WILL THE BUDDHIST MONKS ENTRY INTO MAINSTREAM POLITICS BE COUNTER PRODUCTIVE?

Prof. Hudson McLean

The Sri Lankan Buddhist clergy have dominated the political scene largely from behind the scenes and have played a constructive role until now. Their passion for safeguarding the integrity of the Island’s Buddhist majority and the Sinhala culture has been admirable.

However, questions must be raised on their current position to field their candidacy in person in the forthcoming elections, instead of taking an active part in supporting party politics as well as potential candidates.

1: According to the definition and obligations of the Order, is the current potential active participation in person going to create a precedent against the main objectives of being a Buddhist monk?

2: Are the Buddhist monks planning to divide the Island between the Sinhala Buddhists and Sinhala non-Buddhists, one of their main objectives which they are claiming to prevent?

3: As a potential Members of Parliament, are the elected Buddhist monks planning to forego the main principles of their doctrine and allow themselves the privileges of legally allowed comforts and luxuries?

4: If one or several monks are rejected by the electorate, will that do more harm than good to the image of such monks?

5: Although most Buddhist monks are well educated in a broad spectrum of disciplines, will their lack of knowledge of active politics, make them victims of political vultures to promote their own agenda?

6: Or would it be preferable that the monks forego the objectives of being Kings and simply be the King-makers?

7: Will the Buddhist monks by their entry into the “Dirty World” of politics help the clear up the rubble in a single generation or lose their total objectivity from within the garbage?

8: Will the monks turn their sacred Temples into political arenas, like the Mullahs who use their mosques into political and terrorist havens?

9: The Christian and Catholic clergy who desecrated the church by allowing the Tamil terrorists to take refuge beneath the Holy Sacrament brought disgrace and will other churches and temples now be turned into battle grounds?

10: Is there an exit strategy in place or has anyone given such advice to the Buddhist clergy?

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