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| Sunday, 19 October 2003 |
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Presidential Commission on Buddha Sasana recommends Bhikkus out of politics, rein on conversions by Deepal Warnakulasuriya The Ministry of Buddha Sasana is circulating for comments and implementation a historic report by the Presidential Commission on the Buddha Sasana which calls for, among other things, an end to the involvement of Bhikkus in politics, a strict regulation of the setting up of viharas, the rigorous enforcement of the Vinaya, and greater control over conversion of Buddhists to other religions. The Buddha Sasana Commission Report, which had been formally submitted to President Chandrika Kumaratunga earlier, was then forwarded by the President to Justice, Law Reform and National Integration Minister and Buddha Sasana Minister W. J. M. Lokubandara for implementation, a Ministry spokesman told the 'Sunday Observer' last week. The Commission, which is headed by eminent scholar-prelate the Most Ven. Bellana Gnanavimala Mahana - yaka Thera, was appointed by the President during the last government in July 2001 when the Buddha Sasana Ministry was headed by Ratnasiri Wickramanayake. The ten-member Commission completed its work after studying some 443 written submissions by concerned individuals and organisations, and conducting meetings with, and receiving oral submissions by a large number of individuals and delegations. The 383-page Report prepared by the Commission includes an exhaustive survey of the conditions of the country's principal Buddhist institutions, the condition of the Mahasangha, the status of Buddhist education, the role of Buddhism in modern Sri Lanka, and, the role in society of Buddhist institutions and the Sangha. Each section of the Report discussing these various subjects, also includes a series of recommendations and proposals for rectifying problems, improving conditions and generally enhancing the status of the Sasana. The other Commissioners are: Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Nayaka Thera, Ven. Professor Warakave Dhammaloka Nayaka Thera, Ven. Kotugoda Dhammavasa Anunayaka Thera, Ven. Velamitiyave Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thera, Ven. Balangoda Pragnavansa Anunayaka Thera, retired distinguished civil servant Olcott Gunasekara, senior lawyer N. S. A, Gunatillaka PC, and eminent scholars Dr. Anula Wijesundara and Professor Mendis Rohanadeera. Retired Ministry Secretary P. A. Senaratna functioned as Secretary to the Commission. The Buddha Sasana Ministry was now awaiting the response of the Mahanayaka Theras of the three Nikayas as well as other institutions, experts and intellectuals in order that the Commission recommendations could be developed as practical programmes for action, the Ministry spokesman said. The Buddha Sasana Commission's work included a comprehensive survey of all pirivena and viharas in the country as well as of the sacred Buddhist sites in the war-ravaged North-East region. The Commission's recommendations included a call for Bhikkus to end practices such as fortune-telling which, the Commission argues, is not within the philosophical parameters of the Dhamma. Political parties and organisations are urged by the Commission not to accommodate Bhikkus in their membership or, at least not to involve monks in various political activities including contesting elections, canvassing in election campaigns of politicians. ********* The recommendations for Buddhist clergy *No party politics The Commission has also recommended: * Setting up a court of Maha Sangha. |
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