Chauvinism is an outmoded concept

| by Dr.Sripali Vaiamon

( June 19, 2012,Toronto, Sri Lanka Guardian) Chauvinism based on age old feudal hegemony is an outdated concept in the present world where unity among divergent communities involve a greater value and recognizance. This odious perception conceived among backward, uneducated, rural type arrogant habitations only. In this 21st century it is completely outmoded. This concept I highlighted on the views expressed by the contributor to Sri Lanka Guardian, Mr. J. L. Devananda, where he requested Tamils in Sri Lanka to involve in Buddhist activities in order to maintain unity among all the communities in the Island. This was my prime motive which I advocated explicitly in my history book with multiple suggestions released recently under the title, ‘Pre- historic Lanka to end of terrorism.’ Tamils are quite closer to Sinhalese than any other communities in the neighborhood. They were from the adjacent country which was according to our veteran archaeologists it was a single land mass million years earlier.

Chauvinists and Fundamentalists among Sinhalese and high caste Tamils prior to the Peace dawned after the wretched war were obsessed with pseudo national and religious consciousness but now they have changed their attitudes. Prior to the Peace their ideologies were totally primitive and outmoded.

The main reason for Sinhalese and Tamils to have lack of faith on each other and an insubstantial animosity were not only the 26 year war but the age old misconceptions among the two communities inherited even prior to the foreign dominations. So these misunderstandings have to be gradually weeded out and promote the modern view of the current government to sustain unity among all the communities ethnic-wise and religious-wise. I have the confidence this will not take ages but become a reality within about five to ten years time.

Intelligentsia and elites of the society should extend their benevolent hand to achieve this objective for the sake of present and future generations.

Even during Badanthachariya Buddhgosha’s era slight misconceptions may have been prevailed otherwise the Compiler of Mahavansa would have touched something extensively on Buddhism in South India which was promoted by Emperor Asoka along with the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Whether they were addressed during that era as Tamils or Chola, Pandyan and Cheras, I am not quite sure. Because early period South Indians had been addressed as Damilas, in Pali which is according to Rev. Fr. Caldwell derived from Dravidian. It was only after the amalgamation of Chola and Pandiyan the natives were addressed directly as Tamils as the region became Madras Presidency. Pardon me if I am not correct. This I can`t say off hand unless look into the history of the period accurately.

Age old unreliability on the allegations of discrimination was a factor exists among elite Tamils but not so much among the lower classes. Lower class had a caste rift and a severe grudge against land lords and upper castes as they were treated cussedly as scheduled caste and several other degrading terms which I am reluctant to state here. Those terms were abominable and it was on this the lower class, lower caste Tamils engaged in a war on the encouragement given to them by the late Mr. Amirthalingam, actually to uplift the standard of living of the suppressed community. They aim at two targets. Wedge a war against those who harass them on caste basis and the Sinhala government for their discrimination. Former is not known among southerners, which I have fully exploited in my book. Although the war is over these denigrations still some can remember. To eradicate unwholesome conceptions both communities get together and should make a positive attempt.

Chauvinists and Fundamentalists among Sinhalese and high caste Tamils prior to the Peace dawned after the wretched war were obsessed with pseudo national and religious consciousness but now they have changed their attitudes. Prior to the Peace their ideologies were totally primitive and outmoded. They were unable to correct or ameliorate but now the positions have considerably changed. That doesn’t mean such characters are totally vanished from the society. Recently, on the 9th of June, where the Minister of Social Services organized a gathering at the Veerasinghm Hall to distribute livelihood assistance to the people living below the poverty line in the North. One of the TNA MPs, in the Jaffna District, invited for the occasion was requested to hoist the National Flag to start the event, which he refused. May be he was not prepared to accept the National Flag as the Flag of the country or he must have been hyphenated with some other chauvinistic view.

I wish to quote here a statement by Professor Sunil Ariyaratna, who is fluent in Tamil and earned a name as a cinematic producer, dialogue writer and a famous lyricist. He made a keynote address at the 2554 Wesak celebration at the Maha Bodhi Society in Chennai where he emphasized, as a Sinhala Buddhist this is my humble dream for the future. Tamil Buddhist temples should come up in Sri Lanka. Tamil children should embrace Buddhist monkhood; Buddhism must be taught in Tamil; Preaching and worshipping Buddha in Tamil; Tamil Bhikkus should have Sinhala followers and Tamil Bhikkus must visit Sinhala houses. That togetherness should be there.

This was not prevailing during Mahavansa era. But I am sure Rev. Maha Mahinda who came via South India must have encouraged this although there is no record to verify. Rev. Hisselle Dharmaratna Sadu who involved in plenty of research on Buddhism in South India and has produced his pioneering work, ‘Buddhism in South India,’ with plenty of material to grasp authentic situations that had been in Chera, Chola and Pandya regions which comprised the South India, is highly commendable. He has dealt on the introduction of Buddhism to South India, Buddhist monuments in the region, Tamil literary works done by authors such as Manimekalai, Kundalakesi, Valaiyapathy, Virasolium, Tirupadigam and lot more. Kaveripattanam of the Chola country where Buddhism had a supreme place and Chera country where there were so many viharas and monasteries. He has boldly say Badanthacharya Buddhagosha and Buddhadatta were Tamils. This has a bit of a dispute among scholars as Mahavansa referred Ven. Buddhagosha was born in Gaya in Magadha. His father and mother were Kesi and Kesani. Same has gone into Encyclopedia of Britannica in 1911. And Dr. Bimala Charan Law who wrote, ‘Life and work of Buddhagosha’. Anyway it is immaterial if there is no evidence to treat as history.

Hitherto I touched on Sinhalese and Tamil the highest communities in the country who now make a frantic attempt to live cordially and well integrated into the society. How about Muslims?

Muslims came to the Island prior to the dawn of Islam in Arabia. The respected historian and civil administrative officer who was in Ceylon, Sir Emerson Tenant says with confidence, according to historical documents the Arabs came and settled down in the Island in the 8th century and they were called Moors. Moors were experts according to the time on trade and commerce. History vouched Sinhalese kings favored them. They were first settled down in the western coast of South India and subsequently arrived Sri Lanka. When they were coming over here most of them married to Tamil women which suggests their binding with the Tamil language. Some of them married after coming over here to Sinhala women. Now they are well integrated in the Sri Lankan society.

The presence of Muslims in Sri Lanka trace back to the time of Calif Omar and Islam was presented to those who were in Sri Lanka, by Arab Muslims called over after the demise of the Prophet of Islam and they offered Islam to them which they accepted with a devotion. In the early years they settled down in Jaffna, Batticaloa, Manner and Trincomalee, where there were mostly Tamils as such the influence of Tamil became fairly high and Tamil became their mother tongue. Muslim traders settled down in Pettah in compact compartments in Bankshall Street, now for the expansion of the city those areas have been demolished. They who presented with the Unani system of Medicine to Sri Lanka and introduced sarongs now all males in the country are wearing.

The salient feature of Islam is its devotion to the Holy Scripture, Qur’an. They are very religious minded. They treat Abraham as the father of their religion where his foot print along with that of Adam has implanted on a rock at Mecca, which is now covered with walls as a cube and called Kaba. Their annual pilgrimage to Kaba is a great event. However in present Sri Lanka they have the liberty to move with other religions freely as members of Sri Lankan family. But still there may be a meager percentage of communal minded categories agglutinated to chauvinism. Their children who are in the educated and intelligent spheres could show them the correct path.

Christians treat Abraham as their father too, although they are not allowed to pay pilgrimage to Kaba.

Christianity is a religion adore by the highest number of population in the world. But it has divided into various denominations, although the religious leader is the same. Jesus Christ. He preached a new doctrine which was not much in favor of the ruling class. He was fearless and did not obey the prevailing administrative pattern or the religious order. His commitments aggravated the rulers. He was captured by the Roman army, mercilessly battered and crucified. After his demise his followers formed the Jewish Christian Movement, but most of the followers were massacred by Roman army and the movement subsequently disappeared.

In a later period Gnostic Christianity was formed. They venerated Jesus as a deity in human form. There were lot of frictions between the church movements and the Roman Empire.

At the Ecumenical Council of 381 CE. Rome was given the lead position.

Christians regard Bible as the Scripture of Christianity. Roman Catholicism is the denomination adhered by largest number of Christians. It was introduced to Sri Lanka in 1505 by Portuguese. At that time the king of Kotte was assassinated by his sons. This gave the opportunity for the Portuguese to involve in politics of the country. More than trade and politics they were more interested to propagate their religion. They were successful to a greater extend and gradually built churches from Colombo to Chilaw via Wattala,Kandana, Jaela, Tewatta, Negambo and several other areas in the country. Catholic population was increased and the religion was well established.

There has been a significant growth of evangelical Christianity. Protestant churches in Sri Lanka are Methodist, Anglican, Baptist and Salvation Army. St.Andrew’s Church in Colombo is a congregation of the Church of Scotland.

When His Excellency the president made a courtesy call to the Colombo Archbishop after the end of the 26 year terrorist struggle, Rev.Dr. MalcomRanjith at Bishop House, said through the practices of religious principles, which are the soul of the country could heal the wounds of the past years without being pushed into external forces. Subsequently when he visited him again in May 2010, President thanked the prelate for the help and work carried out by the Catholic Church. In an atmosphere of great warmth Bishop assured that the church is resolutely committed to the development of the entire country.

So it is up to the country people not to involve in redundant conflicts, in religious wise and ethnic wise, live in the country peacefully as a broad minded nation without giving opportunity for outmoded chauvinism. History of the past as elaborated particularly in Mahavansa are not quite reliable in every instance. That may be the very reason why His Excellency ordered the Director of Archaeology to rewrite the Island’s history in correct perspective. The history of the country that is scheduled to rewrite should be galvanized with reliable evidence.

If I quote a recent example, in one of my past articles on Sripada, I quoted directly from Mahavansa to affirm that it was discovered by King Walagamba while he was in exile.

Walagamba was reigning in Anuradhapura from BC 104 to BC 88.He had to abandon the capital and hid himself as five Chola rulers usurped the kingdom. They were Pulahaththa,Bhaiya,Paniyamara,Piliyamara, and Datika. During his exile he has hidden in a cave in the Dambulla temple. When he asked a villager for a place for him to hide, he who has directed him to the cave temple as he realized from his look he ought to be a recognized personality. This piece of history revealed as there was a rift at Dambulla recently.

Muslims have built several years back a Takaran shed for the Muslims in the region to pay homage to their religion who considered Qu’ran as their holy book and Mohammed as the Prophet. Buddhist people in the area along with incumbent monks have raised an upheaval.

It goes as thus: After the Cholan rulers were driven away he returned to his palace. First thing he wants to do, as gratitude to do some benevolent act to monks who fed and treated him well during the time that he was hiding. He came with his ministers and retinue, and according the tradition that was prevailing he employed all his men to stand in various distances right round the temple. He got a robust fellow who had a loud voice to make big hoos. He turned to four sides and made the Hoos. The last persons who heard the hoo faintly demarcate the boundary .The entire area from that demarcation gifted to the temple. A vast area but barren lands there was hardly any revenue. People who were living within the area provided food and other requirements to the temple. It was several centuries ago. But presently incumbent monks find unable to survive with meager income from gifted lands.

I suggest as an alternative, as we do have the power to make any suitable suggestion to the democratic government, that government in power must appoint a committee with the members of the regions to where Sinhala kings have gifted lands centuries back to take back by the government, as population is being increased and government has to enhance the economy, therefore to grant monthly a reasonable amount for the maintenance of such religious places. Besides, for the daily maintenance and food for the incumbent priests and other novices; according to the present living index a special Grant, recommended by the appointed committee should be allocated by the government. Temple premises only should be demarcated as sacred zones. This is only a suggestion if both parties are agreeable could be discussed and implemented. Of course, there will have protests. It is quite natural among our country people as some of them are chauvinists. When the Cricket Stadium was coming up at Dambulla and when the Kandalama tourist hotel was coming up, they kicked up a big row. But absolutely nothing had happened. As now there is religious tolerance in the country it is fair enough to allow Muslims in the region to maintain their Khairya Jumma mosque built nearly 60 years ago.

This piece of story in the history is reliable as the king was in Anuradhapura. But to be franked what I depicted in my previous article directly from Mahavansa to say That King Walagamaba discovered Sri pada when he was in exile. This cannot be considered as true, for the simple fact considering the distance from Anuradhapura to Samanola region and the area may have then covered with a thick jungle. There were no possibilities for anyone to climb to the peak as there were no steps. More over Sripada according to Mahavansa was covered with a boulder so that it is not visible to anybody. It was nothing but just incredible history minus evidence.

Sripada journey is a pleasure trip today to young and old, men and women irrespective of their religious connections. They enjoy! Local names such as, Dharmaraja gala, Seetha Gangula, Indikatupane, Makara Thorana, Sulang kapolla, maha giri dmbe,Uda maluwa etc. are common terms used by every body while they are in the sacred region. No doubt the picturesque beauty, natural formations, geological aspects are highly praiseworthy. Samanola rises along majestically with a conical shape and offer an unobstructive alluring view over land and sea.

Although local and foreign writers have written so many articles in beautiful styles but nothing on the authenticity on the footsteps archaeologically proved. Writers haven’t forgotten to touch on unique biodiversity of the mountain which has been named as a UNESCO World Heritage site. As such it will definitely become the main natural attraction of the Island when tourism reaches its highest recognition. This hollowed conic mountain is shrouded in legend and history, but it emerges an immense satisfaction for devotees of the four main religions in the Island. However it is worth if the archaeological department with their ground penetrating equipments could discover something nonpareil or else could leave as it is for the surprise of the devotees of all the four major religions in the country to praise in high position.

Jutting sharply skyward from the lush green jungle of South-western Sri Lanka is this 7360 feet peak of Sri Pada, the mountain that has the unique distinction of being sacred to the followers of Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. It is purely a belief, a propound obsession but absolutely no historical record although during the past 2000 years it has gone into devotees minds of all faiths as stronger than authentic history. Now it cannot be eradicated from devotees’ profound faiths.

If archaeologists and historians come to the fore and decorate with credible descriptions to enhance the devotional aspirations when they reach the 7360 feet, sharp peak keeping laboriously two thousands odd foot-steps, the fatigue and all the immense difficulties that underwent would diminish with devotional inspiration, which perhaps sustain until they die. It would be immemorial! However the present Pali Gatha where Sinhalese recite as… YONAKAPURE muninocha Padang…to say Buddha has implants his right foot print in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, either has no truth…It is high time to be amended!

Pilgrimage to Sri pada begins in December and ended up in May. Now this is the off season. So it is time to make a comment to think about. With or without background or historical evidence, locations like Sri pada should be displayed in any country for people to have some innocent satisfaction. Batadomba lena, closer to Sri pada at Kuruvita, is another great location where archaeologists have discovered first human fossil of primitive inhabitants who lived in the Island over 28,000 years. Credit for this should go to archaeologists P.E.P.Deraniyagala and his son, Siran. Local and foreign tourists and school children may eager to visit such places, if they are properly maintain and provided with artifacts along with other archaeological material. High class people, elites and those who are embedded with chauvinism may not have tolerance or appreciation, other than the intellectuals.

Earliest location recorded in the Internet was Fa-hiangala where a human fossil of 34,000 years old has been recorded. Archaeological Department has very recently discovered from the same cave at Kalutara District, a full skeletal remain of a pre-historic man about 12,000 years old that of a homo-spians ,which they believed it to be quite similar to that of Balangoda man, discovered from Batadomba lena. Even foreign intellectuals may evince an interest to visit these locations where there is a great archaeological value. So these regions should be maintained and sustained by the government and religious institutions, even with foreign aids. Chauvinists need not make an attempt to discover their tribal lineage but they should be proud that there were inhabitants in such an early period in this Island which are absence even in well advanced countries in this wide world.