A Monk On The Rampage- Monk warned the reporter of dire consequences if she ever stepped foot into Dambulla.
Posted on May 12th, 2012
By Niranjala AriyawanshaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Courtesy The Sunday Leader
Ven. Inamaluwe Sumangala Thero, the Chief Priest at the Rangiri Dambulla Viharaya was in the forefront in recent times leading a protest at Dambulla to relocate a mosque which was within the sacred Vihara land, disputed by the Muslim fraternity. The issue is yet on the boil and the government has not resolved this sensitive stand off.
Inamaluwe Sumangala Thero is no stranger to controversy and has time and again led protests against the administrative and political structure. Our reporter Niranjala Ariyawansha interviewed the Chief monk. At the conclusion of this interview Sumangala Thero warned our reporter of dire consequences if she ever stepped foot into Dambulla.
Excerpts:
SL: You were first identified with protests against the construction of the Kandalama Hotel. What was the final outcome of that protest?
Ven Inamaluwe: I will continue that protest as long as I live. That is my position. I did not join that protest as a mere visitor. I joined the protest as the President of the Kandalama Left Canal farmers society though the media reported that I was acting as the Secretary General of the Sangha Society.
I knew the importance of the kandalama tank and the environs, being the leader of the farming community in addition to being a monk. It is prohibited by lawƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to erect any buildings near the banks ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ tanks. This was so from the time of our ancient kings. The British when they were here followed that too. We thought that a democratic government elected after independence would also follow this.
We created public opinion against this wrongful erection. We wanted the hotel project stopped. What did the government do? They provided Police protection to them, down graded public opinion, denigrated us and allowed the project to go through.
What I started off in Kandalama reflects the real situation in this country in the name of democracy. It is a dictatorship. Democracy is only by name. I realised that there is no ruling party that will listen to the voice of the people as early as in 1991.
SL: Do you regret launching that protest?
Ven IS: It is like this. What is it that a government cannot do? President Premadasa could only not make a man, a woman. That was the power. So, to erect a hotel is no big deal. That took place under the approval of President Premadasa. Therefore, it showed that a government can do anything in this country. I have realised that.
SL: You are once more in focus for the second time when you opposed the existence of a building said to be a mosque within the confines of land belonging to the Dambulla temple. Will you have to backtrack on this protest too, in the future?
Ven IS: No. We learnt a lesson once. We learnt that there is no democracy in this land. Therefore, if anyone rules oppressively and against democracy, we will without fear of life, oppose such action.
SL: How do you think you should oppose a regime that is not democratic?
Ven IS: We showed that recently.
SL: By resorting to violence?
Ven IS: Yes. That is partially true. We started peacefully. But peopleƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s feelings when aroused cannot be controlled. Look at it nationally and internationally. What did extremist persons like Bin Laden do? They have shed blood to propagate Islam. That is the truth.
Our people have built their hopes and dreams around Buddhist culture. They are patient. But here that patience was set aside a little. I do not see it as violence.
SL: Buddhist teachings promote patience. But you lent leadership to a section of Buddhists to practice the opposite. Why?
Ven IS:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ No. I do not accept that. It is the government that did such a thing. There was a plan made 30 years ago to protect the temple and the land surrounding it. By not implementing that plan it was the government that pushed the people. If you say the people wanted me to do so, it is correct For that too the government must take responsibility.
SL: Most of the people who came for that protest were not people from Dambulla. Some charge that you brought people from other areas?
Ven IS: Who says so? Anyone can say anything. There is an ancient saying that when one is hungry even a monitor lizard becomes an iguanaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ (a kabaragoya becomes a thalagoya). Therefore whatever anyone says I will not accept such charge.
SL: When I met you on the 30th of last month at the Dambulla temple, you said the people of Dambulla though from different religious persuasions lived amicably. What happened to that? Why was this protest held in such haste?
Ven IS: Who says it was in haste? That is what the media has concocted. We have over a period of time informed the President and the Minister in charge. But they were silent.When the working class ask for higher wages by filling out a form for that purpose, does it happen? No. They have to strike.That is our country.The super democracy you talk of will not work in this country.If one were to win any rights in this country, it could be only through protests. ThatƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s the truth. No one can say that itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s a lie. The people of this country have resorted to protests to win their rights. We live in a country where even a letter written to a department goes without acknowledgement.Therefore the people have to resort to these kind of things.
SL: You say that this protest was not done in haste and that it is justified. The Buddhists have a limit to their patience. The government made them impatient, and the government is responsible for it. Then you say how Bin Laden acted violently to spread Islam. Do you then believe that blood should be shed in the name of religion?
Ven IS: Yes, what you say is true and the government must take responsibility. But on the 20th there was no blood shed.
SL: Yes, but on the 20th you said publicly, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”today we came with the Buddhist flag in hand. But the next time it would be differentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢. So, the next time if it progresses to religious disharmony and bloodshed, would you take responsibility?
Ven IS: The responsibility for that should be taken by the inactive ruling class of this country. The Muslim leaders of their government are spreading falsehoods about this mosque. They must know that the Prime Minister has made a decision on this. The Prime Minister is the second citizen in this country. He is also the Minister of Buddhist Affairs. Therefore, he has expressed the governmentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s view. So, can others who have now aligned with the government or even the cabinet minister who is representing Dambulla go against that?
The government minister Janaka Bandara Tennekoone says that the mosque will not be removed. The prime Minister says it will be removed. Minister Rauf Hakeem says it will remain. This shows that the government is divided. It also shows that there are people within this government who are bigger than the Prime Minister. How can that be? What has happened to collective responsibility within the cabinet and the government? Therefore we urge the President to take a decision against these in-disciplined political braggarts.
SL: When you speak of collective responsibility of the Cabinet, I would like to remind you that in Sri Lanka we have a multi religious, multi cultural and multi ethnic society.
Ven IS: What nonsense.You are speaking of a nonsensical theory. This country has fourteen million buddhists.How many muslims are there? For example in Thailand, the majority are Buddhists. In Myanmar too Buddhists are in the majority. Catholics are a majority at the Vatican. Therefore, we say that the Vatican is a Catholic State. Similarly in the middle east many countries have a Muslim majority. Therefore we call them Islamic States.
SL: That is not what I meant. When a society consists of multi religious people practicing different faiths, should they not have equal rights?
Ven IS: Are you trying to wrest away our Buddhist rights? We have respected all. What we have here is none of that. It is about protecting the Buddhist legacy against the wresting of it. There is no need for talking nonsense here. We are fighting to save the 2300 year old Buddhist heritage that is ours! They in turn are trying to wrest away our heritage. Therefore it would be good for all to understand that reality. I am vocal to protect that right and not to wrest away someone elseƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s right or property. It is the Islamists who are trying something else here. That cannot be allowed. We never went to Iraq or the middle east to wrest the rights of Islamists? This is robbery. You tell the whole country of this position clearly.
SL: So whilst fighting to protect oneƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s right you violate anotherƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s right?
Ven IS: Are you trying to trample the rights of the Buddhists?
SL: No. They say that the Mosque was there from 1962.
Ven IS: I will speak to you as a person possessing a third eye. I speak of what is happening globally. I am comparing what happens globally. Globally, Islam is on the rise. Some so called Sinhalese lend a hand (gotta allanawa) to them. I ask you also not to do so.
SL: Would you say there is Muslim fundamentalism growing across the world? As against Buddhist fundamentalism growing here?
There is no such thing. Others may have such intentions. I cannot condone nor certify that. I am not like that.
The Rangiri Dambulla Viharaya has a history of 2300 years and is a highly venerated Viharaya. Even UNESCO has named it as a historical site in the world. That has been done because the Buddhists protected it. Now, Islamists (Thambis) are trying to creep into this. For those islamists (Thambis) and those who are propping them (Gotta Allana Aya) this may be good. But I say it is because of the Buddhists who protected this Dambulla Viharaya that the villages around this site came into being. Not bacause of a church or mosque. We have a history. What history does the muslims have with Dambulla? They can do anything in their regions. I will not speak of history here. But, I am a monk who has studied history and archaeology for my degree. I have studied the history of Sri Lanka well.
The Muslims came to Sri Lanka by sail boats to trade in groceries. Only males came. Some of them settled down permanently in countries like Sri Lanka, India and the Maldives.
During the reign of King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe there was a saying ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…” let us just have a bit of land to look after,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ by them. Having come like visitors they robbed the Sinhala and Tamil women. They fooled our Sinhala and Tamil women and married them. Now this purdah that the Muslims wear to cover their faces? ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s a plan by those men who came to rob women. They used it in every country. It has now become a religious practice. ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s however not a real religious practice. ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s a caddish ploy to rob women. If I am to say in proper Sinhala (Sudda Sinhalenma Kiyanawa nam , oka thamai mata kiyanna thiyennay.) That is all what I have to say about it.
SL: As a person who believes in globalisation do you accept the theory of a purist race?
Ven IS: You are perfectly right. I do accept globalisation. Similarly I believe that there is a Sinhala race without mixed blood. I do believe that I am such a person myself. So, if anyone says that there is no pure race, like you, if one speaks of reason, I think they are of mixed blood. I mean there must be some kind of mix. They must have a name like Thambi Mudiyanselage in their birth certificate.
SL: Buddhist sermons are based on equality. But in Sri Lanka the clergy has split into different sects. Do you believe in the theory of sects?
Ven IS: I do not accept the need for sects. But even during the time of Buddha there were varying groups of monks. But Buddha did not prevent that. During Lord Buddhas first sermon monk Punna did not attend. Those monks who participated wanted monk Punna to accept that sermon. The monk answered,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ I have heard BuddhaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s sermons before. I accept them. You accept it tooƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢. Three months after Buddha achieved enlightenment, there were groups with varying views. These groups were there from that time and progressed thereon to date.
SL: The sects in Sri Lanka are based on caste. Is the caste system in line with Buddhas teachings?
Ven IS: I do not endorse that. I do not accept the sects based on a caste system at all.
SL: You belong to the Siyam Sect. You propagated another group called the Rangiri Dambullu Sect. What was the basis for that?
Ven IS: To tell the truth I followed the principal you spoke of. Buddha from birth did not accept a caste system. We based it on that presumption and rejected the caste system and opened the doors to anyone from any backgroundƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ or any sect to be ordained.
SL: But on the 23rd when a discussion was held at the Rangiri Dambulla Viharaya the Asgiriya Chief Prelate who is from the Siyam Sect participated?
Ven IS: Yes. He is our Chief Priest. But other monks attended as well.
SL: What is the quarrel between you and Minister Janaka Bandara Tennekoon?
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Ven IS: He first entered parliament as an MP in 1993 or 1994. Prior to that he was a policeman. His father was T. B. Tennekoon. A very humble, andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ good Buddhist. Janaka Bandara got his votes because of his father. On an election platformƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ with tears in his eyes he said what his father had told him from his death bed, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-My dear son, being a policeman wouldnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t do. Please go to Dambulla and start from where I stoppedƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. The people were fooled and voted for him.
The first thing he did after becoming an MP was to open a tavern in Dambulla town. The people protested by closing down shops, hoisting black flags and going in a procession. Janaka used his thugs and attacked the protesters. They pulled down buddhist flags and trampelled them.The police did nothing. Why? Because he was also in the police. I complained about this to the then President Chandrika. She closed the tavern immediately. We had problems with each other from then. As at now he is angry with me as a monk who went above him.
SL: Are you also angry with him?
Ven IS: Oh what anger do I have? I must have a preference vote to get angry. I was never a friend of his. Before I complained to President Chandrika I spoke to him on the phone and asked, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- you said that you would start your politics from where your father stopped. Is this where your father stopped?ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. He replied, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-I will act according to the wishes of the peopleƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. I asked, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…” now Dambulla is self sufficient, only a place to have a tot is needed. Is this what the people want?ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. He got angry and slammed the phone down. From there we worked to preserve the buddhist legacy. He was angry at that and has tried to take revenge since then. ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s only a dream.
SL: The people in Dambulla accuse you of giving away land belonging to the temple over their heads to others by charging LKR 100,000 for it.
Ven IS: This is not something I take for myself. The lands belonging to the Dambulla Viharaya is governed by the Buddhist tempolarities Act. The Buddhist Commissioner has a system to grant land. According to that a charge is made to register. These lands cannot be sold to anyone. If the lessee does not need it then it must revert back to the temple. People do not follow that but sell it to others. For all of such acts we charge. They must pay 30% to the temple. ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s not to me. We issue a receipt. The government audits them. Whilst you charge the Dambulla temple could you as a media person check on the lands belonging to the Dalada Maligawa too and how much is charged?ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
SL: The buddhist tempolarities Act is not divine? Why cannot it be amended to allow people to benefit?
Ven IS: ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s a law. Do you say that all laws should be amended to suit the people? That Act is there to preserve and safeguard temple lands.
SL: The populations grows day by day. But land does not. ShouldnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t those people have right to land?
Ven IS: You speak on the basis of human needs. I need to ask you a question. The government means, the people. Can the people enter any government land by force? Please answer me.
SL:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Since you ask me I will answer. I do not think that the government means the people. The government is separate and the people are separate. But the government has created a view that the government is the people. Unfortunately the people have accepted that.
Ven IS: Right. You are absolutely right. If that is so, can the people enter a land belonging to the government? They cannot.
SL: Cannot that be changed?
Ven IS: That is called a wanting of a super human rights and a super democracy. But the reality is not that.
SL: You said before that this protest was based on the needs of people. Do you thinkƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ you would be precipitating the buddhists to go beyond their tolerance levels and are you not provoking them?
Ven IS:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ I reject that.
SL:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ You are a dominating person?
Ven IS: Yes. I am a dominating person. I accept that with all humility. Without being so these temples cannot be improved.
SL: There is a big difference between the laity and clergy. There are differences of opinion between the laity which results in fights, quarrels etc. ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s the clergy that act as a buffer to settle these disputes. As a leading buddhist monk you say ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- Yes, I am dominatingƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. How then can you bring the laity towards reconciliation?
Ven IS: I do not know how you describe a dominant person. I describe it as follows, i. e.: There can be only one officer in overall charge of an army. IfƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ everyone gives orders can one fight a war? Similarly a country cannot be developed if one were to bow down to everyone.
SL: I described dominance as an attribute which brings others under a personƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s total control.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Ven IS: That does not concern me. Remember one thing. I am also a media person. I also have a media organisation. I know a great deal about the media. When you question me as a media person I too answer as a media person. Please remember that you have boundaries as a media person.
SL: But I am speaking to Inamaluwe Sumangala Chief priest and the line of the interview was what I felt was necessary to ask after talking to you. I feel that there is not much difference between you and a lay person.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Ven IS: Make a decision based on your mental capacity. Do not try to teach me the difference between a lay person and clergy. What you said was the worst insult one could make to me. Do not try to be too smart lady. You (thamusay) can record if you want. Do not waste my time.
May 12th, 2012 at 9:20 pm
We should be thankful we still have the Buddhist Clergy to defend the Sinhala Heritage. Sinhala people has only this Island. The Sinhala Buddhists had accepted people of other relgions, not to sell their Heritage to them.
Islamism is trying to be the dominant religion of the World and expand into national and international territory. Unless protests are made against this indecent activity in the name of a religion, Sinhala Buddhists will have no place in the land which their Sinhala Kings had offered to Buddha Sasana long time before Christianity and Islam were even religions.
Muslims came here as guests and have since acquired right of citizenry and they have the right of worship without encroaching upon the religious precincts of others and more so those of Sinhala Buddhists.
The Buddhists Monks are the Guardians of the Buddha Sasana, and their voices cannot be muted.
Dambulla mosque is said to have been only a shop converted to a place of worship, now they want to raise it to a status of a Mosque with the intention of building a huge Mosque later. The fact that it had existed from 1962 does not give that place of prayer the status of a mosque. There had been protests from the beginning though not recorded.
Media is always intervening in the wrong way and creates problems as Sunday Leader did, and Daily Mirror, Lakbima, and yet others continue to do.
May 13th, 2012 at 1:55 am
What this Thero says is absolutely correct. At the same time he accepted he is media person. So, we do not know whether he is acting or not.
Whatever it is this Niranjala woman is a true enemy of the nation.
May 13th, 2012 at 3:00 am
Islam was spreading like a cancer swallowing Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu, etc. lands.
But they found their match when they went against the Christian west. None is better than the other but I’m glad they met their match.
After Iran, Libya, (Pakistan already down), Saudi, etc. are down, Islam will be totally down. Buddhists, Jews and Hindus are fighting back.
What I don’t agree is the use of the word “Thambiya”. That is indecent. Shows the stupidity of this Buddhist monk when he has to respect people. By saying so he falls into the low level of Islam.
May 13th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
We have enough Sinhala Buddhists in Sri Lanka to fight for our rights. We do not need a corrupt and a greedy monk to fight for us. What is happening at Dabulla temple is nothing more than a mafia like gang siphoning temple income for their private use. Now they charge Rs 1200of admission fee for every foreign visitor coming to see the temple including Sri Lankan expat family members. Where on earth the justification for charging admission fee for a Buddhist temple. He has gone to the level that he has now got his own traffic regulation within the temple. Recently a tourist bus was parked too close to the white line on the parking bay and a private traffic warden issued a parking penalty. Now this monk is trying to expand his authority even outside the temple. This is nothing to do with rights of Sinhala Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Please don’t make another Buddharakkitha in Sri Lanka.
May 13th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
Neela,
You are in serious trouble mate. You will be branded as a traitor and an infidel. That is how we sort out differences of opinion. If you want respect then you should not speak logic, truth. You must always exhibit extremism and abuse other races and other religions. Then only you become a patriot. I am sure you would have heard that patriotism and extreme religious fervour are the last refuge of the scoundrels. So act accordingly.
This gentleman Lorenz (Zombie) is a typical example whose love for the country (race) and religion are through extremism and blindly abusing or humiliating other religions. I am not a great admirer of Islam, in the sense how stupid similar minded extremist are doing in the name of Islam, but that does not warrant humiliating the religion. Do I have the right to condemn Buddism because of that stupid Dambulla thug priest, or dislike Buddsim because of the stupid utterances of guys like Lorenz-Zombie. The fault is not with the religion but with the people who abuse the religion. Sadly in SL Buddism has become a very handy weapon in the hands of the Sinhala politicians and all the undesirable elements are abusing Buddism for their nefarious activities.
This thug Dambulla priest is a shame for Buddism but no one is there to deal with him not even the Mahasangha and that is the pathetic plight of SL today.
May 13th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
[Whatever it is this Niranjala woman is a true enemy of the nation.]
There you are and this is exactly what I said previously. Dham Dumb is confirming my point of view.
Then Dumb, who are the un-True enemies of the nation?
Any one who is trying to elicit the truth, or speak the truth is an “enemy” according to this Dumb.
May 13th, 2012 at 8:57 pm
Every Sinhala Buddhist Priest counts. They are there to protect our Buddha Sasana and come out against the destruction of the Sinhala heritage. Unfortunately we haven’t got enough of them. That is what the Priest in question does and no one has the right to call a Buddhist priest a thug.
That is what happens in Sri Lanka every one who fights for the rights of the Sinhala are either the mafia or thugs or greedy monks. The temple premises have to be defended by the Priest and no one can be allowed to do what ever they want in a temple premises. Dambulla temple is a historical treasure. The paintings in side the caves could be damaged by large numbers of visitors. In France certain caves with primitive paintings have been closed for visitors.
The money collected are normally utilised for its maintenance. If there is doubt where the money goes one can always verify the accounts with the Public Trustee that keeps check on temple revenue. There are many temples in India that charge a fee from visitors. Rs.1200 is a small amount in foreign currency. If the Buddhist Priest is trying to protect the environment and speak against damaging the lakes and forests it is because the people are weak to protest against such acts and complain to the authorities. A Buddhist priest is respected by the people and they sometime want a Priest to give them the necessary leadership.
Comments should be polite, and meaningful. Calling people, stupid, thugs, Dumb ,Zombies, to insult them only show the standard of the person making those comments, and it is down right indecent to say the least.
It is immaterial whether others like or dislike Buddhist priests, but as far as Sinhala Buddhists are concerned what any monk does for the protection of the privileges of the Sinhala Buddhists and preserve the land and property reserved for temples and defend the environment are extremely important. Because it is they who protect their interest.
A journalist has no right to ask any question and release any thing to the News papers. There is what is called journalistic ethics. Sunday Leader has already done enough damage to Sri Lanka by releasing their “interviews” to the press. One such reporter was a “Jansz” ,and the present reporter is a “ Ariyawnsha”
May 13th, 2012 at 10:07 pm
“We have enough Sinhala Buddhists in Sri Lanka to fight for our rights.”
I totally disagree.
Apart from a few, it was NON SINHALESE who fought for the rights of Sinhala Buddhists when things were REALLY BAD.
GROUP 1
e.g.
Colonel Henry Steel Olcott
Madam Blavatsky
And plenty more during that time who STARTED the Sinhala resistence movement.
GROUP 2
e.g.
SL army has LLRP and DPU crack teams that did MOST work in winning the war. They CHANGED the outcome of the war.
MOST of them are Muslims and Tamils.
A Muslim special forces officer ranks highest among SL forces in his heroism. His task involved extreme violence and he did it very well under VERY difficult conditions.
GROUP 3
e.g.
Kadirgamar, Devananda, etc. defended Sinhala interests THROUGH SL interests very well. I DOUBT ANY Sinhalese could have PENETRATED into this area better than them.
GROUP 4
e.g.
Who is Paul Harris?
My point is this.
Sinhalese Buddhists should get help from ANYONE to defend them as long as they have a PROVEN record of DELIVERING success and their aims are unchanged.
When a tavern was built did ANY Sinhalese Buddhist stand up to JBT? NO! Even if they did, it didn’t matter. But this monk GOT IT REMOVED.
In 2006 Buddhist monks launched a fast unto death on Mavil aru DEMANDING WAR!!
No war, no stopping the fast!
Who else was there to do it so effectively?
This SAME Sunday Leader called these monks WAR MONGERS, RACISTS!
Thank God for them. Thank God the war started in 2006. Otherwise tens of thousands of Sinhalese would be chased away from Trincomalee as they were chased from Jaffna. Without a whimper. NO ONE will EVER talk about them!
However, this does not mean VIOLENCE (burning the mosque) is justified. It is NOT. Those are Indian/Arabic practices not SL.
May 13th, 2012 at 11:58 pm
[However, this does not mean VIOLENCE (burning the mosque) is justified. It is NOT. Those are Indian/Arabic practices not SL.]
For a change I appreciate what Lorenz says.
But you referred to burning and how about burning public buildings, public transports like buses, trains, private vehicles involved in road accidents, private dwellings, churches and even libraries? Who then did these things in SL?
Brother Charles, I was surprised that most of your contributors were using offending words from the word go and thus I have to use it on them as a purely defensive act.
Coming to the clergy, if they behave like rowdies and thugs then they are thugs. Protecting some thing does not mean you resort to low grade violence. The Dambulla incident could have been resolved in a polite non-violent way and not by abuse, assault and even indecent exposures carried out by a clergy then he does not qualify to be a priest at all. The behaviour that matters and not the robe. Any devil can wear a robe and do all kinds of evil things and you want us to worship such evils? I have seen with my very eyes clergy leading murderous thugs and armed were attacking minorities during racial riots. The one responsible for the Puttalam anti-Muslim riot in 1986 was one Colonel Kolitha (Colonel nick name for this thug) and later JVP murdered him in 1989.
With due respect Charles, clergy has to behave like a clergy to earn the respect and not by his robe. He should set an example by his deeds and words and if he behaves otherwise they will mislead the public and youngsters. Your blanket comment really cutting across all the values that we like to preserve as human beings.
Those who fight for the rights of the Sinhala you claim that they are Mafia and the Tamils who speak on behalf of the Tamils are traitors or Kottiya and the Muslims who try to protect their rights are Islamic terrorists!!! Where can we move? Do we have any space as a civilised society in SL?
May 14th, 2012 at 12:13 am
I don’t deny at all that several Muslims in many countries are doing unbelievable atrocities in the name of Islam. What they do are unimaginable and it is even difficult to believe that humans can do this to their own people? Muslims have killed more Muslims that their so-called infidels.
But yet can we also become like one of them? certainly we don’t want to change our religion (Buddism and Hinduism) to meet the aspiration of some of the evil Muslims who really do not know what Islam is all about. Worse thing they don’t want to learn, listen or change so continue to live in total ignorance and darkness.
I have also seen the sins committed by others during JVP insurrection and anti-tamil riots and at this rate where are we heading?
Man is basically evil and only religion and education and enlightenment could change them to be human beings and if religion too becomes violent then we have no hope for humanity at all.
Incidentally I referred to the Puttalam riots in 1976 and not 1986.
May 14th, 2012 at 1:28 am
If i may be so bold in referring to an article written by Kalana Seneratne
An excellent piece, well worth a read and should be translated into Sinhala and Tamil.
http://groundviews.org/2012/05/05/mobs-monks-and-the-problems-of-political-buddhism/
May 14th, 2012 at 2:18 am
Marco,
A para from your quoted article. A beautiful expression and an eye opener for people with blind ideas or faith.Proof of the pudding is in the eating. All that glitters is not gold. Certainly religion is not politics. Religion is some thing personal, and unless one appreciates its values and derive goodness out of it it becomes the low grade politics. We should not be carried away by scoundrels who make a living using religion as an excuse. Sadly any religion today has become a money making venture.
[Ideally, lands should not become ‘sacred’ for simple reasons. The Buddha, in attacking the rigid and unethical caste-system during his time, placed great stress on the importance of deeds or action. That was why it was said (in the Vasala sutta) that one did not become a Brahman (or an outcast) by birth, but by deed. That wonderful message ought to have taught us a very valuable lesson, which, to rephrase the Buddha, could be stated as follows: that a land becomes a ‘sacred’ (or Buddhist) land not by anything else but only by the words and deeds of those inhabiting that land. Even a place of religious worship would lose its sacredness if, in the guise of religion, all manner of nefarious activities are carried out therein. In such cases, your virtuous neighbour’s backyard becomes more sacred than the ‘sacred’ land or place of worship.]
One even wonders whether mankind may do better without any religion. Many lives have been lost in the name of religion than all the other wars put together.
May 14th, 2012 at 6:38 am
One has the right to one’s opinion. But please do not let opinions be hurtful to others who have different opinions..
Never call a Buddhist monk a “thug”. It hurts all Buddhists. One who is not a Buddhist cannot understand the feeling of Buddhists.
May 14th, 2012 at 6:58 am
The Chief prelate of Dambulla Temple is correct to protest. The issue about BUDDHIST TEMPLE LAND being leased out inappropriately, condoned by an unthinking MP. Since no action had been taken by anyone at government Ministry level, he had unfortunately had to take matters into his own hands.
Some points to note :
* Buddhist Temple land has to be protected. The relevant Ministry for Buddhist affairs must see this as an important issue and protection brought about for ALL Buddhist Temple Land, all over Lanka via appropriateLaws. All Temple owned land must be clearly demarcated through a fresh SURVEY. A copy of the survey must be kept with the Temple Chief prelate too. This is our ancient heritage and must be respected by all Sri Lankans. ‘Nindagan’ given to Temples usually through a past King, must belong to the Temples.
The preferred method to settle the issue at Dambulla should have been take the matter to Courts. Here too the relevant Ministry ought to have acted on behalf of the Dambulla Temple. It is time to implement the appropriate Laws regarding the use of Temple land and leases, and action taken when necessary via the Ministry.
* The other matter is “land hunger” in Lanka. In this regard, we humbly request all Temple Land be used in the most suitable way to bring an income to the Temples, perhaps through lease out through a trusted and able Buddhist Organisation for growing of organic vegetables, or even organic rice. Profis from such a venture could be used to help the Buddhist public through schools, skills training, YMBAs & YWBAs throughout Lanka and even abroad. Buddhists must use the Resources they have to grow as a people.
Must of what ails Lanka today is that we have not updated our Laws governing many aspects of modern day Lanka, and worse, do not properly follow the existing rules either.
May 14th, 2012 at 7:41 am
I was surprised to see this sort of unbiased article published in Sunday Leader. Thanks to Niranjala. I was surprised to see Charles’ comments and those negates his contributions to Lankaweb, if this Charles is Charles S Perera, who I admire. These commentators seem to be ultra-sinhala-‘Budhists’, because of whom this great religion will lose respect.
This monk at Dambulla has all the hallmarks of a JVP thug who knows nothing but violence. There is no tolerance in this monk. And that is not Budhist way of living. Would Buddha have behaved this way?. I don’t think so. Nadesan’s is the only sensible comment here.
May 14th, 2012 at 8:33 am
correcting a typo : read as “Most of what ails Lanka today ….”
May 14th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
We don’t see how Buddhist Temples can contribute to the welfare of their flock unless and until they can get proper income to maintain the Temples and also help their Buddhist poor prosper, both spiritually first and economically next. Our fellow citizens, both Islamic & Christian, have strong connections to other followers of their faith abroad for economic help. I know of Buddhists who have turned to other faiths (Converted) just to get some economic help. Why shouldn’t Buddhist Temples move with the times and fill the void of help to Buddhist poor to raise themselves economically by use of Temple Land via trustworthy Buddhist Organisations ? The Ministry concerned ought to help the Temples in this regard, together with all the Buddhist Organisations and educated Buddhists of Lanka.
Mr Charles Perera’s article on the plight of the Buddhist temples in the North is a case in point. We have now come to a stage where the Navy is “in charge” of these Buddhist Temples, for the protection of the Temples. All this is happening in Sinhala/Buddhist Sri Lanka where about 65% is supposed to be Sinhala/Buddhist. Over 500 yrs ago, I would project back that at least 90-95% of Lanka was Buddhist. See what I mean ? It’s the Economics of it all first to meet basic need. Or else just stand back and watch the Conversions.
I can appreciate Mr Charles Perera’s sense of frustration in these matters. The educated Buddhist folk ought to get together and formulate some viable ideas on how to raise funds via the Temple Lands, so that there is no loss of land, yet funds are raised. At least, use some of these Lands to do the needful.
What is important is that Economic emancipation for the Buddhist Temples is achieved without rancor and disharmony
with people of other faiths. One wishes that some of our Buddhist priests were learned in the Law and other subjects too in order to help their followers.
May 14th, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Charles, Lorenzo and Fran,
Not sure whether this dialogue has been doctored by Sunday Leader. Assuming it is not, if you go through it carefully, you will see the following.
1. This evil woman came with an agenda to discredit Buddhism, using this deluded priest ( I cannot call him a Buddhist monk).
2. Although the priest started with some “Sathi” anger overcame him and he lost the battle. He could not answer the questions properly.
3. The priest has mixed the USA agenda of Islamophobia with our national interests. He should have used our own problems of spreading of Muslim numbers that Bin Laden.
4. Overall, the priest has raised a lot of good intentions, showed his solidarity with leaders who fight for rights of people but being a Buddhist monk ( by appearance) is a clear disadvantage for him.
5. Over all what one can only conclude is the evil intentions of the woman journalist. I cannot conclude this priest is helping Buddhism.
If one single Buddha can start Buddhism among well-established religions in India, I don’t see how 65% Buddhist cannot preserve Buddhism. Quality is always more important than Quantity in Buddhism. Problem is we lack proper Buddhist Monks. We have a lot and a lot of “ Priests”, some of them are very good although they do not practice Vinaya. (Priest can get married have families , monks cannot- as defined in western world , therfore the importance of using proper term. )However, lack of proper monks is contributing to diminution of this excellent teaching, gradually.
Lastly I must mention to watch out the ulterior motives of few individuals pretending to be Buddhist in Lanka web, Ben Silva and Chandrasoma.
May 14th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
Dear Charles,
Certainly we are entitled to our opinions but also it is important that such opinions do not hurt others without any valid justification. I don’t believe the recent Sri Lankan concept of democracy where it says that if you are not with me then you are my ENEMY!
Incidentally as some one else queried my friend Charles is not the same person Charles Perera who wrote about visiting Jaffna in this forum? I wish they are different people.
I totally disagree that a rouge priest who misbehaves and bring disrepute to a religion (immaterial to what religion he belongs to) to be tolerated leave aside respected and condemning such rouges will not certainly hurt the feelings of those who follow that particular religion. In fact had those people really value their religion and enlightened by their respective religions then they will welcome censoring such rouge priests.
I am absolutely surprised by Charles blind faith and if you have such blind faith then it is not religion at all and I would call it “fanatism” and this extreme faith only led to blood bath all over the world in the name of religion.
A rouge priest who uses the robe or any other attire and under its cover resort to all kinds of illegal, unethical and unreligious acts such person is no longer a priest but he is hoodwinking the gullible masses in the name of religion to perform all forms of unacceptable practices. He is punishable more than an ordinary crook or a thug because he is not only hoodwinking the people and resorting to antisocial activities but exploiting the religious faith of the unsuspecting people like my friend Charles.
My friend Charles, such rouges should be disrobed and given more punishment than an ordinary crook or a rouge if we want to protect the integrity of our religions. Such letting them go is not the way and blind faith will make us more gullible and also make us to lose track of the religious concepts.
There is a saying “Disease flourishes in filth and religion flourishes in ignorance”.
My comment is pertaining to all religions. But sadly the Buddist clergy using the current political climate to exploit the unsuspecting masses more. What some of them do is a serious “breach of trust”!
May 16th, 2012 at 8:52 am
Raj
I am sorry to have disappointed you. Nevertheless I always stand for communal unity. But whether it is between the Sinhala and Tamils or the Sinhala and the Muslims there are two parties to seek unity. It is not always one Community that should make compromises and sacrifice for the sake of communal unity.
And there will always be those who would want to vindicate their rights when they are been usurped, and then it is not name calling that will help but examining wisely who is right and who is wrong.
Media in Sri Lanka does not take reconciliatory steps to bring the communities together , but rather to distance one from the other. The Sunday Leader who did the interview had a different agenda. We know how the Sunday leader’s interview with Sarath Fonseka ended .
There is always another side to a story, and that side is rarely seen when the problem is not looked at objectively