By Colombo Telegraph –
“I think as a monk that the social/political problems that we are facing in our country has to be solved amicably through duologues which we have repeatedly failed from the independence. Now we are again in a beginning of another round of violence. I fear any time a ‘black July’ will repeat and this time it is against Muslims.” Ven. Galkande Dhammananda Thero, a lecturer, Department of history, University of Kelaniya, told Colombo Telegraph.
Ven. Galkande Dhammananda Thero is a lecturer at the Department of history of University of Kelaniya.
We have already published his first video;
A Sri Lankan Buddhist Monk Speaks Out – Let Sri Lanka Have Thousands Of Buddha Putras Like Him
Here is the second video “Let us refrain from spreading ideas that create suspicion among people”
Ben Hurling / April 14, 2013
May Ven. Galkande Dhammananda Thero’s words of wisdom spread in Sri Lanka like a wildfire.
Great to see voices of reason and intelligence slowly rising from among the Sinahlese Buddhists against the hateful garbage of Balu Sena.
/
Kap / April 14, 2013
Good start.
/
Dinuk / April 14, 2013
The rise of the Bodu Bala Sena a.k.a Balu Sena must be contextualized in the recent history of the systematic distortion, militarizing and Tabliban-izing of peaceful and non violent religion – Buddhism – by the Rajapakse Brothers to hide their corruption and moral turpitude.
Today Buddhism is in great moral and SPIRITUAL DECLINE in Sri Lanka and has been emptied of its true spirit and substance.
The Talibanization of Buddhism in Sri Lanka today is to hide huge land grabs in the northeast and legitimized military attacks on civilians and the Uthayan Newspaper in Jaffna where the military rules) is a result of the Militarization and POLITICIZATION of Buddhism by the Rajapakse family;
The military MUST be DOWN SIZED and prevented from doing Gota;s dirty work and indulging in MILITARY BUSINESS which is mission and mandate creep and bad for discipline and the military code of conduct. The Military should not be making official Vesak decorations, or doing tourism and sports business. Which is mission and mandate creep and bad for military discipline and democratic governance.
Today the curse of Kuveni is on Lanka and takes the form of the murderous and PARANOID dictator Gota the Goon who has delusions of grandeur and thinks he knows everything and is GOD just because he can drive around breaking speed limits in convoys! He is destroying Buddhism and the military by his plan to ensure against REGIME CHANGE and ensure the Rajapassa dictatorship forever in Lanka..
/
Sama / April 14, 2013
YEAH THAT IS WHAT I ALSO FELT IMMEDIATELY I READ WHAT HE PREACHES. WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF THIS KIND OF THEROS :) :)
/
ONE / April 14, 2013
Its Burma Style of rule in the offering for Lankans.
/
Safa / April 14, 2013
True words of wisdom , the dangers of sterotyping and demonising people on the basis of race and religon.
Hate speech made without any responsibility must be outlawed and action taken against the instigators and perpetrators of ethno racist speech and violence. If not thiss will not end. Govt and President of Sri Lanka is fully responsible for this state of affairs.
/
Avinash / April 14, 2013
ven.Dhammananda message to all is timely. But when we read the gutter paper daily news, its spreads the communal violence. Its not the fault of the paper but the Chief editor. Editor Rajpal Abeynayake is a [Edited out] man with short ideas. He is having vengeance against other communities. Though he is a doormat of the government, the government does not want to spread racial violence. President Mahinda rajapaksa is trying his best to develop the country with the support of all communities after ending the bitter 30 years of war. But disgruntle buggers like Abenayake are pulling the leg of President Rajapaksa. Actually president should kick off this kind of [Edited out] and install an editor who does not have racial mind.
/
Gune / April 14, 2013
BBS, JHU, Sinhale Ravaya and Associates – what was shown in the video would happen to all of you not only in India but all over the world if all of you continued to do what you are doing now. Think positively and kindly that all human beings are equal and they all of them deserve to have good life in this planet.
/
Ranjo / April 14, 2013
Come on…. The First Family is going to use the pro-Sinhala militant Buddhist chant to keep themselves in power. Unless someone stands up against these players, the country will go to dogs. When we wake up, Namal will be our Saddam and his sons would be the most feared in the country.
/
Senguttuvan / April 14, 2013
Reader Avinash might note the rag Ceylon Daily News lives on Ads and the Obituary column. It lost its high journalistic values decades ago
(1970) when its free voice was destroyed under the name of Socialism.
It is now used to spread the Govt’s gospel, disallowed in other English newspapers. They seem to have got the right reject as Editor – temporarily. The more recent where GR pugnaciously responded to former Indian diplomat Shri Puri – once again displaying his unfettered hatred of Tamilnadu and India – obtained publicity in Indian Govt circles under the hand of the Govt Publications Department. Minister Narayanasamy from the PM’s office traded an equally belligerent reply, suggestive New Delhi too is ready to play it rough and distancing itself from the unpredictable Rajapakses. Indo-Lankan relations have never been so low – never so hostile.
Senguttuvan
/
Atul Misoram / April 14, 2013
Venerable has used the social media for a worthy cause. His voice is against all kind of violence and truly showing us the path of non-violence espoused by Buddha. Reclaim Buddhist legacy of non-violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
/
Peace Wallah / April 14, 2013
There is far too much negative information being circulated through the Internet on the religious harmony in the country.But very little circulates about positive developments which are taking place. For example as S.Sivakumaran wrote in Sunday Observer of 14 April 2013, a dialogue is continuing between BBS and All Ceylon Jamariyaaatul Ulma to solve a number of points at dispute presently.
On the other side, one saw the Royal Asiatic Society of SL presenting its prestigious Medal to Rev. Dr.Vittro Pernolia at its 163rd Annual session for his contribution to the study of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka and Pali studies.His nomination was made by Ven.Akuretiye Nanda Thero, former Vice Chancellor of Buddhist & Pal University and presently Editor-in Chief of the Sinhala Dictionary. The nomination was unanimously accepted by the Committee. This was of no imporatance to one of the leading Daily News Papers in the island. What the media is after these days is what “Bleeds” as the saying goes and watch the fun. Surely, there must be responsibility and a balance.
/
ONE / April 14, 2013
Like most professions of the arts they see the best article as the one that sells.
Rascals you said it that’s it. :)
/
jansee / April 14, 2013
Thanks to Colombo Telegraph for getting the video here. Wish there are more saner voices and wisdom. If this has been practised by the politicos, today SL would be a paradise in the true sense. Imagine how the teachings of the Enlightened One found space and relevance in a tiny island rather than in its birthplace. Unfortunately today, it presents and potrays a violent and maniacal posture. Notwithstanding, I am in the same page as the Venerable.
/
Patriot / April 14, 2013
Ven. Galkande Dhammananda Thero seems a great lecturer with great ideas who is able to speak so clearly about the danger that Sri Lanka is facing. The way he explains is so clear and he looks very sincere. True Buddhists will understand what he says but they are not the ones who think Sinhala Buddhists are the superior people of Sri lanka. It is the Sinhalese who follow Sinhala Buddhism who discriminate people of other ethnic groups and people who follow other religions as inferior. It will be a herculean task to educate these Sinhalese people who follow Sinhala Buddhism promoted by the Rajapaksas. Sinhalese who follow Sinhala Buddhism are behaving like headless people believing in everything what the Rajapaksas’ say. This is the pathetic situation prevailing in Sri Lanka which has become a hell.
/
sinhala friend / April 14, 2013
It is absolutely amazing. I would not have even dreamt to hear some Thero would like to preach like this. I have seen many Theros wished the criminals before they go and commit the crime/genocide in Tamil areas.Though I do not believe this would change the attitude of any Sinhalese criminals who are used to the worst crime of anything, unimaginable to any civilised human beings.I just belief this speech is a drop in an ocean.
it would totally inappropriate to mention the scale of damage the sinhalese criminals are doing to the temples, churches and the religious leaders in Tamils area. For the sinhalese, the ltte attached in Kandy would be always a reason for talking, justifying , advertising or even justify the past and ongoing genocide in Tamil area. This is always their propaganda among sinhalese and foreign countries.There seemed to be no different between a innocent Tamil and terrorist. This has always been the case since 1948. This would be day dream if some one thinks that this kind of speech would change anything.
While I was watching his speech, I was waiting if he would say something the sinhalese did and doing for Tamils. I was glad to see some of the living memories photos was shown at the end. A little bit of optimism for the neutral report.
However I wish him good luck to continue his preach of not harming any lives. ( hope he is innocent)
/
Dr Laksiri Fernando / April 14, 2013
I am extremely pleased that Ven. Galkande Dhammandanda Thero has come out to caution people regarding their strong and rather mistaken feelings about religion and ‘race.’ It is like pouring cold water to douse an unnecessary fire. What he says as irrational is valid not only to one religion or ethnicity but to all; not only to Sri Lanka but also to India as well. This is the second video I have seen.
I came to know Ven. Dhammananda few years ago when he visited the National Centre for Advanced Studies (NCAS) in Colombo. I also was impressed when I came to know that he was the only student of Ven. Dr Walpola Rahula. When I first applied for an assistant lecturer position at Vidyodaya University in early 1969, Ven. Rahula presided over the interview panel as the Vice chancellor. I felt privileged to answer his questions. Ven. Rahula was an internationally recognized Buddhist intellectual. I always treasured his discourse, “What the Buddha Taught,” among other works.
Apart from my Mahappa (paternal uncle) who became a Buddhist in 1955, Ven. Rahula and Ven. Dhammananda were two others who strongly attracted me to Buddhism and Buddhist philosophy. Although I didn’t have much opportunity to interact with Ven. Dhammananda due to his studies in Delhi, I have visited his Centre and conversed with him on many matters. Perhaps sensing my contemplation to declare myself as a Buddhist at that time, he told me that ‘becoming a Buddhist’ is not what meant by following Buddhism or the Buddha, unless one becomes part of Sangha. He inspired me to write ‘four noble truths as a research methodology.’
Ven. Dhammananda is young and has a bright future ahead. I wish him well.
/
Lanka liar / April 14, 2013
Will the Muslims preach similar message in a Mosque. Or will pray that a war should start between the Tamils and Sinhalese so that they can do good business.
/
Nabil / April 16, 2013
fishing in troubled waters Lanka Liar? When will you learn Lanka Liar that all forms of racism, and casteism doesn’t work and must be condemned.
You are no different to the BBS, because you are hoping that you can profit from another pogrom and that is called fishing in troubled waters
/
Sea Lorn Fibber / April 16, 2013
So much impish, puckish and roguish….
“What a kid I got, I told him about the birds and the bees and he told me about the butcher and my wife.”
― Rodney Dangerfield
/
Park / April 14, 2013
Thank you Ven Sadu. Keep up the good work.
/
Piranha / April 14, 2013
We can only hope and pray that other Buddhist monks, especially the mahanayakas, will echo this venerable monk’s sentiments and counter the BBS and other racists’ campaign of hate against the muslims and Christians. I applaud Ven. Galkande Dhammananda’s courage in speaking out.
/
Jamal / April 14, 2013
No BBS that time, it is an old news – CT
/
Jamal / April 14, 2013
CT Sorry someone sent this by email to me today. Tks for the info. Pls delete from the other threads as it will be misleading otherwise.
/
Probono Publico / April 14, 2013
Hope the other monks will follow suit
/
Dhaksha / April 14, 2013
The soothing voice of compassion, tolerance, understanding, and mostly a Buddhist that represents true Buddhism, as it should be. Genuine leaders of any religion will always speak out for all human beings irrespective of caste or religion. What we have seen from the other side is hatred, anger, ignorance and provocation – the hallmarks of extremism. It was really ugly.
/
ThE HaLuK / April 15, 2013
Lanka Lier
What stupid comment you make, If the Muslims don’t preach similar messages peace in the Mosque they wouldn’t be so patient after all this harassments.
And i don’t think any humane which ever religion prays for a war except retard like your self.
My respect to Ven. Galkande Dhammandanda Thero for the wise words…I hope and pray his words of wisdom reaches to all the people around.
/
K.A Sumanasekera / April 15, 2013
Ver interesting.
The clip of the poor soul in black & white is at least 20 years old,
But the disgraceful attack on innocent monks by brutush looking well buit Tiger supporters in Tamil Nadu is dusgusting to the extreme.
That sort of behavior hasn’t happened in Srilanka for a long time.
This is a good example to emphasise where the humane behaviour is needed most, and why these sort of people should be kept out of our society at all costs.
Based on this evidence there is no chance of our inhabitants engaging in any Black Julys.
Even without the strict Law enforecemt regime thatis in place.
That may change if a “Spring” is created by outside elements some of whom have close link with Tamil Nadu.
And that is what these prelates need to be watchful of.
/
Citizen / April 15, 2013
Excellent! Thank you Ven. Galkande Dhammananda Thero, and thank you CT for giving space for this important message.
/
A Buddhist / April 15, 2013
Ane ape hamuduruwane, kiyadenna pirisidu budu dahama gen geta wadimin. apita ape nirmala budusamaya beradenna paukara misadutuwangen. Siwura dagena sasuna kana amanussa gothraya angulimalayan se salaka, sathaya vatahadenna.
Ven Swamin wahansa,
Please go from house to house and preach the truth and protect Buddhism. Save what the Buddha taught from the anti Buddhist elements who profess something that the Buddha never taught. As Prof. Laksiri has said ” we must get Ven Rahula’s book ” what the Buddha taught’ reprinted and distribute among people specially the youth in this country.
Buddhism is a philosophy for those who posses the intellectual capacity to grasp the profound concepts as Sharmini Serasinghe mentioned in one of her articles appeared in CT. May be the so called “monks” who spreads hatred do not have the IQ to digest Buddhists concepts! May the BBS realize the noble truth.
/
Jamal / April 15, 2013
@ A Buddhist.
If the Dhamma can be likened to a gem of purest ray serene, the gem came out in all its brilliance because of The Lord Buddha: his teachings and his practices. This was the cause of the growth of Buddhism. Buddhism increased in numbers due to it being practised according to its pristine tenets. The BBS and the powers that be, have hijacked Buddhism like the Islamic Extremists, and this can only stifle the growth of Buddhism. If this is not controlled, expect an implosion. This will be the biggest reason for the change of demographics not an imaginary population explosion of any particular minority.
/
A Buddhist / April 15, 2013
of course. never allow it to be hijacked.
/
Paul / April 15, 2013
This monk is talking rubbish without understanding the ground situation. He doesn’t talk of the Bulldozing of Deegawaapi , Forceful occupation and destruction of Muhudu Viharaya and Kuragala and many other Buddhist Monasteries by Muslims . What he advises us is to go there, watch them erase all the temples and ancient world Heritage to the ground, watch Muslims cut the throats of Buddhist monks, Non Islamic Men, women and Children and for us to meditate Maithree Bavanaa. His knowledge in Buddhism and Sinhalese Buddhist Culture is faulty. Muslims are very clever in buying out these kind of Monks for Money.
/
Nabil / April 16, 2013
I would be interesting to know why you wish to follow bebadu booru sena. Many think that the BBS is a Kuliyata Kahina Sena of the government?
/
Papadapoulos / April 17, 2013
The storm has petered out and in calm you kindle the fire. You see the sepulcher of an unholy holy in holding you tiny peter.
/
Pol Pot / April 17, 2013
Paul, This Monk may not understand the ground Situation, but he does understand the Buddha’s Dhamma. The Buddha did not place importance on Buildings and Statues, in fact he discouraged placing importance on such practices. If BBS carries on like this, even Buddhists in Sri Lanka will get sick of Buddhism and convert to other religions that encourage Peace and Development of Maithree and Karuna.
/
Sujewa Ekanayake / April 16, 2013
To Paul – I think your comments are total nonsense. No such atrocities are happening in Sri Lanka. It is hilarious that you accuse a respected Sinhala monk that his knowledge of Buddhism & Sinhala culture is faulty. Really Paul – this is the best that you can come up with for your hatred against muslims? Also, you can’t easily buy a good monk for money – they have a vow of poverty (something you might find out about if you look into Buddhism a bit more). People like you are foolish war-mongers, who no doubt are after war for personal gain. May the majority of the Sinhalese realize those facts & avoid evil counsel from the likes of you so that the peace can be maintained in the multi-ethnic, multi-religious (with an eternal Sinhala Buddhist majority) Sri Lanka.
/
crazyoldmansl / April 16, 2013
This one makes it clear…https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/a-sri-lankan-buddhist-monk-speaks-out-let-sri-lanka-have-thousands-of-buddha-putras-like-him/
/
TamilForPeace / April 22, 2013
I hate the fact that he generalizes all Tamils on the basis of how few Indian Tamils mistreated the monks. Most of us Tamils condemn the attack and I was so enraged when I first saw it. No Tamil parents teach their children that all Sinhalese are evil!
Generalization is always dangerous as it allows the way for dehumanization which serves as the justification for mistreating and subjugating an entire group of people.
/