"Mannar Bishop Pleads for Harmony Among All Communities"-Comment

By Darmitha-Kotte

A new item with the captioned subject in the Daily Mirror of 4th April 2007 is indeed a welcome gesture on the part of the Bishop of Mannar Rt.Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph. He made this appeal when Viharadhipathi of Nittambuwa Vidyananda Piriven Viharaya Ven. Galapiamade Indrananda Nayake Thero called on the Mannar Bishop after the foundation stone laying ceremony for a new Chaithiya at Swarnabimbarmaya, Mannar. Apparently, the only parliamentarian present at the ceremony was Dr. Jayalath Jayawardane who fits into both Catholic as well as Buddhist "boots" when it is deemed suitable to him!

Buddhist clergy in this country have always championed the cause of religious harmony and peace and there is no necessity to re-emphasize on this aspect. They have always shown the true essence of The Buddha Dhamma by being tolerant of not only all races but also all religions. What is sad though, is that the same sentiments have not been forthcoming from the clergy of other religious denominations except when it serves a particular purpose to serve their own aspirations. Often, in this endeavour, the Buddhist Clergy have fallen prey to conspiracies since they are not accustomed to manipulations.

It is heartening to note that Rt.Rev.Dr Rayappu Joseph is now pleading for harmony among all communities while in the not so long ago past, he was championing the cause of blood-thirsty terrorists and even hurling accusations against our Armed Forces and the GOSL. Clergy whether they belong to Christian, Buddhist, Muslim or Hindu denominations must not align themselves to any terrorist organization which is wreaking untold misery on ordinary citizens of this country during the past 3 decades-their role is to play and "unbiased and just" role and deem to be the examples for laymen to follow. Hypocritical statements of harmony and peace while supporting terrorists must not be the case.

It is also questionable as to why the Rt.Rev.Dr Joseph is appealing to the Buddhist Clergy to teach the Sinhala Language to Catholic Clergy. Does Sri Lanka have a such a severe dearth of Sinhala teachers who are laymen and totally competent in the Sinhala Language that it is required that only Buddhist Clergy can teach the language to Catholic Clergy and the people of Mannar? If the genuine will to learn is there, the Reverend Father has only to look around- and he will surely find suitable teacher in the vicinity of his own Church!

Whenever and wherever, religious denominations other than Buddhists show a sincere and genuine will to live in harmony while respecting the rights of Buddhists and the Buddhist Clergy in this country, it is not difficult to live in harmony, the spirit which has always been shown by Buddhists. However, let not Buddhists be taken for another ride by unscrupulous elements elements- we sincerely hope this gesture is genuine!