| by Patriotic Lankan
( April 22, 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The historical origin, motives and philosophies of Budu Bala Sena should be examined and analysed in the context of its concerns and emotional feeling. Every one knows that it has been pouring its sensational emotions since its inception. The psychological, moral, political, and socio- religious mindsets of these people should be examined in light of sociological and historical perspectives. Why these people are so emotional and why these people are so angry? What makes them so angry? Why do they feel that their cultural, religious heritage, customs, traditions and way of life are in jeopardy? Is it really because of minority communities or is it because of the failure of successive Srilankan governments to protect Buddhism in this country or is it because of the failure of religious leadership of Buddhist clerics to reach out to Singhalese public in professional and scientific ways and methods with Buddhism? Or is it because of the western influence in Sri Lankan.
With modern technological advancement and intrusion of internet and Web culture young generation goes away from religious faith and practises not only in Sri-Lanka but also all over the world. This is a general trend in all communities and communal and socio-religious values and principle are peril in all countries. This is a reality of the world we live in and Srilanka is not an exceptional to this general rule.
These are some of genuine questions and we should examine them in light of modern development in Srilanka. Rather than challenging or debating these clerics it is the duty of each and very Srilanka to try to understand their problems and their worries. I think that it is a collective duty of all Srilankans. Their worries and problems would affect all Sri Lankans in one way or another. Today live in Srilanka as a one family unite and we can not ignore these problems at all.
We should understand problems and worries of these people objectively without any bias with sympathy and empathy. What went wrong with Buddhism in Srilanka to make these people so angry? Why that Buddhism is is in decline as it is claimed by some of these monks? Who is responsible for such decline/? One wonders whether these people are trying to follow Anagarika Darmapala who tried to revive Buddhism in Srilankan in early 20th century. It seems that these people have been using same slogans and mottos as Anagarika Darmapala did. It is often said that he succeeded to some extent to generate nationalistic feelings in his days. One wonders as if history repeats itself now in SriLanka today.
In one of his TV interviews the President of Budu Bala Sena venerable Kirama Vimalajothi clearly outlined BBS’s objectives and missions in Srilanka. He said that he and his fellow members were worried and concerned about the status of Buddhism in Srilanka right now. He said that he was worried about alien cultural intrusion and influence among Singhalese Buddhist communities. He argues that 2000 years Buddhists culture is in peril and has been threaten by different cultural invasion and influence. Particularly he contends that since independence Singhalese community is subjected Christian missionary onslaught of converting poor Singhalese people from Buddhism to Christianity. He claims that hundreds of NGO are working day and night in Srilanka with hidden agenda of converting Singhalese into Christianity. He claims that these NGOs are working in disguise as Montessori, nurseries and charities as missionary agents with the intention of converting people.
He said that Singhalese Buddhists are losing their cultural identity. Western way of life is intruding in Singhalese community. For instance he lamented that Singhalese are celebrating “Mothers day” in Srilanka now. It is a western concept and how did this intrude into our culture. We care and love our parents 24 hours a day and 365 days in year unlike western people. He further lamented that alien languages, food, songs and even Cinemas are dominating Srilanka. Singhalese people like to wear as westerners wear. They like to eat as westerners eat and they like to behave as westerners behave. Venerable Monk says if this trend continues what would happen to our culture and our way of life. Where does this country of ours go? What would happen to our people and our culture? He says that some patriotic Singhalese people are asking these genuine questions. He further noted that a lot of people today are worried about this new trend.
Venerable Monk says that we had 30 years of wars and we do not want to create any more problems in this country and we know how much we suffered during these thirty years. We are here to protect our race and our country. We are not racists and we do not have any racist agendas. We are not against any race or any religion. We are here to speak on behalf of our people and we are here to protect our community. These are some of worries of these monks. I personally do not see any problems in these concerns and these are really genuine concerns and worries. No one should doubt about it. Yet, how these address these concerns and how do they try to find solutions to these problems and concerns. We shall deal these issues next week.
To be continued Next week.
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