Extremist monks are disgracing Buddhism

(July 28, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Buddha became a universally revered noble philosopher because he addressed fear and sorrow, two aspects of life most dreaded by all humanity and beasts alike.

All religions that exist today have their foundation laid on fear and sorrow in humanity.

The Buddha sacrificed his princely pleasures, family and all worldly possessions in order to find a way out for this unholy phenomenon which occurs in the cycle of life.

His mission ended finding through enlightenment that the root cause of all fear and sorrow in humanity is one’s Tanha or avaricious attachment to worldly life. The Dhammapada explains in detail how Tanha creates fear and sorrow in oneself.

The Buddha’s lofty teachings on compassion, tolerance, universal loving kindness towards fellow beings is woven around Tanha and is brought to us on a regular basis through Buddhist talks by Buddhist scholars.

It is a fact that Tanha, the creator of all forms of fear and sorrow cannot exist when attachments such as "I," "my," family, race, caste religion and any other political convictions do not exist.

However today there are politicised Buddhist monks who have formed various organisations for the achievement of certain ‘interests’ going on the rampage inciting the people to attack others who follow different faiths purely to protect their interests. Race, cast, and political or religious divisions naturally negate the universal loving kindness expounded by the enlightened one. They create conflict, hatred, fear and sorrow in humanity.

The President, commanders of the forces and politicians are often seen falling on their knees in veneration before the mahanayakes and images of Lord Buddha, probably seeking divine protection to perform the duties entrusted to them in a proper manner.

The Buddha has said "Dhamma chaari dhammo bhave rakkathi" which means that those who live by the Dhamma will be protected by the Dhamma itself.

However, at present there is a bloody war going on in this thrice blessed land of ours, between two communities who have been living together in amity for thousands of years and many thousands on both sides have perished. There are thousands who have been maimed for life, widowed, orphaned, starved and malnourished.

There are abductions by white vans, lawlessness, extra judicial murders, corruption and wastage of public funds all being carried out allegedly with the knowledge and support of those in power. A chaotic situation has also been created in the name of protecting the Sinhala Buddhists of this country by treating the minority communities as second-class citizens.

All this is because of the Tanha of some Sinhala Buddhist extremists, and political fanatics whose only ambition is to win an election and enjoy life at the expense of the public. The Rajapakse government with the assistance of the hypocritical JHU monks and other turncoats appear to have exploited this situation to the maximum.

So much for going down on their knees and seeking protection of the Buddha Dhamma to rule the country righteously. May be the 2500 year old Buddha’s message needs to be revised to keep pace with the 21st century.
Concerned Citizen
- Sri Lanka Guardian