Whither Sri Lanka? – A Post Script
Judging from criticism and queries on the article submitted, Whither Sri Lanka? I have been prompted to write this ‘post script’, to explain some of the issues raised and also suggest a way out of the impasse, the country face today, in the hands of a corrupt political system. There were some who raised the issue, why I had not delved to find the origins of the Sinhalese with the Sinhabahu Myth. My concern was only to show, the commonly believed myth, that the Sinhala race commenced with the landing of Vijaya and his retinue of seven hundred men is not the beginning of the Sinhalese race in this country. Vijaya was not a Sinhalese and he could not have fathered this Sinhalese nation. I believe if one is interested in the subject, to find the origins of the Sinhalese race, should refer to Prof. Raj Somadeva of the Post Graduate Institute of Archeology at Kelaniya, who is the ideal person to enlighten on the matter, as he has done some extensive field research. I hear, he believes that this story of the arrival of Prince Vijaya and the Kuweni story, as a mythical exercise to give credence to the fact that the Sinhala race commenced from then on. According to Prof. Raj Somadeva there had been Sinhala Buddhists in this country much before the advent of Vijaya, as Buddha is supposed to have visited during his time and served sermons. Then the myth that Mihindu Maha Rahathan thero brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka on a Poson Poya day too become fictitious as mentioned in Mahawansa by Priest Mahanama. Be that as it may, coming down further in the History of the country, there were many who tend to believe that the British did divide and rule before our Politicians, took it to the extremes and still continue doing so. Had the British resorted to, I believe they would not have done so openly, as done by our own Politicians today for certain.
As a prelude to find a way out of the present impasse to the conflict, I like to revisit History to the period of King Parakrama Bahu (1153 – 1186) to illustrate how the Buddhist priests of the Theravadha order occupying the Mahaviharaya had conflicts with the Mahayana Order residing at the Abhayagiri Viharaya and how King Parakrama Bahu resolved matters then. The King had de- robed the priests in both Abhayaramaya and the Jethavanaramaya and a large number at the Mahaviharaya also. Thereafter the King had given the choice to the monks to either return to lay life permanently or to be re-ordained again as novice monks in the Mahaviharaya order. Therefore History is replete with precedence where unruly Buddhist priests have been dealt with and de-robed in the past, although recently when Gnanasara was running amok, some Buddhists in the country with a section of the Sangha took up cudgels, that once a person is ordained, no one, not even the State has the right to de-robe him. What a load of rubbish they spewed, as if an act of sacrilege had been committed when Gnanasara was put behind bars. Therefore the time is rife once again for the State to discipline the Buddhist Priesthood without allowing them to run riot by spewing hatred, killing people and burning property. The media, time and again had displayed, how Buddhist priests have been threatening Police Officers in uniform in the most disparaging manner and how our pious Buddhists and the Chief Prelates turn a blind eye. It is a clear case of the Priests taking advantage of the robe they wear, believing they are above the Law, expecting the Buddhist laity to save them. These are the Buddhists who are concerned about Buddhism and come forward to protect Buddhism in the country at the drop of a hat. At the same time we also have seen on media, how Buddhist priests being baton charged and seen running for dear life with their robes tucked. The behavior of these militant monks, seen by the world outside are the ones who bring disrepute to Buddhism and degenerate the faith of many who hold Buddhism in high veneration.
I believe the time has come to summon the chiefs of all clergy, of all Religions and sound to them, that the State will no longer foster any Religion and will only provide the facility for them to continue their religious work without hindrance to other faiths and the society as a whole. This message should be made loud and clear that none are above the Law and the Laws of the land will equally apply to any who violate, irrespective of one’s standing whether clergy or laity. I know it is easily said than done but if we fail to, where our society will end, is not something difficult to fathom, as we all can foresee. There are Buddhist priests in other countries as well, but there are checks and balances for their behavior in public and not let lose as here, allowing them to go scot free.
Religion is a personal issue and all should take note that, it should not be taken as a tool to reap benefits for one’s self or for the community he/she represents. Please look around and you will see that the whole country has contributed to this madness of hoisting Religion to reap benefits publicly, that has led the Clergy of all Religions to take the upper hand on all matters relating to social issues. This I believe has led to the present impasse where the Religious sects, finger all matters of state, where the State alone should take decisions, but are unable to as they have played politics with all the Religions. If one were to look around, all are guilty as everyone displays their faiths openly for others to identify them, in their person, in their vehicles or the houses they own. Therefore I humbly request to all, please keep Religion to yourself and do not make a mockery of it, by advertising publicly as you too have contributed to the turmoil the country faces today. Further please avoid in trying to drag others for what you believe in and allow each to decide their own destiny.
