LETTERS ON BUDDHISM
Appeared in Sri Lankan News Papers
PAGE I
There are perhaps 5% of the world population that simply "can't" think.
There are another 5% who "can", and "do".
The remaining 90% "can" think, but "don't".
- R. A. Heinlein
LETTERS INDEX Page-1
- The spiritual and earthly motherhood - Buddha's mother who died seven days after the Bodhisattva's birth...
- What is so unethical about conversions?: a reply - Mr. BF wants to know what is so unethical about conversions...
- What is so unethical about conversions?: a reply 2 - In the first place, conversions are unethical because...
- Demonstrations against banning Anduren Eliyata - Two articles which are of great interest to me and should be to all Buddhits in Sri Lanka...
- Anduren Andurata - 1 - The above programme on TV has shot to prominence a parvenu Buddhist monk...
- What matters primarily is 'Emancipation' as the Buddha taught - A Tamil friend, in a private letter to me, says that ...
- Anduren Andurata - 2 - It is known to everybody that the Anduren Eliyata programme ...
- Buddhism in Sri Lanka at cross roads today - Unlike other religions and faiths, Buddhism has ...
- Is Soma Thera telling the truth? - Ven Gangodawila Soma Thera telling the people of Sri Lanka what a great religion Islam is ...
.. The spiritual and earthly motherhood
In "The Island" of Friday, September 21st, an unnamed "student of Buddhism" has a "poser for Professor Obeysekere" with information he learned from Dhamma school, high school and university, namely, how is it that the Buddha's mother who died seven days after the Bodhisattva's birth could possibly have joined the Buddhist order? I want to apologize to him (or her) for assuming that the Buddha had two mothers but your correspondent has convinced me that this is biologically impossible, given European notions of biological motherhood, which I assume has entered into his knowledge of the Dhamma. Nevertheless, I owe it to your readers as to how I came to hold these erroneous assumptions.
1. In the Accariyabhuthadhamma Sutta and other texts the Buddha's mother, Mahamaya, conceives the Bodhisattva when she is observing the precept on chastity and while she was abstaining from sexual intercourse with her husband. The Bodhisattva descends from the Tusita heaven and enters the mother's womb from the right side without hurting her; the mother sees the Bodhisattva in her womb like a beryl or a crystal; her womb is pure and the child is unpolluted by blood or mucus. Devas attend on the mother and she delivers the baby in an upright position. None of this is, of course biologically possible and because the authors of Buddhist texts were not idiots, I assumed that they were not expecting us to take any of this literally. They were trying to convey a profound symbolic message, namely, to highlight the spiritual motherhood of Maya (whose name incidentally fits such an idea). Right through in Buddhist texts Maya consistently maintains this almost other-worldly or spiritual ("mythic") character.
2. When the Bodhisattva was seven days old he was brought up by his mother's younger sister and cowife of Suddhodana, Mahaprajapati Gotami, the second mother of my mishappen thinking. Western scholars, including I.B. Horner, refer to this woman as the Bodhisattva's "aunt" which might make sense to modern bourgeois Buddhists who use this term but it did not make sense to the Sakyans whose system of reckoning relationships was close to the Sinhalas (and Tamils). A person's mother's sister "or father's bother's wife) would also be called "mother," either "big mother" or "little mother" (loku or punchi amma).
The convention among nobles of the time was to give someone like the infant Bodhisattva for nurses to suckle but Gotami instead gave her own infant Nanda to nurses and she herself nursed the Bodhisattva. I assumed that any child who was raised by a woman seven days after birth would call that woman "mother", particular if she actually suckled the child of her sister who would be called "son" in any case in the Sakyan (and our) kinship terminology. Right through in Buddhist texts this woman maintains a truly human and humane notion of motherhood as opposed to the purely spiritual motherhood of Maya. Prajapati's name also, etymologically speaking, nicely fits her role as one who raised the Bodhisathva.
In my erroneous thinking Mahaprajapati Gotami is the second mother to Gotama or, as some translators say, the "foster mother" (who by any token is a mother).
by Prof. Gananath Obeyesekere
The Island - 30 Sep 01
Mr. BF wants to know what is so unethical about conversions ("The Island", 03.05.2001). Well, the whole concept of conversion in Christianity - whatever the variety may be - is unethical. Christians always imposed their beliefs on others. That is why one of Europe's greatest thinkers Friedrich Nietzche once said that nobody walked into Christianity. On the top of this they established a think police which made it impossible for anyone to question the basic concepts underlining their beliefs. Arrogantly they assert without any proof, "the Bible the word of God? And we are expected to work on that premise. For several hundred centuries people who questioned this assumption were tortured most cruelly and burnt at the stake. They suffered much more than Jesus Christ did simply because they stood for truth as they understood it.
Mr. Fernandez cannot justify his case by quoting the Bible. Bible was the excuse for the holy inquisition, for the torture and burning of witches, for robbing orphans and widows. The Bible has caused more hate and persecution than any other book, more suffering than any other disease. The Bible has been used to obstruct human progress, and was often the enemy of science, of culture and reaming. Morality, liberty and justice in the world had to fight its way against it.
Christians call the Bible "the word of God" and themselves moral and charitable. Mr. Basil Fernandez's assumption that Charity is a characteristic of Christians, of Christian organisations and Churches cannot be accepted. Christian institutions collect billions of dollars each year by way of taxes and contributions. No accounts are shown or kept. they are the super rich of the world. Take the case of Maria Teresa. In a recent book by Christopher Hitchens ("The Missionary Position - Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice" Verso, 1995) the author details the nature and limits of one woman's mission to the world's poor. He probes the source of the heroic status bestowed upon an Albanian nun whose only declared wish is to serve God. He asks whether Mother Teresa's good works answer any higher purpose than the need of the world's privileged to see someone, somewhere, doing something for the third world. He unmasks pseudo-miracles, questions Mother Teresa's fitness to adjudicate on matters of sex and reproduction, and reports on a version of saintly ubiquity which affords genial relations with dictators, corrupt tycoons and convicted frauds. During the 'Dark Ages' of Europe when Christianity held sway over every aspect of life, that continent was steeped in the greatest poverty, ignorance, oppression and superstition. There was never a more evil and immoral age in the whole of human history. Charity was absent in Christianity then as now.
In South America, the Christian intrusion was the cause of the death of over 16 million "natives". The economic and the social conditions of the Indians remain the same as after the time of the subjugation of these peoples by Christian Conquistadors. The so-called Christian charity has only contributed to the destruction of their once flowering cultures, genocide and occupation of their lands by Christians. The search for "unreached peoples" goes on there still. An evangelical group calling themselves "The Summer Institute of Linguistics" has been chased out of Venezuela recently for: (1) Psychological terror (2) mental and physical cruelty (3) instigating panic (4) division of society by favouritism extended to converts and (5) monopolising native handicrafts for the missionaries' commercial benefit.
Christian charity is not extended to people who are hooked on to the system. When converts reach the stage of addicted believers, charity stops. From thereon they will have to continue in the same old poverty and penury with an additional cultural load. To understand the real nature of these charity-wahllahs one should read "The Missionaries, God against the Indians" by Norman Lewis (Arena, 1989). It will make you angry. It is about genocide, practiced today, against helpless people in the name of God. It also gives an account of how the Pacific Islands were Christianised using bribery, treachery, war and most immoral methods. They made alcoholics out of chiefs, supplied them arms and made them fight against each other. In this vast ocean, the islanders were rudderless and were subject to missionary onslaughts converting these once happy peoples to the position of Victorian labour class.
When Christian nations invaded our shores they were very charitable to Buddhists, demolishing all the Buddhist temples including the famous ones at Kelaniya, Totagamuwa and Devundera. Don Duan Dharmapala became extremely charitable after his conversion to Christianity by handing over the temple properties to the Franciscans. When the Spanish and the Portuguese demolished the ancient civilisations of Mexico and South America charity flew across the Atlantic Ocean filling the coffers of the Pope and gilding up the rococo churches there. The Vatican is one of the largest financial institutions of the world. This is wealth collected and amassed during many centuries. There is no sign that this wealth would be available to the poor and needy Christians of the world.
Apparently, Mr. BF is well informed how Christians were made during Portuguese times. To quote his own words, they were "brought into churches held by the scuff of their necks and led by their ears and forcibly dipped (baptised) in a pool of water". Thanks to the relentless debunking of Christian beliefs and practices by free thinkers and universal acceptance of the rights of man Christianity has been made to take a back seat. But those people who did such things are coming back with the might dollar. Under the guise of "charity", Christians are only repeating their historic aggressions since violence is no longer acceptable.
There are now over 130 missionary bodies registered as companies. On the top of this there are over 80 NGOs engaged in missionary activity. Their work is already causing social disruption as is amply indicated in Dr. Sasanka Perera's thesis. A newly converted Christian stabbed a Buddhist monk who opposed conversions in Nuwarawatte, Hingurakgoda. Some people have died by seeking God's help, where rational medical attention was urgently needed. The government press, which is now practically a Christian press doing Christian propaganda, tried to present it as a land dispute. But the people of Hingurakgoda know the truth of the case. Our government is either oblivious to the havoc caused by the missionary bodies who register themselves as companies, or they are seeking the mighty dollar. Every week we read on the average two such companies applying for registration. There are now over 130 missionary bodies registered as companies. On the top of this, there are over 80 NGOs engaged in missionary activity.
Already in the villages where the missionary NGOs have converted and favoured some there is hate and dissension. Those interested to see how conversion works should visit Rathugala on the Bibile-Inginiyagala Road. There a Tamil man called Joseph from Negombo has set up a missionary station with a fifteen-acre farm. He has also set up a school for the purpose of conversion. Now the village has been split into two or rather three fractions.
There is the converted lot who has received "aid", elegant dresses and jobs on the farm. Korean tourists bringing the goodies are regularly visiting them. The second lot though not baptised lives in close liaison with Joseph's establishment. A third group stays loyal to their traditional religion. This type of social disruption has to stop immediately.
Mr. BF suggestion that Buddhists are confused cannot be accepted. The present upsurge in missionary activity is an international phenomenon. The Pope has declared that he hopes to convert Asia in this millennium. Christianity has become anathema to most Europeans and Americans. The pews are falling apart. So he thinks, while keeping himself at a safe distance from the Muslims that he could bag in the Hindus and Buddhists.
B. A. Aryatilake, Maharagama
The Island - 18 May 2001
I had somehow missed Basil Fernandez's letter of 03/05 and read it only after a few replies appeared in the paper.
In the first place, conversions are unethical because they are done covertly by offering inducements such as food, clothing, etc., or by force and not because the convert is convinced that the new religion is superior to the one he had been professing and Buddhists are certainly angered both by the conversions and the manner it is done.
It is admitted that all religious organisations or individual places of worship receive foreign assistance but all such donations to Buddhists organisations/temples are given and accepted openly unlike the millions of dollars paid by foreign NGOs to evangelist groups operating in Sri Lanka.
It is the height of absurdity for BF to think that there is confusion in the minds of Buddhists about Buddhism. As in every religion, there are certain intricate matters that all Buddhists do not understand but it is not essential to know all the abhidhamma to practise the religion. And anybody who has any doubts is free to go to a learned monk and get an explanation because in Buddhism anybody is free to question monks and clear their doubts. There are also TV and radio panel discussions that answer listeners' questions. Anyway, what does it matter to BF if Buddhist prelates are lethargic and do not look into the corporal needs of the laity? Why should he poke his finger into other people's affairs without looking after the needs of the Christians? He also talks of Christian charity but charity is not the monopoly of Christians. Buddhists and Muslims practise charity in far more magnificent ways.
It is wrong to believe that Buddhists need BF's advice to mend their fences, or to look after their affairs. It is he who has to be told to look after his own affairs and to consult a psychiatrist.
No Buddhist or Buddhist organisation has ever accused the Christian church of unethical conversions carried out by evangelists who thrive on the misery of poor Buddhists, in remote areas and, mind you, not in areas where they are likely to get exposed and we have only to believe that BF is one of their agents.
BF has also to remember that nobody is converted to Buddhism by the offer of inducements nor are they brought to temples by the scruff of their necks or led by the ears. The principle or the formula is "Come (and) See, ehi passiko, and if your are convinced accept it."
For BF's information, I would like to mention that I am in possession of some articles written by Westerners describing the murder and mayhem created by evangelists in various countries in the past, but not likely to be published in the local press because of the religious tolerance practised here, and that the Indian Supreme Court has turned down a plea by evangelists that conversions are an "extension of God's grace" and ruled that they would impinge on the freedom of conscience, disturb community life and amount to disturbing public order.
I do hope that as in India, some Buddhist organisations in Sri Lanka will challenge the unethical conversions, so that there will be an end to them and the mercenaries will have to stop their covert activities, pack up and leave the Sri Lankan shores.
S. A. Abeywickrama, Nugegoda
The Island - 24 May 01
‘The Island’ recently carried two articles which are of great interest to me and should be to all Buddhits in Sri Lanka. There was a picture of demonstrators outside the Buddha Sasana Ministry. They are not there to reduce their weight or get a tan but to protest against the banning or cancelling of the Ven. Soma Thera from the TV programme that he appeared on every Monday &emdash; Anduren Eliyata.
They are not paid goons or on orders from a political party, or temple or church. The demonstrators have one thing in common and that is disappointment. Just imagine, in this freedom loving democratic paradise he who speaks the truth is silenced. In this regard all blame should not be bestowed on the Al Haj Ashraff, there are trustees and organisers both in robes and without who would like to get rid of Soma Thera. I repeat that not only Ashraff’s supporters but many a Buddhist Sinhala lay and clergy men would like to see the end of "this turbulent" monk. (history repeats itself?). And this in a predominantly Buddhist country. Anyway the Good Thera is out and likely to remain so. It is a sorry state, when a government that is supposed to back Buddhism castrates the speakers of the truth.
The Minister for Buddha Sasana should resign forthwith followed by this snivelling government. Come election time, people will demand explanations before voting.
Where are the Buddhist Organisations like the Seven (07) famous or infamous ones who wanted the Minister for Buddha Sasana and the Speaker not to entertain the Anglicans wanting to change their Constitution. The Seven Organisations were quixotic in their attempts. There are very many worthwhile issues and causes but the office-bearers are silent. This grabbing or stealing of land from the Deegavapi is far more important than anything else, for here could be the beginning, the thin edge of the wedge. If anyone exposes any racket against the Buddhists he will get the same treatment. What about the Diyawadana Nilame, why is he so silent?
The second article is the letter by Mr. T. B. Basnayaka of Colombo 6. He does not seem to have heard a single sermon of Ven. Soma or is there a ghost writer involved? If not how can Mr. Basnayaka say that the Good Thera has digressed and come down to political polemics. Is it wrong for Buddhists to say that someone has filched this or that? After all, take over of temple land is like taking over someone elses’ property but more so because temple land cannot be taken. This is high handed act and unless it is opposed at the inception, there will be no more temple lands. The mistake here is the exposure.Now that the good Thera has conclusively proved and now even challenged the Minister, he has to counter their arguments. Is this Mr. Basnayaka’s sense of fairplay or actually is it politics? What does it matter if the land is fallow, Mudu Bim or Waste Lands Ordinance does not apply to temples land be they Vihara or Dewalagam. If the Minister feels that these lands can be made productive as they kept fallow let the Minister work out a scheme of improvement and cultivation and production with the consent of the chief priest. After all monks are just human and anyone else and they will not object to development on agreed lines but with their consent and perhaps with the consent of the Dayakas.
No one, no right thinking Buddhist will agree with Mr. Basnayaka. It was not a prudent act to knock the Thera but an unkind act and done to cover up a lot of sin and taking over and distribution of land, temple land.
Isn’t this racism? If a Sinhala or Buddhist says or does something, it is chauvinism but when others do in the interests of furtherance of their cause, no one calls them expansionists.
Milroy A. P. Bulathsinhalage, Colombo 5
The Island, 30 Aug 99
The above programme on TV has shot to prominence a parvenu Buddhist monk as a result of his lucid but non conformist exposition of the Dhamma, much to the dismay of tradition bound monks and laymen who have for centuries worshipped Hindu gods under cover of Buddhism. One cannot find fault with him for exercising his constitutional right of expression of his views on Buddhism.
However, when the venerable priest recently digressed from his discourses on the Dhamma and descended to the level of political polemics and sectarian animosity against the actual or proposed distribution of lands to landless Muslims who, it would appear, have been living on or in the vicinity of the lands owned by the Digavapi temple, it dawned on some discerning viewers that the monk was subverting the programme to uses not at all intended by its sponsors. On grounds of prudence alone, the stoppage of this programme could be justified. Buddhism, proper, rests on boundless compassion towards others, whoever they may be and whatever their races or religions. Boundless compassion entails boundless tolerance of even the worst forms of religious or racial bigotry that other sinners may direct at Buddhists and others. Nominal Buddhists who fail to be consistently compassionate are in the majority; look at the leaders in business, politics and religion and the state of the country today to realise the truth of this statement. The intolerance of nominal Buddhists begets the intolerance of others; intolerance is a two-way street.
The monk did not make it clear to interested viewers whether the large extent of lands owned by the Digavapi temple are, today, richly cultivated or lie fallow or, have lain fallow for years. If the lands are richly cultivated the income from the produce of the lands ought to have been used for the effective upkeep and maintenance of the temple, so that it could not have been reduced to rack and ruin. Has the allegedly ruined structure been bulldozed to construct a road for the benefit of the settlers? If so, with whose permission and under whose authority? These are issues that must be clarified without delay by the government and the lay authorities without leaving matters to the priestly flights of sectarian rhetoric.
If the lands in question had lain fallow and remained unoccupied for long the temple authorities ought to have got the LRC to take over the lands and divest them among the landless of the area in an equitable manner, be they Sinhala or Muslims. Why cry wolf! When someone steps in and attempts to do something constructive with the lands in question for the benefit of the landless in the area. Buddhist compassion is not confined to a rarefied feeling in the head! It must be translated into practice. As I have said, it is hard to practice, especially in the face of bigotry and the intolerance of others, but practice it we must. Perhaps, the monk in his religious discourses failed to mention this central point in the Buddhist doctrine; may be an inadvertence after all.
T. B. Basnayake, Colombo 6
The Island, 24 Sept 99
A reply to 'Sinhalese are Dravidians' letter
In response to two of my letters to the Editor, 'The Island', a Tamil friend, in a private letter to me, says that
(1)the Sinhalese are Dravidians
(2) 99.99 percent of the Sinhala Buddhist requests are fulfilled by Hindu Gods
(3)Lord Buddha was born a Hindu
(4) I speak as a good Buddhist.
Since it is a reply that refers to certain matters raised in the journal, I think, for the benefit of many who may share similar views but do not wish to express, I prefer to comment on the above observations through 'The Island' itself.
It concerns me the least whether one is an Aryan or a Dravidian. I think one's nationality is more by accident than by design. If somebody says the Sinhalese are Dravidians, what does it matter either way? What I am concerned is the purity of the mind and not the purity of race. Better left to the racists of so-called Aryan and Dravidian origin to argue out to a finish. Instead of quarrelling over the riddles of ancestry, man has to find a way out of suffering in this world consequent to his greed and clinging.
I do not think that it is correct to say that 99.99 per cent of the Buddhist request are fulfilled by Hindu Gods. A good Buddhist has only to conduct himself in the Dhamma and he is looked after by gods, if necessary. All humans, according to Buddhism, are potentially above Gods?
It is only those who do not justify a righteous living seek favours from Hindu Gods who work for a fee, offer or prayer. Buddha is not there to provide the daily bread, find a partner or to get a job. He leads us on a path that gives us a just life, content and happy. All Gods fall at His feet for discovering the reality of life and the solution to its unending suffering.
It was Prince Siddhartha and not the Buddha who was born a Hindu. He could not help it as he couldn't have been born a Buddhist. Similarly Christ or Mohammed were not born Christian or Muslim. What is important is that He discovered the truth and proved the falsity of existing beliefs. The greatness of His teachings is gaining credibility by the day, all over the world.
It is un-Buddhistic to identify oneself as a good Buddhist. It is specially so, as I am still a wondering in the Sansara. Since this is not the last chance for a Buddhist as for all non-Buddhists, I have many more births before me, before I realise total emancipation. In the meantime, I have been currently profoundly influenced by three basic Buddhist principles. (1) Impermanence (all component things are subject to decay) (2) Middle-path (to eschew treading the extremes in life) and (3) self-reliance (one is one's own master and saviour).
Buddha Himself preached that the process of emancipation has to be gradual and slow, it can never be done in a hurry as if in fear of one being dragged into a permanent hell the following day. A Buddhist cannot be whipped into pray or rushed in fear of an external being. That is why the Buddhists, of all faiths, are the most tolerant and the least violent. It is this quality in His religion had made the others to prey upon him throughout the history of Buddhism.
E. M. G. Edirisinghe, Dehiwela
The Island, 23 Aug 99
It is known to everybody that the Anduren Eliyata programme was the most popular, famous and beneficial programme that the ITN ever produced during the last 12 months. However it ended up due to venomous action of minority politics.
Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera revealed through one of these programmes the real and pathetic situation prevailing at the premises of Digavapi temple. It is the duty of a real Buddha Putra to inform the Sinhala Buddhists when damage is done to heritages of Buddhism. But the revelation of truth was not digestible for the Minister who was responsible for this damage.
Following this incident the ITN carried out a follow-up action. This was to hide the truth. This crew behaved as psychotics. The ITN telecast the following day a programme called ' Anduren Eliyata Pasu Wadana ' to hide the truth from the viewers. They depicted scenes at the Deegavapiya and influenced two 'responsible (?) ' government officers and the priest at this particular temple to tell the viewers bear-faced lies. It is a shame that 'responsible (?)' government officers make fabricated statements through the power of politicians. Shame! Shame! The power of palming oil!
Now it is commonly known to the people of Sri Lanka that they have been cheated not only by politicians, but also by 'responsible (?)' government officers and the ITN. At the new programme on TNL ' Nena Pahana ' Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera proved the truthfulness of his assertions to the viewers with documentary proof.
The lame excuse put forward by the ITN about the suspension of Ven. Thera from this programme is that this particular programme has been continuing for nearly one year and that therefore they intend doing a new programme. A week before ITN announced that Ven. Soma Thera had been invited for a debate with the Minister and that if the Thera did not accept the invitation they would suspend the programme. However the Thera accepted the invitation as he was sure that he spoke the truth and he had documentary proof whereas the ITN had to force people to talk the untruth. The ITN had no other alternative but had to suspend the programme with the Ven. Thera as they had no way of accepting the truth. Nevertheless we know that this particular programme was aired last Monday at the usual time with new participants. It will be rather impossible replacement and an impractical expectation that the listeners would react to it in the same manner as to Ven. Thera's discussions.
With regard to Poya day programme on Rupavahini too we learn that there are some objections from the Buddhist Advisory Council of the Ministry of Media. I wonder whether this particular Council is worried only about Ven. Soma Thera participating at these Dhamma discussions? What is this Council doing when teledramas are telecast on Rupavahini depicting scenes where ordinary laymen are acting as Lord Buddha and when ITN displays programmes hiding devastation and misappropriation of the sacred precincts of the Buddhists?
The punishment for disclosing the truth about Digavapiya has fallen on the Sinhala Buddhist people. The government including the Minister in charge of Media and of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction has hit the Sinhala Buddhist people a disgusting blow.
Funds collected for rehabilitation and reconstruction by the so-called democratic government mainly out of the pockets of the Buddhists, who are the majority of the population of the island, have been used by the Government and its Minister Ashroff to deface, desecrate, destroy and misappropriate the ancient lands of the Deegapaviya, sacred to the Buddhists over centuries.
The Buddhists are debarred from crying a halt to these acts of barbarism and vandalism. The so-called media freedom that this government is swaggering about is it the 'inability to disclose the truth to the people who brought them into power'?
Manjari Peiris, Maharagama
The Island, 21 Sep 99
Time and history has proved that whenever there was a dispute among the Sangha the ancient Kings paved way to a Dharma Sangayanawa. Unlike other religions and faiths, Buddhism has its unique character for free debate and analysis of doctrinal philosophy. Again in Sri Lanka we witness another debate on the fundamentals of the Buddhist philosophy.
Buddhism in Sri Lanka is in cross roads today. It has to face the modern technological advances and try to preserve its doctrinal purity. It can only do this by debate and discussion. It is appreciating how this freedom of discussion co-exist with the religion without leading to excommunication of monks as in other faiths.
This freedom of thought has given Buddhist philosophy to remain a strong force in the long history of times. It is timely that the Mahanayakes come-forward with a proper vision to settle these misconceptions and lay out a programme to educate the Buddhist public. Buddhism is a way of life. It is timely that text such as 'What the Buddha taught' by Ven. Sri Rahula be translated and broadcast in the media at a critical time like this. This should also be a task for the Buddha Sasana Ministry. Even Christians do practice a Buddhist way of life in Sri Lanka.
Christian, Ratmalana
The Island, 21 Sep 99
The Muslims of Sri Lanka are thankful to Ven Gangodawila Soma Thera for telling the people of Sri Lanka what a great religion Islam is and requesting the Buddhist to take a leaf of the life lead by the Muslims of Sri Lanka. Islam is a religion which teaches the way of life. There are no missionaries in Sri Lanka who propagate Islam with vigour and no enticement granted to the converts. The Muslims lead an exemplary life as preached in the Quoran.
It is unfortunate to note that majority of the followers of the great religions and philosophies do not follow the teachings of the great religious leaders. I am open to teaching of all religions, which I believe propagate the way to lead a peaceful life. As a person who have listened to the sermons on Christianity, Dhamma Deshana of the Buddhist clergy and Hindu priest for over fifty years over the Radio and Television conclude Buddhism is a great religion. If followed truthfully, Sri Lanka would be heaven to live in.
The twenty eighth of June 1999, Poson Poya day, the day after prophet Muhammed’s birth anniversary, Ven Soma there appeared over the ITN and instilled fear psychosis among the Buddhist that they would be in the minority in Sri Lanka in twenty five to fifty years. Because they practice family planning and the Muslim, Catholic and Hindus do not.
Mathematically and historically, today minority religion will not be a majority in the future. Muslims of Sri Lanka were only 6% in 1948, fifty one years later it is only 7%. The one percent increase is because of the exodus of the Sri Lankan Burghers after 1956, repatriation of the Indian Tamil under the Indo-Ceylon Agreement, exodus of the Sinhala Buddhist and Sinhala Christians to greener pastures. There is no exodus of the Muslims even though there are Muslim countries around the globe.
Sinhala race and Buddhism have lasted for over 2500 years and would survive for another 2500 years. It also survived 300 years of foreign domination. The Ven Thera prophesise that there will be inter communal disharmony in Sri Lanka in the near future. It is the learned men who instill the fear and create chaos the world over.
With exception of the middle east countries, Buddhism is being spread the world over including the western nations and where Muslims are in the majority like Pakistan, Bangladesh (Where Wesak is a holiday), Malaysia and Indonesia.
It is hypocritical, When Ven Thera, who propagates Buddhism in Australia is antagonistic against other religion openly in his home country. He may have picked it from Mrs. Hansons party which has been rejected by the Australians themselves.
Buddhism would thrive in Sri Lanka by not only propagating the precepts of Buddhism, but also concentrating on the social upliftment of the Buddhist. We appreciate the endeavour of the Venerable Thera to improve the quality of life of the Buddhist in Sri Lanka through his discourses.
M. F. Hamid, Moratuwa
The Island, 13 Aug 99
