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Begging
votes – not alms The monks will now - instead of begging for alms have to beg for votes from their followers. Their intentions no doubt are noble, and their goals, pure. They say they want to right the wrongs in society, to save the country and her people, to save the Buddha Sasana, and in effect, usher in the once promised, never achieved Dharmishta society ruled by the Buddha's sublime teachings. The move also shows the desperation that has befallen this country, and at least a section of the Monkhood believing this move to be the panacea for the ills of this Nation. The use, and abuse of the saffron robe for such political exercises has probably come back boomerang-style on all these parties - no less the JVP which had its own Bhikku Front, at the forthcoming elections. Already, there has been precedence in a monk entering Parliament from a party that pays homage to Leon Trotsky more than Lord Buddha. He surely could not have been the inspiration for other monks to enter the fold. Take the case of the Sangha. In the face of a concerted assault on the economically more deprived segments of their followers what is the moral resistance they have offered other than to ask for laws. The emphasis has been on politicking - marching down to Town Hall or carrying placards - that is the only visible sign of the saffron robe in recent times. In the remote villages and the towns, they are sometimes in their temples, not venturing out to comfort the poor, the sick and the under-privileged. The new Bhikku group contesting the polls talk of corruption and a general decline in moral conduct. The Buddha said to " turn the searchlight inward ". Many of today's Buddhist monks dabble in all sorts of worldly affairs. Some are the hot favourites of the political leaders of this country. The erudite and pious monk, and there are plenty of them still, are often neglected and not recognised. How have the Buddhist elders been able to enforce the Vinaya Rules (Code of Conduct) other than by default. The Mahanayakes of the Nikayas know the difficulties themselves as some of these renegade monks have unlimited entre' into the sanctum sanctorum of political patronage. Those keeping abreast of what is happening around the world will know that there are elections in progress in Iran. That country is a Theological State - a state run by clerical leaders. It would be advisable for the majority of Sri Lankans to study trends in that country, and see if we too want to drift in that direction. But if a section of the Sangha argue that in ancient times, the Kings of Lanka would constantly seek the advice of the monks in order that they guide the destinies of his people righteously; And that is the way it ought to be even today, nowhere is it said, that the monk had to be the King himself. There is no doubt that a sacred duty behoves the Maha Sangha of this country to safeguard and protect this land and her people against all the vicissitudes - covert and overt - that they may come across from time-to-time. And be, as the great chronicle, the Mahavamsa would say; " One with the people ". |
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