‘What’s in a Name?’ Cardinal’s ‘Compassionate’ Ultimatum!

Less than 48 hours remain for the government to meet the ultimatum set by Archbishop His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith for naming the mastermind of the Easter Sunday blasts.   
Nine suicide bombers targeted two Catholic churches, one evangelical church and three hotels on April 21, 2019, killing an estimated 267 people and injuring more than 540.Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Ranjith immediately appealed to his followers to act with restrain and prevented a backlash of religious clashes.  

Speaking on live-streamed mass an year later from his official residence on Easter Sunday April 12, 2020, His Eminence Archbishop of Colombo said: “Last year some misguided youth attacked us and we, as humans could have given a human and selfish response. But we meditated on Christ’s teachings and loved them, forgave them and had pity on them.” He added: “We did not hate them and return them the violence. Resurrection is the complete rejection of selfishness.”  

Since then, Cardinal Ranjith, 73, has frequently found fault with the authorities for failing to give a clear account of how they were able to carry out the blasts despite many intelligence reports that attacks were imminent. During his Easter Sunday sermon this year however, he was somewhat harsh when he questioned Maithripala Sirisena, the then President, if he wore his clothes when he announced his idea to contest next Presidential elections. His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith went to the extent of suggesting Sirisena in a sarcastic manner, to rather remain at home saying that PCoI report had clearly stated President Sirisena receiving prior warning of the imminent attacks though he decided to go abroad ignoring them. “If your brother sins against you go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother-- Matthew 18:15
He asked the government not to delay action against those responsible for the attacks by appointing more committees, an attempt to misdirect [seppada vijja- a form of deception in which the performer draws audience attention to one thing to distract it from another] the people. He further said and if such attempts continue unheeding their request and authorities failed to prosecute them as per recommendations of PCoI, he would take to the streets. In a threatening tone, the compassionate dignitary warned, “If the government failed to act we will seek the assistance of international organisations in order to achieve some justice.”“But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. …” -Matthew 6:15   

Use of violence as a means of protecting or propagating a faith though counterproductive, has been practiced by Christians and Islamist centuries ago. Christians gave up the strategy two centuries ago, but a small sector of Muslim extremists, despite of what the Holy Quran has to say on the issue, continued the practice of violence. Buddhist who never indulged such cruel methods for 25 centuries, [in fact they protected Muslims from Portuguese invaders in 16th C., and again in 18th C., they sheltered Catholics from protestant Wesleyan] ironically succumbed to extremism in recent past, invariably motivated by their political patrons. We saw the emergence of a new brand of saffron-clad Bala Sena units flexing its muscles. The secular character of ruling administrations of the past appeared to be gone forever or replaced by a flow of religious chauvinism. A phenomenon that receives ‘legitimate’ support during elections.   

"The Cardinal said if such attempts continue unheeding their request and authorities failed to prosecute them as per recommendations of PCoI, he would take to the streets and  warned that if the govt failed to act, assistance of international organisations would be sought in order to achieve some justice"

Pope Francis on his visit to Sri Lanka in January 2015 called all Sri Lankans to defeat their prejudices and search for pardon for the sake of peace. He said,  
“Only when we come to understand, in the light of the cross, the evil we are capable of and have even been a part of, can we experience true remorse and true repentance; only then can we receive the grace to approach one another in true contrition, offering and seeking true forgiveness.” “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ... - Luke 6:27-36   

His eminence Cardinal Ranjith once pointed out that it is the responsibility of members of all other religions to work in a manner that protects the philosophy of Buddhism within Sri Lanka. “The Buddhist philosophy in this country, which has a history of 2,600 years, should be protected. Those who are of the Christian faith should join hands together with this common heritage….’. …the status and respect reserved for Buddhism should stay intact in the new constitution”. He expressed his observation while participating in a Buddhist ceremony, for which he became famous in recent times with Nayaka Theras inviting him as chief guest at temple functions. Justifying his argument, Cardinal Ranjith said that the teachings of Buddhism bring people relief whenever they are confronted with mental pain and discomfort.   

Accepting your lapse and apologize in such situations shows the upbringing of a decent human being. “Without forgiveness and love, one lives with malice, resentment, and strife; the result being more pain. You cannot love without forgiving. Forgiveness grows deeper one’s ability to love and frees one from pain.”

Forgiveness surpasses limited human reason. Yet it is quite clear that the forgiveness of wrongdoings ensures elimination of remorse, depression and emptiness. There is power in forgiveness! And it all comes profusely from reality as atheists believe or gracious hand of god according to theist religious view. Forgiveness offers a straight path; Unforgiveness is so much stress. Instead you just keep going round in circles. Walls may be blocking our progress. If we cannot forgive others, we break the bridge over which we ourselves must pass. We need to make sure we always build bridges and not walls.   

 The relationship between action/kamma and result/vipaka is not complex as explained in the Acintita Sutta . Buddha says the relationship is not a proposition of tit-for-tat or Eye for an Eye as clarified in the Kammavibagha sutta, which gives a better understanding of the complexities.   
 “Hostilities aren’t stopped through hostility. They are stilled through non-hostility: this, an unending truth.” –Dhammapada.  

“Monks, even if bandits were to savagely sever you, limb by limb, even then, whoever of you harbors ill will at heart would not be upholding my teaching. Monks, you should train yourselves thus: ‘Neither shall our minds be affected by this, nor for this matter shall we give vent to evil words, but we shall remain full of concern and pity, with a mind of love. On the contrary, we shall live projecting thoughts of universal love to those very persons”- Kakacupama Sutta
 According to Buddhist and other faiths, revenge (or which appears like revenge) is never justified.— thoughts that have grown great, exalted and measureless. We shall dwell radiating these thoughts which are void of hostility and ill will.   

God’s chosen Chief Shepherd for Sri Lanka, His Eminence the Archbishop is an untiring servant of truth, justice and freedom, the Cardinal has won love, respect and admiration not only of all Sri Lankans including Buddhist Mahanayakes, but religious leaders all over the world. Being the first Sri Lankan to be appointed Secretary of a Congregation in the Vatican, he was responsible for setting up Archdiocesan Centre for Poor Relief, named, Seth Sarana, a monument to his dedication to alleviate the miseries of the poor. He acted responsibly during the catastrophe to prevent stirring religious hatred among Muslims and Christians; most certainly he would continue to do so.   

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