{"id":237489,"date":"2024-06-30T23:50:30","date_gmt":"2024-06-30T18:20:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=237489"},"modified":"2024-07-08T07:11:20","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T01:41:20","slug":"can-a-country-swamped-by-mythological-beliefs-prosper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/can-a-country-swamped-by-mythological-beliefs-prosper\/","title":{"rendered":"Can A Country Swamped By Mythological Beliefs Prosper?"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Vipula Wanigasekera<\/a> –<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Dr. Vipula Wanigasekera<\/p><\/div>\n

Mythological practices are prevalent in many religions worldwide, ranging from visiting places of religious significance to ringing bells dangling on the testicles of a sage. This piece is not to entirely reject these practices, as some rituals have become traditions, but to highlight the absurd levels of indulgence in Sri Lanka, primarily driven by a segment of Buddhist monks.<\/p>\n

Almost every family adheres to traditions such as consulting horoscope readers and waiting for auspicious times for significant events. Indigenous chanting and dancing, like Bali Thovil, are commonly accepted customs. However, there is an over-dependence on newly found practices and beliefs, where authorities need to act before these characters turn the youth into blind followers.<\/p>\n

Many politicians carry talismans to ward off evil, ignoring the fact that it is corruption that has hindered the country and may catch up with them sooner or later as Karma, legal, or social justice. Similarly, it is interesting to see large gatherings of professionals daily at a joint on Galle Road to have their ola leaves read.<\/p>\n

Incidentally, the writer conducted research on this place in the 80s and found a few possible ways they do this reading. The late Prof. Carlo Fonseka was amazed to hear the findings, saying that even he could not figure out their modus operandi.<\/p>\n

Healers who have become quite wealthy over time only need to visit Apeksha Hospital Maharagama, Mental Hospital Angoda, and Lady Ridgeway in Borella just once to help those innocent and helpless patients. Of course, such healers are found in developed countries too, where they have formed wealthy and affluent cults.<\/p>\n

In the 1980s, a Bo tree purportedly shedding tears drew hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Nikaweratiya until the monk admitted it was a fabrication. A popular monk claims to have been a disciple of Ven Ananda during Buddha\u2019s time and then utters some chanting in Hindi to convince followers who do not realize that Buddha or Ven Ananda didn\u2019t speak Hindi!<\/p>\n

The commercialization of Buddhist mythological beliefs is rampant in Sri Lanka. Relics are often advertised involving media as “authentic,” attracting large crowds and generating significant revenue. Last year, a monk initiated a campaign urging young married couples to offer gold sovereigns to the temple as a tribute to their parents! The campaign was abandoned after facing ridicule from Sri Lankan students in Melbourne.<\/p>\n

Sermons frequently delve into mythical narratives, with monks describing happenings in heaven and hell, citing books and illnesses caused by the effects of evil. One monk claims that a colleague of his has seen Jesus Christ in heaven carrying a pot of water. The crowd responds, “Sadhu Sadhu.”<\/p>\n