Letters to the Editor
View(s):Recognising Bhikkhuni order essential for preservation of Buddhism in Sri Lanka
She also formed the Bhikkhuni Order and completed the four parts of the Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka, consisting of Bhikkhu, Bhikkhuni, Upasaka and Upasika. Thus in 200-300 BC, women in Sri Lanka were treated as equal to men and had equal status in the Buddhist order. If Bhikkhus were ordained, the privileged choice was given to women too.
Last December the film ‘Gautama Buddha Matha’ revived the memory of Prince Siddhartha’s stepmother Queen Prajapathi Gothami, who nurtured and guided him in his endeavour to put an end to the suffering of mankind. In return, the Buddha established the Bhikkhuni Sasana under the leadership of Maha Theri Prajapathi Gothami. The Buddha demonstrated his deep and unwavering gratitude to her by walking behind her corpse, offering his begging bowl to collect her ashes and thus giving equal recognition to the Bhikkhuni Order. This magnanimous act is well demonstrated in this film and conveys the message to all Buddhists to realize and give equal recognition and status to the Bhikkhuni Order.
It is sad that presently the Bhikkhuni Order established under the patronage of the Buddha is not recognised by the majority of the Bhikkhus in Sri Lanka on the lame excuse that there are no written records of Theravada Bhikkhunis in Sri Lanka after the Anuradhapura era. However, we have to be grateful to all who have taken the bold step to enter the Bhikkhuni Order and continue to obey the precepts and vinaya rules established by the Buddha, under the guidance of the Theravada Bhikkhus.
Therefore it is the bounden duty of Bhikkhus to solve this problem in a realistic manner. When the Bhikkhuni Order was established, there was no issue whether it was Theravada Buddhism or not. All who got ordained belonged to the Buddhist Order. The only difference was that the Bhikkhunis had to obey more Vinaya rules under the guidance of the Bhikkhus, meant to ensure their safety and welfare.
If Bhikkhus believe that the method adopted presently in the higher ordination of Bhikkhunis is incorrect, they should guide them to rectify it. For example, when the Bhikkhu Sasanaya was reduced to Ganinnanses (a half-layman state where one could marry) during King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe’s reign, Ven. Upali and five other Bhikkhus from Thailand came to Sri Lanka on the invitation of the King, and established the Siyam Nikaya by conducting the upasampada ceremony.
Also when some were debarred from joining the Malwatta or Asgiriya chapters, they got themselves ordained in Burma and as a result, the Amarapura and Ramanya nikayaka came into existence in Sri Lanka. Therefore it is clear that every problem has a solution.
Presently Bhikkhunis play a major role in the lives of the people, as women find it easier to communicate their problems and abide by practical solutions not detrimental to the welfare of the family. Therefore, an active Bhikkhuni Order accepted by Bhikkhus and laymen is of great significance for the preservation of Buddhism. However as no remedial steps have been taken so far, the Bhikkhunis in Sri Lanka face many problems unnecessarily.
Chief among them are:
*No Bhikkhuni Identity Cards: Bhikkhus as the guardians of the Bhikkhunis, should appeal to the Buddha Sasana Department and other relevant authorities to take remedial steps to rectify the formation of the Bhikkuni Sasana, acceptable to all Bhikkhus and be recognized as a part of the Buddhist Order, thus paving the way for Bhikkhunis to obtain Bhikkhuni Identity cards to safeguard their rights to lead religious lives with dignity and honour, restoring their rightful place in society.
Similarly Buddhist associations should unite and mediate in this endeavour to give equal status to the Bhikkhunis. The last few minutes of the narration in the film titled ‘Gautama Buddha Matha’ is food for thought. The correct attitude by Buddhists will encourage more women to take the bold step of getting ordained and also check various new cults raising their heads. It will preserve the Buddha’s message and encourage people to follow his Dhamma, which will lead to a more disciplined society.
*Establishment of Bhikkhuni wards in all government hospitals: Presently there are no separate Bhikkhuni wards in any government hospital, while the Bhikkhus enjoy such privilege. Nor are there any government sponsored Homes for the aged and sick Bhikkhunis. It is of vital importance to ensure the security and welfare of the Bhikkhunis, who are vulnerable and have no families to look after them.
*Due to the discrimination by some Bhikkhus, Bhikkhunis are not treated fairly by the people. Some continue to call them Sil mathas. Therefore it is the duty of the Bhikkhus to advise laymen to address them properly as Bhikkhunis. They themselves should encourage the people to assist the Bhikkhunis at times of need and explain that the Bhikkhunis are part and parcel of the Buddhist Order.
*Women are the backbone of our society and we should be grateful to the Bhikkhunis for the yeomen service rendered for the welfare of women and children. They are non-political. Caste, creed and nikayas are irrelevant in the Bhikkhuni Order. As true Buddhists they treat everyone equally and consider it their bounden duty to advise and assist all at the time of need.
*It is of great importance that TV channels give equal opportunity to Bhikkhunis also to address the nation and take part in Buddhist discussions. Some TV channels do not permit sponsorship of a Bhikkhuni sermon even though they have 24 hour service of sermons delivered by the Bhikkhus. Similarly they are not given the opportunity to take part in any TV panel discussions. Why such double standards?
The most appropriate way to continue to venerate Prajapathi Gothami Maha Theri and Sangamitta Maha Theri and to honour Princess Hemamali, who courageously brought the Buddha’s Sacred Tooth Relic to Sri Lanka hidden in her hair, is for Buddhists to assist in the welfare and protect the Bhikkhuni Sasanaya, and preserve Buddhism for posterity.
- Indrakumar and Ruvini Wijayatilake Via email
The rice issue is an old problem but it needs immediate solution
A problem with rice, our staple food in Sri Lanka, has become a topic of discussion in the media today. This didn’t happen suddenly. No ruler has paid proper attention to this issue in the past several years. This was also the initial reason for the aragalaya. It was due to the failure to provide farmers with the necessary fertiliser for
paddy cultivation.
The rice problem has not been properly resolved since the 1970s. Temporary solutions were applied but not with success. Although there is a Paddy Marketing Board, it has not been very effective and the new government is working to make it more efficient.
Rice mill owners are acting according to their wishes. As a result, farmers and consumers have to suffer.
The government has to intervene and find a solution immediately.
C.D.J.Weerasena Boralesgamuwa
Police need to wake up and keep a check on reckless drivers
The report that authorities are to set up a system to test the mechanical condition of buses sounds somewhat comical when the main reason for accidents is reckless driving!
Passengers claimed that the Hatton-Kandy bus driver was allegedly speeding with a cellphone in his ear, while the accident involving the bus carrying Ratmalana University students where three students died, too, was allegedly due to speeding.
A few years ago I remember while getting back to school in Kandy from Colombo, the Police road patrol kept speeding drivers in check through speed traps on certain stretches of road where drivers were known to speed. But not now.
The Police should wake up
to the problem. Careless drivers must be apprehended.
Passengers too must be vigilant and call 119 or the nearest Police station or more such accidents could happen.
Tudor Wickremasinghe Via email
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