Thus spake a prelate

Tuesday 20th December, 2022

Religion and politics are best kept apart. But in this country religion has got politicised, and politics has become a religion of sorts. Worse, politicians are deified, and some Buddhist monks have become politicians to all intents and purposes. Self-important politicians are in the habit of not only citing scripture but also making strictures on the behaviour of Buddhist monks and the morals and mores of contemporary society. Some party leaders chose to parade what they made out to be their knowledge of Buddhism during the recently-concluded budget debate; in so doing, they only displayed their ignorance of the Dhamma. Curiously, one of the self-styled lay preachers in the House blamed Angulimala for what Devadatte had done to the Buddha! This may explain why under the current dispensation, the perpetrators of economic crimes against the public continue to savour power and pretend to be saviours while those who take to the streets demanding action against them are thrown behind bars.

Buddhist monks never miss an opportunity to pontificate to politicians about the virtues of democracy, and urge the latter to behave. They have drawn heavy flak for not putting their temples in order before trying to ‘reform’ others. But there have been notable exceptions; some Buddhist monks have had the courage to be critical of the deviants among the members of the Maha Sangha. Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara Ven. Walawahengunawewe, Dhammarathana Thera, is one of them; he has made a name for himself as an outspoken Buddhist monk, who intrepidly defends the rights of the public, brings politicians down a peg or two when they meet him, and, above all, does not hesitate to be critical of the errant monks who have brought the Sasana into disrepute. He has done the Maha Sangha proud.

Dhammarathana Thera, on Sunday, censured the unruly Buddhist monks sporting beards. He did not mince his words when he said the latter behaved like the Taliban. He has struck a responsive chord with the laypersons who are appalled by the conduct of some young monks, especially those who take part in public protests and go berserk. These monks are apparently labouring under the delusion that the saffron robe is a licence of sorts for them to do as they please; they even take on the police and university authorities with impunity. There is no reason why they should be given special treatment when they commit transgressions.

Dhammarathana Thera said he thought the errant university monks followed Lenin and not the Buddha. It is doubtful whether these young monks have understood at least what Lenin stood for. Understanding Leninism is a formidable intellectual exercise, which is rewarding. These cantankerous monks do not appear to be conversant with Leninism either. Otherwise, they would not have become pawns in the game of power politics played by some ultra-radical political outfits that thrive on chaos and claim to espouse Marxism-Leninism.

In 2020, Dhammarathana Thera urged the Buddhists not to support monks wallowing in power politics and seeking political office. He made this call ahead of the 2020 general election. Thankfully, the people did not vote for them in large numbers, but the political monks let their greed for power control them when they received a National List slot and had to decide who should enter Parliament. An epic battle ensued between two of them over the parliamentary seat, and that reminded us of the legendary dispute between two Naga Kings over a gem-studded throne and the Buddha’s intervention to settle it.

Buddhist prelates such as Ven. Dhammarathana Thera deserve praise for being frank and forthright and their efforts to rein in unruly monks who are a disgrace to the Maha Sangha.