tamilweek.com

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

When I wrote some weeks ago about the crisis caused by the Buddha statue in Trincomalee there were many responses by e – mail from people whose names seemed Sinhala. ( I mention this because I have found many Tamils writing under Sinhala names and Sinhalese writing under Tamil names on the internet). Some of these were abusive and also tried to justify the Buddha statue being installed overnight in Trincomalee.

What made me happy was the positive e – mails received from Sinhala sounding names. Many of these writers stated they were Buddhists and went on to express criticism about the Buddha statues being installed in places for political motives. They said forcefully that this was not true Buddhism and condemned the statue politics vehemently. I was particularly touched by a comment from someone called Nelum who said “this is not true Buddhism. The Buddha was a God of peace. He was not a God of war”.

To their credit many Sinhala Buddhist writers wrote to English newspapers condemning the politicization of Buddha statues. There were erudite articles explaining clearly that the Statue phenomenon was contrary to all genuine Buddhist precepts, beliefs and practices. The newspapers in Colombo deserve praise for publishing these viewpoints.

The rise of chauvinism , neo – fascism and ethno – religious nationalism can be countered effectively only through movements rising from within. The Buddha statue spectre can be challenged only from within authentic Sinhala – Buddhist ranks.

Now comes the news that a Buddhist priest has gone to courts over this issue.

A news story by Chitra Weeraratne in “The Island” of May 11th 2006 stated as follows. –

” A Buddhist priest has complained to the Supreme Court that statues of the Buddha had been placed in a disrespectful manner at several public venues.

The Venerable Deranayagala Kusala Dharma Thera, the Chief incumbent of the Sri Sambodhi Viharaya of Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7, on Monday filed the complaint stating that during the recent past, several statues of the Buddha had been disrespectfully placed in several public places and he had reliably learnt that hardly any regard had been given to the fact that the Buddha statue is a religions symbol and an item for worship by the Buddhists.

The Ven. thera, had made this complaint as an affiliated motion to the fundamental rights violation application No. SC 237/04, filed by him complaining that Buddha images had been printed on commercial items, imported into the country.

Among the respondent cited in the petition, are IGP, the Director General of Customs mid the Attorney General. The petition had requested the court to prohibit the Customs Department from permitting the import of commercial items which tend to humiliate and ridicule the followers of the Buddhist religion in the country. He had also sought the assistance of the Foreign Minister to help save the interest of the Buddhists internationally.

The Thera, in his motion, had referred to the Buddha statue, improperly placed in front of the Borella cemetery. He had also referred to other statues, erected in unclean surroundings.”

This challenge by the venerable priest is most welcome. The opposition by non – Buddhists is not to Buddha statues being erected but to the manner, place and ulterior motives concerned. There is a school of thought among Sinhala Buddhist hardliners that seeks to promote Sinhala Buddhist supremacist thought. This movement’s ideology can even be described as fascist. One favourite symbol of this ideology is the erection of Buddha statues.

Statues are placed in all sorts of places not for worship but as a symbol of supremacy. In Killupitiya a statue was placed near the mosque. Just like Trincomalee the prime movers were auto – rickshaw drivers. In Trincomalee the statue was installed near fish markets and liquor stores. Today the statue is guarded day and night behind barbed wire barricades. Nobody is worshipping the Buddha there.

The principle that motivates these statue implanters seems to be that of demonstrating that Sri Lanka is a Buddhist land and that it belongs to Buddhists alone. The Buddha statue has become a symbol of this politics. The idea is to implant it in a manner defying laws , norms and good taste.

Using symbols of Buddhism to propagate Sinhala Buddhist superiority and hegemony began many years ago. In 1958 past and present pupils of St. Josephs College, Colombo wanted to instal a bust of former rector Rev Fr LeGoc in the Darley road 0 Mccallum road roundabout. A Buddha statue was installed overnight on the pedestal erected for the purpose. SWRD Bandaranaike was too much of a coward to remedy the situation and uphold the law when Catholics protested. The roundabout remains Buddhist still.

The floodgates were opened. Buddha statues were erected all over the Country. Bo trees became the sites in most instances. They were converted into places of worship. In many instances people did worship piously lighting lamps and offering flowers. Though a political project the genuine piety and devotion of Buddhists sanctified the exercise.

What is happening now is a politically motivated campaign to provoke and insult the minorities. How does one explain the evil minds who installed Buddha statues in the aftermath of the tsunami in Muslim areas of Amparai district? Even before displaced people could return the Buddha statues appeared.

Sections of the armed forces and Police, Businesspersons, bureaucrats, politicians and sections of Buddhist clergy are behind this Budddha statue project. Though the vast majority of Buddhists do not like what is being done in the name of Buddhism they keep silent .

The Ven Deraniyagala Kusaladharma Thero has dared to challenge this false Buddhism. He is to be congratulated. All decent, right thinking Buddhists should support him in these endeavours.

My concern however is about the Supreme Court of Chief Justice Sarath Silva. The SC bech presided over by the CJ behaved controversially in the matter of the Trincomalee Buddha statue. Sarath Silva ordered Attorney – General Kamalasabayson to stop all legal action taken by the department to get the statue removed. Courts in other Countries take extra efforts to protect minority rights. Not so in Sri Lanka,

Against this backdrop I have serious doubts whether Ven Deraniyagala Kusaladharma Thero will get justice in his plea to the Supreme Court. Let us wait and see. [transCurrents.com]

Contact DBS Jeyaraj : djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com