‘Lawyers for Democracy’ has condemned the use of places of religious worship for political activities in the guise of religious ceremonies.
“This amounts to violation of the fundamental right to practice one’s religion freely, without any obstructions either physical or mental. The use of places of religious worship for political activities has taken a serious tern as even the Sri Dalada Maligawa which is the holiest place of worship for Buddhists all over the world is being used by disgruntled politicians for propaganda purposes in the name of holding a pooja. The walls of Kandy are pasted with posters with prominent pictures of the former president with slogans. It is for the 1st time that we have seen banners with pictures of the former president with greetings for him to be back in power on the outskirts of Sri Dalada Maligawa.” says the Lawyers for Democracy.
Issuing a statement the LfD convener Lal Wijenayake said: “We condemn the use of places of religious worship for political propaganda and calls upon those disgruntled politicians to face the people at a political level and not to interfere with the free use of places of religious worship without any political, class, cast, or ethnic or any other consideration.
This development goes to show the depths to which our politicians has sunk.”
Peace Lover / June 22, 2015
Religion hijacked in the name of re-election and greed for power its as simple as that
/
AVB / June 22, 2015
Hijacked ? Are these Mahanayakes still babies? Considering differences of roles and responsibilities of religious leaders and politicians, I believe these religious leaders are doing worse job than our politicians….
/
Native Vedda / June 23, 2015
AVB
“Are these Mahanayakes still babies?”
Like the Queen they party colour blind.
However if and when government agrees to certain level of power devolution to redress status of minorities you will see them on media, streets, with opposition politicians, making speeches, providing unwise counselling, inviting all those bigots and racists to their residence for consultation, …..
You assured of more fun.
/
Amarasiri / June 22, 2015
‘Lawyers for Democracy’
Mahinda Rajapaksa, MaRa, MaRa does not follow Buddhism. He Follows Mara-ism. Remember, it was Mara who opposed Buddha. Looks like MaRa was reincarnated as MaRa, aka Mahinda Rajapaksa.
MaRa Mara Chatu MaRa Amana MaRa
So, he still has an audience among those whose average IQ is around 65, who voted for him, and collectively known as Modayas. Mootals, Fools, Idiots, Morons,and Imbeciles.
Remember, the Average IQ of Sri Lanka is 79. So, based on the standard deviation of the distribution, there is plenty fot Mara to choose from.
Ask him to form his own party, the MaRa party and see how many votes he gets. As the part symbol, he can select a Buffalo.
/
Amarasiri / June 22, 2015
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/
/
Jango / June 23, 2015
The more serious problem for Buddhists is the fact that most priests are also more into wealth and power and not into the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. And what’s more, they don’t care who knows it.
Then, to compound matters most Buddhists don’t care either. Or, they have no idea what Buddhism is all about.
Stop the poojas (ceremonies for purely selfish interests) and other rituals, worshipping of idols and just follow the Eightfold Path and the bogus priests will be obsolete. Then we can see the REAL priests by their actions.
Just about all religions are about power and gathering the flock of followers like sheep to be guided as their leaders please. Just look at Isis, for one.
/
Amarasiri / June 23, 2015
Why does MaRa Want to come Back?
“Religion hijacked in the name of re-election and greed for power its as simple as that “
To Protect Mahinda Rajapaksa Family from the Rackets The Family Racket .
The Robberies and criminalities.
/
Silva / June 23, 2015
As usual, once again those close to MR are taking him for a very good ride showing him the imaginary PM carrot and trying to take piggy back ride on him (take advantage of his popularity) in order to get their votes. They will dump him as soon as the election is over. There is nothing religious here, only gaining political mileage at the cost of Buddhism.
/
Leelawathie / June 24, 2015
This will surely end up to the manner Saththarakarya -Royal ASTROLOGER with not even 8 Grade education made him a fools. Fools be them presidents or others, get together… whereever we get to see them. Most stupid president of the era is Mahinda Jarapakashe. He would even eat cowdung if he would be promised on imaginary PM position paving way him to continue sucking the blood of the nation again. MY3 rule should NOT have any kind of fears thinking that going straight forward against MR could boomerang on them breaking away MR supporters… those who are representing him in Parliament are not REAL representatives within the nation… general election will learn them a lession, next time.. Now it is said, not even 4.8 mios among the vote eligibles would vote for the MR if he would be the leader of the SLPF next.
With all these known facts, UNP and JVP should work together with MY3 as president to marginalize the man forever, – so that international courts can capture him easily. That can then given a relief to all those believe we need a leader that would fight against crimes, corruption and the issues rather than showing off about so called developments that only sucked … Example number one is Mattala and port projects. Have they brought any profits evena fter 4 years gone since introduce ?
/
Supun Jayawardhane / June 23, 2015
It is his way for the last few decades. Man know how he outreach through Sangaya. Sangas are respected by Budhists.. in general. When Sanagayas say that they support – STUPID volks would follow.
When sangaya will start consuming the extrements of Rajano, STUPID folks will follow.
This mentality will be there unitl UNP led govt reveal all the high profile frauds allegations are set open to the general public. Days ahead will be what we ssee, how this will finally be the case. There, balligeputha can be maginalized forever. Rajapakshe word will be bitter to the nation as they would taste thiththa abing.. good luck to stupid folks.
/
Samuel Jayaweera / June 23, 2015
When Meeharaka (Mahinda Rajapakshe) will be caught LAW AND ORDER SYSTEMS – the day of start of reconciliation of all folks in the country
/
Pot Shot / June 22, 2015
If MR has an ounce of buddhism left in him he won’t behave like the way he has done in the past or even now.
Everything that is done is not for Buddha but MR’s glory.
/
Amarasiri / June 22, 2015
Pot Shot
“Everything that is done is not for Buddha but MR’s glory.”
[Edited out]
/
Amarasiri / June 23, 2015
Pot Shot
“Everything that is done is not for Buddha but MR’s glory.” [Edited out]
In Journalism Truth is a Process….
Is calling a Spade, a Spade, a Process….????
It depends on what us Politically or Religiously Correct..They Burned Giardano Bruno
Can we say all these bigots have 46 chromosomes, although they had 46 earlier, before they came to the Land of Native Veddah Aethho, they had 48 chromosomes.
Ken Miller on Human Evolution
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi8FfMBYCkk
/
Gune / June 22, 2015
Why do politicians choose public places like temples to do their political work and not police stations. To be aligned to a temple is to say hide their ugliness and sin when in reality what fits their profile is a police station.
#truebuddhism #leavethetemplesalone #MRabloodyrogue
/
Point of View / June 22, 2015
He has been reduced to just a temple abiththaya ! His visits are promoted by posters and payments !!
How low will he stoop to come to power !! Idiot cannot read the writing on the wall !
/
srilal / June 23, 2015
Dear CT Editors ,
Please don’t censor this hilarious ,short story as i would love to share it with our CT readers .
“
Mahinda Rajapakse is with the Queen of England.
MR : “Your Majesty, any tips you can give me to stay in power, the way you have been for so long?”
“Well,” said the Queen, “the most important thing is to surround yourself with intelligent people.”
MR frowned, and then asked, “But how do I know the people around me are intelligent?”
The Queen: “Easy; you just ask them to answer an intelligent riddle.”
The Queen pushed a button on her intercom. “David Cameron, would you come in here, please?”
David Cameron walked into the room and said,
“Yes, ma’am?”
The Queen smiled and said,
“Answer me this please, David. Your mother and father have a child. It’s not your brother and it’s not your sister. Who is it?”
Without pausing for a moment, David Cameron answered,
“That would be me, ma’am.”
“Very good! Thank you, David !” said the Queen.
Then she turned to MR with a smile and said “See?”
Now its MR’s turn to apply the same logic….
MR went back to Sri Lanka and asked Namal Rajapakse..
“Namal , answer this for me. Your mother and your father have a child. It’s not your brother and it’s not your sister. Who is it?”
“I’m not sure,” said Namal .
“Let me get back to you on that one…”
Namal Rajapakse went to his advisors and asked every one, but none could give him an answer… Finally, he ran into Bandula Gunawardana and asked,
“Bandula, can you answer this for me? Your mother and father have a child and it’s not your brother or your sister. Who is it?”..
Bandula answered, “That’s easy, it’s me!”..
Namal Rajapakse, “Thanks!”
Then he went back to MR.
“I did some thinking and I have the answer to that riddle. It’s our Bandula Gunawardana..”
MR slapped him and said.
“You Dumb Idiot!
It’s David Cameron “.”
/
Amarasiri / June 23, 2015
srilal
“I did some thinking and I have the answer to that riddle. It’s our Bandula Gunawardana..” MR slapped him and said. “You Dumb Idiot! It’s David Cameron “.”
Thanks.
MaRa MaRa Chatu MaRa Amana MaRa
2/2 =0 Says “Moda-Pandith” Wimal Buruwansa…
/
sama / June 23, 2015
Where had you been my friend ?
Where had you been ?
/
srilal / June 23, 2015
Dear Sama ,
Sorry , i’ve given you a lengthy answer as to why i don’t comment very often in this blog any more , for the successive 3rd time , my comment has been vanished in to thin air ( not editing out ), let’s see what will happen this time round .
/
sama / June 25, 2015
If we would see it according to the results of last Prez eleciton,
5.8 Mio – voted for CRIMINAL culture
6.2 Mio – voted for more democractic nature, human right and good governance and law and order (not just underestimate among them were minorities that long struggle to gain their rights in the Rajapakshe led nationalistic world).
Alomst half of the vote eligible ones are made fools by Rajapake media units for the last 10 years. He may loose everyting when these people would finally realize that they were kept away from the TRUTH but truth for the survival of Rajapakshe doggy dynasty.
Today we have no car raaces or any kind of HIGH Level wastes,
with Prez My3 the angel sacrificed to wake up those foolish people – CLEARLY say politicians have no right to waste people s funds for their election campaigns. ::: this was long awaited thing that to have made clear.. by any good leader. My3 is for me almost like a civilized European leader. I respect him and his patientce being entwined with almost all kind of criminals in the UPFA.
0.9 Mio – used social media and these were the young ones just joined as a voters. Nearly 1 mio wanted to drive away Rajapakshe for ever.
/
Ajith / June 22, 2015
Who is going to save Buddhism in Srilanka becoming a place of Criminals, Drug dealers and corrupted?
/
Amarasiri / June 22, 2015
Ajith
“Who is going to save Buddhism in Srilanka becoming a place of Criminals, Drug dealers and corrupted? “
Sinhala “Buddhism” is an Insult to Buddhism.
Similarly, Whabbism and Iblism , ISIS and their clones is an insult to Islam.
Both Groups Follow Mara, Iblis and the Devil, not the original teachings of the Founders.
/
Gemunu Weeraya / June 23, 2015
IF THE MUSLIMS CAN USE THEIR MOSQUES – FRIDAY PRAYERS TO SHOW THEIR OPPOSITION WHY CANNOT MR USE THE BUDDHIST TEMPLES FOR HIS POLITICAL ACTIVITY. MR IS USING THE TEMPLES WITH THE BLESSINGS OF THE MAHANAYAKES. WHY ONE RULE TO THE MUSLIMS WHO CAME FROM ARAB COUNTRIES AND MR THE SOIL OF THE SON.
/
Ajith / June 23, 2015
Gemunu,
If you think Buddhist Temples should be the ideal place for political activity it is up to the Buddhists to decide. Even if you want to make this place for drug trade with the blessings of Mahanayake’s no one is going to object it. THe country is ruled by Buddhists and the rules of the country are made by Buddhists. You have proven that Sinhala Buddhism is an insult to the preachings of Buddha (He is not a Sinhala).
/
Amarasiri / June 24, 2015
Gemunu Weeraya
“MR IS USING THE TEMPLES WITH THE BLESSINGS OF THE MAHANAYAKES.”
Are the Polititians and monks rapinf women and boys with the blessing of the Mahanayakas?
Read What Buddha Taught by Ven. Walpola Rahula or by Ven Narada thero.
Thre was no mention of politics.
“MR IS USING THE TEMPLES WITH THE BLESSINGS OF THE MAHANAYAKES.” Are They Buddhists? or Sinhala Buddhists who follow Mara and Mara?
MaRa MaRa Chatu Mara amana MaRa…
/
Lankan / June 22, 2015
I think Sri Lankan society will take a few generations yet
to reach a level of intelligence seen in developed countries.
Till then there will be relative highs and lows in political
and spiritual thinking. A few people will always see the backward
behaviours for what they are, but the vast majority will indulge
in them.
/
Innocent Bystander / June 22, 2015
I am sure the ordinary person’s sense of right and wrong and moral sense is no different to that of those in developed countries. It is our leaders’ sense of propriety and practice of what is morally wrong that has permeated society and is accepted as ‘normal’. In that sense it will take generations to correct our leaders, since most of them are under educated in comparison to their western counterparts.For example the majority of Singapore cabinet members have a second degree – most from Oxford, Cambridge,Harvard or Yale.This is the difference, though comparisons are odius.
/
Amarasiri / June 22, 2015
Lankan
“I think Sri Lankan society will take a few generations yet to reach a level of intelligence seen in developed countries. “
You mean the Current IQ of Sri Lanka will go from 79 to 100 the current IQ of Developed countries in a few generations? Few = 10, 50, 100?
Singapore is 108 and Japan and S Korea 106.
National IQ Scores – Country Rankings
The intelligence scores came from work carried out earlier this decade by Richard Lynn, a British psychologist, and Tatu Vanhanen, a Finnish political scientist, who analysed IQ studies from 113 countries, and from subsequent work by Jelte Wicherts, a Dutch psychologist.
http://www.photius.com/rankings/national_iq_scores_country_ranks.html
Rank
——– Country
———————– %
————-
1 Singapore 108
2 South Korea 106
3 Japan 105
4 Italy 102
5 Iceland 101
5 Mongolia 101
6 Switzerland 101
7 Austria 100
7 China 100
7 Luxembourg 100
7 Netherlands 100
7 Norway 100
7 United Kingdom 100
8 Belgium 99
8 Canada 99
8 Estonia 99
8 Finland 99
8 Germany 99
8 New Zealand 99
8 Poland 99
8 Sweden 99
9 Andorra 98
9 Australia 98
9 Czech Republic 98
9 Denmark 98
9 France 98
9 Hungary 98
9 Latvia 98
9 Spain 98
9 United States 98
10 Belarus 97
10 Malta 97
10 Russia 97
10 Ukraine 97
11 Moldova 96
11 Slovakia 96
11 Slovenia 96
11 Uruguay 96
12 Israel 95
12 Portugal 95
13 Armenia 94
13 Georgia 94
13 Kazakhstan 94
13 Romania 94
13 Vietnam 94
14 Argentina 93
14 Bulgaria 93
15 Greece 92
15 Ireland 92
15 Malaysia 92
16 Brunei 91
16 Cambodia 91
16 Cyprus 91
16 FYROM 91
16 Lithuania 91
16 Sierra Leone 91
16 Thailand 91
17 Albania 90
17 Bosnia and Herzegovina 90
17 Chile 90
17 Croatia 90
17 Kyrgyzstan 90
17 Turkey 90
18 Cook Islands 89
18 Costa Rica 89
18 Laos 89
18 Mauritius 89
18 Serbia 89
18 Suriname 89
19 Ecuador 88
19 Mexico 88
19 Samoa 88
20 Azerbaijan 87
20 Bolivia 87
20 Brazil 87
20 Guyana 87
20 Indonesia 87
20 Iraq 87
20 Myanmar (Burma) 87
20 Tajikistan 87
20 Turkmenistan 87
20 Uzbekistan 87
21 Kuwait 86
21 Philippines 86
21 Seychelles 86
21 Tonga 86
22 Cuba 85
22 Eritrea 85
22 Fiji 85
22 Kiribati 85
22 Peru 85
22 Trinidad and Tobago 85
22 Yemen 85
23 Afghanistan 84
23 Bahamas, The 84
23 Belize 84
23 Colombia 84
23 Iran 84
23 Jordan 84
23 Marshall Islands 84
23 Micronesia, Federated States of 84
23 Morocco 84
23 Nigeria 84
23 Pakistan 84
23 Panama 84
23 Paraguay 84
23 Saudi Arabia 84
23 Solomon Islands 84
23 Uganda 84
23 United Arab Emirates 84
23 Vanuatu 84
23 Venezuela 84
24 Algeria 83
24 Bahrain 83
24 Libya 83
24 Oman 83
24 Papua New Guinea 83
24 Syria 83
24 Tunisia 83
25 Bangladesh 82
25 Dominican Republic 82
25 India 82
25 Lebanon 82
25 Madagascar 82
25 Zimbabwe 82
26 Egypt 81
26 Honduras 81
26 Maldives 81
26 Nicaragua 81
27 Barbados 80
27 Bhutan 80
27 El Salvador 80
27 Kenya 80
28 Guatemala 79
28 Sri Lanka 79
28 Zambia 79
29 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 78
29 Nepal 78
29 Qatar 78
30 Comoros 77
30 South Africa 77
/
Sudar Oli / June 22, 2015
Do you seriously think that Tamil politicians stay away from Hindu temples and churches? Do Muslim politicians avoid doing politics in a mosque?
/
Lanka Watch / June 22, 2015
Sudar Oli – Of course they do not preach politics in Hindu Temples and
Christian Churches in SL. Only in troubled middle East, Mosques are used for political preaching by armed militants but I doubt this happening in Sri Lanka. These are holy places where the politicians dread to use for political purposes as in the eyes of God, everybody is equal and good things are taught in these places and not false promises. It is saddening to note that high priests of Buddhist temples
allow political meetings under the pretext of Poojas. Priests should not take sides unless it is a national issue.
/
Heretic / June 23, 2015
Lanka Watch,
“Of course they do not preach politics in Hindu Temples and Christian Churches in SL.“
Again I disagree with you. Our politicians in Jaffna use places of worship as a platform. In case you do not know temples and churches are intended for meetings.
/
maali karunaratne / June 22, 2015
All politicians make use of religion. Now it seems that there is no religion without politics and no politics without religion.
But MR uses it on a daily basis where as other politicians use it occasionally.
/
Amarasiri / June 23, 2015
maali karunaratne
“All politicians make use of religion. Now it seems that there is no religion without politics and no politics without religion.”
Priests, Monks and Mullahs Controlled the King or emperror The King controlled the People.
Therefore, the Priests, Monks and Mullahs Controlled the People.
MaRa MaRa Chatu Mara Amana Mara
/
Analyst / June 22, 2015
Mahinda has been used as A PAWN BY HIS SUPPORTERS TO RIDE ON HIS BACK HOPING HE WILL BE RE ELECTED AND CONFUSING THE MODA MASSES. THIS MAN DOES NOT REALISE THE DANGERS OF THIS METHOD. HE HAS BEEN USED AS A PUPPET AND STILL BEING USED AS A PUPPET FOR THEIR OWN GOODNESS.
SEE WHAT HAPPENED IN JANUARY THE MAN WAS STRIPPED OF HIS POWER NOW THEY USE THE TEMPLE PREMISES .
I FEEL SORRY FOR THE MEDAMULANA IDIOT WHO DOES NOT USE THE BRAIN IN THE RIGHT WAY BUT BEEN HIGHJACKED BY THESE PEOPLE WHICH WILL TAKE HIM TO GALLOWS WITH CHARGES OF RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE.
OH MAN OH MAN. USE YOUR BRAIN FOR THE SAKE TO SAVE YOURSELF AND FOR THE SAKE OF THE COUNTRY.
MODAYA OF MEDAMULANA .
/
Analyst / June 22, 2015
IN THE BANANA REPUBLIC OF MR MEDAMULANA IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASY TO BRAINWASH AND CONFUSE AND THREAT THE MASSES TO SUBDUE. NOT ANY MORE AND NOT BY THE SIRISENA REPUBLIC/DEMOCRASY.
MR HAS EXHAUSTED ALL HIS AVENUES OF THUGGERY DURING HIS RULE. NOW ITS THE TIME FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AND DEMOCRACY HAND IN HAND.
IF AND WHEN A PROPOSED MARRIAGE TAKES PLACE BY HOOK OR BY CROOK THAT IS THE TIME FOR A GRAVE DISASTER TO OCCUR FOR US SRILANKANS IN THE LAND OF BUDDHISM.
RESULT MAY BE A MASS EXODUS OF BRAIN DRAIN.
THEN SL WILL BE LEFT WITH ALL THE THUGS THE CRIMINALS THE MURDERERS AND SO ON TO RULE THE ROOST.
DANGEROUS TIME AHEAD HOPEFULLY THE END WILL BE SHOWN TO THESE PEOPLE AT THE NEXT ELECTION.
ARE WE WAITING FOR A BAD MARRIAGE TO TAKE PLACE OR NIP IT IN THE BUD..
WHY ALL THESE TALKS GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES AND IN FRONT?
WHY SIRISENA IS WASTING HIS TIME INSTEAD OF SHOWING THE DOOR.
SIRISENA / RW/ MR / MARRIAGE WILL BE A DISASTER FOR ALL.
/
Amarasiri / June 23, 2015
Analyst
“Mahinda has been used as A PAWN BY HIS SUPPORTERS TO RIDE ON HIS BACK HOPING HE WILL BE RE ELECTED AND CONFUSING THE MODA MASSES”
Yes. You hit the nail in the Head. That is what Maninda Sills and cronies want.
Mahinda Wants to be Raja Raja Moda Raja Chatu Raja Amana Raja.
So his shiils him promise that we will maje you raja Again…
/
Analyst / June 23, 2015
Amarasiri
Do you think this SUPPOSEDLY proposed Marriage between MR,MS AND RW SHOULD TAKE PLACE? If and when it happens what would be the effect??
Do we need to wait and face the consequences or NIP IT IN THE BUD? I fear a tsunami is on our way to hit SL with mighty force politically I mean.
All need to be warned.
/
Patriot / June 22, 2015
If people flock to see RW and MY3 like they do for MR all this tin pot organizations will keep quite. The fact remains MR simply generates peoples affection.
/
EDWIN RODRIGO / June 22, 2015
MR was soundly defeated by MS in the political battle field, despite the fact that MR possessed the most advanced and lethal weaponry, almost unlimited funds and the well paid foot soldiers. MR had the further advantage of selecting the timing of the battle and this too was a strong point for him. Still MR lost.
The loss was humiliating and hugely devastating for MR and psychologically he and his cronies were initially in a state of denial. MR’s behavior can be explained in terms of what an all-powerful person in that position would normally do. First you go in to seclusion and lick your wounds while at the same time getting consolation from throngs of supporters. Next comes the stage where you seek the blessings of religion, lesser Gods and demons. MR, though a living God to his supporters, is basically a thug and thugs are highly prone to such needs. Hence the temple going.
MR may well overcome his fears and go back in to battle. But there is one obstacle that he cannot overcome. The word of a man of honour called MS who has ruled out MR contesting for any position under SLFP patronage. One can be certain that what MS has said will remain unchanged whatever happens. Therefore, the ‘proletariat’ like us can sleep in peace without being haunted by Satanic nightmares.
/
K.A Sumanasekera / June 22, 2015
This Lawyers for Democracy mob can’t be part of the Elite, Anhglican Vellala , Wahabi and the GTF alliance.
If they are, surely they would know that Venerable Sobitha wrote the whole script for the 20 A Episode of Yahapalanaya at the Naga Viharaya in Pita Kotte?..
Did I get the name right……
/
Lankan / June 22, 2015
Your comment is once again irrelevant
and besides the point. That must be because
MR’s behaviour is not one that can be defended.
/
Ajith / June 22, 2015
Are you not ashamed of yourself. Do you understand the values of Buddhism? Nobody hates Buddhism. The question is Do Sinhalese need Buddhism Or Mahinda?
/
Amarasiri / June 23, 2015
Ajith
“Are you not ashamed of yourself. Do you understand the values of Buddhism? Nobody hates Buddhism. The question is Do Sinhalese need Buddhism Or Mahinda?”
Mahinda Wants to be Raja Raja Chatu Raja…
These are Excellent questions. The answers are there, when you ask the Questions What is Buddhism and What Buddha Taught.
Many Sinhala and Mahinda use Buddhism, the same way The Wahhabis use Islam, to get to their selfish end points. Not much different for the other other religions.
A Five Minute Introduction
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/5minbud.htm
• What is Buddhism?
Buddhism is a religion to about 300 million people around the world. The word comes from ‘budhi’, ‘to awaken’. It has its origins about 2,500 years ago when Siddhartha Gotama, known as the Buddha, was himself awakened (enlightened) at the age of 35.
Is Buddhism a Religion?
To many, Buddhism goes beyond religion and is more of a philosophy or ‘way of life’. It is a philosophy because philosophy ‘means love of wisdom’ and the Buddhist path can be summed up as:
(1) to lead a moral life,
(2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and
(3) to develop wisdom and understanding.
• Was the Buddha a God?
He was not, nor did he claim to be. He was a man who taught a path to enlightenment from his own experience.
• Do Buddhists Worship Idols?
Buddhists sometimes pay respect to images of the Buddha, not in worship, nor to ask for favours. A statue of the Buddha with hands rested gently in its lap and a compassionate smile reminds us to strive to develop peace and love within ourselves. Bowing to the statue is an expression of gratitude for the teaching.
• Why are so Many Buddhist Countries Poor?
One of the Buddhist teachings is that wealth does not guarantee happiness and also wealth is impermanent. The people of every country suffer whether rich or poor, but those who understand Buddhist teachings can find true happiness.
/
Navin / June 22, 2015
Sumane, you will soon close your mouth, when you get put through your rear orifice by the “Elite, Anhglican Vellala , Wahabi and the GTF alliance”.
Until then sing your hymns to your Lord and Master Mara the Robber Baron. Sobitha would not want to pollute himself by exchanging body fluids with you.
/
Mama / June 22, 2015
[Edited out]
We are sorry, the comment language in English – CT
/
jenn / June 22, 2015
The Majority of Sri lankans are yet realise and understand the damage caused by the rule of MR and gang since 2005. Where PATRIOTISM , RACIALISM, GANG LAND MURDERS, USNG STATE MACHINERY FOR A BUNCH PEOPLE TO ROB , LOOT , RAPE AND MURDERS . MASSACRE OF MINORITIES UNDER THE PRETEXT LIBERATION .
Now temples are being used for political work…..
The out come being our politicians behave worse that our stray dogs . with the single track mind of $ .
Rule of law also gone to the dogs. Economy in shambles . Rape is fun . Robbery is Fun. Murder is even more fun.
Unless the masses get to gether and put an end to this by voting the right people into the parliament.
Sri Lanka will be the next Sudan….
/
raj / June 22, 2015
Buddhism & active politics in SL have been hand & glove since the days of SWRD. Politicians have used religious & racial sentiments to gain power & remains the major strategy. Until the Buddhist monks take a neutral stand in politics and concentrate on their objective of looking after the spiritual needs & welfare of the people, irrespective of race or religion, as Buddhism does not discrimination, temples will continue to be used for political gains & propaganda.
/
Rohan Polwatte / June 22, 2015
are our sinahala people has no brains? To welcome this guy. I would have thrown stones at him. My land was acquired by the UDA when this MFr was the president illegally without even informing the owner. I have sympathy for those who got evicted illegally without compensation when this moron his brothers were ruling(ruining the country). Have had enough lawlessness corruption family nepotism? Billions were stolen. Jack ass thought the Sri Lankan Treasury was his personal account. If this idiot becomes the prime minister sri lanka will go to hell again. And MITHRI dont be fking stupid to unite SLFP with this moron. KEEP THE PROMISE. Those who stole should be penalized. LAWS SHOULDBE INTRODUCED “ANyone who has done any illegal activity cannot get in to politics” They shoul d be in jail.
/
Bhumi Puthra / June 22, 2015
Who are a collective of lawyers to decide whether MR
should launch his campaign from a temple, church, mosque
or kovil?
Here is the simplest question – Why is President Maithripala
Sirisena going behind MR. He met him and now he is offering
him an high ambassadorial position? And as Sirisena says,
Ranil wickremesinghe is also in cahoots with MR. He said
that to the six MP peace team of the SLFP.
Why are both the President and Prime Minister running behind
Mahinda Rajapaksa? That is what matters and not whether he
is operating from temples. Are the deities in the temples
favoring him so much that the two leader of the present day
Sri Lanka are running behind? Is this why they are offering
to call off all investigations into Rajapaksa and his family?
The Kalu Coat Brigade of the UNP has run out of law points. So
they are faulting MR for going to temples.
/
Silva / June 23, 2015
Who is running behind whom begging for next PM role?
Bhumi Puthra has got his wires crossed.
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Tamil from the north / June 22, 2015
Lawyers Condemn Use Of Religious Places For Political Propaganda?
Completely agree. I also agree Buddhist monks should stay in the temple, not on the streets promoting hatred. So if that happens, then this should also happen.
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Senthil / June 22, 2015
We Hindus do not like to bin or throw a God’s picture. Singhalese are establishing Buda status everywhere in Northern desert where few Singhalese live and I do not think any intelligent middle class Singhalese will move from fertile south to vani desert. In the future these statues will deteriorate without maintenance and look very bad. Why this Singhalese are making Bhuda an orphan or treat like politician and provide army protection – did Gowthama Buddha ask for this. When people become civilised or westernised, they will not go to temples- in modern west only Black people and poor srilankans go to churches regularly. Still white people are much better people than us. It is much easier to work with a white person specially British than any others.
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Namal / June 22, 2015
[Edited out]
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paul / June 22, 2015
What is preventing RW going to St Anthony’s Church, Kotahena and doing the same thing? If he does not have a following, no point blaming MR.
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Point of View / June 22, 2015
RW has a following – they will rise just like they did on the 8th Jan ! He is civilized, educated and decent enough not to misuse places of worship.
People have stop visiting Medamulana, so the idiot is going around and his provincial council members are arranging the crowd ! What a bankrupt, shameless bugger.
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srilal / June 22, 2015
just take a look at this video clip how our erstwhile Gnasara thug cum Thero describes the origin of CBK , MR let this thug to run amok at the expense of his brother , now MY3 letting this scum to repeat what he did earlier , who can stop this menace ?
https://youtu.be/6T76R0KoLSA
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Aku / June 23, 2015
I wonder where this thug who calls himself a Priest came from??? I wish Chandrika would take hi to Courts for him defamation about the Bandaranaiyakas.. Calling them Pandaranayake??? From India??? This man has forgotten that Buddhism too came from India???
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Supun Jayawardhane / June 23, 2015
[Edited out]
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Native Vedda / June 23, 2015
srilal
We may not like this saffron clad thug for what he has done in the past nor would he do in the future however one should agree with what he said about Pandara Nayakam and the his family history.
But then someone somewhere must know when Gnasara’s ancestors arrived on this island by earlier Kallathonie. I would love to know the name of the boat and the date of arrival.
The recent arrivals and converts to Sinhala/Buddhism are the most zealous war mongers than the earlier settlers.
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srilal / June 23, 2015
NV,
As far as i concern those issues are not relevant for our cohabitation , scrutinizing one’s heritage or root may cause unwarranted disputes among communities , we Sri lankans are going back to medieval era , have you ever wondered , why would any one tries to keep an elephant as a pet at his/her place ? then what about sharks ? giving unwarranted/unwanted importance to a religion ? we Srilankans are bunch of pundits who pretend and claim to be the best of the best in the world , in reality we are full of tribal minded, backward Taliban type lunatics.
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Sirimal / June 23, 2015
Why cant they arrest this Eunach Ghansara – most aggressive sinhalaya- in pseudo covering. alone studying the incident at Aluthgama.
This man is a born hate monger. THis kind of idiots tolet breeding in this country is a curse that will not end up easily. It is like wood fire in Spain
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Non PhD / June 22, 2015
Jaya Weva to ” Lawyers for Democracy ” for their courage.
But the lawyers must understand that MaRa is loyal to China and follows China’s model of promoting Buddhism in SL. The fact remains majority of the Maha Sangha and Buddhist voters still believe MaRa is loyal to SWRD founded SLFP and he is the only pivithuru nayakaya SL produced after 1948.
Who can change the mindsets of the majority of the Maha Sangha and the majority of the Buddhist voters from the South, inorder for them to enlighten MaRa , so that he does not have to be the PM, if he really wants to serve the country as a real Buddhist.?
One way to serve SL is MaRa can lawfully form a China-SL Joint Venture Conglomerate and becomes it’s Chairman. This way he can help MS led national government to attract more foreign aid and investments to help the economy. This way he can use his Chairmanship to promote Namal to become a PM in the near future.
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Rohan Polwatte / June 22, 2015
MAHA SANGA ARE THE DUMBEST GREEDY IDIOTS IN THIS COUNTRY.Some maha sanga wants to build more temples. They dont understand what buddha preached.All buddha preached is live in “NOW”. Mediate and get incline with your inner energy(mediation). You [Edited out] dont need to give arms feed the poor and think about the next fkin birth. Just LIVE IN “NOW”. We dont have to worship or thik about these idiots (monks) Especially who say we need to build more temples more land more dana more prikara. DAMN IT STOP LYING. First let decent people like MAITHRI introduce a legal system, democracy. Equality. independt police judicairy. No one can change the constritution to elect president more than two terms. respect the constitution. Any person who doesnt repect this wish should be thrown in jail.
Dont feed the whole family and rob the tax payyers money. PERTHAT HATTHA RAJAPASSA AND THE FAMILY AND RELATIONS AND FREINDS were been fed by the tax payers money.
Accept sobitha thero in NAGAVIHARAYA
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Jagath Fernando / June 22, 2015
Let’s be honest all religious leaders are politically inclined and want to get the best from political leaders.
1 all most all chief priests have got benz cars from various governments and car permits.
2 all most all religious priests have got land allocated through political means
3 Quite a few religious leaders have got their nephews and nieces diplomatic postings.
When this happens, they are obliged to allow political meetings at their temples, kovils and churches.
We are a land like no other. Even when a minister assumes office, all religious leaders are invited to bless him so that he can rob the people more and more.
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Plato. / June 22, 2015
SriLal.
Thanks.Gnasara is an unrepentant thug no doubt.He has not spared even CBK with his foul mouth.
Interestingly,when SWRD swept the polls in 1956,he walked up to Sir John,the defeated PM in Parliament to shake hands.
Sir John had then apparently told SWRD,
Banda,I kept these dogs tied all these years,you have unleashed them. You wait and see what they will do to you.
That was in 1956.
SWRD WAS assasinated by a Buddhist monk Somarama,in 1959!
Had JR been around Gnasara would have deported to Burma to join Asin Wirathu that mad monk!
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srilal / June 23, 2015
Plato ,
Thanks for the information , let me add Sir John’s few more sentences on to it , apparently he had said ” put tar on their skin heads” , how true is it in today’s context ? certainly thug Gnasara deserves that treatment as a token of appreciation from the society. after getting painted with tar , he must be sent to walikada for life , that is to protect Buddhism for future generations.
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K.A Sumanasekera / June 23, 2015
These lawyers fear for Democracy when Sinhala Buddhists go to their Temples.
They are not worried about LTTE Tiger supporters coming to Colombo to see new maps of Srialnka at the Diaspora Exhibition and have the Cocktails thrown in by e our Mangalan and Vicky’s Yahapalanaya.
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Peace Lover / June 23, 2015
@ Athal Sumane,Lawyers for Democracy are not worried about Genuine Buddhists going to temples but they certainly dont like Politicians making use of the temple for their own selfish reasons and Buddhism is not practised by the politicos
Anyway you wont understand as you have daily wet dreams thinking of MR’s return to power!
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Piranha / June 23, 2015
The monks have the authority to stop this rotter Rajapaksa from abusing the temple premises for his political campaigns. The scoundrel has his political headquarters in a vihara but the chief monk has allowed him to desecrate the holy place.
Rajapaksa must be threatening the chief monks to allow him to hold political meetings in the temples. Rajapaksa has a track record of using threats and violence against his enemies and he also threatened the mahanayakas previously when they stood in his way. Maithripala has the power now to put an end to this political reject’s ambitions and hope he uses it before it is too late.
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Pacs / June 23, 2015
Historically and universally Religion is for Politics. Communists failed there wasn’t religion in Politics.
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Douglas / June 23, 2015
Have you all observed what happens to a fish thrown out of its habitat – a pool of water? It starts a frantic attempt and uses all the energy to get back to water from where it came. But at the end, having exhausted all it’s energy and means of securing that lost habitat, it faces the reality – the TRUTH of “Death”. Of course, it is a “SLAW DEATH”, preceded by a STRUGGLE. That is how the NATURE teach that LESSON and that is “DHAMMA” – Law of Nature. Observe,Understand and be a “Witness”.
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SL- walah / June 23, 2015
I do not see any logic behind this claim by so called lawyers. For instance, Maha Sanga has a right to protect the Buddhist religion and the Sinhala culture that goes with it hand in hand and the most appropriate place for that is the temple and its premises. Tamils use the kovil for that and for your information, Muslims have it that the mosque is the place to meat to socialise as well as discuss political issues. Mosque is also the meeting place for civic activity. When Sira and Ranil feel squeezed, they are quick to have their henchmen cry foul.
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BBS Rep / June 23, 2015
Well as far as I know there is no law in the country which says that places of religious worship can’t be used for political purposes. So MR is not breaking any laws here.
But take a look at the pathetically slavish mobs who are surrounding MR where ever he goes. I will not be surprised if this supreme robber baron should come back to power. Who ever who said that we are ‘Modayas’ is not wrong at all.
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max / June 23, 2015
Laywers, how about Sajith Premadasa when he goes around temples with the slogan “Sasunata Aruna”?
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