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| Sunday, 19 December 2004 |
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Why not an almanac of piety? Light Refractions by Lucien Rajakarunanayake The reason for the "Temptations 2004" show where Shahrukh Khan was the star performer being singled out for protest and attack was something that bothered many members of the Dharmawardhana Kendra, an organisation of Buddhists, who made every effort to tread the path of the Dhamma as taught by the Buddha. "Could it be possible that Shahrukh Khan was an undercover intelligence agent of RAW", asked Buddhika Deshapremi. "You mean he was sent to gather information on the latest developments in Sinhala music and Sri Lankan dancing?" asked Sugathamuni Bodhipala. "What else could he have spied on from here?" "Could it have been a covert LTTE operation to warn India against signing the proposed Defence Pact with Sri Lanka?" was Vajira Saranapala's query. "Why don't we accept the explanation of the protesters led by the JHU who said the show should not take place on the very first anniversary of the death of the Ven. Gangodavila Soma Thera?" asked Visakha Dharmaraja. "Forget that it was the eve of the first anniversary of the Ven. Soma Thera's untimely passing away, and not the actual date. If respect for Soma Thera was the reason to spur on this protest, why did the JHU not ask the Government to declare it a day of national mourning? It was the simplest way of ensuring the show would not take place, and there would be no cinema screenings either, whether the films are from Bollywood, Hollywood of Chennai?" said Sugathamuni Bodhipala. "It was a very strange isolated protest targeting only Shahrukh Khan's temptations. There was so much of other entertainment going on all over. No one called for a stop to the Nilwala festivities down South. There were Christmas carols sung at several clubs and schools, where Buddhists too joined in the festivity. Cinemas were open with no reports of any reduction in audiences. Did they think that "Temptations 2004" would have been too much of a temptation to the average Buddhists?" asked Vajira Saranapala. "Temptation or not, the JHU that called for the fast in protest against the show must have known that a large number of those Buddhists who attended the funeral rites of Ven. Soma Thera, would come for this show, because Hindi songs and Bollywood films are so popular with the people," said Bodhipala. "It appears there are many factors and persons involved than meets the eye. It could have been the result of a factional struggle within the JHU which got out of control, or a section of the JHU may have been used by others. I think our task is not to bother about the JHU, and its increasing problems. Instead our task should be to find a way of preventing such things in the future, and save the image of Buddhism and Sri Lanka in the world outside", said Buddhika Deshapremi. "Hmmm, you're right. Why not ask the Government to declare the death anniversary of the Ven. Soma Thera a holiday of national mourning?" said Visakha Dharmaraja. "That is not a bad idea, it could help in our efforts to spread piety in observance of the Dhamma," said Bodhipala. "But won't that too lead to divisions among the Sangha and Buddhists" he asked. "Very simple, there could be those who ask that the death anniversaries of other prominent monks should also be declared such holidays of national mourning." "I think I have an idea that will not cause divisions. In fact, it will make Sri Lanka unique among all Buddhist countries," said Buddhika. "What's this big idea you have that is so unique?" asked Bodhipala. "I think we should publish a new almanac. We can name it the "Dharmawardhana Litha". It could even give good competition to the "Epa Panchanga Litha", the almanac that astrologers use for all their calculations," said Buddhika. "What will this new almanac have, to be of such importance to Buddhists?" asked Visakha. "It will have the death anniversaries of all important members of the Maha Sangha, beginning from Upali Thera who brought the Higher Ordination from Ayodhya in Siam to establish the Siam Nikaya and revive the Sasana in the Kandyan kingdom. "What will the other names be? "It will list the death anniversaries of all the Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters of the Siam Nikaya; all the Mahanayake Theras of the Ramanna Nikaya and of the Amarapura Sangha Sabha", said Buddhika. "What about other names of patriotic Buddhist monks such as Wariyapola Sumangala Thera, who pulled down the British flag at the signing of the Kandyan Convention? There is Miggettuwatte Gunananda Thera, famous for the Panadura debate. We cannot forget S. Mahinda Thera, more patriotic than most Sinhalese, although being a Tibetan," said Bodhipala. "We must include the names of such scholarly preachers as Pelane Vajiragnana Thera, Balangoda Ananda Maithriya Thera, and the leading monks of the Vidyalankara Pirivena who gave new life to the protection of Buddhism and the nationalist movement? The Ven. Walpola Rahula Thera cannot be left out. Such an almanac should also include all the chief incumbents of the Vidyodaya and Vidyalankara Pirivenas, who have done so much for Buddhism and never wanted to enter the State Council or Parliament,' said Saranapala. "But what other information will this almanac give in addition to listing all these death anniversaries of so many highly respected Theras?' asked Visakha. "I have thought of that too. This almanac should instruct Buddhists on observing these anniversaries. They should observe "seela" on these days. All places that sell liquor should be closed, even in five-star hotels. Cinemas will also be closed and radio and TV should give their prime time to programmes about these departed Theras". "But won't there be more than 300 names of highly respected and venerated monks in this almanac. With all the holidays we already have, will there be any working days left?" asked Visakha. "I do not worry about that. What is more important for a Buddhist than spiritual activity in a truly Buddhist atmosphere and environment? For purposes of preserving national dignity Parliament too should remain closed on these days," said Buddhika. |
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