Limiting the Human Rights of Buddhist Monks!
Posted on January 16th, 2016
by Chandre Dharmawardana, Ottawa, Canada
The Minster for `Parliamentary reforms and Mass Media’ is said to have proposed a bill to curb a number of human rights enjoyed by one section of the Sri Lankan public who are eligible to vote – namely, the Buddhist monks. For instance, they are to be denied the right to drive a motorized vehicle while other voters as well as ordained members of other religions are not subject to such a limitation. An even more bizarre piece of proposed legislation is to “prevent them from engaging in occult science”!
What are these “occult sciences”? Astrology? Palmistry? Casting out devils?, Blessing people? Invoking the power of the Gods, or of the triple gem (The Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha)?
Carrying out “Deva Pooja” or “Buddha Pooja”? Chanting words that are claimed to have special powers? Providing such chanted strings (“pirith nool”, bracelets), “Yantha” (amulets and Talismans) to politicians? Advising people regarding the occult question of what they should do to ensure a good life after birth?
Does the minister consider “Ayurveda” also as an occult science?
That the minster even thought of enacting such a law clearly suggests that he is clearly under the control of some very dangerous occult and heinous forces. Perhaps Beelzebub himself. What he needs is to organize a large scale “Bali-Thovil” in the parliament itself to drive out the demons that have taken residence there. If that is “occult science”, then he should see other specialists in Mulleriyawa or Angoda.
Does it mean that priests of other religions can practice their versions of the occult sciences while the Buddhist monks cannot? It is well known that Pope Francis has recently called upon his priests to go back to the essentially medieval tradition of “casting out devils” and “evil spirits”. In June 2015, Pope Francis gave official recognition to the International Association of Exorcists (IAE), a group of priests with members in 30 countries, making it a pontifical entity. Evangelical Christians and other groups also have their IAEs, their specific traditions of blessing new homes and casting out “evil spirits”, speaking in tongues etc. The Holy mass is an occult practice where we are told that bread becomes flesh, and wine becomes blood. So, are they free to administer such services while the Buddhist monks are prevented from doing so by parliamentary fiat?
What about the Kururals, Swamijis and other Hindu Priests who carry out occult practices in Kovils? When the Poosari recites “sacred stanzas” and summons occult spirits using bells, mudras, mantras and hymns he is engaging in “occult science”. What about taking “prasad”, or engaging in bajams, frenzied dances, and in animal sacrifices to the Deity? Are all these occult practices allowed for all other faiths but not allowed for their manifestations in popular Buddhism? If someone feels that this is “not pure Buddhism”, that should be taken up with the learned monks, and not with a parliament whose majority is alleged to have not even reached the A-levels.
Then what about those rare Buddhist Monks or Priests of other faiths who may be dabbling in Quantum mechanics and Relativity, using the esoteric language of mathematics? That may seem an “occult science” to many people. Professor Polkinghorne, a theoretical Physicist that I knew slightly during my student days in Cambridge has today become an Anglican Minister and Theologian. He asserts that all knowledge is occult, and that its best presentation is found in the Anglican ministry!
If the minister wants to protect the public from frauds and quacks, the law has to be applied irrespective of a person’s religion or belief system. If a person practices “occult science” and does no harm to others, then it is not the concern of the minister. If it is a problem that affects the nature and style of monastic Buddhism, then surely it is up to the monks to deal with it, and the minister has no business there, any more than he should legislate what type of Physics or Metaphysics should be practiced by the likes of John Polkinghorne.
January 16th, 2016 at 5:44 pm
IF ANY POLITICAL DOLT OR IMBECILE WANTS TO WITNESS SAUDI ARABIA STYLE **BE-HEADING** IN SRI LANKA, THEY DONT HAVE TO GO VERY FAR. LET THE ” ARZ OLES” GO TO MUNNESWARAN KOVIL AND WATCH THE BE-HEADINGS OF GOATS AND SLITTING THE THROATS OF POULTRY.
THIS IS A BUDDHIST COUNTRY JUST NOW. WHEN I SAY “”JUST NOW”” I HAVE MY DOUBTS THAT IT WILL LAST LONG. LET THERE NOT BE ANIMAL TORTURE IN THE LAND OF THE BUDDHISTS. SORRY, THIS IS NOT TORTURE. THIS IS DOWNRIGHT **MURDER** OF ANIMALS. SO WHERE IS THE fLAW IN THIS COUNTRY, OTHER THAN ASKING WOMEN NOT TO THROW BRAs.
SOME BIG ARZ s ARE ENTERING A STATE OF LUNACY. DAMNINGLY DISGUSTING.
January 17th, 2016 at 5:05 am
Catholic-run UNPelievably UNPatriotic party wants to destroy Buddhism from Sri Lanka. To spearhead this, they have the
best man in catholic pol pot ponil in charge for the first time. So they have to get the job done quickly and they are going full steam ahead. Pol pot ponil has all the brutal qualities needed for the job. He is ruthless; he is murderous; he is determined. He has the full support of the fast multiplying mussies as well who sees monks are the only obstacle to implement their halal and sharia society in Sri Lanka.
Buddhist monks are the only ones who comes forward to defend what is left of Sri Lanka, Buddhism and the Sinhalese.
While Sri Lanka, Sinhalese race and Buddhsim being destroyed at will by the 3 enemies (tamils, mussies and catholics) all the toothless, spineless Sinhalese politicians keep quiet for the fear of losing their support. So while they don’t give a damn, the Bikkus always come forward and protect. That is how pathetic the situation of the Sinhalese. Now there is a guy who has no saying in the country’s affairs as the president and the murderous pol pot ponil is running the show. He set the tiger boys free to start their separatist agenda and sent the soldiers who put their lives on the line to prison. He is aided by a lot of Buddhist haters like, bandit queen, john mara, asgiriye kapuwa thibbotu-brained sumangala, etc. etc.
Buddhim gone from the school curriculum. Now Buddhist monks are being reined in while catholic, hindu and mussie priests can do or say whatever they like. This is what some Sinhalese voted for and still canvassing for. Those traitors are a curse to Sri Lanka, the Sinhalese race and Buddhism. Catholic-run UNPatriotic party has been slowly and systematically
destroying Buddhism from Sri Lanka. This is what the catholic west needed. Sinhalese Buddhists are attacked by three fronts; tamils and mussies and catholics. Still some stupid Sinhalese don’t understand this simple truth. When you have enemies within their job is much much easier. Sinhalese race and Buddhism are doomed thanks to those traitors. Future generations going to curse you traitor lot!
January 17th, 2016 at 9:09 am
Great piece! Funny and true at the same time. It is a sad state of affairs in SL at the moment.
January 17th, 2016 at 6:17 pm
If I copy Vasudeva language, this is pakayan engaged in paka business of CBK-Ranil, part of a plan to create a messy society/country.