It’s not the decibels that matter but message of compassion to all

I am a Buddhist. And I do my very best to follow the path of the Dhamma in my daily life. However, I dread the very thought of the advent of a full moon Poya. Why so?

I live down Sri Saranankara Road, at Dehiwela, a road that has more than its share of Buddhist viharas, some of which make their presence felt from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. the next day with loud speakers blaring ear-splitting desanas, Vas-kavi, pirith announcements et al. I believe this is not a phenomenon exclusive to where I reside.

Not only is this a public nuisance under the law of the land, it is in bad taste. There is no compassion for the elders and the sick to rest without disturbance; there is no compassion for the young who have to sit for the A’L and other exams and frankly, what quiet meditation can anyone do at home or at one of these viharas on such a day?

The Minister of Environment is responsible for noise pollution. He being a member of the JHU may not be in a position to displease these people who think they are disseminating the sublime teachings of the Buddha.

But I reflect on how Gautama the Buddha’s message reached the far corners of Asia without loud speakers; and how it was not the decibels that mattered in its spread, but its meaning of compassion to all living beings, big or small. The message was not imposed on anyone. Millions went in search of it.

By a resident of Sri Saranankara Road, Dehiwela.