Venerable late Bowatte Indarathana thero- and the lessons to be learnt from the tragedy.
Posted on June 1st, 2013
By Charles.S.Perera
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Some call it a suicide, others a sacrifice against slaughter of ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ cattle.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ If the Communities in Sri Lanka, including the Muslims who kill animals inside their homes to celebrate their religious festivitiesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Eid al-Adha, and Hindus sacrificing ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ animals in thousand for a religious ceremony in Munneswaram ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ show compassionƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and give up these savage religious customs and let the cattle live in freedom without fear of being food for the people, ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ it would beƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ a great achievement, which would also glorify the act of self immolation of an innocent, kind, and compassionate beingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ who was a Buddhist Priest.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Nevertheless, the suicide is against the basic tenants of Buddhism and should be condemned as in the prevailing ignorance of Buddhist vinaya among the young Buddhist monks, we may have an avalanche of suicides even to promote changes in the University system, changes in the dress of monks, for the issue of free motor vehicle licences, more employment for monks in the government sector etcetera.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ But this act of a Buddhist Priest also highlights the unfortunate state of the prevailingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ condition of rapid degenerationƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of the Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-malaiseƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ began with the removal of the Pirivena system of education for the Buddhist monks, making them equal to lay students whose discipline hasƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ deteriorated and the University System of Sri Lanka itself is becoming institutions of indiscipline, and their contributions as institutions of higher education ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ are being questioned.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Buddha wanted a monastic environment for those house holders who left their homes to followƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ his teachings.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is only in such an environment a Buddhist monk will be able to keep the 227 vinaya rules and conduct himself as a monk.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Otherwise there would not be any difference between the laity and the priest, except in the dress.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ UnfortunatelyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ today the temples are far from being Monasteries, they have become comfortable homes. In the ancient Monasteries the Monks spent their time studying ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-dhammaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, discussing the teachings in groups and meditating under the guidance of senior monks.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Therefore in a monastic atmosphereƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the minds of theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Buddhist monks were constantly kept within the boundaries of the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-dhammaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The monksƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ could under such conditions maintain mindfulness, andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ keep the minds free from defilements (kilesa). ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In the present day Universities the student monks imitate the lay students rather than allowing the lay students to follow the disciplined, soft speaking, calm and collected serenity of a Buddhist monk.( ?)ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Buddhist monks should avoid temptation, lust, desire, ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ill will and maintain a carefulƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ control of theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ mind,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ speech and physical action.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This is possible in a priestlyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ mindful existence , with a training in meditation. Does such an atmosphere exist any where in any Temple in Sri Lanka ?
Today the Temple is not a rallying point of spirituality with enlightened wisdom influenced by the teaching of the Buddha, but they have become centres of political discussion, gathering places of non-descript persons drawing the young monks to vice such as taking , liquor , drug and even participate in theft of sacred treasures within temples.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This happened in a village temple I know.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Indiscipline begins in small ways and if no corrective measures are taken they becomes widespread.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In the former days, we saw monks in villages with well shaven heads, and properly dressedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in their yellow robes as they should be worn by a Buddhist monk. They walked one after the other according to their seniority.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Today such a sightƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ would be a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-luxuryƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ for the Buddhist laity . I have noticed Buddhist monks wearing the robe like a sari using one end of it to cover the shoulders !!!
It is time that the Buddhist Monks ,the Buddhist laity and Buddhist Associations wake up atleast now after this unfortunateƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ case of a self immolation of the Buddhist Monk Bowatte Indrathana to reform the Buddha Sasana and take it back to what it had been before.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka who is in charge of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana is too old and weak ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and has no vision to make valuable reforms for the welfare of the BuddhaSasana.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is time the Prime Minister of Sri LankaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ retires to give the place to a younger and more active person.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is a weakness of the President not to make essential changes in the Cabinet and important political changesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ withoutƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ allowingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the problems get more serious as the time passes.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This is the case with regard to the 13 Amendment and the bunch ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the TNA terrorists hanging on as Parliamentarians of Sri Lanka openly calling for the division of the country.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is not the presentation of Sannas Patra appointing monks to special position that is necessary,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ but it is to get them to clean the Sasana of ills, removingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ elements that would be a danger to the Buddha Sasana and undertake ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ a complete overhaul of the Sasana from Education of the monks to re organise the Temples as Monasteries, with Meditation Kuties and halls for residents monks for their studies ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sacred Texts, and memorising them in groups.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Monks are being murdered, accused for rape, charged for driving under influence of liquor.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ These were unheard of and when things come down to such a deplorable level some one has to intervene to say ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-stopƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ and be fearless to call forƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ immediate changes before the situation goes out of hand.
I have been to many Countries and visited Catholic Monasteries, where they maintain strict religious discipline.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ There are no young priests hanging around ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ outside the Monasteries ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ doing nothing. They all have their Bible in hand and spend their time usefully learning and recitingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ prayers , while others do cultivation of plots of land to provide necessities for the Monastery.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Our temples are the contrast.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Once IƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ walked around the Asgiriya templeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and was surprised to see young monksƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ behind the temple with cigarettes in their mouths, apparently hanging about in groups having nothing to do. I also met a group of young monks in the Kandy Market standing together laughing talking loud and making gesticulations.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Of course all these things could be treated lightly as these monks are not Arahants, but can we forget the fact that they are aspiring to be Arahants, having given up a comfortable home life to be mendicants.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ But is that their ambition or is it to learn Geography, EconomicsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and Commerce in a University , ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ disrobe and do a job later.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Unfortunately that is what it has come to.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ If the trend continues we will soonƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ find men with a yellow thread round their wrists as a sign of his belonging to Buddhist Priesthood.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Ministry of Buddha Sasana is inactive it should be handed over to a Minister who would have the courage to bring about changes necessary to uplift theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Buddha Sasana , by re-establishing the Pirivena system.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ He should immediately organise a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-mini -Buddhist CouncilƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ to reorganise the Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka by getting the three Nikayas together and make the Mahanayaka theros, a functional institution able to control the Order of the Sangha, strict on keeping Uposatha, and taking strict disciplinary action against ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-miscreantsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Mahanayaka Theros should be assisted by a committee of senior monks of all three Nikayas as administrators who should meet regularly every month to examine the situation with regard to the Community of Sangha in Sri Lanka, and see that the monks keep their Vinaya, andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ make recommendations of necessary actions to be taken by the Mahanayake Theros.
June 2nd, 2013 at 6:41 am
Thank you, Charles, for pointing out the unpalatable truth. When the Sasana decays, the country decays. When such decay sets in moral & spiritual death of the country follows. People may stop respecting the yellow robe.
We agree to your suggestion that : ” The Ministry of Buddha Sasana is inactive it should be handed over to a Minister who would have the courage to bring about changes necessary to uplift the Buddha Sasana , by re-establishing the Pirivena system”. There are fine Buddhist monks still around and they ought to lead the way for the people together with points as suggested by Charles.
Charles says :
“The Ministry of Buddha Sasana is inactive it should be handed over to a Minister who would have the courage to bring about changes necessary to uplift the Buddha Sasana , by re-establishing the Pirivena system.
He should immediately organise a “mini -Buddhist Council” to reorganise the Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka by getting the three Nikayas together and make the Mahanayaka theros, a functional institution able to control the Order of the Sangha, strict on keeping Uposatha, and taking strict disciplinary action against “miscreants”.
The Mahanayaka Theros should be assisted by a committee of senior monks of all three Nikayas as administrators who should meet regularly every month to examine the situation with regard to the Community of Sangha in Sri Lanka, and see that the monks keep their Vinaya, and make recommendations of necessary actions to be taken by the Mahanayake Theros”.
June 2nd, 2013 at 8:19 am
NO GOD WILL BE PLEASED AND HAPPY TO EAT ANIMAL FLESH GIVEN BY HIS DEVOTEES BUT DOGS WILL LOVE IT.
PLEASE DO NOT INSULT YOUR GODS BY TURNING THEM TO DOGS
BUDDHA SASANA MINISTER TOO OLD . MAHANAYAKES ARE TOO OLD. YONG MINISTERS AND YOUNG MONKS HAVE GONE CRASY. THE WHOLE EDUCATION SYSTEM HAS TO BE CHANGED
GO BACK TO THE OLD SYSTEM – AN EDUCATION WITH VIRTUE
PIRIVENA FOR MONKS AND””’ MODIFIED BUT BASED ON PIRIVENA EDUCATION SYSTEM ””” FOR LAY MEN
NOW UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ARE LIKE TAMIL POLITICIANS— WHAT EVER GIVEN TO THEM IS NOT ENOUGH TO THEM
POOR STUDENTS WHO H AVE BEEN SUFFERING WITHOUT EVEN ONE MEAL COME TO UNIVERSITY AND DEMAND MORE AND MORE BETER FOOD FREE
we have to learn a lesson from that ven monk what we should do. if not there will be such more incidents to wake up sinhala buddhists by unselfish monks and laymens in the future who likes to postpone NIRVANA for others benifit whether it is right or wrong.SOME PEOPLE ARE NOT BOTHERED ABOUT THE COUNTRY OR NIRVANA. THEY JUST CRITICISE , EAT AND DRINK
NOW WE HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND THAT MAHINDA IS NOT DOING HIS BEST TO SAVE THE COUNTRY AND BUDDHA SASANA THANKS TO THIS MONK. SO ACT NOW
My namas kara to u ven .. thero
June 2nd, 2013 at 9:59 am
Decay of Sasana set in during some 500 yrs of Colonial rule.
However, without searching for scapegoats at this point in time, let us set in motion practical recovery processes.
June 2nd, 2013 at 11:02 am
The Buddhist priests of Sri Lanka played a vital role in preserving Buddhism and the Sinhala people during times when both were under threat from Cholas, Portugese and other colonists etc. It is thanks to the Buddhist priests that Buddhism was preserved for more than 2500 years in Sri Lanka.
What is needed to bring in is the meditation which is the key to experiencing Anatta, and eliminating desires which sets them apart from the rest of us. Unfortunately most Buddhist priests do not meditate and the ones who do and experience the real nature of Samsara go away to the forests and do not remain in the normal society. It is only the Buddhist priests who meditate who become aware enough to act with wisdom in a crisis. In olden times they even advised the rulers.
Burma and Thailand have modernized Buddhism by allowing all citizens to become priests for two to three years and then come back to lay life. This experience I am sure enriches their life and will help them to disseminate the true experience of Buddhism to the lay folk who go to them for advice and guidance. We should send some of our sincere priests to go to these countries and find out how things are done and come back to implement these ideas in Sri Lanka.
June 3rd, 2013 at 5:06 pm
Rise UP! …. O Patriots of Mother Lanka …. NEVER let the TNA raise its Ugly Head to purrsue its Eelam in Sri Lanka.
REPEAL the 13th Amendment and UPROOT the Provincial Council SYSTEM COMPLETELY.
If the Craven Cowards in the GOSL WILL NOT ACT, then let the Patriotic People of Sri Lanka VOTE IN A NATIONWIDE REFERENDUM to Protect the Nation!
………………..
‘TNA victory will lead to separatism’
By P K Balachandran – COLOMBO
June 2, 2013
Sri Lanka’s powerful defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has warned that a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) victory in the proposed elections to the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) under the 13th Amendment of the Constitution, will rekindle the movement for an independent Tamil Eelam.
The Island daily of Friday quoted Gotabaya as saying: ‘If a political party with a separatist agenda like the TNA were to take control of the provincial administration vested with powers over land and the police as envisaged by the 13th Amendment, the security of the country would be gravely threatened.’ He feared that the country might get back to war.
Gotabaya, said, if the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had accepted the Indo-Lanka Accord under which the 13th Amendment was enacted, Eelam could have been created long ago.
As an official, he could only warn Lanka’s political establishment of the security threat inherent in holding elections to the NPC with land and police powers devolved to the province, Gotabaya said.
On Thursday, the President’s other sibling, economic development minister Basil Rajapaksa, told Express that no “serious discussions” had taken place in the Cabinet on pruning the 13th Amendment. Cabinet spokesman, Anura Priydarshana Yapa, said any decision on constitutional changes could be made only on the recommendation of the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee.