Give priority to vital needs and not impeachments : MahanayakeThera
Posted on November 4th, 2012
Nath Amarakone Eksath Lanka Maha Saba
According to this news item, Mahanayaka of Malwatta has castigated Dinesh Gunawardena regarding the resolution on the impeachment of the CJ . This is no surprise, but what is surprising is why a Minister had to see him on this matter.
This particular Mahanayake has been prejudiced against the present government . He has used his high office to support Sarath Fonseka at the last Presidential election and had to eat the humble pie after he organized a meeting of 5000 bhikkus at Kandy Mahamaluwa and was forced to cancel it. Since then he has made many statements against the present government.
My view is that the Mahanayaka has brought down the dignity and respect due to a Mahanayaka. He does not realize that en elected government has to govern, maintain law and order and the dignity and respect of institutions, including the Parliament, Presidency and Judges. He seems to display his ignorance in no uncertain terms.
The attitude of the Malwatta Mahanayaka brings out the vital need for politicians to be free from religious mendicancy. It is a pity that political leaders are busy visiting Nayaka priests, patronizing Mahanayakas and Sanga Nayakasa for petty political gain. This has made the Buddhist priests to seek election even to Parliament.
Religious fanaticism has entered politics in our country. This is a plague in most Muslim countries. Where ever this has happened , the people have been struggling to annihilate themselves over religious fanaticism and political rivalries. The western powers, as neo colonialists in the new era, are exploiting this weakness openly to bring down the oil rich kingdoms and those opposed to their exploitation. DS Senanayake cautioned against this in time. SWRD Bandaranaike realized this only too late. Ranasinghe Premadasa did not live long enough to realize it. JR ridiculed it. The present day leaders are well advised to keep away from religious fanaticism for good reason.
The major religions were established about two thousand years ago. Their tenets cannot be changed with changes in the life style of the people. The Christians under went the Rennaisence and accommodated change. Buddhists of East Asia changed due to Confucianism and Shintoism to became realistic, rational, and functional aiming to promote a good life. Democracies have adopted secularism. Our national constitution clause 12 overlooks distinction between religions, ethnicities, castes, etc. as regards their rights and priveledges.
On account of the lack of awareness of these realities by the Mahanayakas, buddhist tenets continue to face contradictions. The very core of buddhist tenets is the five precepts, These are outdated. Tthe very foundation of life according to buddhism is considered as unsatisfactory (dukka) This is unrealstic.The ultimate goal of nothingness( nibbana) as a state of non existence is uninviting in a new world of challenges. Mahanayakas have not been able to cope up with these contradictions. This has led to serious implications and contradictions in political terms.
1 Budharakhita thero supported Bandaranaike, His aim was not to attain nothingness(nibbana), but to acquire a shipping company.
2 President Ranasinghe Premadasa, a populist leader, accepted the demands made by Malwatta Mahanayaka to withdraw support to inland fisheries as it goes against the first precept. The country had to pay a dear price after much damage was done to revive the fisheries industry. The Bodu Bala Sena is considering a call to prohibit all forms of slaughter in extension of the first precept.
3 The cry for prohibition by monks on consumption of meat on poya days has become a laughing stock ,The requirements of the poya days are procured on the previous day. The animals are killed and the meat kept in fridges.
4 The prohibition of liquor on poya days in pursuance of the fifth precept doubles up the sale of liquor on the previous day and promotes illicit kassippu on poya days. It also promotes addiction to drugs . The heavy liquor tax levyed by the government to promote Mathata Thitha pauperizes the low income earners who are driven to kassippu with a risk of poisoning and addiction to dangerous drugs.
5 The religious taboo on sex under the third precept has led to many illicit brothels in urban areas and countless murders of women by disgruntled and frustrated men in rural areas.
6 The prolific religious functions and observences of buddhist temples , such as, unending buddha poojas, deva yathikas, vas pinkans, compulsory (waru) danas seven day danas, three month danas, annual danas, pereharas, piriths, banas, etc drain off more than Rs 15 billion annually from the dayakayas with little or no economic benefit to them , thereby pauperizing them. Many work-days are lost accounting for the high absenteism and loss of productivity .
As we see the Mahanayakas have a lot to do to bring up their own tenets to meet reality. They must keep up with the times, instead of attempting to get into politics and offer advice on administrative functions, based on outdated tenets. These must be left to secular institutions meant to promote a good life for all.
The three pillars of governance, the Judiciary, Adminisitration and the Legislature must be run efficiently, by those vested with authority and responsibility . Impeachment of wrong doers vested with high authority is a necessary function of the law. Mahanayakas need to amend Sanga vinaya to provide for cleaning their stables in a like manner.
Nath Amarakone
Eksath Lanka Maha Saba
November 5th, 2012 at 2:47 am
Well said Nath!
November 5th, 2012 at 7:39 pm
As a practicing Buddhist, it hurts me to see these Mahanayake’s getting unnecessarily tangled in activities they should leave alone for the experts in their domain.
As stated by Nath, its time to question what we do as lay Buddhists or as the “sangha”, who have committed their life to protecting the “dhamma”. Most Buddhists have become prisoners of their own conscience when it comes to the first or the fifth precept! Is it time for the fifth “dhamma sangayana?”
In the meantime, I think it is time call a “spade” a “spade” Also, if “vetath niyrath goyam kaanam, kaata kiyamuda mee amaaruwa!” Mahanayakes, the leadership of the “sangha” and the custodians of the “dhamma” have lost the “raison d’etre” and have virtually become a laughing stock of the practicing Buddhists.
First of all, in my humble opinion, “sangha” should never be politically motivated or biased as any political affiliation automatically leads to partisan behaviour and divides the community at large. “Bikkus” are supposed to be neutral and capable of advising the lay people and politicians alike in keeping with the teachings of the Lord Buddha to lead a good, productive and simple life.
The term “bikku” may be literally translated as “beggar” or “as one who lives a simple life based on the alms they get from others”. Unfortunately, some of the “nayaka” theros have life styles more flamboyant and comfortable than most of the rich in the country. Some of them would not participate in a “pirith saggayanaa” or an alms giving, unless the inviting dayaka is not rich enough or not of the right political party. Some of them have even ruined the good name of the most rational religion in the world and the reputation of the few learned and down to earth bikkus who lead a simple life practising meditation and behaving according to the tenets of the vinaya pitaka. Some of these people in yello robes have become a real danger to the very teaching of the Lord Buddha, leading life styles full of craving or “thanha” and immoral behaviour and undertaking all sorts of immoral, unethical or partisan activities bringing not only disrepute to all Buddhists, but also dividing the Buddhist community in the country at a time when they should be doing just the opposite. Shame on these misguided “leaders” who seem to have lost their way!
As Buddhists, we have been brought up from our childhood to respect the sangha, but it appears now, it’s time to learn to question these so called custodians of Buddhism. I would most humbly beg of these Nayake theros and others who are in the “sngha saasana” to rethink of their purpose in life according to the teachings of Lord Buddha and the Vinaya Pitaka. They should stop cheating the masses and get out of the robe if they can not live a life as a bikku. If they remain in the yellow robe, they should uphold the “vinaya” and do things to unite the Buddhists in the country and make their lives better by guiding the Buddhists, with the “Dhamma” based on the “chaturarya sathya’ and the “arya astangika marga” to enable them to get rid of their cravings and lead a simple and productive life, paving the way to attain nirvana while bringing recognition and repute to the Buddhist community. I appeal to all learned “bikkus” to be true and real leaders of Buddhism and lead exemplary lives and be examples to be followed by the rest of the Buddhist community.
November 5th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
Naath Mara Kone,
“The very core of buddhist tenets is the five precepts, These are outdated. Tthe very foundation of life according to buddhism is considered as unsatisfactory (dukka) This is unrealstic.The ultimate goal of nothingness( nibbana) as a state of non existence is uninviting in a new world of challenges. ”
So what is your Dhamma ?
Why Dukkha is unrealistic ? I think you have too many comforts. At your age, your are a real FOOL.
Do you think , Dhammapada phrase, “a fool who knows his foolishness is wise at least to that extent, but a fool who thinks himself wise is a fool indeed.” should be changed too ? I am sure you are.
Maraya is around the corner for you.
November 5th, 2012 at 8:44 pm
The very foundation of life according to buddhism is considered as unsatisfactory (dukka).
FOOL,
Buddha did not tell such thing. Buddha said “there is suffering” , that is all.
If you are so fed up with Buddhism because of monks, you can talk to HussainF–kmy and become a Muslim Leb- bay.
November 6th, 2012 at 9:20 am
Nath Amarakone Eksath Lanka Maha Saba
The very core of buddhist tenets is the five precepts, These are outdated.- So you all chinhala bhuddis are following this out of dated religien !! ohhh what sham !!
I stong believer our Mother lanka is Holly land of Lord Bhuddha !!!
Bhuddha ! please save me from my belive !!!
November 6th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
It is a really unfortunate that there are some people here, who seem to have such low social and intellectual taste, and are incapable of bringing up their own point of view without being rude and calling names. Dr. Amarakone, for whom I have lot of respect, has brought out some real issues which affect all Buddhists in Sri Lanka. I think we all should be thankful to him for raising this issue, as not many Buddhists want to talk about such matters as they are branded as anti-Buddhists.
Do all our “sangha” in SL lead exemplary lives worthy of being respected and pursued by the Buddhists? I don’t think so. As Buddhists, we have to question ourselves and among us, just as Lord Buddha said in the “Kaalaama sutta”.
I personally feel that the “vinaya” code guiding the “sangha” is flouted left, right and center, and the behaviour of some of our own “sangha” leaders is unspeakable. As Buddhists, we have to be honest to ourselves first, and question what is going on. It is a serious matter to all those who care and should not be poo-poohed. One may not necessarily agree with what is said by an individual, but one must not bring the level of discussion in this forum to a low level by name calling or other forms of ridiculing.
November 7th, 2012 at 12:37 am
Vijendra,
You could have quoted me.
FOOL is a word used by Buddha and it should be used by someone who clearly identified the FOOL.
This fool want to get rid of the first noble truth of Buddhism, nothing to do with men in robes.
This man is clearly a FOOL. All his suggesttion should be considered as that came from a FOOL.
However, a FOOL is a collection of a malfuctioning mind and a body. that is all.
If a FOOL want to change the Buddhism to protect Buddhism by pointing out “The first Noble truth is untrue” , he is free to do so. He did not do it. He is just speculating without proof to harm the minds of innocent , unlearned person.
By pointing out FOOL as a FOOL is for the benifti of masses.
November 7th, 2012 at 12:43 am
“The ultimate goal of nothingness( nibbana) as a state of non existence is uninviting in a new world of challenges.”
Fool,
Nothingness is not Nibbana. If you are not a Buddhist, you should read, discussed with learned people and train your mind to understand simple truth rather than misleading the masses and going to hell. You have no right to “protect Buddhists” this way. You are destroying Buddhism.
If you have a slightest of the brain please answer how you learned this rubbish.
November 7th, 2012 at 4:09 am
Dham
To kill Tamil Sakotharayas this rasict declar Bhuddism is out of date !
I can not believe !!!! this is they call “protect Buddhists” this way” !
MahanayakeThera ! please please tell me ,are you smoking kanya before writ this article???
November 7th, 2012 at 5:34 am
Lingam,
To be fair to him , he did not say “kill Tamil Sahadaryas”. He is just a FOOL. He thinks his PhD entitles him to be smarter than Buddha.
But the Buddha said,
“Yavadeva anatthaya
nattam balassa jayati
hanti balassa sukkamsam
muddhamassa vipatayam.”
The skill of a fool can only harm him; it destroys his merit and his wisdom (lit., it severs his head).”
November 7th, 2012 at 7:21 am
Dham
All these fool want simple think getreoff Tamil from mother lanka for that they say anying eg: out date Bhuddism etc…than We do not have prolm !
but you may not aggred with me , they do not realise 20 miles away 100,000 millian Tamil liviging who will replce every Tamil dead or left !!!
Actualy Who effected by these Tamil/Sinhala ( from both community ) rasict policy Only poor Sinhala & Tamil & Muslim Family !
We luck busrad simly runaway also still keeping this rasict tagtic to get all our relation to western world from Sri Lanka!!!
SWRDB /GG started We have paid heavy price !!!
November 7th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
“Tamils vote with Muslims in EPC against SLA land grab of Muslim village
[TamilNet, Wednesday, 07 November 2012, 15:30 GMT]
The Eastern Provincial Council (EPC), which is now under the control of ruling United People Freedom Alliance (UPFA) passed a resolution unanimously Tuesday against the appropriation by the Sri Lanka Army of the entire traditional Muslim village, Karimayilaiyoottu with a century old mosque. C.Thandayuthapani, the opposition leader in the EPC who represents the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) extended full support to the motion saying that no one would tolerate the appropriation of a traditional Muslim village and the mosque by the Sri Lankan military. The resolution was brought by Ameer Ali, a ruling party member, at the monthly meeting of the EPC.”
This means provincial councils HAVE LAND RIGHTS!!!!
Curse!!
November 9th, 2012 at 7:10 am
Lorenzo
This means provincial councils HAVE LAND RIGHTS!!!! – Not only but also Policy Rights (not implemented yet) in 13A.
You Demila muddal you said Sinhalese got EP but only NP left over ????