19 March, 2024

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Why The Mahanayake’s Statement Is A Disgrace?

By Shyamon Jayasinghe

Shyamon Jayasinghe

I think that hate is a feeling that can only exist where there is no understanding.Tennessee Williams, Sweet Bird of Youth

Let me not mince words. Our Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter, Ven Warakagoda Shri Gnanarathana, made a statement to the media which was a disgrace. I know, he does not like anyone disgracing monks or even calling them by their names. He said so in this very statement while objecting to our addressing Galagoda Atte Gnanasara simply as ‘Gnanasara.’ The Most Revd Mahanayake  must realise one thing. The days of honouring anybody and everybody merely because they don a Sivura are fast dying.  To deserve public respect one must earn it. Even the Buddha advised his followers only to respect Arya Sanga or monks on the Path. Gnanassara is far away from the path. He is in hell.

Besides, doesn’t the Mahanayake understand that the public behaviour of bad monks would harm our age-old Sasana and destroy its reputation?  If the BBS monks have total disregard about their bringing disgrace to the Sanga why on earth should we genuflect before them and honour them? Honour them for disgracing Buddhism and the Sanga? This is not merely illogical; it is madness.

Didn’t Gnanasara have a history of alcoholism? Didn’t he, sometime ago, call the elderly monk, Ven Watareka Vijitha, a dog and a villain and address him as ‘yako.’?  Our government has been too benign to this rascal in yellow robes. Too timid and too cowardly to act swiftly. Now, with the statement of the Mahanayake, I wonder if President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe would be having loose motions when contemplating bringing Gnanasara to book. The Mahanayake made that statement giving his brains a holiday. He was trapped in a conspiracy to safeguard the dishonourable monk by lending his status to a status-zero man.

To give Mahinda Rajapaksa credit, I remember how the latter wouldn’t give a damn when even all Mahanayakes condemned the jailing of our Army Commander, Sarath Fonseka. That was an occasion when I respected these Mahanayakes. The Mahanayakes  subsequently moved to form an all-sanga Council and issue a proclamation when they received threats. They folded up. The same Sanga has no fear or shame about defending Gnanasara. These are ironies of human behaviour.

The Court Charge

For one thing, with regard to the current action being taken the government has not done anything that a government shouldn’t be doing. Sri Lanka had only one person constitutionally recognised as above the rule of law and that was the President. After the 19th Amendment that is no more-mercifully. Similarly, the monk Gnanasara cannot be allowed to muck around and mug around as a law unto himself. He, like all other religious personnel of all faiths must face court if charged with legally offensive behaviour.

Gnanasara has one charge pending in court and that is serious. He went into hiding evading arrest, which is also both unethical and illegal. He was ordered to be arrested by the Magistrate of an independent judiciary; not by any politician in the government. He had entered a Magistrate’s Court and (reportedly) verbally abused and threatened a woman who had appeared to defend her lost husband over a Habeas Corpus application. The husband was famed missing person Prageeth Ekneligoda, who had gone missing like many other activists and journos under the regime of the Rajapaksa’s. It was all legitimate business and Gnanasara was allegedly acting in contempt of court. Nobody in a civilised and law abiding social order can be permitted to obstruct Court and threaten people.

What offends our ethical sense is that in this particular case, it was a woman grieving for her husband. Leave alone the law; where was the monk’s Metta, Karuna, Upeksha and Upadana? Aren’t these the four noble values or Brahma Viharas that the Buddha wanted his followers to practice? Didn’t Gnanasara realise he was trampling on a vulnerable and grieving woman?

Another question: What was Gnanasara’s business in invading the court on a matter like this? Was he acting as an agent of political forces responsible for the dastardly treatment of Ekneligoda? There was no Muslim involvement here at all. Then how come he went there?

A False Man in A False Robe

This incident demonstrated how Gnanasara had more than an anti-Muslim agenda in mind. He is in someone’s political camp. In fact, Gnanasara began his lawless career by attacking a Christian Church. He had switched over to the anti-Muslim slogan later. In this day and age of Islamic fundamentalism that was a  more effective platform for a disruption campaign as it is likely to derive more public support. Gnanasara, to my mind, is a false man wearing a mask and in a robe that is false. A plain politicians’s agent provocateur.

How come, then,  that our Venerable Mahanayake defends Gnanasara like the way he does? The Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters have historically been pushed by influential persons and forces to make outlandish statements for public consumption. I remember how during post-Independence General Elections our Mahanayakes had invoked the electorate to support particular parties.  I thought the Chapters have been since reformed. Not after this latest outburst.

The Gnanasara Method

Gnanasara is heading to face another charge and this time President Sirisena wanted Police to arrest him and bring him to court. That was over allegations that he and his BBS outfit of goons had been going on a rampage burning Muslim mosques, Muslim shops and obstructing the police. The police that intervened to bring in order are said to have been abused in raw filth by the monk.

I don’t know why our Venerable Mahanayake did not find this alleged behaviour an extreme violation of the Vinaya Pitaka. Besides, it had been an open transgression of the need for basic civility that one should expect from any citizen-leave alone a member of the Sanga order. One doesn’t find Christian priests behaving like this.

True, the Mahanayake did state that they disagreed with the way Gnanasara got about his  ‘mission.’ Should they have not said something more emphatic in the context, than this mild ‘disapproval’? I don’t know why the Mahanayake did not express disgust and contempt over acts of intimidating, uttering filth, making incendiary speeches, instigating goons to burn the property of others. There are videos available that went viral, which showed Gnanasara in action during his infamous Battle of Aluthgama. Surely, someone would have brought all this to the Venerable Mahanayake’s attention? Surely, the Venerable Mahanayake should have investigated all this before issuing a statement? I don’t know why he went soft.

The Message Of the Monk

What else does the statement from the Mahanayake pulpit say? It supports the ‘message,’ of Gnanasara although not the method. The ends and not the means. This is consequentialist ethics, someone would say. But, then, what really is the “end?” It isn’t clear at all. I can only think it as an attempt to restrain Muslim ‘expansion.’ I am not denying one bit that there is provocation from some Muslim quarters. Unfortunately, again, damage comes from leadership. The rank and file of Muslims in Sri Lankan villages live in close harmony among the Sinhalese. They speak and write fluently in Sinhala and they trade with the Sinhala adding their might to the GDP and helping to trigger economic activity. It is wrong to tar brush the entire Muslim community for isolated acts of a few bad ones inasmuch as it is wrong to tar brush Buddhists because of a miserable Gnanasara.  The Muslim fundamentalism we see in Middle East countries is not observed in our island-merciful for that. Muslims do not go round trying to convert Sinhalese Buddhists and they do not throw stones at Buddhist temples. Therefore, it is hard to acknowledge the veracity of Gnanasara’s message. I don’t know why the Mahanayake gave a holy sanction for that.

Sri Lanka is currently going through a process of reconciliation, which is fundamental to the social order. Government is making every effort toward unifying the country so that it would never again revert to civil war. Government has inherited a lot of economic problems and it has to ensure that we stop the inherited process of going broke. We have the imperative and overriding task to restructure our economy from an import-consuming one to an export earning one. This is the only way we can bring surpluses and prosperity and thereby bring in good welfare programs for the  people. In such a serious context is Gnanasara doing the right thing by virtually engineering social conflicts? Is this the ‘message’ of Gnanasara, which the Mahanayake extolls?

Ends and Means

The Buddha did emphasise the need for both ends and means to be wholesome. Ahimsa was his noble method. Ahimsa does not mean avoiding resistance to undesirable action of enemies. It was, as demonstrated by Gandhi, as a most effective strategy of positive resistance. Mahatma Gandhi drove the whole British Empire away from Indian soil by the method of Ahimsa. Basically it is resistance via civility and kindness. The Buddha wasn’t preaching in the air;he wasn’t being impractical. He explained how effective this method is. I don’t know why when a challenge is thrown we do not apply this Buddhist teaching of civil resistance? I don’t know why the Venerable Mahanayake did not take this path. Preaching must be tested in the face of practical challenge. If not, preaching is useless. In other words, the Mahanayake seems to suggest that the teaching must be abandoned when it comes to the need for application. I don’t know why. Of what value is a teaching if it cannot be applied?.

If Gnanasara and his BBS goons are treated mildly and even encouraged in this way by the highest prelates of the island, Sri Lanka is heading for serious self-destruction. We are going to be a Syria or an Iraq. Muslim militancy would be far worse and catastrophic than the Tamil militancy we have gone through for 26 years. Sri Lanka will be in flames and the life of ordinary people will be in ruin. I don’t know why the Venerable Mahanayake does not realise this practical fact.

Civility Solution and its Biological Roots

Most societies in the world are complex ones today. Relative homogeneity as we observe in countries like Japan,China and Korea is rare. Sri Lanka is a plural society with several ethnicities and religions holding sway. This is our lot and we have to face that reality-like it or not. In a situation like this periodic eruptions and conflicts are bound to arise among the diverse groups. We must be tuned to cope with such unfortunate breakdowns. Religious and ethnic leaders must take responsibility for this and our education system and media must be oriented to develop coping programs.

The only workable and pragmatic way to cope with diversities is to opt for what is known as the civility solution. This is just the opposite to what Gnanasara is doing. Religious and lay leaders must act responsibly to deal with transgressions in a civil manner. Civility does not mean mere politeness like saying, “excuse me, please.” It is mush more broader and deeper than that. Firstly it must derive from an understanding of the inevitability of conflict. This is ‘Pragna’  in Buddhism.Secondly, we must develop a compassionate approach based on the above understanding- an empathy. This is ‘Karuna,’ in Buddhism. Thirdly we must segregate the people from the event involved and treat this with neutrality. This is “Upekka,’ in Buddhism. Fourthly, enveloping all these, is that we must learn to be naturally friendly with others. This is ‘Metta,’ in Buddhism.

So, there you are Buddhism already has the civility solution. I don’t know why our Venerable Mahanayake could not see this and reach out to contending factions with the light of the lamp of Dhamma.

We must adopted the civility solution not merely because there isn’t available any other path if we are to keep our complex society together; nor because we are told to do so by the Dhamma or the Mahanayake (hopefully). There is an interesting biological reason why civility and kindness has a chance of success in negotiating ‘the other,’ of complex societies. Professor Pier M. Forni in his best selling book, “The Civility Solution: What do we do when people are rude. (Chris Hartlove),” makes the point clear: He explains how if you pet a dog, the dog’s neurons transmit a cascade of pleasing neurochemicals that help strengthen its immune system. But more remarkable, he pointed out, is that petting a dog elicits the same salubrious cascade in your brain. He cites studies showing that, more generally, volunteer work can induce a feeling some have termed the “helper’s high”—like the “runner’s high,” a period of elation followed by tranquility.

*The writer can be contacted at sjturaus@optusnet.com.au

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Latest comments

  • 18
    4

    It is better to keep the clergy out of politics.Although they were consulted by kings in good old days and they have offered advice things are different now. It appears that the Budddhist clergy are more interested in politics than spreading Buddhas message. Buddha advised monks ”two should not traverse the same path. Go indifferent directions from village to village and propagate damma.” If the clergy is not doing it we the layman will have to take over the job of spreading Buddha message to the world. We too know the four noble truths and the eight fold path.

    • 7
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      Shyamon Jayasinghe ———You may have to torn down your criticism of Sangha as Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe is intensively watching you. He went on to call you a NGO funded ‘traitor’ —————Please refer to his warning in Ceylon Today 22 June 2017 – “NGO funded ‘traitors’ don’t want peace in Sri Lanka – Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe” — http://www.ceylontoday.lk/print20170401CT20170630.php?id=23826 ————————— Remember Basil once querried if motor vehicle accidents happen in Down Under. Sorry I just remembered Basil’s eagerness on accidents.

  • 11
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    [Edited out]
    The more you disrespect the Maha Sanga and try to get involved in our affairs, the more Gnanasaras will be born!
    When we speak about safe guarding our heritage, our way of life, our culture, race and religion we become racists but when Evangelical pricks and Muslim Extremists bulldoze our temples and invades Wildlife sanctuaries it’s “Helping the needy”! Right … FO.
    Enough is enough, it’s time for the Singhalese Buddhists to reclaim what is rightfully theirs : Sri Lanka
    We have tolerated these foreign pariahs enough!

    • 18
      1

      Buddhism teaches renunciation of worldy goods as does Hinduism. Nothing is rightfully yours. Try to be a good Buddhist. Have a mind at peace with yourself and with others.

    • 3
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      Singalese Buddist would be better for you, cos you certainly don’t know the meaning of Buddhism… But you are right, we should show more respock to that thug Gnane… Maybe we should call him the venereal punk monk with a gun??? So there will be more venereal guys like Gnane??? Who will treat you guys, your pals the GMOA is on strike…

      What a shame on you all, but this is all a part of MaRa and his Gotayas plan to try and overthrow our Government… thats why all the strikes and violence… They say money talk, bullshit walks…

  • 22
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    Fearless and courageous. You said the truth. These high flying monks live in luxury and seclusion from ordinary people. With the power of the Sivura they abuse just as much as the politicians do. Wijayadas is their secret guard

    • 16
      3

      Well said and fearlessly too.

  • 13
    4

    sri lanka is a basket case. run by racist. there is no justice to the poor. be it any party, money and political connection talk. there is going to be another war. as spineless leaders are waiting for gnansaraya milita to attack muslims in july.

  • 17
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    Well said, this shows that our blessed country, still have some far thinking interlectuals, who would call a kettle ‘Black’ if he has to.

    • 14
      4

      Wish this was communicated to the Maha Sangha in it’s entirety with copies to the Rajapkse family,Wijedasa Rajapakse , Gayan Jayathilake , Champika Ranawak and the current leaders of the country who are gutless in the face of unjust and succumb to threats from the Sangha even when it is obvious that they are protecting a rouge monk.Long live our blessed Sri Lanka.

      • 4
        4

        Alfred the stupid man cannot show mercy. Because you are foreign to asian culture so must be of pirate pedigree.

        • 2
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          Dinesh Patel… that sound like an Indian name. I know many Buddhist Patels in India who are considered as low caste dalits. Are you one of them?

    • 1
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      Agree.
      The answer I think is separation of religion and state and a strict and impartial judiciary with teeth.
      This might be a tall order to say the least.

  • 7
    1

    The 19th amendment of the constitution states that “While any person holds office as President of the Republic of Sri Lanka, no civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against the President in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by the President, either in his official or private capacity”

    So one can kill to become president and then continue to kill in order to remain in power and it will all be perfectly above the law. This is the heart of the power of the presidency of the state of Sri Lanka making it a criminal and murderous state whose head can commit acts of destruction, murder, rape, torture, robbery, theft, plunder and fraud. The world has in fact seen most of this happen and in fact more where the presidents family, agents of the state, friends and hangers on of all sorts began to enjoy this impunity at the benevolence of the president.

    The author claims that the government is making every effort toward unifying the country so that it would never again revert to civil war. Nothing of the sort is happening. One minority has been almost genocidally destroyed. Another is under attack. The author like all Sinhalese justifies this as being the outcome of terrorism and justifies attacks against Muslims with the claim that “Muslim militancy would be far worse and catastrophic than the Tamil militancy we have gone through for 26 years.”

    What has emerged is not muslim militancy but Sinhala Buddhist. When it is resisted and prosecuted it will turn into Sinhala Buddhist Terrorism that will last for as long as it takes to bring upon us all a repeat of what happened when the islands natives last clashed with the spread of the currently global civilization.

    • 5
      2

      Re Nirmalan Dhas: Most countries provide for presidential immunity. Article 19 simply provides for the situation that the President is not held responsible for the conduct that is later found to have wrongful consequences. But, one view is that he cannot use immunity except where is conduct is connected with the affairs of state. Eg. he cannot rape his female secretary and claim immunity as the rape does not further the interests of the state.
      But, you are right in referring to the problem. In 1958, the idiot Bandaranaike did not call out the army to stop the Tamil riots. It was left to the GG, Oliver Goonetilleke to do so a few days after the riots had started. What is the liability of the President who fails to act in a timely fashion. The present President is doing just that. He is not taking timely action to nip a problem in the bud, because he fears the alternate power of the Buddhist monks. This power will increase unless it is curbed. The claim that Buddhism needs the protection of these monks is false. Buddhism needs no ones protection. It lives in the hearts and minds of people.. Today in the West, through meditation and other means, the spread of Buddhism is unstoppable. A superior philosophy needs no protection. The monks are deluding themselves or are doing this to create power.

  • 5
    1

    Well there are many views by many people. All these views differs according to the education level, background, life experiences etc. of each. With this particular incident, what I think is, the conduct of Ven. Gananasara tero clearly questionable since we all saw how the previous administration and Ven. Gananasara tero created those unnecessary insurgencies.
    However, it is the responsibility of current administration to conduct an impartial investigation into the matters raised by Ven. Gananasara tero. We do not or will not see such initiative from any of these administrations since all are there to gain cheap political gains.
    I believe there was a responsibility for our Venerable Mahanayake to discuss these issues with Ven. Gananasara tero earlier stage and then if it is true what Ven. Gananasara tero is highlighting, to send a strong message to the current administration.

  • 10
    4

    Mr. Jayasingha,
    Excellent and painstaking write-up.
    I believe it is a throwback to medieval times. Here is a bunch of people who do no useful work, who extort the maximum from their pliant followers, whom they keep in thrall with claims of omniscience, calling on the state to ensure that one of their wayward members is addressed with “respect”.
    Is this clique so out of touch with the teachings of their alleged founder that they don’t realize that humility, self-sacrifice and charity will get them respect, not arrogant demands from a position of assumed moral superiority?
    “One doesn’t find Christian priests behaving like this.”
    I think it is about time that entry to the Sangha should be restricted to consenting adults, and that too with a minimum secular education, like the Christians. That should stop emotionally deprived minors with no real life experience eventually becoming mahanayakes.

    • 7
      3

      Old Codger: No point in comparing clergies. Clergies everywhere create problems for their religion. The problem of Catholic priests abusing their laypeople particularly the young is universal. The church has hidden this problem. Muslim clerics preach hatred towards others and have, in Sri Lanka, as elsewhere, created huge problems. The Hindus do not fortunately have an organized clergy which has any power over laymen, though organizations of Hindus, like the RSS, do engage in huge atrocities. Religions should not be condemned for what their clergies do.

      Least of all Buddhism. Buddha had laid down rules for monks. It is those monks who do not follow them that cause trouble. It was unfortunate that the Chief Prelate of a Chapter had gone in to bat for one such priest.

      That is not to condone what the Muslims or Christians are doing. Their proselytizing religions do cause concern for others. In the case of Muslims, they are caught up in the hold of Wahabism, which causes anxiety in others. Their ostentatious religious practices are recent and interfere with the secure feelings of others. In the case of Christians, there is an emergence of evangelism that causes equal anxiety. The leaders of these religions should act to ensure that such anxieties in others are removed. In a multi religious society, stepping into each others territories will cause tension.

      Buddhism requires a measured response to such problems. There is a way of resistance that Buddhism prescribes. It is not the way the Mahanayake or Gnansara have shown. Gandhi brought down an empire by following the Buddhist way.

      • 0
        2

        MS,
        “No point in comparing clergies. Clergies everywhere create problems for their religion. “
        I agree with you. All clergies are parasitical. But there are degrees of parasitism. The Catholics have given up asking people to vote UNP, and they do keep their clergy in check. Any loose cannons are quickly silenced. It is time the Buddhist sangha came out of its feudal minset.

    • 7
      1

      “”Here is a bunch of people who do no useful work…….””
      The superior man, if desiring wealth, gets it in a proper fashion and is not fearful, even if poor. All religious men are selfish like Bill Gates, or Mark who wants to be the next president of America.
      “”“One doesn’t find Christian priests behaving like this.””” Because they were built by the 800 years of Arab rule that spawned Isabella Catholic- the adventurous pirates of the world and get glorified like the men down under.MBE, knight of …..have you ever moved with a freemason, or ‘Al’ Capone type or KKK that is where the the god sits and slits the throat in silence.- is golden memories. Even today only the American marines are fleecing Japan for sickness due to Fukushima disaster- when will it end them fleecing Germany and Japan?? Christian the patchwork anglican…Hmmmm.
      A bald man is a ready made Buddhist monk.
      “”That should stop emotionally deprived minors with no real life experience eventually becoming mahanayakes.”” the catholics still pick them up when young at portugal spain ireland etc.
      journalist media men the enemy of the people – Teach your son in the hall, your wife on the pillow.?

    • 5
      1

      old codger—————–“not arrogant demands from a position of assumed moral superiority” ————-A power play in public, could be the beginning of the end of Sangha as we know it. If the process is peaceful then of course we must welcome it. I will definitely support if people could wrest Buddhism from Sangha’s Sinhala/Buddhism. Sooner the better. I am afraid there could be a violent competition between liberal Buddhists and the Sinhala/Buddhist fascists. Will the armed forces see the gap in the political process and grab the opportunity in time for assert for its share of power ? The usual political crooks won’t sit back and see winners take all, maybe they will play a spoiler game to assure their share of power. —————- The Sinhala/Buddhist fascists are desperate for total power, may feel embolden by the weak political and state institutions, probably time to place themselves in a pivotal position. ————— What role will Dayan play in the future fascist government?

  • 1
    7

    SJ is preaching Bana to the
    Asgiriya Chapter. His statement is full of prejudice and hate.He is seeking cheap publicity like a village chandiya by attacking a respected and learned monk Venerable Gnanarathana and goes on to vilify not just Gnanasara Thera but all Buddhist monks. The gist of the Asgiriya Chapter Statement is :“Although we do not approve the aggressive behaviour and speech of Bhikku Galabodaatte Gnanasara the viewpoint expressed by him cannot be discarded. Insulting Bhikkus by various groups without inquiring into the veracity of the issues raised by him cannot be condoned.”
    Just as Gnanasara Thero is conveying an important message, the Asgiriya Chapter is urging not to discard his message.
    The main thrust of Gnanasara Thero’s message is that Wahabism is openly getting established in Sri Lanka.
    SJ has joined the anti Sinhala Buddhist mad dog gangs in shooting the messenger.
    Is SJ denying that there is such a threat?

  • 5
    2

    Dear Vichara, Is the Mahanayake’s statement condoning Gnanasara consistent with Buddhism?

    METTA SUTRA
    May all beings be happy and secure, may they be happy-minded.
    Whatever living beings there are – feeble or strong, long, stout or medium,
    short, small or large, seen or unseen (ghosts, gods and hell-beings),
    those dwelling far or near, those who are born or those who await rebirth
    may all beings, without exception be happy-minded.
    Let none deceive another nor despise any person whatever in any place;
    in anger or ill-will let them not wish any suffering to each other.
    Just as a mother would protect her only child at the risk of her own life,
    even so, let him cultivate a boundless heart towards all beings.
    Let his thoughts of boundless lovingkindness pervade the whole world:
    above, below and across, without obstruction, without any hatred, without any enmity.
    Translation in Peter Harvey, Introduction to Buddhism (CUP, 2012).

  • 5
    2

    “We believe that failing to call a spade a spade is not scientific.”
    ―Leo Strauss

    Hats Off to Shyamon Jayasinghe

    • 2
      0

      he is cooking down under so please wear his dying wowlas – the club has left the king of spades to do the doing and trolls can’t believe it because they never had a card to play but go where the wind takes them.

  • 9
    3

    Gnanasara ,the yellow robed scoundrel should be behind bars. Shame on the PM AND THE PRESIDENT to give in to the Mahanayaka who should know better than to make statements which provoke racism.Being a buddhist who adheres to the word of the Buddha , I am of the opinion that our mahanayakas are not true followers of the Buddha dharma If they were, they would have never issued such a statement.

    • 6
      1

      Dr.R.Seneviratne ————“I am of the opinion that our mahanayakas are not true followers of the Buddha dharma” ————————————————–Hence the need for us to liberate Buddhism from Sinhala/Buddhism and Sinhalese from Sinhala/Buddhists.

      • 0
        0

        Native Vedda: “”Hence the need for us to liberate Buddhism from Sinhala/Buddhism and Sinhalese from Sinhala/Buddhists.”” long ago suddu baduva down under left the soul for good so what is it to tell it to a bounty hunter???

    • 1
      5

      Dr. R senevirathna

      when ISIS beheaded journalists. what our mahanayaka theros should have done. to say ok and may you attain nirwana or arrest culprits and punish them. De, can you explain to me. likewise when any nation occupy our country. what our buddhists monks should have done. say live under occupied nation or fight against them. as per your theory monks have no rights to educate people on political issues but teach them how to attain nirwana. is that what you trying to say here Dr. if so all our monks lived here in kings erras must be traitors as per your definitions. monks who visited every village and persuaded youths to join army to fight terrorism must be hell bound.then all the monks including venerable gnanasara thero must be hell bound lots as per your definition as they persuaded our youths to join forces to fight terrorism. that was how forces got enough youths to fight terrorists. have you ever ask anybody to join army when war was on. as such you should respect people. now you must be saying our death soldiers why did you join army. do not be idiot Dr. learn realities of the society. face realities. I can proudly say in my youth I served as soldier for four and half years in battlefield to save my country. that is why i can proudly challenge your bullshit comment.

      • 4
        1

        History does not show that in the three hundred years of colonialism, monks sought to liberate the country. History shows that the last king of Kandy was betrayed by Buddhist monks. This new-found political Buddhism is a way of acquiring power. This goes against the teachings of Buddha.

      • 2
        2

        Ranjith,
        If you can, name 5 Buddhist monks each who fought against the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. Don’t create bogus history. Sinhalese are famous for bending over . I am sure your real name is Portuguese.
        “I can proudly say in my youth I served as soldier for four and half years in battlefield to save my country.”
        So you survived? How many civilians did you rob at your checkpoint? You are proud of that?

        • 0
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          you know nothing on history it seems. portuguese beheaded a monk in trincomalee. he was the first buddhists monk casualty in the hand of portuguese..dutch and british same story. but not written. my real name was disclosed several occasions.if you can find out see whether any portuguese or dutch name in it. even my father or grandparents did not have portuguese or dutch or english names. they used real sinhalese names. yes I too serve as soldier for four years in the battle field but never robbed anybody. even my platoon soldiers were not allowed to do that. if you was a soldier like me you can check it with my superiors. i can name few of them but they have gone. if you want to check my credential ok come and lets go to headquarters and check both of us credential. in your reply fix a date.. we both can go there and check our credentials as soldiers.

          • 0
            0

            Ranjith,
            So you can find only one Buddhist monk , and a nameless one at that? Great historian.The truth is that they are very good at claiming to be heroes after the battle.
            Have you forgotten Somarama and Budharakkita who were hanged?
            About names , Ranjit is an Indian name.

    • 3
      2

      Dr.R.Seneviratne- “”I am of the opinion that our mahanayakas are not true followers of the Buddha dharma”88888888888888888888
      You may have read books written in a patchwork language about wisdom but never read life itself to live believing in faith – no wonder you lift a gun- because you said so. oh how small that heaven of yours is to not understand ethics of the east.

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        Yellow robes are a clandestine operation to live and bask in luxury without any effort. The yellow robes fools the people to respect and venerate them by falling on their feet and offer them charity. They fool the gullible Sinhla masses that by serving the yellow robes, their destiny depends. The yellow robes are supposed to live with one basic meal of porridge and water per day. But their bodies are so bulky that speaks of their reality in life. They are proclaiming a life of celibacy, but who is he fooling? how can a human live a life of celibacy? while consuming 5 star food, Nasigoreng with foreign wines and fags. In the vastness of the temple abode, they indulge in all forbidden things, even an ordinary layman will not dare do. This is the reality of the buddism in all over Asia.Use common sense.

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      Dr.R.Seneviratne: Inside Trading island. Pakistan’s prestigious Jinnah scholarships for Sri Lankan youth- partition author scholarships just after wattalapam lankan board and media hatched a plot ` Malinga being investigated over ‘monkey’ remark`. Imagine that!! Even the authority of english cricket knew lanka should not win now and pakistan plus the book makers were in for the final killing of cup because India would now go negative attitude and angry like how France lost worlds football cup to Italy after the famous heading.

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    symon ayiya

    you again and again defame venerable gnanasara thero. have you written any article against destruction of old buddhists temples and sacred places in north and east by muslims and tamils. even LTTE have not done such crime. Are you trying to say north and east of the country is muslims and tamils homeland as such destruction of buddhists heritages not an issue.if buddhists monks do not speak on those matters who else suppose to speak on those issues. your mother or father or your grand parents Mr. symond ayiya. get lost man. our buddhists monks have every rights to speak against destructions of our heritages. destructions of heritages has nothing to do with reconciliation. first all lanken have to respect our heritages. its all sri lankans heritages. not only sinhalese buddhists heritages.all pyramids and other ancient things world heritages though built by different ethnicities but ultimately become human;s heritages. symond goyiyo you should first learn meaning of heritage. [Edited out]

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      ranjith(sprrw) scatter brain b***s carrying sorcerer, ———————————————————“have you written any article against destruction of old buddhists temples and sacred places in north and east by muslims and tamils.”————————————————————–I cannot tell you whether symon ayiya has written any article on the destruction of old buddhists temples and sacred places in north and east or not but one thing I am sure about it is that you don’t have a comprehensive list of all such buddhist temples. ———“even LTTE have not done such crime.” “destruction of old buddhists temples and sacred places in north and east by muslims and tamils.”—————-Did Tamils destroy old temples or not? Are you saying LTTE was not a Tamil organisation? —————-Just relax think(?) and respond.

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      ranjith talk sense, do not try to fool the world. Do not mix paganism with buddhism. What exactly being practiced in Asia under buddhism is pure idol worship, You paint the idol with yellow and say this is buddhism. I want to ask you did gautam buddha told you to worship his image as an idol? the answer is no. So during his days 2600 years ago. he practiced self restrain, by renouncing the worldly life. Sadly but truly there is nothing to call buddhist culture now. All its humbug. Cant you see the shameless behavior, language, manners of your adorable gnanassara, and mangala robed rowdies use? the whole world is watching in utter disgust the real face of Sri Lankan culture. Then the wonders of Asia’s pathetic judiciary? As long as people like wijedasa rajapaksa, partly ranawaka, gamman pila live, the more serious this country could face a very bleak future. God Forbids, if not for knowledgeable people like Mr Shyamon Jayasinghe and his likes to come forward to say a spade a spade, there are hope to reshape the progress of this country. Enchallah.

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        [Edited out] Comments should not exceed 300 words.Please read our Comments Policy for further details.

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    [Edited out] Comments should not exceed 300 words.Please read our Comments Policy for further details.

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    Sir you are a real Courageous Bbudist…
    Mahanayake now became Maha Yakku… When I read Muslim Militancy ……. I remember Suicide Kiling Army was invented and spreaded by Muslim Cadres all over the world… Muslims NEVER EVER AFRAID TO DIE…
    Once I heard Prabakarancollegues got training in Lebanon..
    Oh My GOD… If these Budda Terrorist Gnasaraya induced MUSLIM MILITARY by killing set firing looting Sri Lankan Muslims and if Muslims started to defend…..?
    I CANT EVEN IMAGINE THE CONSQUENCES…
    Please do something to eradicate these Budda Kaavi Rowdies from sri lanka for Safe and peaceful lanka…
    Please……

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      KaaviIngannaya, your anxiety is understandable. We all appreciate the frank exposition by Shyamon Jayasinghe. Of course there will be many annoyed with his points of view. There is no point foul mouthing – achieves nothing! I am sure Shyamon will not like it.

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    Our monks should be put through a broader education that includes also world affairs, sociology, and economics etc. Christian priests get that kind of comprehensive education in addition to their narrow theology

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    Mr S. Jayasinghe,Its a very humble article you have written.
    The Country needs strong and intelligent people like you to be in Politics and lead our land
    to peace and prosperity.May God Bless you.

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    It is non-buddhists who decide for buddhists. That is Democracy. It is buddhists who should allow non-buddhists just step on buddhists that is democracy. what a way to define theusticebn this world. So, what should buddhhists should do ?. Let non buddhists step on crush them.

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    Hello hello Shyamon Jayasinghe so where is your buddhist punching bag Asoka of USA??””“I think that hate is a feeling that can only exist where there is no understanding.”” This is off the mark because you both are from a patchwork culture- take it or leave it.You make friends with boors – and learn to use your fists; Jealousy of the have nots comes before hate- Hate Boomerangs stupid one and it did not even recoil on Rev Gnanasara Thero!! (Hooray) do not be annoyed by being misunderstood but be annoyed that you have no finer knowledge of the life of a brahmin who is way out of this world, is not a racist and is content with what little he has though they live in the west longer than your dream. it’s all in Buddhism’s 7th path known as the 4th gem Mindfulness- the cure from greed.

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    Well stated Shyamon. Reformation needed. We need a Martin Luther. Cannot expect the emergence from within.

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    Asgiriya man should be derobed.He is anti Buddhas teaching, Idiot, parasite, termite, earthworm, skunk all kept together.

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    The writer has no knowledge of Buddhism. A born in a non-Buddhist family, he is an ardent critic of all religions. Although he holds himself to be a kind of Buddhist scholar, he has no training and would not even be able to recite 5 precepts, in the right order, in any language. He is funded and planted by those bent on destroying Buddhism in Sri Lanka as a decoy to achieve their objectives.

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      As you can see from the different avatar, this is not me!

      Paul

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