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to the Editor |
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Don't let politicians
exploit the clergy The most severe
damage to Buddhism in its more than 2000- year existence in our
country was done not by the South Indian, Portuguese, Dutch or British
invaders but by our own power-hungry politicians who, in the 1950s,
made use of Buddhism for political gain. Making use of sensitive
issues such as race and religion for political gain, they appeared
before the electorate as the champions of the Sinhala and Buddhist
cause and promised to give Buddhism and Sinhala their rightful place
in the country. But the changes
these politicians brought about after coming to power have caused
irreparable damage not only to Buddhism and the Sinhala race but
also to the whole nation. They brought
bhikkus, teachers and native doctors (Sanga, Guru and Veda) into
their party organisation as three of its five main forces. Bhikkus, teachers
and native doctors had been giving leadership and guidance to the
village community since ancient days. They worked for the social,
moral and spiritual upliftment of the community irrespective of
religious, racial, political or other differences. When party
politics entered the village temple and the school, it brought chaos
to the community and disrupted harmony. Before the
1950s, political activities in the village lasted only for a couple
of weeks during the election period after which the villagers forgot
their political differences and got back to their normal peaceful
way of life. But now there
are perennial political wars among different political camps in
every village. As a result, the bhikkus and teachers lost the respect
they had in the community. Many bhikkus are so busy with their political
activities that they hardly have time for spiritual activities.
Therefore, the recommendation that bhikkus should refrain form party
politics is commendable. However, the
Commission seems to have missed another vital area. It is the appointment
of bhikkus to schools and other state organizations as paid state
employees. That they are
competing with the more deserving lay candidates for the very limited
number of vacancies in the state sector is only a minor negative
outcome. Now we see young bhikkus taking part in protest marches,
demonstrations, and even violent clashes, demanding state jobs,
higher wages, promotions and other benefits. It appears
that these monks have become materialistic and comfort-seeking even
more than the laity. Some politicians have realized this situation
and offer them gifts such as luxury cars in place of the four requisites
(Siupasa) - food, clothing, shelter and medicine meant for the clergy,
to gain their support. Related to
the same issue is the behaviour of student bhikkus in our universities.
The normal bhikku vinaya rules do not seem to apply to them. They
do not even shave their heads. They are more interested in following
the teachings of their political leaders than that of Lord Buddha.
The question
whether the type of education provided by our universities equips
the student bhikkus to perform the duties and functions expected
of them by the community has to be addressed. Will they be able
to give the people social, moral and spiritual guidance more efficiently
after leaving the university? Is the university environment conducive
for the development of the strict discipline expected of a bhikku?
Should not
bhikkus be given a higher education relevant to their vocation in
a Buddhist university where an environment suitable for moral and
spiritual advancement could be maintained? The question
whether Buddhism or for that matter any religion needs special treatment
or state protection in a functioning democracy needs to be raised.
Perhaps what is needed is legislation to prevent politicians from
exploiting the religion and the clergy to gain their political ends.
Now
it is the Kollupitiya crow That was a very
nasty thing to do Now the question
is: "Who dunnit, and why?" Or did their
noise shatter someone's nerves? Or did some
of our very own lads Or could there
yet be Sadam's sinister hand? Oh! ye citizens
sit up! Oh please take note Someone's nerves
sure are raw and tender Burdened by
light bill: Here's a solution According to
the table of monthly charges on domestic consumers for one hundred
units for a period between two meter readings, the charge is as
follows. If the reading is taken, once in 20 days, the charge on
the consumption of 100 units will be Rs. 737. For 21 days, the charge
will be Rs. 714, for 22 days Rs. 691; for 23 days Rs. 668; for 24
days Rs. 645; for 25 days Rs. 622. If the reading is taken exactly
at the end of the month, i.e. for 30 days, the charge is Rs. 506
and for 31 days Rs. 483. For 100 units
for 40 days it is Rs. 418. It may be difficult
for meter readers to come exactly at the end of the month. Hence
a consumer is not affected if the reading is taken for 30,31,32
or 33 days or more. The gross injustice occurs only when the number
of days within the period falls below 28. It is alleged that the
CEB often takes the reading for periods as short as 22 or 25 days.
It has never been more than 31 days when the consumer is at an advantage.
If a consumer is charged for 25 days he/she will have to pay 14
bills for one year, which again is a flagrant injustice. Minister Karu
Jayasuriya should intervene and change this situation in favour
of the consumers, who are already burdened with a high cost of living.
A possible
alternative may be to charge the consumer, not for the calendar
month but for a period of 30 days instead. Consumers should
not be billed for a period less than 30 days, other than for the
month of February or on special instances such as temporary supply
or earlier disconnection. Prabha, the
immortal! Another thing
- he should now be cautious not to appear for any parleys of peace
at least not in the south, not even in the Wanni jungles as handcuffs
would be awaiting him! No way here. Thailand maybe okay, as then
this gauntlet could be thrown away, with a learned professorial
argument that our laws are not applicable there! Then, what
would be his end? Perhaps, only a brief respite until international
recognition and acceptance of his heroic deeds, to face trial maybe
in India. Once again, perhaps, Norway may find a way out for him,
if they decide not to be a party to the sacrifice, with another
well-oiled MOU! Fined for saving
children It was around
2.30 p.m. on September 23 and we were close to the Magistrate's
Court along the Bandarawela-Welimada Road. It was closing time for
Razeek Fareed school which is right next to the court and children
were scattered along the road attempting to cross it. My friend
was compelled to toot the horn to prevent them from being knocked
down. The police constable on duty fined my friend Rs. 500. It is not advisable
to hold court sessions around 2 p.m. because drivers have to break
the laws of the silence zone to save the lives of schoolchildren. Hope the authorities
will take this matter into consideration. Yes, we need
books There aren't
many profound English literature books in our bookshops or even
in the leading libraries. The few books available are expensive
and most students cannot afford to buy them. It is disheartening
that the study guides for English literature at both Advanced and
Ordinary Levels are inadequate in number as well as in quality.
Most of these guides have been published with a view to earning
money without attention being paid to the content. The students
may succeed at the examinations but their knowledge will be far
below expectation. Therefore,
Mr. Chandraratna's plan to send books to Sri Lanka is praiseworthy.
It will be a boon to hundreds of thousands of students. The case against
setting up private zoos Today conservationists,
zoologists and other scientists have condemned zoos, which exhibit
animals for commercial gain, as archaic. Many consider commercial
zoos a crime against living creatures born free in their natural
habitats. Scientists and conservationists limit their approval for
keeping wild species in captivity to a specific few reasons. One is the
ex-situ conservation of certain highly threatened species with a
view to saving and reintroducing them to the wild. However it is
recommended that such captive animals be provided with an environment,
landscaped to suit their natural way of life. Education,
research and study of animals, is another reason for keeping animals
in captivity. However this reason is not seriously pursued by most
zoos, and animals are exhibited in them purely for commercial gain. Regarding commercial
zoos, we do not have to look outside for examples and need only
recall our own tragic experience of the private zoo at Beruwala
a few years ago, where animals were exhibited for commercial gain.
. Visitors too were constantly under threat of being attacked. Finally
the threat materialized when a young boy was attacked and killed
by a lioness kept in chains, in the open. It is only after this
tragedy that the authorities hastened to close down the zoo. We also see
in this venture of establishing commercial zoos for private entrepreneurs
to earn quick money another danger and long - term loss to the country.
A large extent of land will have to be cleared in each area to set
up these zoos which would mean the destruction of what is left of
the fast disappearing environment. The Minister must also be mindful
of the monkey tricks of private entrepreneurs and foreign investors,
who once they have made their money, just abandon their projects
and vanish. This has been the case with several foreign garment
factory owners. We would strongly
urge the Minister not to begin this venture of establishing private
zoos in the country . It will only succeed in degrading our society
nurtured in the Buddhist tradition of respect for the right of all
living beings to live in freedom, to the level of societies where
people are entertained by watching animals seized from the wild
and made to spend life sentences in captivity. Keeping animals in
confinement is a practice unacceptable in our culture and the modern
scientific thinking of today. '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. Or e-mail to steditor@wijeya.lk or stfeat@wijeya.lk Please note that letters cannot be acknowledged or returned. |
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