CHOGM - fostering tradition and goodwill

by Padma Edirisinghe

CHOGM! The word just lolls in the mouth. But it is actually the acronym for a meeting of super vintage ie. Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on the brink of “happening”. It can also be defined as the best thing to happen to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the 30 years bloody war, trailed by the most unjust accusations of violations of human rights incited internationally.

Just now so much of praise embroidered with Eastern rhetoric is getting loaded on CHOGM that the writer has no wish to add to the exercise.

But an aspect rather overlooked she wishes to touch on. “CHOGM” is basically a Conference, a Council, a meeting and an International one too. They articulate the propensity towards goodness in humans for it is clearly an alternate to aggressive behaviour. Excuse me, I am taking the liberty of taking CHOGM out of the context of a mere meeting of Commonwealth heads, a routine gathering and ennobling it to the status of a general conference.

How much better the play of words, discourse and argument ending with consensus rather than the vicious clatter of `weapons or the destruction by bombs, even going on to murderous chaos triggered by nuclear bombs (Syria - wish it better days).

Talking of humans gathering for salutary purposes, one cannot help overlooking the main genre of Councils held in Asia. i.e. the Buddhist Councils. Asia, it should not be forgotten is the springboard of the four main religions of the world and naturally its premier social thought is religion.

Perhaps the honour of initiating the mode of arriving at consensus via discussions and deliberations, as against the practice of using weapons to solve issues, a homicidal plus suicidal practice that spelt and spells much agony to the human race could go to these Buddhist Councils.

Saptapanni caves

The word became the most important in these Councils, six in number, one of which was held in Sri Lanka itself in the 1st Century CE amid the rock boulders of historical Matale. Anyway let us first peruse briefly the background details of these Asiatic Councils held to settle issues that sprang from time to time.

The first such Council was held in the Saptapanni caves of Rajagaha, then a premier city in Bharatha Desha. It was patronised by king Ajasatta who ironically had once connived with Devadatta for the downfall of the Buddha and was held after the passing away of the Buddha on the initiative of Maha Kassapa Thera. The habit of avoiding ugly wrangling that could end in physical aggressions caught on and next we hear of the second Council that followed the objective of the first Council, that of purifying the Dhamma of cankers diseasing it. Without going to war over negative or destructive developments the priesthood convened the second council to discuss matters and collaborate on future plans.

Heads of State and delegates at CHOGM 2011 held in Perth, Australia

The third Council was of special importance to us for in addition to discourses the Council took material steps to spread Buddhism in Asia. It was held in Patalipiura (modern Patna) under the patronage of the great Emperor Asoka. It was the 3rd Century BC and Moggalana Putta Thera was the convener who masterminded this very important meeting. Emissaries of the great religion were sent to various cities and states including the Middle East and Sri Lanka. The Council took steps to eradicate unhealthy practices that could go on to canker a flourishing tree. Here we see the tradition of these Councils going along the same path, that of a salutary path to humans. These councils, were very intellectual in their approach. Their first intent was not to dole out punishments but to examine present situations carefully, spot whatever has gone wrong and advocate new measures.

Fourth Council

Now we come to the fourth Council, doubled in two places,one in ancient: Lanka and another in Kushan in India. The ruler was the Buddhist king, Kanishka and time was circa 78 AD. Venue was either Kashmir or Jalandir.

The fifth Council was held in 1871 in Mandalay, Burma during the time of king Mindon. In addition to the avowed purpose of these in purifying the Dhamma of lax practices grown over the years a novel task was performed ie. that of inscribing the Tripitaka on 729 marble slabs in Burmese script. The sixth Buddhist Council was held in our times. ie in 1954 and again in Burma (Myanmar), in Yangon (formerly Rangoon) .

It went on to honour the first Council venue by erecting the Maha Passana Guha in the style of Saptapanni Guha on the orders of the then Burmese PM, U NU. The representatives to this Council from varied states included two from Germany, Ven. Nyanatileka and Ven. Nyanaponika Theras.

These Councils along with some in Europa set a mighty precedent of pooling the brains of those at the very top for worthy causes. It was natural for the Commonwealth took over this idea. Actually CHOGM is not a religious council but a highly secular council or meeting. Sri Lanka herself has been host to many such international assemblies held for many a worthwhile cause. Then why is CHOGM so important to us? That it trails a war of untold cruelty and misery is reiterated here. Then we got subject to baseless allegations that the so called Diaspora group spilt all over the world.

The word Diaspora was used originally for the exodus of Jews from Israel (The land of milk and honey according to Biblical texts). They settled in various countries until the mediation of super powers in Europe enabled a comeback. But our Diaspora group having no love of their land, despite drawing life sustenance here and being educated here, has no intention of coming back. They opt to enjoy the luxuries of the country that has welcomed them and while tainting the minds of those at the very top, have begun to vilify the island with the motive of demeaning it to Pariah status in the International set up. Now with CHOGM we have a clear case of victory of Goodness over Vice, a rule that has sustained the saga of the human race over an unimaginable phase of time. Almost all the races of the world except for the host country of the Diaspora group are making use of the routine pattern of Commonwealth meetings, held previously in Australia, for a show of goodwill to a little island that has witnessed much sorrow and suffering. Our gratitude to the attitude of these nations just is immeasurable.

This is a luminous beam of light in all its radiance. Shall end this piece wishing CHOGM is the best thing to happen to Lanka.