CONVERSIONS, THE LTTTE AND
THE DEATH OF VENERABLE SOMA THERA.
Prof. Hudson McLean
As a matter of principle Uncle Mac does
not participate in any religious debates or discussions. However the
controversy created by the untimely passing away of an important icon
in Sinhala Buddhist clergy forces Uncle Mac to express an opinion.
Knowing the main frame Christian clergy
and their principles very well, it is my considered opinion that it
is hard to imagine that any of the leading Christian denominations
had any responsibility or activity leading to the death of Ven. Soma
Thera.
In order to elaborate the leading Christian
faiths such as the Church of Rome, under the leadership of His Holiness
Pope John Paul II, has encouraged closer dialogue with other main
stream religions, such as Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and Hinduism.
The Right Reverend Rowan Williams, the Archbishop
of Canterbury has appealed for unity amongst Churches and closer understanding
amongst other Faiths.
Even His Royal Highness Prince Charles expressed
his desire to be addressed as the Head of Faiths, rather than the
Head of Faith, acknowledging his desire to give equality to all Faiths
within the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, rather than acting as
the Guardian of the Church of England or the Anglican Church.
Late Rev. Mother Teresa, now Blessed Mother
Teresa, an icon of human kindness, demonstrated to the world by showing
her limitless kindness and devotion to the poor humanity, the destitute,
the lepers, the beggars, the sufferers of the HIV-AIDS virus, living,
working and subsequently dying amongst those humans who were predominantly
Hindus. Blessed Mother Teresa did not attempt to convert any Indian,
rich or poor. Her Faith in Jesus Christ helped her to dedicate her
life to the destitute but did not try to convert the destitute to
her Faith. A beautiful and a noble act!
This, however does not mean that there are
no conversions being attempted and possibly taking place in Sri Lanka
and elsewhere. But even so, it is highly unlikely that one of those
several Christian Evangelistic Groups had a hand in the untimely death
of Venerable Soma Thera. To delve further into conversions, such activity
is largely conducted by fringe religious groups which are classified
as Evangelists. Any person, after undergoing a brief spiritual induction
can call himself, “Reverend”.
Such fringe Evangelical Groups are not the
exclusive Domain of Christian Evangelists. There are several such
Hindu associated groups such as Hari Krishna roaming European and
USA countryside actively enrolling followers.
Several internationally renown groups such
as the Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, Pentecostalists, and many
others, some of them misusing the name of Christ, are on a path of
seeking followers.
To make a point, in Europe the main frame
Christian Faiths are having a major problem in trying to keep their
current Flock within the Churches. Most of the Churches on Sundays
are barely filled to capacity. The numbers joining the Clergy are
diminishing by the day. Under such circumstances, these Church leaders
do not have the capacity or capability to seek new Flock for conversion.
However, many of the Evangelist groups,
I would not classify them as Faiths, funded by American foundations
are roaming the old Eastern Block countries, Indian subcontinent and
China, trying to convert the poor using questionable tactics. Still,
I do not believe that such a group would venture forth to assassinate
a Buddhist monk.
An Open Question on the questionable passing
away of Ven. Soma Thera.
Who might stand to lose most, forthwith,
if the passing away of Ven. Soma Thera is questioned as a possible
assassination or induced murder by the Christian activists?
None other than the Sinhala Christians!
Majority of the Sinhala Christians and Catholics
are not interested in converting fellow Sinhala Buddhists or Sri Lankan
Hindus into Christianity. A minority might wish that, but I hesitate
to think that a normal person from Chilaw or Moratuwa might go on
a conversion-kick, which might lead to murder.
Let us look at the bottom line. Immediately
upon hearing of the passing away of Ven Soma Thero in St. Petersburg,
the finger was pointed at a Shantha Jayasekera and the entire Sinhala
Christian community, whilst the government of RanilWm kept silent.
Why?
Was this part of a SLG-LTTTE plot to create
instability amongst the Southern Sinhala, in order to let the Tiger
have its prey?
Did any SLG and/or LTTTE Agent board the
flight to Russia with Ven. Soma Thero?
Was there any possibility or an opportunity
of introducing an excess of insulin into Ven Soma Thera which might
result in Cardiac arrest?
Did any person in the flight have any possibility
of introducing an excess of Nitro and/or sugar level lowering Euglucon
tablet administered into Ven. Soma Thero?
(Nitro tablets facilitate the expansion
of arteries to allow flow of blood, thus lowering the pressure and
Euglucon lowers the sugar level, which might result in a temporary
loss of consciousness. Together, it may have fatal repercussions.
A person administering both tablets at the same time, may be committing
an act of murder.)
Were there any LTTTE cadres in the flight?
Did any of the LTTTE cadres or their sympathisers
have any access to Ven. Soma Thero whilst he was under care in the
hospital in St. Petersburg?
Whether the Ven. Soma Thero passed away
under tragic induced conditions or due to complications arising from
a Diabetic-Cardiac condition, the name of such a prominent important
icon should never ever be used to settle a personal political vendetta.
People and organisations tend to stoop to
such low levels when all their options have expired, as a desperate
move, like in the case of RanilWm-LTTTE syndrome.
We all know that LTTTE is a spent force.
And Ali Prabha is an “Yesterday’s Man”. One shot fired
by the goons of the Liberation Tiger Terrorists of Tamil Eelam will
receive an international response. Both USA and India are hoping that
the LTTTE will make the next and the final move.
In the meantime, the SLG should hold an
impartial independent enquiry into the full chain of events and the
circumstances leading to the untimely death of Ven. Soma Thero without
trying to use the death as a political and an interdenominational
excuse for the benefit of the UNF, to divide and rule the Sinhala
community. The enquiry should be transparent and results should presented
to a Parliamentary Multi-P arty Commission.
MAY VENERABLE SOMA THERA REST IN PEACE AND
ATTAIN NIRVANA!
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