Letters to the Editor

Reverend monks - This is not what the Buddha taught
Point of view
Before the last elections when the reverend monks formed a political party and decided to contest, the much respected civil activist, Dr A. T. Ariyaratne appealed to them " Sathra Agathiyata Yannata Epa"- “Please do not go to the extremes".

Ten months later their actions clearly demonstrate that they have done exactly what they were pleaded with not to do. Clearly their actions are also not in line with what the Buddha taught. The four extremes, fixed likeness to a position, hatred, fear and delusion, all driven by ignorance, appear to govern the actions of the monks in politics. The noble Eight fold Path, of right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration appear far apart from the thoughts, speeches, actions and vision of the monks.

What is the future of this nation and even Buddhism in the context of the unfolding wave of crime, murder, rape, violence and injustice, when the angels of compassion and goodwill are themselves behaving shamelessly and leading lay people astray?

A philosopher of repute to his vast TV audiences said, "The JHU have got their mission totally mixed up. They are pursuing a path to establish a Sinhalese Buddhist culture in the name of propagating Buddhism. They are thus no different to any other party or organization promoting an ethnic value system in Sri Lanka".

This analysis aptly fits the profile, actions and strategies of monks within Parliament and outside. The venerable monks have forgotten the core of Buddhist philosophy, the role of Dhamma and Sangha as pronounced by the Lord Buddha and the way of life recommended for monks, leaders and lay people.

Taking the most recent issue of the protests organized against the Indian stars performing in Sri Lanka on a day dedicated to the memory of a deceased venerable monk, the monks and their supporters demonstrated that they are embedded in the second of the five hindrances to the path of experiencing the truth. Wrapped in anger and hatred they failed to demonstrate meththa and compassion, the core foundations of Buddhism. They disgraced the teachings of the deceased venerable monk by acting as if they did not believe in impermanence and uncertainty.

The organizers appealing to the venerable monks for correct understanding of the issues, apologizing to them and demonstrating their credibility and sincerity of purpose raised the profile of these foreigners to a level of high esteem. The scene that followed with the monks and their supporters behaving in an unruly manner, breaking barricades and throwing stones (all recorded on videotape) can bring them only ridicule and sympathy as misguided ones. So the winners and the venerable were shown as the disgraceful and vanquished whilst the visitors came out as well-behaved victors. What a disgusting state have the venerable monks and their so-called supporters descended to.

Whether or not there was a hidden hand behind all this is yet to be established. Even so, Buddhists and civil society will now start looking for other avenues of spiritual enlightenment. Foreign monks living in Sri Lanka and overseas may be the source for showing the way. Ven. Ajan Brahamavamso Thero of Bodhigana Monastery Australia (a graduate in theoretical physics from the University of Cambridge) who has dedicated over 30 years to the monkhood describes the path towards "Living Meaningfully - Dying Joyfully" in a series of sermons based on the premise that Buddhism is the only real science.

In a sermon on Vinaya he quotes the Dhammapada and says, "A bhikkhu who is shameless is coarse in thought, word and deed. He is arrogant like unto a crow. He will secure a comfortable living through unlawful means. On the other hand, life for a monk who has a sense of moral shame is not easy". He concludes that monks who practise wrong livelihood are a stain on the Sangha and should be known as such by the lay people.

Venerable monks, for the sake of Buddhism, please leave political duties and ambitions to lay persons and become "Dhamma Gavesi and spread the philosophy of Buddhism to make this nation a state where peace, ethnic and religious harmony, respect for each other’s culture and practices are recognized and law, order and good governance are upheld as primary values of society. Through your mission of spreading the Dhamma, focusing on the Eightfold Path, may you become venerated for your contribution to society and not go down in history as a destructive force that split this already divided nation further. May what the Buddha taught be your guide venerable monks, in your journey through this life and also through Sansara.

Coconut: King or killer?
For quite some time now, there have been views expressed by highly qualified medical experts on the effect of coconut and coconut products on cholesterol, and coronary heart disease, a disease which has come to the top of the list as a killer disease in this country. These views have often been diametrically opposed.

While it is accepted that doctors disagree, this disagreement cannot be dismissed lightly, because it involves a question of life and death. Besides it also raises serious economic issues to individuals and to the country as a whole.

Although the majority of medical specialists advise their patients to avoid the saturated fats found in coconut and coconut products, and to use oils and margarines rich in polyunsaturated fats, there are dissenting voices led by no less a person than the former Head of the Coronary Care Unit of the National Hospital in Colombo. This specialist has gone to the extent of stating that not only is coconut oil not bad for you, in fact it is the best! The dissenting voices quote articles to back their opinions.

Being a concerned patient, in spite of being a medical man, I am both perturbed and confused by these conflicting opinions expressed by responsible clinicians. I can imagine, then, how confused the average lay person would be.

Matters are made worse by information being circulated that the hydrogenated margarines(rich in polyunsaturated fats) are a positive danger to health as opposed to butter, rich in saturated fats.

It is high time that, in the interests of the people, the Ministry of Health, in consultation with professional medical bodies, such as the College of Physicians and the SLMA, issued an authoritative statement, together with well assessed evidence, stating quite categorically what the true, accepted position is, and advising people accordingly. It is particularly important that the position be clarified without delay and without ambiguity, in the interests of the health of the nation.

Even if we older folks might have unwittingly damaged our own arteries, there is no reason why the younger folk and children should be exposed to risk. Expecting early and positive action from the authorities.

Dutugemunu St.,Kohuwela -the new racetrack!
Motor racing fans who miss the once popular sport in Sri Lanka don't have to be disappointed. All they have to do is come down Dutugemunu Street, Kohuwela any weekday between 9.30 a.m. and 12 noon and again between 3 and 4 p.m. and they can witness private buses using this road as racetrack.

They advertise it by sitting on their horns over at least 100 yards and they speed at around 60 km/h. at least, yet, there are no policemen around to charge them. The reason is that most of the Kohuwela traffic policemen are resting after their nights of vigil, lurking in dark corners waiting to pounce on night drivers who don't even reach the speed limit of 60km/h.

Recently a friend of mine who was driving at around 45 was flagged down by a ghostly figure waving a luminous light and shown a speed gun reading of 60! When he disputed him, they said that my friend was free to challenge it in courts! While their dedication to charge speeding motorists is laudable, their conspicuous absence during the day and lack of will to charge these bus drivers is indeed most curious! Perhaps whoever is in charge of the Kohuwela Police should have the answers.

Only capital punishment can stamp out this national curse
It is distressing to note that lives of eminent persons are being lost to the country through hired assasins. The lastest victim is Justice Sarath Ambepitiya who was held in high esteem in society. These despicable underworld characters are a threat to democracy. Honest and upright men and women in public service and politics are being annihilated. This should be a matter of great concern for every partriotic citizen in the country. It looks dangerous for a person holding a position of importance in society to be honest and upright. Is our country to abound with sycophants and cowards?

The government has to go all out to utilize the forces at its command to stamp out this national curse. In my view, the reintroduction of capital punishment is most opportune. It should prove to be a deterrent despite the grumblings of human rights activists.

Welcome to Lanka’s globalized kitchen!
Went down memory lane.
Found an old kitchen a la Sri Lanka.
'Twas a dark and smoky place,
As smoky as my fadin' memory.

There's poundin' beat of mortar and pestle,
Fascinatin' handmill for groundin' Kurakkan,
Clay chatty pots blacken'd with use,
Curries stirr'd with wood'n spoons,
Coconut scraper - a short stool,
Like a violin, to accommodate the "back".
There's a lean-to, backyard of the house,
Where firewood and coconut husks are stack'd

Technology invad'd the Sri Lankan kitchen,
With plethora of gadgets, "state-of-the-art",
Mincers and scrapers fitt'd to the table,
Whirrin' mixers and hummin' fridges,
Hissing cookers, blenders and ovens,
Fitt'd cupboards and gleamin' sinks,
Floors shine with ceramic tiles,
We're in the age of globalization.

'Letters to the Editor' should be brief and to the point.
Address them to:
'Letters to the Editor,
The Sunday Times,
P.O.Box 1136, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Or e-mail to
editor@sundaytimes.wnl.lk or
features@sundaytimes.wnl.lk
Please note that letters cannot be acknowledged or returned.