{"id":92612,"date":"2019-08-25T16:55:08","date_gmt":"2019-08-25T23:55:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=92612"},"modified":"2019-12-16T17:59:27","modified_gmt":"2019-12-17T00:59:27","slug":"yahapalana-versus-maha-sangha-part-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2019\/08\/25\/yahapalana-versus-maha-sangha-part-4\/","title":{"rendered":"YAHAPALANA VERSUS MAHA SANGHA Part 4"},"content":{"rendered":"

KAMALIKA  PIERIS<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n

Revised     14.9.19 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yahapalana\u2019s attacks on the Maha Sangha are\npart of its attack on Buddhism, Buddhists and Buddhist worship. This anti-Buddhist\nstrategy has clearly been planned well ahead and given to Yahapalana to\nimplement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yahapalana decided to avoid a frontal attack\non Buddhist philosophy. They  know what\nhappened at the Panadura Vadaya. Yahapalana has preferred to hit below the\nbelt. Yahapalana accordingly tried to silence the Maha Sangha, by putting them\nin remand prison and to sabotage the peraheras by removing the elephants that\ngo in it. Peraheras have always been an irritant to the non-Buddhists in Sri\nLanka. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uduwe Dhammaloka observed in 2016 we can see that\nstrategies are being discussed among various NGOs and the present rulers seem\nto be going along with them, one\ninstance is the Katikawata Bill, the intention was to suppression of the\nsangha. There is no need for a\nKatikawata bill, the Vinaya rules are sufficient.  Kiribathgoda Ananda has over a 1000 monks\nunder him. They conduct themselves well.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uduwe Dhammaloka continued, there is now a\nmove by NGOs to say that ordaining young boys as monks is child abuse.  We know that as far as Buddhism is concerned\nadult ordination will never work. Monks have to be ordained when they are young\notherwise they will never be able to conduct themselves in a manner required of\nmonks. We now see subtle attempt to portray the ordination of children as child\nabuse. There was a video clip of a young samanera crying for his mother that\nwas shared on social media networks some time ago. These subtle campaigns which\nstrike at the very root of Sinhala Buddhist culture. If child ordination is\neliminated the sangha will be gone in one generation.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Derana   news on 10.9.19 showed a young man repeatedly\nslapping two samanera bhikkhus  for\nallegedly taking an item from a shop. An onlooker came forward and stopped him\nbut only after about half a dozen slaps had been given. The next day Derana\nnews showed the two samanera in hospital. The man was arrested and the camera\nshowed him apologizing for his action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samanera bhikkhus are also featured elsewhere.\nThe popular teledrama \u2018Sidu\u2019 features a village temple, its chief priest, his\nassistant Ven.  Rahula and two little\nsamaneras, Soratha and Subhoda. \u2018Sidu\u2019 thus shows the three levels of bhikkhus\nin the Sangha community, senior, middle and junior, their role and the\ndifference in attitude among them.  The\nsamanera are shown to be normal, mischievous little boys, training to be\npriests. Before it became a soap opera, Sidu\u201d was a lovely film. Buddhist\nphilosophy was  woven beautifully into  a relaxing film which offered,  suspense, melodrama, excitement, \u2018pight\u2019,\n\u2018comit\u2019 and \u2018luv\u2019.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The international conspiracy leaders have\nstudied the Sangha as individuals and selected the most suitable bhikkus for\nwhat they had in mind. These handpicked monks talk and behave in a manner\ndesigned to turn Buddhists against Buddhism. That is the nature of the\nconspiracy. Getting the monks involved\nis part of the conspiracy. This has also happened in Burma where monks were\nbrought into disrepute., said Uduwe Dhammaloka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a small group of monks playing a\nmajor role in creating disturbances in the country.  They paved the way for the present government\nto come to power. These monks were completely unheard of until they started\ncreating disturbances on the streets. This is a small minority of monks with\nsuspicious linkages to the west.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is these monks who were arrested at\nHomagama. They were brought to court\nlike criminals with their heads covered, Things that were not done even in\ncolonial times are being done now. Our\nmonks are now aware of what is going on, we discuss these matters, concluded\nUduwe Dhammaloka. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pin\npettiya in temples is also targeted. Some time ago, the pin petti of Alutgama and\nDambulla viharas were sealed by the Department of Buddhist Affairs. The public\nprotested and the Department gave in. In\nSeptember 2019 another round of pin petti sealing  started. The pin petti at Badulla raja Maha\nvihara were sealed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In September\n2019, the audit Division of the Department of Buddhist affairs had come\nTissamaharama Raja Maha vihara to do a surprise check of its pin petti. The\npetti were sealed to be taken for examination to the Department of Buddhsit\nAffairs. The auditors has said that the temple had not maintained proper\nrecords of the pin petti money. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The chief priests at Tissamaharama told Derana\nthat they were unable to get the money they needed for the next perahera due to\nthe bomb blast. They needed about 1.3 \nmillion .They needed  antoher 50\nlakhs or so, to keep the chaitya whitewashed and  pay the workers and feed them for bout two ro\nthree months. The Chief priest also observed that there was a Christian Church\nin Tissamaharama which had about three hundred acres of land. Are they checking\nthere as well, he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However,\nsince it was best to keep on the good side of the Maha Sangha.  Yahapalana made it a point to go to Malwatu\nand Asgiri Mahanayakas,   kneel down,\nhand over baskets of fruit and  say what they\nwere going to do next. Maha Sangha was not fooled. Some Yahapalana MPs went beyond\nthat. Derana news 8.9.17 showed Ravi Karunanayake  visiting Elle Gunawansa and worshipping\nbefore a Buddha statue.  Then in August\n2019, there was a photograph of Ravi kneeling before a bhikkhu at a function at\nthe BMICH.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately for   Yahapalana, things did not go as planned.\nInstead of getting frightened, shutting up  \nand staying inside their temples, the Sangha did the opposite. They\nmarched out en masse from their temples and confronted Yahapalana directly. We\nnow see a re-emergence of the Maha Sangha as a  \nstrong, formidable political force. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Buddhist monk\nis fundamentally a teacher, and a counsellor to lay people, observed  Raj Gonsalkorale. They are  part of a community,  and their role is defined by the environment\nthey live in.  I would add to this that\nthe Sangha are citizens of Sri Lanka,  and are entitled to all the rights and privileges\nof a citizen of Sri Lanka. That is an inalienable right.\nIf the  Sangha can vote at an election,\nthey can be politically active as well.   Buddhism  is not a philosophy that shuns politics.  Buddha preached to King Bimbisara,  King Pasenadi and Anathapindika, a rich\nmerchant and banker. In doing so, he was recognizing the   importance of political and economic power\nin a society.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The  first concern of the Maha Sangha was of\ncourse, Buddhism .in June 2017 after a meeting of the Karaka Sangha Sabha,\nWarakagoda Gnanaratana in a strongly worded statement   spoke of internal and external conspiracies\nagainst Buddhists and emphasized the need for the Mahanayake Theras of the\nThree Nikayas and the patriotic people of the country \u2018to act in unison to face\nsuch injustices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sangha  made sure that the traditional Buddhist\nactivities continued. A pirit chanting was organized at 600 temples  in June 2019 to invoke blessings to the\ncountry, tri-force personnel, Police, Government and the people.  The chanting \nwas to start  at Anuradhapura,\nwith 500 bhikkhus chanting pirit at \nRuwanvelisaya. The annual peraheras would  also \ncontinue.  In June 2019, chief\nprelates met  the Secretary of Defence to\ndiscuss security arrangements to  the\nannual peraheras conducted at Kelaniya, Mahiyangana, Bellanvila and  Navagamuwa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Maha\nSangha have taken a fearless stand against Yahapalana government.  Ven.Elle Gunananda said the Yahapalana \u2018lied\nand lied to us\u2019 (boru kivuva). \nVen.Omalpe Sobitha said there must be a firm Sinhala leadership in\nParliament. The tail cannot be allowed to wag the dog.  Ven.Wattegama PItiyegedera observed that we\ndo not have a national policy that can survive changes of government. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Maha\nSangha have made their political position clear .Wattegama PItiyegedera said\nthat Vigneswaran had met the Malwatte and Asgiriya sangha and said they want\nfederalism. Wattegama Pitiyegedera reported that the Sangha straightaway said\nthey cannot agree this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Maha\nSangha have also  made it clear that they\nsupport Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as the next President of Sri Lanka. Gotabhaya   did a well planned tour of the major temples\nof the country. The chief priest of each temple spoke and the speeches were\nshown on television news. They had clearly planned their speeches  beforehand and chose their words carefully.\nThe speeches were political statements intended for the public and Yahapalana.\nAt Kiri vehera, the camera showed a bikkhu recording the proceedings with a\nsmart phone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The itinerary\nwent as follows. Gotabhaya first went, with his retinue to Anuradhapura where\nhe worshipped at Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruvanveli seya, Mirisavati, Lankarama and\nJayanthi vihara. At Ruvanvali seya    \n1500 monks  conducted an adistana\npuja. The heads of these temples greeted him as a promising future leader. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After\nvisiting the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, and receiving the blessing of the Sangha\nat Malwatte and Asgiriya temples as well as pirit nool. Gota travelled south,\nto Kiri vehera at Kataragama, where there was an ashirvada puja and 500 monks\nchanted Jaya pirit.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The chief\npriest of Kiri vehera, Kobawaka Dhamminna said we will support anybody who is\nprepared to protect Buddhism and our land .We hope that Gotabhaya will take up\nthat responsibility. Bellanwila Dhammaratna said the country had fallen to\nnought today in terms of security and economy. Mahinda Rajapaksa made [an\nimpact]. \u2018You are his brother. You have the ability to take this country out of\nthis mess.  You have experience. Do the\nright thing. We will support you.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Uva Wellassa Sanghanayake Kandaudapanguwe Sudamma\nsaid \u2018look into security,   foreigners\ncannot poke their noses [into our affairs]. Create a good country, a strong,\ncourageous one where Sinhalese can live with pride. You have the strength to do\nthis. Today Sangha lack respect. They are insulted. We cannot be expected to\ntolerate this.   The Maha Sangha is for\nthe country, its Sasana, and   its\nculture.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gotabhaya\nthen went to Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara where  Develegama Dhammasena spoke.    At Matara \nParaduwa Jinaratna, head of a Sangha organization, wished Gota  success at the elections, the  solidarity of the Rajapaksa brothers is an\nexample to the nation, he said.  People\nare on fire,  he continued, they are\nscared the country will be handed over to a foreign power. Stop  those who are robbing the state, selling  the state, save it from foreigners, protect\nBuddhism, get rid of this irreligious government, which has  encouraged Sangha bedhaya .There must be a  love for the country, he concluded. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Alutgama\nKande viharaya,   Malegoda Nanda said\nhead of state must have  ‘eveseema’. \u2018As\nDefence Secretayr you showed that quality\u2019. At the Kalutara bodiya Waskaduwe Mahindawansa   told Gotabhaya  \u2018you gave a very good speech at the launch in\nColombo  it had no mud, no division, you\ngot your ideas across very effectively\u2019. \nThere was pirit at Wadduwa bodhiraja.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pannipitiya\nRukmale Sri Dharma Vijayaloka\u2019s chief priest, Ittapane Dhamalankara  said most politicians are busy slinging mud\nat each other from the mud hole they have got into. They are placing the\npopulation in danger. \u2018Like you got us out of the war  you should \ntry to get us out of this mud hole too. \nYou have shown by action, not talk your ability and won the admiration\nand respect of the public. I   declare\nthat you are the most suitable as our leader.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Mount\nLavinia Dharmapala aramaya Ramannya chief prelate Kotugoda Dhammavasa said  the public hare hoping now for a good leader.\nThey eagerly await a leader who will \nprovide a \u2018kramavath ayurin rata hikmavagena nisi paripalanayak. \u2018with\nhelp of the Maha Sangha and public  we\nhope that you will be able to create a country which regains its self respect\nand we pray that you will have the strength, power and support of the public to\nachieve this.\u2019   I have given this\nprogramme at length because I wish to show \nthe huge , island wide support given by the Sangha to Gotabhaya and the\nissues the Sangha consider important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Maha Sangha  was aware of the animosity of  Yahapalana towards the Sangha. Keppetiyagoda Sirinimala  of Getambe temple said  in 2017 that usually when there was a crisis,\nthe bhikkhus came forward, \u2018now they are \ndenigrating the monks.\u2019 A protest march and a meeting of the Maha Sangha\nwas held in Kandy in July 2019  because  some NGOs and \nother organizations  had\nchallenged a statement made by the Mahanayake of Asgiriya .The  march \nwas organized by  several Sangha organizations,\nincluding  Jathika Sangha Sabha and Thri\nNikayika Bhikshu Ekamuthuwa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Maha\nSangha have emphasized their unity by appearing in formidable groups, not\nsingly. At the National Conference on Peace, Harmony and Co existence, July\n2019,  one half of the BMICH auditorium\nwas  given over to the Sangha, who could\nbe seen seated  en masse, in a  blaze of saffron. (See Derana news 31.7.19 at\nat13.53).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was a media conference  to report the decision of the Kotte Sri\nKalyani Samagri Dhamma Maha Sangha Sabha regarding the proposed new\nconstitution. The opening shot showed a group of 12  or so, red and yellow clad Bhikkus emerging\nfrom the discussion led by  the chief\npriest. The chief priests  spoke  to the camera with this group standing behind\nhim, in full view of the camera, looking very \nserious and formidable. It was impressive. (see Derana 6.55 news\n22.10.17 at 15.10) Camera also showed them going into the meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The third example is from the  \u2018Jathika Maga\u2019  conference \nheld by Maha Sangha Samuluva at BMICH  \nin June 2019 .  This showed three\nor four rows of monks, on the stage,  sitting amidst a set which included   Anuradhapura style pillars, a Samadhi statue\nand a Dagoba.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sangha\nalso  spoke out  regarding non-conformist bhikkhus. In 2017,\nafter a meeting of the Karaka Sangha Sabha, the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya\nChapter, announced Although we do not approve the aggressive behavior and\nspeech of Bhikkhu Galabodaatte Gnanasara the viewpoint expressed by him cannot\nbe discarded. Insulting Bhikkhus by various groups without inquiring into the\nveracity of the issues raised  cannot be\ncondoned.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A historic agreement merging the Amarapura and\nRamanna Chapters was signed in Colombo, in August   2019. The two chapters will hereafter be\nknown as a single entity: Sri Lanka Amarapura Ramanna Samagri Maha Sangha\nSabha.\u201d The agreement was signed by the Amarapura Chapter Mahanayake, the Ven.\nKotugoda Dhammavasa , and the Ramanna Chapter Mahanayaka, the Ven. Napana\nPemasiri. The two prelates will hereafter function as Joint Chairpersons of the\nnew Sangha Sabha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agreement marks a turning point in the\nhistory of the Buddha Sasana in the country. It was reached after years of\ntalks. Six major aims were cited as the reasons for the merger. These included\nthe need to take decisions jointly regarding issues affecting the Buddha Sasana\nand the country, building a disciplined Sangha society and providing guidance\nto young learned Buddhist monks to face social challenges. Ven. Kotugoda\nDhammavasa said there was no reason why the two Chapters should remain separate\nas they were started by the pupils of the same monk. The Sangha now urgently\nneeded a  Sangadhikarana   and  a\nKathikawatha. We have submitted the recommendations,  for a Sanghadhikarana, but  nothing has happened so far, said the  Sangha. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It should be noted however, that the  three nikayas have been  working together  for a long time before the merger. For\ninstance,  in December 2018 a decree by\nthe tri nikaya was announced at the Jathika Maha Sangha Samuluwa led by the\nprelates of the three nikayas at Nelum Pokuna, Colombo.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Easter Sunday\nbombings mark a significant coming together of the Catholic Church and the Maha\nSangha. The Catholic Church and the Maha Sangha appeared   together on one platform after this  sad event. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith   took the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cardinal Malcolm\nRanjith held two joint press conferences with the Maha Sangha regarding the\nbomb blasts. The   Maha Sangha was\nrepresented by Ven. Ittapane Dhammalankara, Chancellor of the University of Sri\nJayewardenepura, and chief priest of Kotte Sri Kalayani Samagri Dharma Maha\nSangha Sabha of Siyam Maha Nikaya.   In\nJuly 2019, Kirinde Dhammakusala, chief incumbent of Sri\nBodhi temple at Bopitiya and Rev Francis Jayakody parish priest of Pamunugama\nwere special invitees to the meeting of the Pamunugama Welfare Association of\nBopitiya.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the Easter\nSunday bombings, the Sangha decided to send the Muslims, as well as Yahapalana\nand the USA a strong message. 50 bhikkus ,from Bellanwila Raja Maha Vihara went\nby bus to Katuwapitiya church, and were met by the chief priest of the Church.\nThey exchanged greetings, went into the church and surveyed the damage done.\nThen in a symbolic gesture of sympathy, several bhikkus took brooms and swept\nthe compound. This is a most unusual event and it must be\nrecognized as such. Derana\ntelevision gave it   lengthy coverage.\nThis can be seen at   https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ip7WwvJJL9w&t=1707s<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Bellanwila\nDhammarathana invited His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith to join a pooja at\nBellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya in August 2019 \nto invoke merit on those killed, which he did with all reverence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yahapalana  has   inadvertently,\nhelped to establish Sri Lanka as a Buddhist country. It happened like this. Mangala\nSamaraweera said  on 13 May 2019 that Sri\nLanka was not a Buddhist country.  There\nwas a howl. Of course it is a Buddhist country said the Buddhists.  Yes it is, added the Hindus, Christians and\nMuslims independent of each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cardinal Malcolm\nRanjith said it could not be disputed that Sri Lanka was a Buddhist country.\nSri  Lanka is a Sinhala Buddhist country\nsaid Faizer Mustapha. So did Minister Mano Ganesan.. Navinda Jayasinghe\nspeaking for Catholics said this is Sinhala Buddhist country, there is nothing\nto argue about it. Its identity is Sinhala Buddhism. Vadivel Suresh said there\nare no two words about It. Buddhism  is\nthe senior  religion under which come the\njunior religions  of Hinduism, Islam and\nChristianity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The Sangha spoke up. The religious groups in\nthis country should keep it in mind that Buddhists in Sri Lanka had always\nrespected and allowed unhindered the existence of other religions, said\nAsgiriya in an   official statement. We\ncondemn acts by other religious groups that insult this tolerant Buddhist\nethic,\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rest\nagreed. They also announced, with appreciation, that it was the Buddhist ethos\nthat permitted them to  practice their\nreligion with complete freedom. Faizer Mustapha said it was the Buddhist  ethos that permitted the other religions\nto   follow their religions peacefully\nand exercise their rights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, long before all this, In Sept 2018  Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith was present at the\nprize giving of Kanduboda Shri Saranankara Daham Pasala in Delgoda, organized\nby the Ven. Parakaduwe Sri Saranankara with Chancellor of the Kelaniya\nUniversity Ven. Dr. Walamitiyawe Kusaladhamma \npresiding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cardinal\nMalcolm Ranjith said at this event that Buddhism was the backbone of this country and it was a religion\nwhich had been followed by the people in this land for a long time. People who had been shaped by Buddhist\ncivilization do not violate human rights. He added that a society which\nattempts to make human rights a religion, could safeguard human rights\neffectively through Buddhist teaching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rights of all people in this country are safeguarded when Buddhist culture is safeguarded, he said. Human rights are safeguarded in our country much more than what is prescribed by the UN because of the Buddhist environment,\u201d he added. Since we have inherited a great culture over the years, there is no need to think about human rights in a special way. \u00a0Anti-religious ideologies are being filtered into the society today. We have to put them aside and safeguard religions,\u201d he said. ( Continued) <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

KAMALIKA  PIERIS Revised     14.9.19 Yahapalana\u2019s attacks on the Maha Sangha are part of its attack on Buddhism, Buddhists and Buddhist worship. This anti-Buddhist strategy has clearly been planned well ahead and given to Yahapalana to implement. Yahapalana decided to avoid a frontal attack on Buddhist philosophy. They  know what happened at the Panadura Vadaya. Yahapalana […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[104],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-92612","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-kamalika-pieris"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92612","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=92612"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92612\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=92612"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=92612"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=92612"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}