from the Easter massacre but a Opposition instigated mob destruction of Muslim shops and businesses.for ulterior agendas…. the bane of Sri LANKA .

  • 3
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    Mr: Jayasingha, please also comment on Keenawala hamuduruwo’s anushasana at “Temple Trees” Vesak pinkama with Ranil and UNPers in attendence?

  • 3
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    Thanks for the concern from Australia mate. We are blessed to seek and receive your pontifications. What matters is enforcement of exist laws. Shoot on sight on the violent mobs terrorizing Muslims, and using extra judicial strikes on ISIS Muslim terrorists the way US and Israel does would have prevented the Easter attacks and the mobs terrorizing innocent Muslims. Thanks for the incredible patriotic Sri Lankan fervour from down under.

  • 13
    1

    The Buddha’s Dhamma has been forgotten By Men in Robes, who are trying to Play the Part of Politicians!

    “Those Who recite Many Suttas, but Fail to Practise The Teachings in Them, are like Cowherds Counting Another’s Cows”

    Dhammapada Verse 19

  • 5
    4

    Shyamon,
    “I have vivid memories of visiting the chambers of Buddharakkhita at Kelaniya Rajamahavihara. As a youth in impressionable years that was a shock to see bottles of whisky, gin and wine!”

    What were you doing in Buddharakkita’s chamber? Even if monks consume liquor, they do not display the bottles. May be he pulled them out for some special reason.

  • 5
    6

    Shyamon,
    “The latter must pick the crumbs left over by Sinhala-Buddhists?”
    Christians built churches all over the country. Did Sinhala Buddhists object? In the past, some temples have provided accommodation to Christian missionaries. Hindus built Kovils all over the country. Did Sinhala Buddhists object? Muslims built Mosques all over the country. Did Sinhala Buddhists object? Recently, there were few objections because Muslims tried to build mosques without obtaining approval. Could be Wahabi guys.
    Do you know that the first mosque in Kandy was built on land provided by Dalada Maligawa. Do you know that Muslims were allowed to settle down in interior parts of the country when Portuguese persecuted them by King Senerath who was a Sinhala Buddhist.
    —-
    You seems to be having some sort of a grudge against Buddhist monks. Did something happen when you visited Buddharakkita’s chamber?

  • 1
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    This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

  • 9
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    Thanks for the write up Shaymon, very timely.

    The bane of this country after Independence is the authority asserted by the Buddhist Monks over Politicians. The Politicians have been pandering the Buddhist Monks for the Sinhala Buddhist vote. Bad enough these Monks live on free lunch paid by the masses, they try to scuttle plans introduced to uplift the masses obviously fearing if the masses become educated and achieve prosperity the priests hold on society might diminish their status and importance. If this country is to develop on merit and unite, the biggest stumbling block are the Buddhist Monks. After all what use are the monks in such large number and mass ordaining of children? Buddhist Monks were useful at a time the masses were illiterate. But today the majority are more educated than the Buddhist monks. If one is to study, learn Buddhism there are many texts available to refer. They certainly does not fit in to, for the masses to collect merit by offering Dhana as the people can make the offerings to stray dogs and cats which would be more meritorious than fattening over fed Buddhist Monks. Then what other use the Monks are for? To preach Bana? Does one understand what is the essence of Bana? Bana is essentially a description making use of a fib in Jathaka Story explaining what is Good and what is Bad. If the society calling themselves literate is unable to differentiate Good and Bad as adults, it is indeed a matter of pity on their intelligence. The last I could note the use of Buddhist Monks is to bestow merit to the dead to go to Nirvana. This is a recent practice of offering Pansakula after the advent of the Portuguese. There is no mention that Buddha had performed Pansakula on any to bestow Nirvana during his day. Then who are these Monks to take up on them the power to bestow Nirvana today on the dead?

  • 1
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    This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

  • 8
    4

    Candid and great article. Attack the bastards-the Cardinals and poltical sanga rogues. High time these saffron guys stopped their public bana where no one can ask questions. If questions be allowed there would not be a single monk on public platforms. They will be stripped off their robes. These are blood-sucking renegades who have put the clock back in our beautiful island

    • 3
      4

      With so much of religious freedom allowed in a majority Sinhala Buddhist country other religions and their extremist ideologies also thrived. Buddhist monks for centuries in the past and now guide the rulers towards safeguarding Buddhism and the country not as politicians but as guardians of the state and Buddhism. This is the reality and must not be looked at from western country perspectives. The religious freedom enjoyed in the country allowed the western powers to create opportunities for fundamentalists and extremist Muslims and Christians to operate with the help of local politicians who are subservient to them. It is sad to see Buddhist monks who have a stake in this country being ridiculed by so called intelligent warped minded people, when extremists and fundamentalists who propagate hate and violence in the name of religion leading to killings are not condemned. What these monks have been saying all these years on Muslim extremism and fundamentalism gaining ground in this country leading to violence has come true. Unfortunately people like you do not want to believe yet and our leaders are deaf and blind to reality but will bend their backs to allow western powers to act according to their geopolitical agendas.

  • 8
    2

    This monk Mawaraeliya Bhaddhiya charges Rs 40,000 for a bana from helpless persons.

    • 3
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      Anoma Jayanetti:-
      Why call Mawaraeliya Bhaddhiya, A Monk?

  • 5
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    I love reading you, Shyamon. This is another masterpiece

    • 0
      0

      Sirinaga Tennakoon, you talk bullshit

  • 2
    4

    According to Yahapalana Uncle Shaymon, Dr Ranil and Mangala came to lift our Inhabitants from Poverty to Prosperity.

    After Easter Sunday even the Prosperous are heading to Poverty , because no body goes to No Limit.

    Wonder whether Shaymon is still friends with Shamini Serasinghe , who called Shaymon’s Idol Dr Ranil a Pig Headed Loser?……

  • 2
    4

    Amazing how shameless Shamon can pontificate about everything without mentioning the obvious elephant in the room, the Jihadi terror in Lanka, brought about by the Moslem religious leaders. While they are feasting on the gory harvest of Easter Sunday, Shamon prefers to talk about petty religious politics, which are part of the Asian landscape.

    The real issues is the radical Moslem religious leaders and their followers in a country where almost all Moslems are radicalized, cheer Jihadis, and are waiting their turn for martyrdom. When Lankan Moslems advance from highly explosive bombs to apocalyptic nerve gas attacks killing tens of thousands of Kaffir Christians, Buddhist, Hindus maybe Shamon will feel like writing about the Islamic terror. Until then he wants us to join his childhood forays into inebriated monks quarters where he sees alcohol in all forms. If you wonder into the Moslem Jihadi fanatics’ homes in the Eastern Province of Lanka, maybe you will get to see the latest nerve gas cylinders – VX, Sarin, Tabun. I can assure you, there is no comparison. The former kills the inebriated slowly, the latter kills the innocents by the thousands in a gory feast for Moslem Gods like Easter Sunday.

  • 1
    8

    Mr. Jayasinghe continues to provoke vitriolic garbage against Buddhist clergy from his safe haven down under . Great job mate !

  • 2
    4

    What is Shaymon up to, ?..

    Mangala hates Sanga.
    Mangala even went further to tell the Sinhala Buddhists that their 2500 year old country does not belong to them anymore.

    In contrast Dr Ranil seems to be getting into Sinhala Buddhism, after the Jihadis bombed Kachikade.
    Although Dr Ranil was in Tirupathy seeking divine Intervention through Tamil poosaris , before Easter Sunday.

    Dr Ranil even organized a Bana Ceremony at the TT on Veask Day.
    And the Venerable Thero Palitha not only Delivered the Bana, but also praised Dr Ranil as the Best PM ever .
    And Venerable Palitha even promised to go all the way to make Dr Ranil the next President mainly because Dr Ranil is the only Person in Lankawe who can talk to Foreigners over the Phone.

    Normally Dr Ranil and the Missus listen to Bana only from the Mahanayaka at Malwatta.
    This Palitha must also be a Mahanayaka of some Nikaya to be so powerful to back Dr Ranil to become the Janadahipathy…

    And here is Shaymon trying to toss a Hand Grenade to Maha Sanga .
    Does Shaymon has a hidden agenda to make Mangala the next President , by under cutting Dr Ranil?..

  • 3
    1

    Poofters supporting other poofters is not a particularly new phenomenon. Therefore CT readers should not worry too much.
    \
    Their cries will vanish just like the air streams that pass during their love making!

    • 2
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      Saimon,
      It is a Gem….I was in stitches, But couldn’t tell the Missus…

      • 1
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        You are welcome. Truth needs to be told.

  • 6
    0

    Religion has become a lucrative business today. It converts foolish beliefs into easy maney. No investment, just wear the robes and appear holy and convincing. Use the outfit to engage in politics, whoa double bonus. Luxuries which are denied to ordinary human reaches them in bundles and bundles. This is the price of fear of God. Genuinely how many members of the clergy/monks are actually holy? Does god ask for bribes or need to appoint agents on earth, if he is actually almighty? Does he ask for sacrifice of life on earth? Does he need to trade virgins? Does he need to protect only Islam, Buddhism, Christianity or Hinduism? What is the religion of God? People must come to their senses.All are surviving because nature allows us to live so. There is no need to fight in the name of religion or language. Forget about them. The real enemy is environment. There could be a crisis of water shortage, food shortage etc. At that time non of our beliefs will help.

  • 4
    1

    [What were you doing in Buddharakkita’s chamber? Even if monks consume liquor, they do not display the bottles. May be he pulled them out for some special reason.]

    Oh he was looking for Blind Eagle and the bugger was hiding under a bed without his sarama. Buddharakitta was a rouge, drunkard and a womaniser and AC.Alles’s book on death of a prime minster clearly states his sexual drive and how he was screwing that woman (I think) vivian gunawardena. Sorry if the name is wrong. drinking alcohol is part of the routine among many buddhsit clergy and I wonder why this run away patriot Blind Eagle is worried about these guys. I am sure he would have been laid by many of these buggers and no wonder he loves them so much. Shyamon is a man who has the guts to call a spade a spade. blind have you heard of another stud bull named Murutettuwa Ananda Thero, the president of the Nurse’s union and how he screws all the nurses. Now the fellow is old. Once JR chased the bugger away saying what a priest got to with nurses. Blind eagle, this article is to open the blind morns like you, and try to open the eyes instead of criticising.

  • 0
    0

    I like to bring to this discussion a few thoughts from an article that appears in the Guardian;
    Truth Has Now Arrived, and Falsehood Has Perished by Zulkifli Nazim

    The author writes about religious leaders referring to her own religion. I think it is relevant to religious leaders of all religions.
    “…..his suppression is certainly, due to a narcissistic personality disorder which is closely associated with personality characteristic in which the Religious Leaders see themselves and their interests and opinions, as the only ones that really matter. It is indeed a matter of pride for them”.

    “….Therefore it becomes a moral obligation on the religious leaders to emphasize that the role of religion should be to establish unity and concord among the people and religion should not be the cause of dissension and strife; but assist in the development and welfare of the country, assist in the tranquility of the people and bring about the much needed peace for all”.

    Leave political decisions to political leadership; leave security and Law and Order to the security forces; leave justice to the legal community. They must work in unison and mutual understanding. The citizenry, the Sri Lankan community led by social and civil societies must ensure that all of the above is implemented accordingly.

  • 0
    0

    The intrinsic sense of ‘territorial ownership’ is one of the strongest instincts in all animals. They defend their territory even at the risk of losing their own lives. Man is also an animal who has come down from the branches just 30,000 years ago – hardly sufficient for evolutionary modifications necessary for changes in basic instincts. There is no doubt that humans are technically advanced compared to other animals, the gap being as wide as the sky and the Earth. But as far as instincts are concerned, humans may be even worse than animals. That is why we have 3 wheeler drivers chasing away new drivers from the parks for which they think they have a non-alienable right. This is also the cause behind one party insisting on the right to have loudspeakers blaring religious material and opposing party insisting on the right not to be disturbed by the same.
    .
    Humans try to justify themselves and others that what is operating here is not instinct but something more noble and at a higher moral level. Even religion is used for this purpose. Religions such as Buddhism and Christianity have tried to steer away people from this type of instinctive animalistic thinking and actions but have not been successful.
    .
    I agree with Shaymon on many of his points. Today what the Mahanayakes, Cardinals and ISIS are playing is a dirty game based on ‘territorial’ ambitions. The foot soldiers are the Putujjana on all sides who do not see the hypocrisy of them.
    .
    Most of the conflicts occurring in the world today are based on territorial ownership. Even in the past in our own country, monks have left robes and become soldiers to defend what they feel is their rightful territory.

  • 5
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    Well said, Shyamon.

    The intellectually challenged will not be able to relate to it, the rest will.

    • 2
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      Madam,
      I thought you called Dr Ranil a Pig Headed Loser. ???..

      • 0
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        K A Sumanasekera,

        I did and I still do but, the above article is not about him, is it?

    • 1
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      Ms Sharmini Serasinghe@-

      Just would like to make a kind request to you about the need of bringing an another CT article soon, on the unconstitutional behaviour of Presdient Sirisena. That has now reached to all the margins. We must not allow this PISSU BALLA to abuse use any further.
      :
      I respect you as WRITER that much. I am afraid, I dont have the talent to write up the way you have been upto. In a simple langauge, YOU could outreach masses. Please do so, I am so fed up of being unable to see the President being not YET IMPEACHED going by his HUGE failures even after the SC made it very clear he reacted unconstitutionally.

      Those 260 +500 would not have ended up that way, if President was well aware of his responsibility as the minister of Defence to this nation. And Law and order is unconstitutionally grabed by him yet today. The UNP ministers seem to have no power to act accordingly with the weaker mandate they obviously maintain in today s parliament.

      • 0
        0

        Desperateasnoother,

        We can all write until the cows come home but, it all goes over the heads of the decision makers.

        ALL those who refuse to impeach Sirisena are ALSO traitors to Sri Lanka!

  • 4
    1

    It is a irony that Sri Lanka is engrossed religious fundamentalism. Specifically the Buddhist clergy with concocted view of real teaching of Buddha have become cancer in Sri Lankan politics. This has to be and must be carved out of the politics if Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans to become a better society. But , will this happen??????

  • 2
    1

    Shyamon, yet another article, inviting the wrath from “the cunning fools”. In Lanka politics and religion are like “Two Headed Hydra”. A monster swallowing up a tiny island. Irony is majority public seems very happy at the outcome. Buddhist Monks have always got them involved from the time of independence. The churches usually kept them selves away , other than helping the affected and giving a voice to the helpless victims when others ignored. But this too changed with Cardinal Ranjith who at one time was more political than religious. Just a statement he made after Easter suddenly got him back to Noble price nominations. This is a calculated move by him in making him self indispensable for his political masters. If he is true to what he say then he should keep demanding for accountability .

  • 1
    0

    True to Sri Lankan style people have locked onto minor details and not the message the author is trying to get at. To me the big take away from this article is that the modern day monks are incapable of giving advice to the rulers on the complex matters of governing. Our country in the olden days was isolated form the west. We did not ask for loans etc. No major exchange of goods and services. In fact we did not need the west at all. King ruled with the help of the religious leaders and the people rarely had a say in the matter. No democracy. Monks or anyone else could easily understand this closed dynamics and help the king rule justly. Long gone are these days. We are dependent on the west a lot more and we are massively entrenched in the global trade via goods and services. No longer can a king call the shots. People themselves are not slaves and we cannot be told to go do a particular trade by anyone as they did in the olden days. Democracy and all its ills are here to stay. As such the monks or any other religious leaders should stick to helping all of us in the spiritual direction, matters of the heart, and leave the matters of the mind and the ensuing complex dynamics to others. I have been vehemently sharing this idea for a long time. Even though I believe Mangala should have kept his mouth shut knowing the capacity of us “common people” in understanding intricacies, this article to me is not about him. Maybe the title should be “The Clergy Should Get Off The Backs Of Sri Lankans” so that we would refrain from locking onto unnecessary details

  • 1
    2

    Shaymon, sounds a very strong Sinhala and Buddhist and so naturally concerned about what is happening in SL. He is struggling to salvage Buddhism from being destroyed by foolish goons who use Sinhala Buddhist label to ruin both Buddhism and sinhalas. The first on this line is to reform the Buddhist clergy who are totally destroying Buddhism and misleading innocent sinhalas. Mate can’t you take the Blind Eagle under your wings and try to educate the blind bat.

  • 6
    1

    Our sanga has enough work in hands than to preach to us how to run a government. Let them look after their flock-train them and ensure they behave well. Let them look after dayakayas. Same with priests.
    What do they know about intricacies of managing a country? Is Gnanassara a man to consult?

  • 1
    0

    Few mahasanga havev vexed with politicians uttering lies about security, sociology, economonics, finance etc.they are being paid by the politicians – we cannot forget one hanuduru, wo got few millions from another country.They needed money and ego..they forgot what was their purpose of entering priesthood.they have no time to teach their concept to the masses. Ancient times those sangha advised the king …they didnt drive moteros and pajeros…wheñ u looket at their faces..ir was a charm with charisma…now they look like what..everyones imagination.

    • 1
      1

      Roshan rodny,
      “Few mahasanga havev vexed with politicians uttering lies about security, sociology, economonics, finance etc.they are being paid by the politicians – we cannot forget one hanuduru, who got few millions from another country.”
      —-
      Simply because they wear yellow robes, do not jump to the conclusion that they know only Pali, Sanskrit and Buddhism. Among Buddhist monks, there are many who have obtained their Doctorates in different fields. For example, the Head of the Department of Economics in Colombo University is a Buddhist Monk. But unfortunately, Ranil never take advice from such monks or local experts. He thinks only white skinned people are qualified to give advice to the Government.

      These guys who are asking Buddhist monks to leave politics do not say anything against Amila who is notorious for throwing mud at Rajapakses.

      We are aware that there are NGOs funded by foreign countries who pay money to monks and use them to tarnish the image of Buddhist monks and Sinhala Buddhists. These guys are targeting three Therawada Buddhist countries; Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar. They want to give the impression to the world that Buddhists in these countries are violent and kill minority Muslims. What happened in Myanmar with Rohingyas and the aniti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka ignited by invisible hands are a part of that game plan.

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