| by Rufus Randeniya
( June 1, 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Tibetan, Vietnamese and Indian priests among others have performed self immolation many a time and now a Sri Lankan Buddhist priest has decided to burn himself in public, protesting cattle slaughter in the country. This daring sacrifice resonated in the news as it occurred at a prominent spot on a significant day. Onlookers seemed astounded and bewildered to see a priest in flames with shriveled and charred skin writhing in agony.
Shock waves rippled from Kandy and many are still lamenting the sad fate of the priest who etched his protest in history. This act based on a steel determination of a Buddhist priest to stop killing cattle is gathering favourable public support as a tsunami wave that would pose a challenge to the govt., to do something concrete about this countrywide wickedness.
If those in Panadura could enforce no slaughter rule, why not Colombo, Kandy or any other city follow suit in this country where rulers waged even a war termed humanitarian. Burn victim is dead now but his cry resounds in many hearts and an eruption of a volcanic proportion protest is gathering momentum. Arab Spring virtually propelled by a Tunisian vendor who set himself on fire to protest the confiscating his wares. Tunisian Revolution thus sprung turned out to be the catalyst for the wide Arab Spring.
Millions of hurting Buddhists are agitated on what happened to this priest and they can't keep quiet anymore. This Vesak Day could make history as the day that prompted protests in many cities against the cattle slaughter. Some may ask what about chicken and fish. It is true all living beings love their lives, but let us now honour the brave priest who decided to trade his life for the sake of voiceless animals that feed humans with their milk. We are waiting to see which city or town would stand with Panadura.
Others do not have to emulate this act of the determined priest, trying self immolation. One solitary attempt is strong enough as we heed the importance of the person, place and the day. Err the warmth of the piety that seemed kindled in the Vesak Week could subside, let there be voices to save the lives of the cattle of our country.
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