A ‘Buddhist’ upasaka ruler assaults ‘Buddhist’ monks in a ‘Buddhist’ land

Today is a sad day for the Buddhists in Sri Lanka. It was like the day the Kalinga Magha completely demolished the ancient Anuradhapura kingdom; the day that Portugese burned down Veedagama Raja Maha Vihara; the day that King Rajasinghe I, banned following Buddhism on the advices of his purohita Aritta Kee-vendu. Today, a ruler of our times took away his white clothes to play the role of Kalinga Magha.

Which Buddhist does not feel regretful when their religious leaders are physically beaten by the Police-wallahs without showing any sympathy? Wouldn’t the Catholics feel sad if Catholic priests were tear gassed and baton charged? Wouldn’t the Muslims feel sorry if their Mowlavis were physically harassed by the Police? Shouldn’t we feel twice sorry as this happened when a leader who had promised to save Buddha Sasana ruling in Sri Lanka? Shouldn’t we feel thrice sorry when this happened at a time a political party representing Buddhist Bhikkus is a major player in the government?

Please don’t get me wrong. I do not endorse what the student Bhikkus have done. It is also no secret that these Bhikkus were motivated by JVP. Religion and politics is a dangerous mix. It would have been good for everyone if the Buddhist Bhikkus stayed out of politics. On the other hand, no denial that they are part of the society. Like any citizen they have rights to protest as long as such protests are peaceful. There are better ways to address such activities. Beating and tear gassing Buddhists monks will not be taken lightly by the Buddhists in Sri Lanka who daily take the wow “Sangan Saranam Gachchami”.

We have seen similar things happening in Burma – but there is a difference. Though Burma is country with Buddhist majority, it is not governed by a Buddhist leader. On the other hand Sri Lanka is governed by a leader who loses no opportunity to portray his ‘Sinhalese Buddhist’ image, from carrying ‘mal vatti’ at temples to publicly listening sermons at Temple trees at every Poya day. Is it the same individual who ordered this assault against Maha Sangha today? Can we think that the ‘Upasaka Mahattaya’ in white clothes can be so ruthless to beat the Maha Sanga he worships publicly?

This is not the first time Buddhist monks have protested. They protested during the Chandrika Kumaratunage government and also Ranil Wickremasinghe government. Those leaders, perhaps showing more wisdom, faced them in intelligent manner.

During the two years when Ranil Wickremesinghe was in power – and when protests by JHU and JVP at their height – no Buddhist mink was ever beaten by Police.

However, it is not possible to expect such wisdom from every ruler. There are rulers who know nothing but fighting. Like Choppes Pachcha Siras in Maradana, all they can do is to show their muscle. They never consider whether it is a journalist, an innocent citizen or a religious leader. Physical violence is used at maximum for anybody who comes against them. That is what Hitler did, Mussoloni did, Marcos did and Musharaff and Robert Mugabe doing currently. That is exactly what happens in Sri Lanka too.

Perhaps this is a good opportunity for the so called JHU Buddhist monks also to come up and express their opinion about Kurakkan government physically assaulting Buddhist priests. Do they condemn this attack? Or do they endorse it? We are happy to listen to them. Mr. Champika Ranawaka, you have anything to say?