Buddhists must become vegetarians in this month of Vesak

The practice of religion requires effort. It calls for personal sacrifice, self- restraint and discipline. Above all such practice must be overarched by compassion and kindness based on a clear moral footing. Then the practice becomes noble in character.

When we look around our society we see Muslims conduct an annual fast during the month of Ramadan. Not even a drop of water is taken during the time of fasting. The purpose is to simulate the pain and suffering and develop an insight into the plight of the poor who do not have enough food to eat and drink and therefore are forced to go hungry and thirsty regularly. Fasting helps one to better equip himself / herself morally and generate empathy for the disadvantaged.

The celebration of Vesak is not meant to make one indulgent. Vesak commemorates the themagula - Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana of the Buddha. It is a day for observance of Sil (meditation and quiet reflec-

I have a problem and would someone please help me solve it.

I have Rs 15,000 which I want to use for the benefit of others. I have one of two choices. 1. Following the saying “The Gift of Dhamma exceeds all other gifts”, I can use the money for publications concerning Dhamma etc. 2. Following the saying of the tion on a disciplined footing). If Islam can promote empathy for the poor through fasting, likewise Buddhists can show compassion and loving kindness for all those beautiful innocent animals who are slaughtered, by becoming vegetarian at least for the month of May.

The consumption of flesh food invariably results in the slaughter of innocent animals. Buddhists can lessen the number of animals killed by not partaking flesh food at least during the month of Vesak i.e. May. There is enough vegetarian and vegan related food in the market today. No can go hungry by not eating meat.

The First Precept - Reverence for life including that of non- human sentient beings must be inculcated in every child in school. Life is dear to all (Dhammapada). Peace and reconciliation should not be confined to only one (human) species. M. Weeraratna Colombo 05 Buddha “Those who look after the sick, look after me”, I can use the Rs 15,000, to buy a Cataract Lens to be given to a poor person . I cannot do both and I have to choose one or the other. So, my problem is what is the right choice and why is it right? Dr Asoka Thenuwara Via email

I refer to your news article, ‘Heartache for poor patients’ , in the Sunday Times of May 7. It is not difficult to understand the feelings of these patients who have been subject to so much inconvenience and hardship by our government doctors

Many ordinary citizens of this country have simply looked on in shock and amazement at the conduct and attitude of the current leadership of the GMOA. Are these really medical doctors, educated by the people of this country? Where are the high principles of service to which they have promised to be faithful; have they upheld the ethical standards of the Hippocratic oath ?

They say they are fighting against attempts to destroy free education in the country. SAITM must be closed down. Whatever their cause, they have been successful in one thing. Today more than ever before the people of this country are convinced that there is definitely a need for private medical colleges. The quality of the doctors produced by the state medical colleges, if we are to judge by the quality of the current leadership of the GMOA, falls far short of the doctors we need to serve the medical needs of our people.

Even when free education was established in this country, in the late 1940s, let us not forget that at the primary and secondary level of education, we had side by side with the state schools, providing free education, assisted schools and private fee levying schools. These private / semi private schools were not reserved for children of the rich. Many poor children went through these schools, thanks to the scholarship schemes in place.

While initially we had only state universities, today there are many degree awarding private institutes / colleges linked/affiliated to reputed universities throughout the world. These degrees are in many fields/ disciplines to meet the needs of a developing country.

The district quota system of admission to universities was a temporary measure taken by the government in the 70s, to enable students from ‘deprived’ districts, where the facilities for secondary education were poor, to gain admission to our state universities. Many of us are aware of good students, from what we might call well endowed districts, including some of our own children, who just failed (by a few marks), to gain admission to faculties like the medical faculty. (Those who could afford it, went abroad, while others selected alternative careers). In spite of this, we accepted this situation as one that was fair to those students, from districts where educational facilities were poor, and who wanted to become doctors. Of course as we can now see, this district quota system also opened the doors to our state medical colleges, to students were not fit to be doctors. I will not judge all those in the medical profession by the conduct of the current GMOA leadership, but many who are affected by their so called trade union actions, cannot but help think very poorly of our doctors.

Unfortunately, due to the inadequate allocation of funds for education, the utter inefficiency of successive governments over nearly 40 years, and some will say because we had to fight a war, this temporary measure has become a permanent basis in regard to university admissions.

Private medical colleges must be allowed. Of course there is no question that standards must be maintained and the medical profession must work out the basis for this.

The GMOA has also referred to the fact that some ministers are promoting SAITM because they have personal interest. Involvement of family members etc.? Is this true? If that is so, they must be made to stay out of this dispute and allow others to resolve this matter.

Private medical colleges must be encouraged in order to meet the medical needs of our people. Eksith Fernando Via email