( February 20, 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) It is very pertinent to record that most extreme reactions to any reconciliation between warring communities do not necessarily originate from the 'other side'. History, both modern and ancient, notes it usually came from within.
Mahatma Gandhi sought to bring about reconciliation between the Muslims and Hindus in India. He was not killed by a Muslim; he was brutally gunned down by a Hindu fanatic. Anwar Sadat was not killed by an Israeli Jew. He was slain by a member of his own Egyptian Army, during the annual victory parade in Cairo. Indira Gandhi was not killed by members of the Khalistan Freedom Fighters. She was gunned down by her own bodyguards. Extremism gone beyond any conceivable boundaries was evident in all these cases in modern history.
It is most unfortunate and significantly disconcerting to note modern extremism in Sri Lanka is once again being created and augmented by certain misguided members of the 'Order of Maha Sangha', the very 'Order' created by the Buddha to spread the universal message of love, kindness and tolerance. It is even more distressing to pen these thoughts in a context of an emerging consensus of anti-Muslim sentiment.
Buddhist scriptures abound in stories and tales of how the Great Teacher had come to the rescue and refuge of the oppressed and under-privileged castes, classes and clans. His fundamental teachings enlighten us on how to be tolerant and accommodating of the 'other' points-of-view. This basic premise set the Buddha apart from the traditional religious leaders of his time, as someone who had the courage and open-mindedness to co-exist with other religions and faiths.
Renunciation of dogma, readiness for another perspective in terms of one's own limitations and comprehension, made the Buddha a unique Teacher in the history of mankind. But now it seems that very uniqueness has made his self-styled followers judgmental in their own conduct of private and public affairs.
What has materialized as opposition to 'Halal' and anything 'Muslim', transpired as 'patriotic' and pro-Buddhist and piggybacking on the mindless utterances of some members of the clergy, is the very defilement of the pure and simple teachings of that Great Teacher. In this context, one can't help but wonder whether for the first time in Sri Lanka's history of Buddhism, a pseudo-fundamentalist interpretation of the teachings of the Buddha, is emerging and taking root among the less enlightened segments of the clergy and the laity.
Fundamentalist approaches to many socio-religious-political issues have been tried and tested in other parts of the world, often with bloody and destructive long term ramifications.
Sri Lanka has had the most unsavoury experience of racing along ethnic lines. But sadly, we seem incapable or unwilling to learn from the past mistakes.
Extreme elements of both Sinhala and Muslim communities seem to have driven their respective factions into corners, leaving only a marginal residue in the centre. What is disconcerting is this downward swing appears to be gaining momentum with every passing day, if the gathering at Sunday's anti-Halal campaign is anything to go by. What is even more disconcerting is the racial fires are being fanned by a small segment of the Buddhist clergy in blatant desecration of the teachings of the Buddha.
It is the need of the hour for the Mahanayakes of the Buddhist clergy, steeped in the great philosophical tradition of Buddhism, to persuade the 'black sheep' creating chaos in the country to return to the great fold.
It is equally important the leaders of all political hues wake up to the reality of the dangers posed by this growing phenomenon. For, to stay nonchalant is to give the impression that religious intolerance, agitations against other communities and such ugly discordant behaviour is par for the course in post-war Sri Lanka.
Agitational politics, if not checked by their own masters in time, will push the fringe elements to take over and portray these agitations as normal and routine. It's time some serious checks and balances are erected along this path, which can only lead to extreme chaos and the destruction of all the values upheld as noble and lofty.
Ceylon Today Editorial
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