At the Sri Lanka Economic summit 2008 sessions titled “For a peaceful and stable Sri Lanka”, Ven. Bellanvila Wimalaratne Thero Chancellor, Jayawardena University and Secretary of the Congress of religions roundly criticized the involvement of the Buddhist clergy in party politics. It only warps their sense of judgment and clouds their decisions on right and wrong, he said.
UNP M.P. Ravi Karunanayake, speaking on the occasion, said the Govt. is trying to develop the East giving precedence to a para military group, a break away faction of the LTTE. The solution to the ethnic problem lies not with the LTTE or the TMVP, but with the unity of all communities, the Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims.
He also frowned upon the local Chambers of Commerce for their lack of unity. In countries like Egypt and Bangla Desh, the Chambers play a pivotal role and make decisions for the Govt.
The Govt.’s so called unending war is a failure as long a it does not win the economic war for the people, he added.
via M@L
July 13, 2008 at 12:38 am
It appears that ”Vinaya” among the clergy started to deteriorate in Sri Lanka during the rule of King Dutugemunu, as the monks started town life by taking up residence in palatial nine story buildings such as Lowamahapaya.
This was the stage, where monks crept into the political system and started to influence the selection of kings of their choice. Great rituals of Bo-tree worship Chetiya worship, the image worship and tooth relic worship got established during the reign of King Sri Meghawansa (275-311 A.D.).
However the middle of Anuradhapura period saw the gradual dissociation from the Theravada practices. So, it cannot be said that the deterioration of ”Vinaya” relates particularly to the modern society.