By Sharmini Serasinghe –
Sharmini Serasinghe
No leader of a multi religious society, can afford the luxury of being seen practicing his religion, in the full glare of the public!
The President of this country is a representative of all its people; Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Therefore, such a President cannot be seen favoring one faith, even though it is his own. If he must, then he ought to pay equal obeisance to other religions as well. After all, he is the leader of all of us, not just the Buddhists of Sri Lanka.
Hence, it is with deep despair, that I as a Buddhist noted, you President Maithripala Sirisena, paying homage to a Bo tree, even though it is venerated by a majority of the Buddhist populace of this country.
Furthermore, by paying homage to a Bo tree, you Mr. President are also openly violating the teachings of the Buddha, who denounced the worship of objects!
Many would argue that such, are harmless cultural practices. But, nevertheless, such practices are associated with Buddhism, and the leader of this multi religious nation, cannot afford to be associated with one set of cultural/religious practices and not the other.
There are many of us who regard our respective faiths as a very private matter, and to exhibit it in public is in poor taste. Unfortunately this ‘culture’ will not take root in a country like ours, as long as our elected leaders such as you Mr. President don’t give leadership to it.
Furthermore, by publicly paying obeisance to a Bo tree; a symbol of Buddhism, you Mr. President are rubbing salt into raw wounds of the minorities, caused by the maniacal Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).
It is yet not too late, for you Mr. President Sirisena to take a cue from former Presidents JR Jayewardene, Chandrika Kumaratunga, and your Prime Minster Ranil Wickremesinghe, and keep religion where it belongs, and governance of the country, as further away from it as possible.
Those of us who voted you in, would much rather see you spend your time fruitfully; putting the country back on track, instead of worshipping trees.
*Sharmini Serasinghe was Director Communications of the former Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) under Secretary Generals Dr. John Gooneratne and Jayantha Dhanapala. She counts over thirty years in journalism, both print and electronic media.
sach / January 27, 2015
I am just sick of these Anglophile sinhalese who like to call themselves ‘elite’ , (though empty pocket most of the time) and think the rest of the people should think and do the way they want.
The only media outlet that i saw prominence given to MY3’s homage to Bo tree is CT. Most of others in this country did not even see this.
And no minority are not with raw wounds..they are having a jovial time these days….
There is no absolutely secular country in this world…and SL need NOT be…
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AVB / January 27, 2015
Thank you Shamini for writing about this. MS must be very busy man with his 100 day promises he gave us, he should minimise these Buddhist and other ceremonial things and get back to work. Good Leaders work 10~12 hrs a day, even most of Asian leaders. Please go back to your office, have regular discussions with your team, help them and give leadership to them.
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Janaka Fernando / January 28, 2015
This is absolute stupidity and an insult to the enlightened one. When people become enamoured with Buddha’s image and the Boo-tree and start worshiping them, the whole purpose of his teachings will be nullified.
When and where did Buddha advice his followers to worship his image in the form of an idol or a picture and/or to worship a Boo-tree?
Buddha neither worshipped any physical objects nor did he advise anybody to worship any physical objects. He clearly said all physical objects will vanquish one day. Why should he worship or tell others to worship a physical object which he surely knows will vanquish?
A few verses in Dhammapada (Buddha Vagga) says,
People afflicted by fear seek the protection of temples (arama), trees (rukkha), chiatyas (chetiya), rocks (Pabbatha) and woods (vana).
But this does not give any assistance to man, it is not a great sarana. It does not help him to overcome his suffering.
If we are to be faithful to the simple beauty and perfection of the peerless Dharma preached by a man with an incomparable mind, then we should expose not only the misunderstanding of his philosophy among his followers but also the ignorance and stupidity of those who are believed to be the sustainers of the Buddha Sasana.
Shamini Serasinghe should be commended for exposing our leaders and their acts of stupidity.
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Peace Dove / January 28, 2015
Janaka Fernando,
You are indeed a rare man amongst the ignorant born-Buddhists of this country.
It is those like you who need to educate the Buddhist masses of the fundamental message of the Buddha.
Most of those saffron robed men claiming to be Buddhist monks are violating the entire ‘Vinaya Pitaka’ and propagating a ‘religion’ amongst the gullible masses which benefits them.
This has been happening over the past 2500 years, and naturally even those like our current President, is a victim of such a charade.
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Sukirihamy_Desparity / January 27, 2015
With all respect, Ms. Serasinghe, please be quite not serving everyone with the same spoon. What was with MR and the goons were the past of the country – we must not all mix it with current day politics. Today actually we have only been seeing/feeling all the efforts being made to uplift the good governance.
This lady and the others have just been trying to make an issue out of a no-issue. That is unfortuantely is a sad thing.
What is wrong with Prez to have knelt down to most sacred tree. Above all he is a buddhist. And each of us could have own way of buddhist behaviours. True that Previous Prez abused the nation and their assets while moving on with FAKE religious way of life. But the current Prez the way he has been behaving is not connected to huge abuses of that sort. Sofar, he has clearly articulated that he is just an another public servant only.
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Amarasiri / January 28, 2015
Dear Ms.Sharmini Serasinghe,
Listen to and do not get lost in the forest for the tress.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RAxky6cyT4
Rajitha reveals ‘Untold Story’ of political revolution
By YouTube @YouTube
Minister Rajitha Senaratne reveals ‘Untold Story’ of political revolution at TV Derana 360 programme.
/
Amarasiri / January 27, 2015
Dear Ms.Sharmini Serasinghe,
“No leader of a multi religious society, can afford the luxury of being seen practicing his religion, in the full glare of the public!”
I respectfully disagree. It is his personal belied. If the President played cricket, it is all right? May be he grew up with both.
Look at USA. There is separation of Church and State and Secular. Similar Situation in France and Turkey as well, even though they stated as Christian and Muslim States.Then India is Secular, and Pakistan stated as a secular Country, but got destroyed by the Religions nits and fanatics. Same In many Middle Eastern Countries. In Europe, the Enlightenment and the Age of Reason batted during the last 200 to 500 years.
“The President of this country is a representative of all its people; Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Therefore, such a President cannot be seen favoring one faith, even though it is his own.”
There are multiple issues here.
1. His personal Faith, Buddhism, and letting the others know that he is Buddhist and follows Buddha’d teachings is fine. ( What Medamulana Maninda Rajapaksa did was clan to a Buddhist, Claimed he is following Buddha’s teaching, but followed Marra’s teachings, and kill),
Buddhist Monks wear the Saffron robe. Suppose we had Ven. Sobitha Thero as the Common Candidate and he became President, we all would have known that he is a Buddhist, and follows Buddhas teachings.
Is the Pope Catholic?
Like the unquestioned fact that bears shit in the woods, the Pope’s Catholicism must be considered beyond doubt – hence the ironic humour in merely asking the question. Apart from the occasional dissident Catholic writer who might ask the question provocatively in order to make a theological point, no one would actually ask the question seriously. Anyone who uses the phrase does so in response to some other query that they wish to answer with a strong affirmative. An example of that, from the earliest citation of ‘is the Pope Catholic’ that I can find, was printed in The Oshkosh Daily Northwestern in November 1969:
An avid sports fan Tom Pech of Oshkosh was asked before the library board meeting if he planned to attend the Packer-Lion game at Green Bay come Sunday. His reply? “Is the Pope Catholic?”
Is the President of Sri Lanka Sinhala Buddhist?
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/203600.html
2. Yes, nationally, the President is everybody’s President. All the non-Buddhists knew that. It was irrelevant. They know Mr. Matipala Sirisena is a better Buddhist than than the Mara following Mahinda Rajapaksa.
3. “Hence, it is with deep despair, that I as a Buddhist noted, you President Maithripala Sirisena, paying homage to a Bo tree, even though it is venerated by a majority of the Buddhist populace of this country.”
If Mr. Matripala Sirisena venerated the tree or the Buddhas Statue from a very young age, there is no reason why he should stop doing it when he became President, irrespective of whether the Buddhists are a majority or not. This is a personal belief.
Of course, if the majority does the same, it is a good marketing tool as well. If it leads to good governance, so be it.
Didn’t the President receive the Pope when he visited Sri Lanka? We needed the Pope’s blessings one week earlier, to depose the Medamulana MaRa Family Mara Dictatorship.
Is the Pope Buddhist? Catholic?
Ms.Sharmini Serasinghe, please do not get lost in the forest for the trees.
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Amarasiri / January 27, 2015
Sharmini Serasinghe,
Can we talk about beyond tree worshipping, stone image worshipping and no-image worshipping, and thin air worshipping. tp <edali;ama Mahinda Rajapaksa Worshipping.
After All 5,500,000 voters voted for the Medamulana MaRa. and Kathargama Devale etc.
We want to know more about our Great Dutugamunu II frm medamulana and his great family Dynasty. We hear that he is descendant of Buddha? Rahula? ??
PS. Consult JVP.
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pran / January 29, 2015
Well said Amarasiri. you have eloquently described what I couldn’t do fully in mine. I don’t understand in what parallel universe people like Mahindapala, DJ and now Sharmini are living. Former two are dishonest self serving morons I would like to think Sharmini belongs to out of touch ideological liberals/ or perhaps socialist who are not practical bunch of people. What she actually suggesting is MS to show dishonesty to his faith.
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Navin / January 27, 2015
Sach, it is no great honour for the country to be governed by an idol worshipper.
I wonder whether Maithree is chanting in his mind:
“Oh Holy Bo Tree, please shower your blessings upon me.
Please inspire me, and provide me your guidance as to how I should draft the 19th Amendment, also what I can do to get rid of the Chief Thief Justice Mohan Pieris.
Oh Holy Bo Tree, please inspire my SLT brother Gamarala to get rid of his thieving ways, and try to work for the benefit of SLT and the country.
Oh Holy Bo Tree please block the mind of my other brothers, from coming to me asking for other Government jobs.
In return for your favours I will order three hundred 1 liter bottles of the most expensive mineral water bought at the expense of the Sri Lanka taxpayers and poured on your feet every day for a hundred years.
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sach / January 27, 2015
who told you it is an honor or dishonor?
I will see whether the leader is practical, capable and wise…his superstitions are fine with me to a tolerable level.
There is no country in this world with atheist leaders everyone has some superstitions.
Few months back india’s modi said plastic surgery was done in india millenias back giving Ganesh god’s story as example. He was serious and not joking but ended up being a joke in the media for that statement.
See….
This country is in a sensitive stage. Do not try radical changes if not this RW government would be stay for a very short period and a more radical sinhala movement will spring up. Remember last time RW was in power, his government gave birth to JHU..so be careful this time.
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Javi. / January 27, 2015
¬There is no country in this world with atheist leaders everyone has some superstitions. ¬
Such Sach & Sack
Then you have no idea of Mainland China Party. China which has produced great thinkers and the Chinese The father of American Space (Dr Qian Xuesen).
Vast majority of Chinese are Atheist not Agnostic and laugh at superstitions but respect philosophies because the nation has produced some of the best to suit the region- they are an objective people under the one party.
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Seelawathi / January 27, 2015
This good lady was blind and deaf at the time people needed her to react against MR regime. Now just bubbling for nothing making it a big issue. It is sad to see this kind of COlombo Nonas behaviours. I thought with much attention read her previous pieces against Mahawansa, but the current one I think is a no issue. She has the talent to outreach masses as we noticed on this forum but to fall onthe levels simiar to that of Mahindapala and DJ is a thing I never guessed at.
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Navin / January 28, 2015
This lady has been one of the more articulate writers on CT, tearing to shreds the pretended patriotism of the Jarapassa clan. Comparing her writing to those of DJ and Mahindapala is like comparing kochchi miris with rotting corpses.
In this Article she is commenting on two actions of the President which are unbecoming of his Office:
1. He is practicing idolatry, by worshipping a bo tree. Lord Buddha said he himself is not to be worshipped. How can you excuse a knowledgeable person who calls himself a Buddhist worshipping a tree?
2. Maithripala Sirisena knows that true Buddhism does not condone idolatry. However Maithripala is deceitfully engaging in it to please those clueless Sinhala Buddhists, in order to get their votes in a future election, because that is what THEY believe Buddhism is.
By no means is the point raised by Sharmini a non-issue. It goes to the very core of the President’s character. Say anything, do anything to catch the vote. I will be the happiest if the President proves me wrong by his future actions. Fingers crossed!!
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Seelawathi / January 28, 2015
You may be right, you may also be not right.
I really dont think that MS would ever abuse Buddhism for his political survival. Sofar, he has made it very clear by his views to be far different ot those of MR. Be it related to poltics or the religion, his will not be comparable to that of MR.
As it was conspicous to anyone, Rajano and his goons made every effort to abuse srilanken buddhism by painting a picture whih is far from the majoratarian buddhist believers. If people respected BBS backed by MR and GR, nubmer of sympathizers to them should be growing across the country. Fortunately, not many among the buddhists have the least respect towards BBS. They dont respect hate mongers such as barabric monk-Ghanasara.Nor do they respect him. They just questioned as to why the previous govt supported them. Why did not previous govt investigate any harm publicly being made by BBS towards muslims who are also srilankens.
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Confucius / January 28, 2015
Navin,
You hit the nail on the head!
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Off the Cuff / January 29, 2015
Dear Navin,
You say “By no means is the point raised by Sharmini a non-issue”
If Sharmini has no answer to the following then of course it is not only a non issue but is also Rabble Rousing
UK – here is an exchange between the Archbishop of the Church and the Head of the state in a very public state function.
Archbishop: Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel? Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law? Will you maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Church of England, and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in England? And will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of England, and to the Churches there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges, as by law do or shall appertain to them or any of them?
Queen: All this I promise to do.
Then the Queen, arising out of her chair, supported by peers and with the Sword of State being carried before her, goes to the altar to make her solemn oath in the sight of all the people to observe the promises by laying her right hand upon the Holy Gospel in the great Bible (which was before carried in the procession and is now brought from the altar by the Archbishop, and tendered to her as she kneels upon the steps), saying:
Queen: The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and keep. So help me God.
Then the Queen kisses the Bible and signs the Oath
Is this done in private? No it is very Public indeed.
USA
The President takes oaths and it’s televised to the whole world. You are as Myopic as Sharmini if you did not see the hand on the Bible.
That was just a small sample of the many.
Now please tell me the point she is trying to make.
By the way, are you a Buddhist?
Kind Regards,
OTC
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Samuel Jayaweera / January 27, 2015
Lady, be honest to you mam, dont we have anything better ot discuss on this forum right at the moment – becoming clear that all close to previous Prez were really abusers. THe man who killed Baratha but got cuddled by Previous Prez making him a Philathropist of all times. He was the only person who spoke on the public stage supporting MR s election campaign. He had no other than “athigaru janathipathi Rajapakshe…. or the like to repeat than telling the nation good things about the future… “. This man is now said to be the person whose accounts were filled in billions by the mediation of WELESUDA- this was known to MR and thugs but they just covered it thinking that nation is in slumber. But to this day, anything and everything is becoming clear; it is not political revenge, real day corruption control programms convinciing the nation how deep we have been driven by former President.
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Javi. / January 29, 2015
dont you know that 600k sihala buddhist women in the medival middle east as almost sex slaves and you are the laughing stock- hindia and pakistan dont send though they know them better culturally??
Why arnt you another Macho boy civilization like the skin heads in the picture from `werewolf mahawamse` foxes looking for hole that they came from.
In the west religion is personal because it has led to crusades and its in full swing at the moment. The only religion you hear is all paid from the murder and confiscation of lands and wealth. Common people and now most dont like it- the pews are empty for real- even old folk go to meeting point not church anymore because its expensive and if religion is involved at a meeting point then there are less. speak less about faith and people come becaue religion is the cause of the economic slump today after 9/11 and the baanksters using it to the full.
The EU space station has your fathers Chola Dancing Siva to understand the God particle not a Jesus or Buddha with closed eyes and Hair Why So go fetch!
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Lankan / January 27, 2015
No, the author has a point if you think objectively.
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Kesara / January 27, 2015
A very Blunt and stupid One it seems!
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Navin / January 27, 2015
Author’s point is there is much to do. Don’t waste time on idol worship and superstition. Lord Buddha never said it is necessary to worship the Bo tree in order to attain nibbhana. Practising Buddhism and practising idolatry are two different things. It is unforgivable for a Head of State to give the impression to the masses that to practice idolatry is to practice Buddhism. Since Maithripala must know the truth of this, he is being deceitful.
How many hours did Maithripala waste to go there to worship the Bo tree and pay pooja to those yellow robes, do his chanting, and get back. During that time how many crooks he could have put behind bars, and how many laws he could have formulated to ahosify the constitution and create a more democratic one.
Yes. He cant do it alone. That’s why he needs to show that HE IS WORKING to those gallavanting ministers, their secretaries et al; that they too need to work. It is incumbent on the President to set the example.
That’s the point. Again, there is no time to waste on superstition and idol worship.
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BbS Absolute / January 27, 2015
`And no minority are not with raw wounds..they are having a jovial time these days….`
Oi, minority of the majority but never the minority. The minority voted MR the obnoxious animal out and voted the `unknown angel in` as there was no other alternative provided in the system.
Michael the Arc Angel and Lucifer are One and it is not Anglophile but what specifically your slave master brought to the island and built replicating St. Peter’s Basilica Rome. See the names of all your presidents before they changed theirs like your family and the fashion conscious sihala of the 70’s adding the De in the middle a twist from Da.
You need more than your new found education at army school/night school.
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Double standards / January 28, 2015
was she drunk when wrote this ? seem she has an aversion for Buddhism/ritual. true its not a v. women friendly religion is it ?, well on the other hand which religion is ? if that is the case please write an article about that and not about a person practising his faith. if Sharmini is a Buddhist I am the pope!
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Kambuand balls / January 29, 2015
Worshipping a tree is better than worshipping snakes – if it remains his personal choice. There are better things to discuss than this topic. THIS IS A CALLED “REMOVING HAIR FROM AN EGG!!
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Javi. / January 29, 2015
What bollocks Pigs do fly!
My3eee was looking at the fox hole that they all come from-
`werewolf mahawamse`
Do you still want to retain Sinhala/Buddhist origin myth based on bestiality, parricide and incestuous relation?
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chandeep / January 27, 2015
The constitution makes it a mandate for the govt to not only protect but foster Buddhism. So as much as we are a multi religious society we have this constitutional requirement which needs to be changed if we really are to be multi religious.
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sach / January 27, 2015
we are not really multi religious really…
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CT Monitor / January 27, 2015
Sach, if we are not multi religious, then what are we?
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Uurumiya / January 27, 2015
Multi Ethnic.
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Javi. / January 28, 2015
multi ethnic it goes like this- start observing than accept that men are the sole rulers of this world while we always say `aiyo amme, motherland`
you dont know why a north indian woman goes to worship shiva and not kali when in need.
◕Shiva never forgets -if you forget then you cannot discriminate right from wrong)
◕Shiva forgives but with wisdom -you cannot love and be wise (Francis Bacon)
◕Crusades are the curse of survival.
◕Dancing Shiva at EC Space Centre to locate God particle not Buddha or Jesus.
The statue is of Chola period as at Bali (50 million) where 3 faiths(hindu, buddhist, islam) meet in harmony- a place of artistic excellence; have a look at Dutch homes courtesy -Dutch East India Company (VOC)
The Tatte men you see are Macho no to ladies because they are the freaks of civilisation- celabacy, pedophiles pork loving corrupt to the core- in short from the begging bowl to power by idle bullshit about fear psycho.
They dont need to win lottry every foreign aid has to have their stamping-
Where is Sobita the Rat- he needs a crown of torns.
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Navin / January 27, 2015
Idol worship was banned by Lord Buddha. The Constitution of Sri Lanka does not mandate worshipping trees.
It is no honour to have an idol worshipper as the Country’s President.
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essie / January 27, 2015
A very trivial affair that has got far too much publicity. There are more important things to worry about.
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Burning Issue / January 27, 2015
essie,
Many Sinhala Buddhists say that the constitutional protection given to Buddhism is benign and it is just symbolic! If that is the case, why it is incorporated into the Constitution?
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sach / January 27, 2015
that is why it is called constitutional protection. And aim is ceremonial purpose much like scandinavian countries have cross in its flag.
SL is more secular than countries like USA unlike many believe
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Burning Issue / January 27, 2015
such,
Please do not take me for a fool!
“And aim is ceremonial purpose much like scandinavian countries have cross in its flag.” Yeah my foot!
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Navin / January 27, 2015
The President is wasting time. How can he take care of the “more important things to worry about”?
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K. C. John / January 27, 2015
One really does wish for Buddhism to be practiced in its pure, pristine form in this country, just as the Lord Buddha meant it to be.
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Jaundice / January 27, 2015
But, you converted to Christianity for a bribe.
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K.A Sumanasekera / January 27, 2015
See how pissed off the Elite & and the Anglicans are……
He should have put the Sign of the Cross and kissed it…
Sira Stupid….
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Burning Issue / January 27, 2015
Sumanasekaram,
Shamini Serasinghe is not an Anglican; she hailed from a Kandian Buddhist Family. May be a Vallala equivalent of the Sinhala society! Is this a problem for you?
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Javi. / January 27, 2015
Then you do not remember from her articles that she comes from the best of both regions mum kandy and father galle and both Buddhist.
That is the problem the BBS type are having even Ambedkar talking Dalit Sumne.
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Cher / January 27, 2015
Truly, a Sinhala kind of a Tamil linked Chera Singam
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Javi. / January 28, 2015
kussi amma cheri_no me O,
pappa galle singhe moda pute.
Chee cherio O!
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Navin / January 27, 2015
Sumane,
If the bo tree had a penis it could have provided you hours of pleasure.
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Shiraz / January 27, 2015
Navin it is STUPID folk like you who create religeous divides – Dont ever be insulting – Unless you want a Paris type situation. Be Rational but, be also pragmatic.
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Javi. / January 27, 2015
Shiraz I like your idea with a pinch of salt please.
If your folk continue the 5 times intake facing just Mecca but the rest of the time concentrate on life that surrounds your immediate then: you as the only religious minority party and the touchiness like the Jewish who hail from the same stone would make the island a better place.
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Norden / January 27, 2015
Paris situation was a botched attempt to vilify the middle east by the western powers. All involved names are Berber and affiliated with Franch for decades, not Arabs.
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Navin / January 27, 2015
Sumane is a big boy; he can take care of himself; and you for that matter. From where did you float in, little brat?
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Javi. / January 27, 2015
Navin thambi so far so good but when you let your mind wonder with Dalit Sumane it is doomed- you catch him by his tail like the fox that runs to the hole it came from.
A phallus is a penis, and Siva Lingam represents a flower that is both male and female= all in one easily seen in an Anthurium (yin-yang”)
song of the flower:
I drink of the dew’s intoxication;
And hearken to the blackbirds song;
I dance to the rythem of the grasses shouting;
I look ever heavenward to see the light;
Not to behold therein my image;
This is the wisdom man has not yet learned.
song of man:
I was,
And I am,
for I am without end. (no man believes he would die)
Khalil Gibran
Humanity is the Spirit of Divineness on Earth!
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Siva Sankaran Sarma / January 27, 2015
Are you speaking from your personal experience with lingams? :D
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Javi. / January 28, 2015
Siva Sankaran Sarma Menon alias David Blacker aka :D –
`d`dumb & `D`Deaf Graham Alexel Bell.
Hooo hooo, remeember seeing you going to the dogs and back to your mini tatto bumside.
The rest of your s S exploits after beating women to death saying you are 19 haunting you aren’t they??
Recent jail bombing along with Goo`ta you should be tried by JVP they keep on humming.
What does the nation when its a lansi and kalu one too??
– common sense is for middle class think about it too.
nonsense is for us to ponder.
common problems for common folk.
I remember,when you mind was crazy just like you kukul charlie tatto tooth ratio.
Gnarls Barkley – Crazy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA36wU4jgj4
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Burning Issue / January 27, 2015
Dear Shamini Serasinghe,
President Mithiripala Sirisena is a devout Buddhist, and I as Hindu born atheist have no problem him bowing down to a bo tree. That is his right and it should not impinge on his ability to govern a cosmopolitan country.
However, what is essential is to free the country’s constitution from interference of religions. As it stands now, the Sri Lankan president is duty bound to protect and foster buddhism while all other faiths have equal rights. This is completely lopsided and preposterous. Such constitutional provision implies that every government servant is duty bound to protect and foster Buddhism regardless of one’s faith!
Not long ago, a British tourist arrived in Sri Lanka with a Buddha stature tattooed on her upper arm; the taxi driver who transported her from the airport felt duty bound to take her to a police station and subsequently got her deported through the legal system! What does this say about the state of affairs in Sri Lanka? A Jesus tattoo or a Murugan tattoo would not have resulted in such a predicament for the sorry tourist!
Since the end of the war, numerous Buddha statues have been erected all over North and East with state expense, and they are being protected by the army. What does this say? where is the religious equality in Sri Lanka? I say it again, I have no problem with MS paying homage to the Bo tree; that is his business even though he is the president of multi-faith country, but the country’s law must be equal to all regardless of who.
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Uthungan / January 27, 2015
I think the message given by President Barak Obama when deprting from ou neighbour India following the Republic day celebrations would be of relevance here.
The SL print and electronic media would give publicity of it to our islanders.
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Rajesh / January 27, 2015
The issue is not about MY3 prostrating to a tree. As a citizen of Sri Lanka and in an individual capacity he is free to practice his own religion
The issue that the act is performed in his capacity as the President of this country, with all the paraphernalia of the office accompanying him. as noted by others he is performing the constitutional right bestowed on him to safe guard the religion and promote one religion over and above the others.
I hope in his 100 day agenda he will also change the constitution to provide equal rights to all religion.
However it is a point of curiosity that past presidents and prime minsters of this country never openly prostrated to a bow tree.
Sanctimonious Mahinda started it , and poor MY 3 feel under pressure to do it as we’ll for the public consumption.
Where is the change?
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Gayan / January 27, 2015
Rajesh,Dont you realise that in a country dominated by Sinhala Buddhists your approach will ONLY make way for MR or another of his ilk. You guys need to be more sensitive and ignore symbolisms. What matters is GOOD GOVERNANCE for us all and lets measure Mathree by that.
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Rajash / January 27, 2015
Hi Gayan
I am not suggesting any approach. What I am saying is that Good Governance also include embracing all religion and language and minorities.
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Double standards / January 28, 2015
mad Rajes – obviously u are not living in SL. have you ever seen any leader (well may be the exception is CBK) who did not embrace all religions – one day they are at bo tree with ‘Mal wattiya” the next day in a Kovil and then in a church – for some reason never in mosque- but if muslims allow I am sure they will be inside that too receiving all the blessing from each and every faith. Can you name a single leader who did not do this SL ?
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Javi. / January 29, 2015
“Can you name a single leader who did not do this SL ? “
Therefore all your thuppi leaders changed their names to suit the block of the Macho Skin Heads like the Macho muslim who is a classic sex offender.
Your insanity comes from beating the same bush and expecting a difference- go wash your socks the sun does not go round the moon or earth.
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Off the Cuff / January 28, 2015
Dear Rajesh,
“Good Governance also include embracing all religion”
What do you mean?
The man is a Buddhist. If he wants to embrace any other religion then that is his business. But please explain how he can embrace all religions in Lanka?
Kind Regards,
OTC
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Javi. / January 27, 2015
Oi boys;40 k Cassandra Casanava inside the Ambude ! aiyo
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Peace Dove / January 28, 2015
Gayan,
Good Governance starts with how the new President respects and understands the sensitivities of the minorities.
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sach / January 27, 2015
“what is essential is to free the country’s constitution from interference of religions. “
The only instance this country’s constitution has interference from religion is when islamic laws had been allowed. Other than that no there is no interference.
About the tourist case. There is no law that prohibits buddha tattoos. Constitutionally it is impossible to punish her. I remember many pointed that out. The ruling was unconstitutional.
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Rationalist / January 27, 2015
Well said Sharmini and chandeep. Let’s work towards deleting Article 9 from the Constitution.
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K. Anandi / January 27, 2015
Brilliant!
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shankar / January 27, 2015
I as a hindu have no problem with him worshiping a bo tree.I believe it is because the bo tree is under which Lord Bhuddha meditated.The fact that ranil,chandrika and JRJ did not worship a tree is upto them really.If i was a bhuddhist i wouldn’t worship a tree too.We are not from rural backgrounds and our thinking on some issues may differ
Each persons mind thinks differently on each issue and maithri’s mind is his and he has the right to think differently from us,if he wants to.We should never impose our way of thinking on any issue on others.Main thing is i believe he is a true bhuddhist from what i have heard and practices bhuddhism. That is what Lord bhuddha would have wanted instead of all the noise we hear about bhuddhism and no one practicing it in srilanka.
I really think that minorities will be happy to see maithri practising his religion and be a true bhuddhist.Then they know that they have nothing to worry because a true bhuddhist will not harm them.
When i was a teenager i was boarded with an old couple who were true bhuddhists.The lady told me that a garandiya would come from time to time into my room through the window and not to kill it.I thought bloody hell,i better close the window in the night even though it was hot.The old couple would everyday go to a shrine where i could see Lord bhuddha and pray.They were vegetarian too,but did not tell me anything about what to eat,but i used to eat out anyway.I came when they advertised and they did not ask anything about me,not even my name and gave the room.This was when many people would not give rooms to tamils because of the bombs going off.A lovely gentle couple they were.
How i wish all sinhalese were like them.Then we would never have had all these problems.Sinhalese just cannot practice what Lord Bhuddha preached,especially the ones who make the loudest noise about bhuddhism.They find it too hard and i don’t blame them for that,because it requires a lot of discipline of the mind,which is much more harder than disciplining the body.
Now it is so many years but i can still remember that couple especially the lady who would always greet me with a pleasant smile.They would have long ago achieved nirvana.I don’t know whether if they had gone to the sacred bo tree in this picture whether they would have worshiped it but chances are they would have.
Maithri also reminds me of that old couple.He looks like a school principal and a true bhuddhist.I think he is a better human being than JRJ,CBK or ranil,but whether he is a better leader i doubt.
Lord bhuddha taught how to live,not how to lead.Maithri will be a good leader only if he surrounds himself with people who have good leadership potential and guides them in the correct direction.
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Paba / January 27, 2015
Excellent.
Thanks.
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punchiniame / January 27, 2015
Written from the bottom of your heart. Thanks in deed..
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Javi. / January 27, 2015
about ShankerUUU idea,
Chameleons hang out where their normal, “everyday” colors match their surroundings. They don’t need their parents help to come out of their eggs.
The man voted in like the king because there was none in the system has to do his duty by the people when he is in the public eye not in his privacy is all that the author has requested- as simple to the point as that.
Shankeruuu heart is roaming brainless to reach the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
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shankar / January 28, 2015
My dear javi
Maithri is not a chameleon,because he has already for upteen number of years been a devout bhuddhist.Try finding a speck of dirt on him so far,in a dirt filled political field.Only thing you can find on him is that he is now worshipping a bo tree which he has been worshipping for years.Also that his brother became the head of telecom.Why don’t you check the brothers CV with that of gota,basil and chamal who were appointed to much higher positions,or with sajin vaas,mervyn silva,that goof who was head of srilankan airlines etc.
As for me trying to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,my problem when reading your comments is trying to find the rainbow itself.Make it easier to understand for simple folk like us who are not born as genius like you w/o wasting space.
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Off the Cuff / January 28, 2015
Dear Shankar,
Sharmini is a nut case.
She writes this type of controversial and perverted articles seeking adulation from similar nut cases. She of course will not defend what she writes and leave that for the unthinking followers of hers.
Perhaps Sharmini has not seen the US President taking the Oath of Office with his hand on the Bible or the Head of State of the Commonwealth taking the Oath in Church and administered by the Church!
Those are just two examples of the many.
Those are Constitutionally entrenched.
Kind Regards,
OTC
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Suresh / January 29, 2015
Off the head/nutt
ARE YOU ALRIGHT NOW?
When did you escape from mental asylum?
Are you still taking hallucinatory drugs?
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Off the Cuff / January 29, 2015
Dear Suresh,
Read this and contest if you can.
Then we will know who the Lunatic is.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-presidents-faux-pas/comment-page-3/#comment-1757083
As I said Sharmini won’t defend her article.
She will leave that to her Lunatic following.
Kind Regards,
OTC
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Javi. / January 28, 2015
I seen and met Harry J as a kid when he was tea manager perhaps that is the reason you can never gauge me.
He has not changed even with Gibraltar assets.
Try tapping kithul tree because borella surtu kadde has non from 83 fire.
as far as qualifications well you don’t know EU and services and how it was done.
Just get one and join the others paying a fee every year. There was a freak tamil opp JR’s bunglow (his house storied building) was taken as army control. He was the clown like tis man with membership of trade unions (arch & enngg) donning his room around 30 in all. his basic was diploma bombay.
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kambuandballs / January 29, 2015
“I seen and met Harry J as a kid when he was tea manager perhaps that is the reason you can never gauge me. “
[Edited out]
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Javi. / January 29, 2015
hello 3 in one lathi and andda (cane & eggs)
You never had it better! Hoooo Hoooo the call of the Owl that walks.
Macho boys must be stopped at all cost to give the women of our nation the room to move forward in life without let or hindrance.
Then only then will checks and balances come to the fore.
We have the art and technology to stop bribery in the system and offer salaries that give folk a better life.
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Paul / January 27, 2015
‘How i wish all sinhalese were like them.’
How can this be? Can all Tamils be like you? Consider all people as individuals. Or better still, sit in judgment on your self alone. Or best of all, judge nobody, not even yourself, then the false division between self and others will lessen and the ego will shrink.
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Sirisena / January 27, 2015
Thank You Shankar you put it so well. Anglicised Sinhala / Tamil folk will never understand this – the types of Chandrika & Ranil. I was educated in an Anglican Missionary School – A liberal education I value v much but, still as a Buddhist my occasional visits to the Dalada maligawa and the sacred Bo Tree makes me genuinely emotional – In relation to the Buddha and his great teachings of Ahimsa & Tolerance which we all need to practice. Maithreepala has pledged him to Follow in the Buddha way.None will dispute that this is GOOD for the Nation. Good Governance is also a part of it. SO PLEASE DONT READ TOO MUCH INTO WHAT ANY AVERAGE BUDDHIST WOULD DO IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SACRED BODHI. Have your limits you neo liberals and dont judge MS in symbolic terms. What is important is how he ACTS!
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Javi. / January 27, 2015
that is exactly what northern toddy tappers do saying I am a hindu.
Himalayan Vedanta Hinduism is not a religion but acts/rituals as practiced differently in different regions.
The greatest of them all who presented the eastern religions to the west at the house of religions chicago over a hundred years ago –
The Orange Turbaned Handsome Cyclonic monk from the orient.
Swami Vivekananda.( dharamapala was a patholaya/chameleon at best) after all a pala not an aristrocat)
After visiting historical sites at Delhi (most of delhi was mugal structures by the last 550 year rule), Narendra started his travel towards Rajputana. In these days, he drew inspiration from the words of the Gautama Buddha—
Go forward without a path,
Fearing nothing, caring for nothing!
Wandering alone, like the rhinoceros!
Even as a lion, not trembling at noises,
Even as the wind, not caught in the net,
Even as the lotus leaf, untainted by water,
Do thou wander alone, like the rhinoceros!
____
“I do not come”, said Swamiji on one occasion in America, “to convert you to a new belief. I want you to keep your own belief; I want to make the Methodist a better Methodist; the Presbyterian a better Presbyterian; the Unitarian a better Unitarian. I want to teach you to live the truth, to reveal the light within your own soul.”
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Uthungan / January 27, 2015
The Buddha also said not to follow even what he said, but to deliberate,inquire,understand,and only if convinced to take what he said.
He also further said that “one should not follow blindly but to be a light unto one’s own true self”.
He was born a Hindu but gave no importance to rituals,customs or traditions, that was the essential difference.
PEACE/Om Shanthi.
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Samitha / January 27, 2015
The president is a buddhist and has every right worship the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, whether he’s in public or not..This writer does not know much about buddhism though she claims to be a follower..Buddhists worshiping statues which resemble lord buddha and buddhism is accepted in the philosophy itself…We are doing it out of respect and devotion to our teacher…What is not accepted in buddhism is the blind faith to objects or gods and worshiping them out of fear..An ignorant writer trying to write an ignorant article just to create an “issue out of no issue”…Absolutely stupid
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Confucius / January 27, 2015
“Buddhists worshiping statues which resemble lord buddha and buddhism is accepted in the philosophy itself”!!!!!
Reall Samita, from where did you pick up that philosophy?
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Samitha / January 27, 2015
From where did you “pick up” that it is not accepted in buddhism? The internet?
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Javi. / January 28, 2015
you mean like Stalin then you better run to Longman and the Chinese can tell you how they respect the Hindian –
But the Chinese and Jewish laugh laugh at you Why So Ambude gandee says the Japenese.!
Playing neither here or there has its limits as far as Europeans are involved- Gaddafi given a pat on the back by Bush & Blair then came the thypoon- Pipe and the golden gun ; its still on burning bright with the sweetest of crude.
30 years counting like Vietnam, Vietnam!
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Cornucopia / January 27, 2015
After three years of the BBS we are worrying about MS at the bo tree?
Come on people!!!
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Rover / January 27, 2015
“No leader of a multi religious society, can afford the luxury of being seen practicing his religion, in the full glare of the public!”
Really?
I would’ve thought that one’s religious bent was no one else’s business but his own. That is unless it was harmful to others of course.
In that case Ms Serasinghe, what should the president of a multi cultural society be attired in I wonder! (In case the “National” dress cause offense to some).
Don’t you think it is time we ceased to “major in the minors”?
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Javi. / January 27, 2015
Borrowed feathers dont shine or do they moron??
The Orange Turbaned Glorious monk who refused to accept professor positions in the US because that was in conflict with monk-hood.
The Aristocrat made one mistake for promoting a chameleon motta pala- but he was clear that the Vedanta was rituals and buddhism was a philosophy.
Your nationl when you came via hora oru was the borrowed ambude where you now got an Ant Army of 40k scratching your bollocks all the time.- fing sore so.
Don’t you think it is time we ceased to “major in the minors”?
Hippia hippias & Socrates.
That is past tense Plato.
Nothing exist as wholes and parts in their natural context.
Happily Agnostic.
PssT Where did the Chinese get their dress?? know its development before.
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nike / January 27, 2015
sharmini, you stupid woman…SL is not a multi religious nation..it’s a sinhalese buddhist nation..
however i agree with what you have said about the so called current president. yes, he’s the president of parayas
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Navin / January 27, 2015
Buddhism is not practiced in Sri Lanka. What we have here is sorcery, superstition, and idolatry orchestrated by a largely ignorant yellow band under the label ‘BUDDHISM’.
Maithripala in that picture symbolises the extreme ignorance of the so-called Buddhist population about Buddhism.
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Taraki / January 27, 2015
[Edited out]
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BbS Absolute / January 27, 2015
patient either obnoxious or screaming in pain- K.F.O.
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Lalitha / January 27, 2015
Constitution should keep relegion (faith ) seperated from state.
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ela kolla / January 27, 2015
sharmini, SHUT UP, [Edited out]
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Sukirihamy_Desparity / January 27, 2015
Why not you go to Medamulana for kneel down and entertain your leader ? Leaving us in peace – let alone today can provide you a better health. Or please join that Toy pistol mayor or Duminda to celebrate the defeat and their personal defeats before being taken to life long custody soon.
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Javi. / January 27, 2015
Oi Ela,
[Edited out]
you are jealous of Galle Nuvara Combo;
Yakooo Vaduro army natte tatte.
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ela kolla / January 28, 2015
stupid javi, [Edited out]
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Javi. / January 28, 2015
aney kelle
adereneeeya baboo (love child) coming close??
eeek eek.
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essie / January 27, 2015
Burning issue,
I am not discussing religion or the constitution here.That would be a different issue altogether. I just feel that the publicity given to these trivialities, and the meaningless articles written about them take the public focus away from the much more important subject of good governance.
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Burning Issue / January 27, 2015
essie,
I am sorry the constitutional protection given to Buddhism and President ceremonially paying homage to the Bo tree are convoluted and interconnected. It is not as simple as you make out; it is precisely why publicity is given to this act. This is why I made reference to the constitution.
Have read about Trino Buddha statue saga? Why was military protecting the statue amid local court ruling that it was illegal? Why did the CJ at that time lent on the Tamil AG to withdraw the directive asking to remove the statue? Where was the implied authority coming from?
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Sam / January 27, 2015
I’m a Hindu and I don’t have any problems with MS paying respects to a Bo tree, so long as he treats every other religious faith with equal respect. However I really appreciate Ms Serasinghe for voicing her support to the non-Buddhists of the Island.
In my opinion MS is a citizen of Srilanka and as an individual he has the right to practice his religion without having to think about commentators.
However, I am greatly encouraged (actually, delighted) by the support that the non-Buddhists are receiving from Buddhists such as Ms Serasinghe.
Good times are here.
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Sumanalatha / January 27, 2015
I am buddhist, I have seen buddhist go around the Kelaniya bo tree being intoxicated of Buddhas blessings. This belongs to the culture of srillanken nation. No matter the tree would get harm by surplus of water being poured on it – or phyto researchers would see it in the line of science, but mostly buddhists in general even go on licking the bo tree as no others would do it. This has been a culture that passes from generation to other. It is typical to sinahelse – if anybody living in neighbourhood would unrinate in the garden, they just want to do the same. This is same for anything. No matter that nothing behind that, but just to belong to that clique, they just do whatever regardless of its meaning. Believe me… last Novemmber while visiting my aged parents, I happened pay a few fomer aquaintance of my father – young ones in that house were said to be suffering from all asthmatic problems, nevertheless they lit – some smoky material – so that I even could hardly breth in. Dum gahanawas was their common saying to drive away the ghosts. This is typical to our people – they will never do anything else by using their brains but just follow the other. All these can only be changed though healthy awarness programs, I hope the media instituation will do enough to change the latter… then only people can have free mind to see it beyond.
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Hiran Perera / January 27, 2015
I think it is a kind gesture. Our president sees all living things as worthy of honour. How refreshing and how humble. The writer is misled by her own skewed beliefs and dogmas. God help this nation! O’ Judgement thou have fled to brutish beasts and men have lost their reason!
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Norman / January 27, 2015
I wonder if most of those commenting here have read the article fully, and understood the message the writer conveys.I doubt it very much.
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Rev. Yohan Heenatigala / January 27, 2015
Dear Sharmini
“Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)
I am sure your article is based on good intention. It sounds like that your desire is to “not to offend non-Buddhists.” Your noble intention should be commended.
President Maithripala Sirisena (from what I understand) is a devout Buddhist and he has a right to practice his religion at his will. I personally believe a “practicing Buddhist” is a million times better than those who claim to be Buddhist and live lives in a way that is totally contrary to the teachings of the Buddha.
As a Christian, I am happy to see a man who is acting righteously being the leader of the nation (compared to what we have experienced in the past few years). Whether he practices “pure Buddhism” is a discussion for the Buddhist forum.
What Sri Lanka needs now, is a righteous leadership and I strongly believe that after much prayer she has received it.
I would like to encourage all Christians, who believe in the Almighty God to pray for the healing of Sri Lanka and blessings upon her leaders, irrespective of their religious affiliations.
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
What a promise for Sri Lanka!
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Javi. / January 27, 2015
“President Maithripala Sirisena (from what I understand) is a devout Buddhist and he has a right to practice his religion at his will.”
____
When you understand that Buddhism was never a Crusade and the largest and longest and most statutes are at China (of an Indian man wow!) being restored to its glory along with Tao/Dao (after Mao filth)- the man who went back looking for his shoe to Shoaling.
Then you would be realist not merely washing the goblet for a sip of wine please!
The president( have a look at the first page of your unworthy now passport) represents the people who have different faiths religions philosophies and now majority race religion ethnicity should be his privacy.
Listend to Cameron who wants the Bishops of the House of Lords to move out as her majesty is respected far and wide outside the shores with religion- crusaders.
Kahlil Gibran wrote thus:
About The Child Jesus:
My life is a tale of woe;
Now it is become a joyful thing;
And it will be turned to bliss,
for the arms of the Child have enfolded my heart and embraced my soul.!
Happily Pagan.
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Saman / January 27, 2015
The Buddha has precisely emphasized the two fold truths on many occasions.
Conventional and Ultimate truths are the twofold truths in Buddha’s teaching.
In ultimate truth, the summum Bonum of Buddha’s teaching is attainment of Nibbana.
Most born Buddhists those are living in numerous countries follow some traditional customs but by saying that I am not endorsing it.
I propose to members of Maha Sangha to educate, elucidate and teach followers to understand the pragmatic teaching of the Buddha rather blame or criticise Mr. President or any other member in our community.
Paying respect, veneration and worship the sacred Bo Tree is not a capital or paramount crime.
I kindly request all not to compare Mr. President Maithreepala Sirisena with Mahinda Rajapaksa or any other previous leaders.
Mr. Maithreepala Sirisena was brought up and educated in Polonnaruwa.
Not only villagers or rural people but also urban or metropolitan people somehow practice this type of traditional rites and rituals.
Just only few Buddhist monks teach them to follow the pragmatic path but majority do not guide them to right path.
I think Mr. maithreepala Sirisena did not request or asked that he wanted to go to Bo Tree and worship. I might think that Maha Nayake and Nayaka Theros took him to that sacred place.
They must be blamed or taught what is right and wrong.
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simon / January 27, 2015
Ok it is time for him to worship the lingam.
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Javi. / January 28, 2015
to enjoy the beauty and wisdom of the lingam you need a big heart because it represents a flower in splendor.
Rustic rats don’t have emotion so they go looking for a hole in the tree like foxes do by running back to the hole.
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Know All / January 27, 2015
Oh come on! How silly can this Sharmini Serasinghe get?
People who belong to all religions – Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and Muslims – all perform some of their rites in full view of the public. So, what on earth is wrong with what the President did? SS is carrying this business of being the President for citizens of all religions – a little too far.
If the President went around to non Buddhist places of worship and did as SS says he should do, to be fair by people of other faiths, he would look both dishonest, and faintly ridiculous.
There is no valid reason why the President of the country should not be seen practicing his faith in public if that is what he chooses to do.
I am afraid it is SS who is guilty of a faux pas this time.
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Kettikaran / January 27, 2015
Was not the one generally known as the Buddha against worshipping of objects – including trees? Has anyone seen photographs, meant only for public consumption, by either the President of the USA, PM of UK, Chancellor of FDR, President of France, PM of Japan in their places of worship. Supposing they do what President Sirisena does here, they will be subject to severe public opprobrium. What does this show? I believe it exposes the hypocricy of the people. Politicians, even the variety we are fated to endure, react only to the popular wishes of their people. The media too here too exploits the issue for their own audiences.
Kettikaran
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sinhala_voice / January 27, 2015
Let’s look at your opposition to Sirisena worshiping at the Bo Tree/Asathu Tree.
1. Everyone in the country has the opportunity to run for president and become president and show your own religiosity. As there is NO legal for ANY one becoming the president unlike some countries where the head of the state is the head of a religious institution. Not the case in Sri Lanka.
2. Secular religions: Sorry to say this BUT at the heart of ALL Christianity, Islam and Judaism are INHERENTLY illiberal. Therefore the state had to be secular. Buddhism’s core is liberation. You don’t have to believe in BUddha. You go and find it out your self…HOW LIBERAL CAN YOU GET…..DOES ANY OTHER WORLD VIEW OFFER THIS CLARITY…
I think NOT.
So SECULAr NON-SECULAR ARGUMENT DOES NOT APPLY…
Worshipping trees: Well from a scientific point of view we should worship trees as they give us oxygen for us to live on this plant, food so that we may live without hunger, medicine so that we may be cured from our diseases.
Apart from that: worshiping a Buddha statue or Bo tree is really to remind and concentrate our mind on the virtues of the Buddha and the enlightenment he achieved at the foot of a Asathu tree which became the Bo – tree.
MOST if not at least one country start their parliamentary sessions with a prayer from the Bible. So why should I our other non-Bible follows adhere to this ????Do you have any comments regarding this ????
In Sri Lanka there is TOO MUCH religious freedom.. THAT MAY BE AN ISSUE ?????
/
Javi. / January 27, 2015
“”In Sri Lanka there is TOO MUCH religious freedom.. THAT MAY BE AN ISSUE ????? “
Croak & Dagger while you got Cold blooded skin Heads 40k in all in your ambude scratching away like an ant army – Fing sores most have never seen a toilet just like the 70’s movie Kolaba Malasanya –
[Edited out] ihala buddhist Cassandra Cassanava –
eat cassava/manioc there is no rain and floods thrice blessed land of death misfit bungle of asia.
/
Mohamed / January 27, 2015
I don’t think that Mr President is wrong, of course he has his duty to do but what is wrong with being religious he is not spending all day in the temple. Yes he is a leader of multi religious nation but still he have his own religion to follow. As far as i know its away of practising Buddhism.
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Willaddara Gamage / January 27, 2015
He is a human. For the benefit of the man kind especially the Sri Lankans please leave him alone. Please please please. He said in Kandy that he is a Human and not a King. I am sure he will deliver. Please give hip time. Many many thanks to all.
Gamage
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Javi. / January 28, 2015
nip it in the bud from the cold head and blooded ant army built on kappan atta pirikanna higannno…
The seed of terror in the buddhist has already been laid in bare by BBS lanka and there is no turning back from western impression- all foreigners arent shills to take advantage with lies lies.
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wathie / January 27, 2015
During the second week after enlightment, the Buddha stood without moving his eyes as he meditated on the bodhi tree to thank and in gratitude to the tree that had sheltered him during his struggle for Buddhahood.
Following this example, as a custom, Buddhists all over the world pay respect to the original bodhi tree. And in countries like Sri Lanka Buddhists also pay respect to its saplings and some times other bodhi trees visualizing they are saplings of the original bodhi tree. Sharmini should also read about Trapusa and Bhallika, the first lay disciples who was given Buddha’s hair when they asked something to remember him.
Now if Sharmini still insist that “Buddha denounced the worship of objects!” as she wrote in the forth para, I like to know where she happened to learn her Buddhistic knowledge for nowhere in our ‘Buddhist Thripitake’ says “Buddha had denounced the worship of objects!”.
I must say, it is the messengers or Prophets of the so called ‘One God’ or Yahweh or Allah that denounced venerating idols and other objects for they believe only the almighty and not what he created be worshiped. I think it is the culture brought about by the followers of that ‘Creator God’ this halaled lady is confused with.
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Lumbini / January 27, 2015
This is not an ordinary Bo tree, MY3 as an individual can practise his religion as he likes according to Buddha’s teaching.
A tree is a tree and not a Hindu, Buddhist, Christian or Muslim tree.
/