Coining controversy
By Faraza Farook and Ishani Ranasinghe

Every coin has two sides and indeed, the release last week of two new five-rupee coins to commemorate 250 years of Upasampada in this country has brought in its wake conflicting views.

The controversy is over the images of two revered Buddhist monks that are on the coins. Although many believe that it is only fitting that the nation should pay tribute to the monks there is concern in this case that the very tenets of Buddhism might be tainted by the coins being used for all manner of transactions.

The portraits that adorn the two coins are of Ven. Welivita Sri Saranankara Sangharaja Mahimi and Thai monk, Ven. Phra Upali Nahimi, who were both instrumental in Upasampada being re-established in Sri Lanka.

The coins were released last Sunday by the Buddha Sasana Ministry on a request made by the Malwatte - Asgiriya Chapters. They are now in circulation among the general public.

The use of these coins in public places is where the conflict arises. A person can use these coins to buy liquor, drugs, meat and even for various unethical transactions. What then? Is it right that the images of these two monks who were instrumental in the revival of Buddhism and who are held in high esteem by our country are a part of circumstances that undoubtedly go against everything they stood for.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Minister of Buddha Sasana W.J.M. Lokubandara however, dismissed the idea that the coins were demeaning. At a time when portraits of Lord Buddha adorn greeting cards, wall paintings etc. the issue being brought up regarding the coins was trivial, he said. What matters is the spirit in which it was done, he stressed.

"At the very beginning, there was no Buddha image in existence, because people thought it was not worthy to have an icon of somebody who had transcended this world. Later people started making symbols such as the lotus or the footprint to depict Buddha. That is history. Today, we are in an era where His image is printed on cards during Vesak," the Minister said.

He said there have been so many stamps in circulation with portraits of Buddhist clergy in the past. "The release of the coin is a symbolic thing to revive the memory of two great persons. This is the aim. One can give various interpretations to anything."

Even though the request for the coins came from highly respected sections of the Sangha, some members of the Buddhist clergy are in silent protest. One monk who wished to remain anonymous said, "The concept of respect is different here in Sri Lanka." He believes that there shouldn't be too much blowing of trumpets, for it is wrong to glorify matters such as this. Referring to an earlier incident that caused controversy, he said, there was a stamp released with a portrait of a Buddhist monk.

"Then an issue was brought up about whether it was right that when the postal clerk was stamping the stamp he would be pounding the head of the priest." But, he went on to say that these were superficial issues and now that the stamps have been released there was no point condemning the act.

There were also other views on the subject. Ven Sobitha Thera speaking on the issue said, "The re-establishment of the Upasampada is a milestone in the history of Buddhism and the release of the two coins in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the event, even though good, is insignificant. There are many things that need to be done by the government to uphold Buddhism." He felt that in comparison to what should be done the release of the two coins is actually a "pus vedilla".

On the moral issue that was raised concerning the transactions the coins are to be used for, he felt that going into such detail was not practical. "If we were to look at it like that I feel there are other coins also that should be cancelled." Then what about the stamps that carry the faces of priests and also other respected figures, he questioned.

But a section of society feels strongly on the issue. Mrs. Indrani Devendra, Honorary Secretary of the All Ceylon Women's Buddhist Congress speaking in her personal capacity said, "It is a grave insult and humiliation to Buddhism to have Buddhist monks' faces on coins. Coins are used for liquor and meat sales and other transactions worse than that.

As far as I know no other Buddhist country in the world humiliates the Sangha in this manner.” She hopes to take up this issue at the annual general meeting of the All Ceylon Women's Buddhist Congress this week.

However, Secretary of the Numismatic Society of Sri Lanka, Rudy Boekel dismissed the controversy, saying it concerned a moral issue. "I personally feel this controversy is ridiculous and that people shouldn't be thinking that way.”

So what about the public in general? Commented a Sinhalese banker, "I think putting the portraits of the priests on a coin is an insult to Buddhism. In Buddhism they teach about how material things do not really matter and we are circulating coins to mark a milestone event. I don't understand the thinking behind this."

"I don't think it is really necessary to bring up such issues. They put out a coin and it's best that we leave it at that instead of trying to find fault with it," said a housewife.
"I don't see why we have to make a big deal out of this. There is nothing that can be done about it now. Why are we looking at issues like this when there are other issues that need to be brought out,” questioned Nimal, a taxi driver. So does it all boil down to what these coins mean to the person who will be using them?

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