Let us unite in the spirit of the Dhamma this Vesak
The commemoration of the Thrice-Blessed Day of Vesak marking the birth of Prince Siddhartha, His attainment of Buddhahood and the Passing Away of Buddha by the Buddhists in Sri Lanka took a different turn this year. Even observing ‘sil’ and performing other religious activities at the temples normally done with great enthusiasm were on a low key due to fear of terrorism.
Although the people have to face such a calamity due to the shortsightedness of state administration, let us discuss a few relevant matters in the Dhamma preached by the Buddha.
The Dhamma shows the path to end suffering and the way to solve the problems we are faced with. We should see how we, as Buddhists, make an effort to utilise that path to solve our problems. When there is a mishap it is common to curse, shout and criticise the party at fault. The Dhamma has shown that in such a situation it is not the solution. The Buddha has pointed out that when a person is hit by a poisonous arrow, what should be done is to pull out the arrow and treat the person rather than try to find out who aimed the arrow or with what material the arrow had been made.
By looking for other reasons the result would be the death of the person who was injured due to neglect. The Buddha has advised us on the need to be watchful as a lion in whatever we do.
As regards the present crisis too, not only the views of the government or the opposition, but even the actions of ordinary people that appear in social media are similar to looking for the creed, caste and religion of the person who aimed the arrow. In other words, it is, as the Sinhala idiom says “getting the well cleaned when one sees the opportunity”. Or being power hungry, like applying medicine for elephantiasis on the shoulder. What all political groups, whether in power or in the opposition, should do is to take legal action against the wrongdoers.
At the same time they should, on behalf of their countrymen, unite and hold fruitful discussions to ensure the country’s law is fair and reasonable to all citizens, and terrorism will be eliminated. Since Sri Lanka is a multi-racial country where numerous communities live, it is not beneficial to give special privileges on the basis of nation or religion. It is possible for someone to ask about the “precedence for Buddhism” in the Constitution. As the Archbishop Cardinal once commented, everyone should accept that it has been the tradition for 21 centuries. We must also accept that this has in no way affected the privilege of followers of numerous religions to follow their faiths.
Allowing the politicians to take decisions which can be either beneficial or not beneficial to the country and for the public to be silent has led to certain catastrophes. Although there are certain organisations of professionals they too have narrow political agendas. It is a pity that certain educated monks who can raise their voices on behalf of the nation have also become politicised. The need for a professional people’s power group representing both lay and the clergy, not aligned to any narrow political movements, thinking impartially of the country, the nation and fellow countrymen is felt more than ever before. It is only such a power group that can pressurise the ruling government through the people. That group should not be a mere mouthpiece of the opposition either. The support of Sri Lankan professionals abroad should also be obtained. We should all get together and help for a leader like ‘Dharmapala hero’ to come up. Unless that can be achieved it will be never possible to rid this country of corrupt politicians.
We should unite without delay since we are duty bound to create a suitable environment for our future generations to live freely in this country. We should realise the need to find solutions without delay on how extremists, nationalists and religious fanatics, local and foreign groups and organisations achieved what they wanted due to party politics, petty differences, hunger for power and lust for wealth.
At the same time the government must think of establishing a superior religious advisory board as recommended by the Buddha Sasana Commission sometime back.
During this Vesak season it is most fruitful for the Buddhists to pay homage to the Buddha by observing the thoughts of devotion, compassion and kindness. Considering the need for everyone’s safety, it is advisable to convert your home to a temple, observe ‘sil’, listen to Dhamma sermons and lead a pious life. The pure strength of the mind will then turn into a blessing and undoubtedly help to get rid of any fear in the country and the people to have peace, lead the politicians into the correct path, and improve the human and physical development. The Maha Sangha can deliver sermons suitable for the times and the media can help to conduct special religious programmes. We must not forget that such Dhamma programmes and national unity will go hand in hand.
We should always remember that enmity can be won through ‘metta’, injustice can be defeated through truth, arguments and divisive elements can be subdued through unity and reconciliation, and unjust, evil, wicked forces can be definitely done away with the blessings of the ‘devas’ who are on the path of the Dhamma. If the country is to prosper, we should accept the programme of developing the mind as a national policy and start through education. That is the only way to protect the younger generation and the country and the most sensible way for the people to cooperate with the Forces that offer us protection.
In this Vesak season let us clean our homes and temples, illuminate them and decorate them as usual. Above all let us unite in the spirit of the Dhamma, with everyone sharing thoughts of peace and Metta, celebrate the joy of the Birth, Enlightenment and Passing Away of the Thathagatha with even more enthusiasm than in previous years.