JHU takes on alleged violation of monks Vinaya

Gamage Palihapitiya

Dear Readers:

The interview given by Udaya Gammanpila raises some valid questions.

(a) It has been said that the JHU has been "donated" (PUJA KARANA LADA) party to " Maha Sangha". Tilak Karunarathne has become the greatest donor, the phlanthropist in the recorded Buddhist history. JHU is not a movable asset that could be donated. It is an inanimate object. It is only a figment of imagination, if somebody says tha it has been donated. Furthermore, it cannot be ' donated' to 'Maha Sangha'. When you say 'Maha Sangha', it means, the entire fleet of monks includng 'Arahants' originated from Sariputta-Maudgalyayana clan up until to-day. Therefore, it is absurd to use these terms to suit their political agenda. These contesting monks do not represent the entire Maha Sangha. They are political monks in yellow robes who handed over their nominations against the wishes of the majority of Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka and abroad, as well. Udya Gammanpila or for that matter any lay person is not capable of describng Vinaya rules prescribd by the Buddha. Whatever, he has said is not worth replyng. Only erudite Buddhist monks are capable for describing Vinaya.

(b) The general perception is that the JHU is manned by all monks including those who are contesting at the forthcoming election. The leader is Ellawela Medhannda, Secretary, Uduwe Dhammaloka, etc. Then how come this guy, Udaya Gammanpila, former office bearer of the SU, can represent this 'Sangha' organisation? Is he still an office barer? How about, Thilak Karunaratne and Champaka Ranawaka? Are they also office bearers? That is why the majority of the Sinhala-Buddhists suspect the integrity and honesty of these people.

(c) Who is he to talk about the violation of Vinaya rules. There are senior, erudite, virtuous monks who are capable of delivering such 'Anusasana' to lay people. A lay person of his calibre is not suitable to explain 'Vinaya' rules prescribed by the Buddha to monks.
Buddhist monks were erudite scholars and they had acted as teachers to the Sinhala nation. They were leading virtuous lives at tmples and monasteries. In our recorder history, they have palyed a vital role in advising monarchs, rulers, etc. on spiritual matters. They were not directly involved in making political decisions. There may be one or two instnces during King Dutugemunu and Walagambahu periods. But those are negligible. However, traditionally Buddhist monks have been regarded as spiritual leaders. They should remain as spiritual leaders to the nation even in the future, without getting directly involved in party politics. There is nothing wrong for them to speak in one voice on national and religious issues, such as, protecting the unitary state, Sinhala language, culture,etc. When they join a particular political party, the danger is that they will have to toe the party line. They loose their freedom of thought, independence, etc. Look, what has happend to Baddegama Samitha, the LSSP member of parliament. He had once denouced the Sinhala only language policy!. That is the party line. He was elected from LSSP ticket. He never said he was going to propagate Buddha Sasana in Parliament. He is not regarded as somebody representing the Sinhala-Buddhist community.

(d) Whereas, these monks claim that they are the saviours of the Sinhala-Buddhist nation and therefore, they must go to Parliament. Most of them came into prominence after the signing of the Ranil-Prabha MOU. They want to go to Parliament to safeguard the Sinhala-Buddhists. Without going to Parliament, how much Buddhsit monks and lay people can do to uplift the society. In 1965-66, as public servants, we didn't attend offices on Poya days. We boycotted attending offces. It had been organised by trade unions. Four Poya holidays were granted as a result of our struggle. No Buddhist monk openly supported us. (BJB had laid the foundation for this struggle) We can do a lot outside Parliament. Only thing we must be united. Buddhist monks must be united and they must speak in one voice.

Please read following my articles: (1) The Island - 26-02-04 Monks in Politics, (2) The Lanka Web News - 03-03-04 - Sihala Urumay and Monks in Politcs, (3) Lanka Web News - 08-03-04 - KINIHIRAYA Interview and What the Buddha never taught. These three articles have dealt with some issues pertaining to this subject.

Thanks

GP