To stand or not to stand

How do bhikkus respect the national anthem?

By Sajitha Prematunge

[email protected]

During the United Nations Vesak celebrations last month, held in Vietnam, all bhikkus, including Sri Lankan, had to stand and pay respect to the head of state. This had become a subject of much controversy in the past few weeks. Should a bhikku stand up and pay respect to the national anthem or while hoisting the national flag?

If they do so for foreign national anthems, during over seas visits, why not then should they pay respect to our own national anthem? This has become a controversial subject during the past few days. Sunday Observer spoke to a few eminent bhikkus to gain a proper understanding of the issue.

Chancellor of the Sri Jayawardhanapura University, Prof. Ven. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera said that all citizens must respect the country, whether lay or ordained. And since the national flag and the anthem is symbolic of the nation, they should also respect them.

“Standing up for the national anthem does not by any means degrade the monkhood. The Buddha has never said not to respect one’s country.” said he.

He added that some argue that respect is in one’s mind, but said that this so-called respect cannot be seen and therefore is not practical. He also pointed out that bhikkus should attempt to change according to the times.

He argued that while abroad, monks have to stand up for the local national anthems. “If they can stand up for foreign national anthems why not for our own. We must not be narrow minded.”

Prof. Ven. Kamburugamuwe Wajira Thera explained that even the Buddha has advised to abide the law of ones country. “The National anthem and flag are symbolic of the law of the country. Country and race - as it is said (‘rata, jathiya, agama’) - must come before anything else.”

He claimed that bhikkus can not take a different stand. “Everyone has to stand and pay respect as a judge climbs the bench or when the Speaker takes the chair in the Parliament, including the bhikkus.”

He explained that, as opposed to other countries, children and mostly adults are seen engaged in various other activities, while the national flag is hoisted or the anthem is played.

“This is because patriotism has not been instilled in the minds of the people at an early age. This is the curse our nation.”

Former MP, Ven. Baddegama Samitha Thera told that the national flag is symbolic of a united nation. One must disregard ones monkhood and pay respect to the national flag and anthem. “In the face of the law every one is equal. The national flag is above all religions. Therefore it must be respected by not only locals but all others.”

Ven. Harispaththuwe Ariyawansalankara Thera commented on the issue saying “The basis of Buddhism and monkhood is the Threefold refuge. This is unparalleled, incomparable.” He explained that no other religion or philosophy has a group such as the pujya (worshipped by others), instead there are ‘pujaka’ (Worships God).

As he explained they are completely different. Bhikkus are worshipped, they are only second to Buddha and Dhamma, therefore will not worship anything else. “Nothing in the whole universe is worthy of it. They stand up only in the presence of the Buddha and senior bhikkus.

Even rulers of other religions, such as King Kosol, Bimbisara and Ajasath, stood up in the presence of Buddha and paid their respect. They entered his abode only after removing slippers, crown and even weapons.”

He explained that according to the Buddha one of the major advantages of being a bhikku is that even if a minor employee to a king gets ordained, the king has to bow to the bhikku.

“Even if he is of low caste, the king must bow to him.” He said that the Sangha is always above the society of the lay, have left behind caste, class and nationality to enter monkhood. Thus the same practices carried out by the lay should not be expected by the bhikkus.

“It’s natural for the lay and even the rulers of a country to get up and pay respect to the national anthem and the flag, if not it would be disrespectful.” He explained that it is even necessary for the clergy of other religions to stand up and pay respect to the national anthem. “Their life style is totally different from that of bhikkus.”

Ultimately he explained that bhikkus have represented the Buddha and have preserved the Threefold Refuge and the Buddha Sasana for almost 2600 years.

And says that it is unfortunate that things have to alter now. Ven. Ariyawansalankara Thera claimed that such statements as these are publicity stunts by bhikkus who have no true understanding of the Threefold Refuge.

He said that the status of the Threefold refuge including the Sangha, does not change where ever they may be. He explained that Sri Lanka has a Cultural heritage of Therawada origin of nearly 2600 years. And attempting to alter this according to the needs of some is a heinous crime.

MP Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera agreed with Ven. Harispaththuwe Ariyawansalankara Thera in saying that the Sangha is only second to the Buddha and the Dhamma. “It is required of the monks to stand when the Piruwana Poth Wahanse (the holy book that contains pirith) or when a Buddha statue is carried in.” He explained that according to the verse - ‘Sirimath bambasirasehi pa pisina...’ bhikkus are above even the Maha Brahma (Chief of Brahmas).

“Therefore it is unworthy of bhikkus to bow to anything other than the Buddha and the Dhamma, in fact it is a disgrace to the Threefold refuge.” He also pointed out that when the King came to court, the bhikkus did not stand in the past.

When posed the question that if Sri Lankan bhikkus can stand up for foreign national anthems, why can they not pay the same respect to our own, he bluntly rebuked all bhikkus who claimed that they should stand and pay respect to any national anthem, claiming that they know nothing of the age old Sri Lankan Buddhist culture.

He said that there are some villages in Sri Lanka where the inhabitants do not know how to offer alms and are not aware of the correct practices of the Buddhist tradition. “Bhikkus who agree to stand up during the playing of the national anthem, should mind the wellbeing of the people and educate them on cultural traditions before they attempt to set up research institutions abroad. How many of these Dhamma missions abroad have succeeded in spreading Buddhism so far?”

He explained that foreign researches have misled the Sri Lankans. “The Buddha has done all the research required on the Dhamma. There is no research left for us to do, we have merely to follow his advice.” He claimed that to compare and contrast Buddhism with other religions is to degrade Buddhism. “International research on Buddhism is a scheme. This is the talk of people who do not comprehend anything about the Dhamma.”

The Thera claimed that no bhikku is required by law to stand up during the hoisting of a national flag or playing of a national anthem in any nation, if so bhikkus should avoid such situations. Finally he posed the question “If bhikkus are required by law - in other countries - to do things against the teachings of the Buddha, would they do so?”

Most Ven. Mahanayaka Thera of Asgiri Chapter, Most Ven. Mahanayaka Thera of Malwathu Chapter, Most Ven. Mahanayaka Thera of Ramagnya Mahanikaya and Most Ven. Mahanayaka Thera of Amarapura Mahanikaya have agreed in unison that bhikkus should not be required to stand up during the hoisting of the national flag and playing of the national anthem, here and abroad.

The policies for the bhikkus according to the Buddha Sasana, are to remain in the seating posture and respect the hoisting of the national flag or the playing of the national anthem.