Editorial - Dalai Lama’s wisdom for our leaders

2 August 2012 06:30 pm - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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One of the most respected Buddhist leaders and philosophers the Dalai Lama has often spoken words of wisdom that stung people into the reality of realities and liberative spirituality. Unfortunately the Tibetan liberation leader has been unable to or apparently not allowed to come to Sri Lanka possibly because Sri Lanka fears the consequences from China on which it is heavily dependent economically and politically. This week a top US foreign policy analyst warned that Sri Lanka would have to make a choice between the US and China on a strategic alliance in the Indian Ocean area.

The Dalai Lama when asked what surprised him most about humanity answered, “People sacrifice their health to make money. Then they sacrifice money to recuperate their health and become so anxious about the future that they do not enjoy the present. As a result they do not live in the present or the future. They live as if they will never die and then die having never really lived.”

The rich and ruling elite of Sri Lanka, especially our political leaders, need to reflect deeply on what the Dalai Lama has said. He is a leader who practises what he preaches and preaches what he practises.

A sincere examination of the conscience by our political leaders and those who comprise the rich and ruling elite will show that most of them live to make more and more money, by fair means or foul, and build bigger barns to store the ill-gotten wealth mainly plundered from the poor people and the resources of the country. But a religious leader has warned them, “Thou fool, tonight you shall die and then who shall get all your wealth?”

Most political leaders, though they are often seen at religious ceremonies preaching pious and puritanical platitudes, are apparently living a deceptive life. Though they say they have come forward to serve the country and are servant leaders of the people, most of them are seeking personal gain or glory, popularity, power and prestige, perks and privileges. When Shakespeare said the world is a stage and most people are actors, he was not referring to Romeo and Juliet or any omelette made by Hamlet. Being a deeply spiritual man as seen in his writings, Shakespeare was probably referring to political and other leaders who have a dual character – one thing inside another outside. Inside they are often plagued with the self-destructive vices of selfishness, unforgiveness, anger and jealousy and a desire to beat the other person by fair means or by foul or even criminal means with the criminalisation of politics today.

If these leaders continue with this self-righteous humbug and hypocrisy, it will be like the blind leading the blind and the whole country will be led into a valley of darkness. If the political leaders do not change, then the people must change the political leaders.

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Comments - 11

P.L.J.B.Palipana Thursday, 02 August 2012 09:42 PM

TACTICALLY RANIL WICKRAMASINGHE MADE A GOOD DECISION BU STRATEGICALLY MAHINDA RAJAPAKSA HAS FAILED COMPLETELY.

wijebahu Thursday, 02 August 2012 09:48 PM

excellent article. Its unfortunate we cannot invite this great man to our country. This is the down side of dependence. But our leaders are not working out get independence, its only in books at the moment.

Tintin Thursday, 02 August 2012 10:57 PM

More articles and live talks on TV etc. of this sort need to come into attention of people. Media is the only tool we have to change the destiny of our nation.

A CANADIAN Thursday, 02 August 2012 11:26 PM

it is nice to see some srilankans have a brain to write this..my hat off to you..God bless.

Gamini Senarath Friday, 03 August 2012 05:45 AM

Correct.Country is already puined.No law and order,

buffaloa citizen Friday, 03 August 2012 09:34 AM

Fantastic article, clearly significant in charcter and practice to Sri Lanka, the form of buddhist we practice and our political leaders. From this article and the statement by Dalai Lama, clearly we are a country pf bogus buddhism. Articles such as this will not be liked by majority of Sri Lankans because it speaks the truth.

The Monk Friday, 03 August 2012 12:49 PM

A Buddhist monk who visited Sri Lanka wrote: the minds of monks of Ceylon are as narrow as head of needle.... Yet they still fancy claiming themselves as the most authentic Buddhists who follow most authentic form of Buddhism. While most monks well known as preachers in action do the exact opposite of what they teach. Yet people love listening to those heretics and fanatics disguised as monks.

WAKE UP! Your monks are killing your living tradition. Try preserving it. Go and learn from those unauthentic Buddhists what true Buddhism and practice is. Modayas!

Rana Friday, 03 August 2012 03:01 PM

Dalai Lama is not a follower of Theravada teachings. His teachings may interest in USA but not for Srilankan Buddhists. And I neither heard that he applied visa to come to SL nor reject visa by SL embassy so far. Some trying to change Theravada teachings by spreading Mahayana unauthentic buddhism in SL. In USA these unauthentic Buddhism is very famous like Laughing Buddha with huge belly etc.. The viewer above call MONK need that kind of distorted Buddhism popularise in SL. They already began that and that is why few local Buddhas suddenly erupted n various parts Of SL.

sammy Friday, 03 August 2012 04:45 PM

Hats off to the editor for writing such a beautiful editorial but unfortunately I wonder whether most politicians in Sri Lanka can read English and even those who can read I wonder whether they could understand the underlying message. Politicians who can understand this article will read but will not think in these terms since that money bag that is hanging in front of him is more valuable than the country.
This is a beautiful article. well done Editor

Mr. B Wijeyasingha Friday, 03 August 2012 06:06 PM

The Dalai Lama belongs to the Vajrayana Buddhism & is not connected to the Theravada school. Nevertheless he has wisdom to a certain level. Wisdom to expound on Buddhism but not to save his country.

SomeOne Saturday, 04 August 2012 01:39 AM

"......If the political leaders do not change, then the people must change the political leaders......"

It seems that we are putting "cart in front of the horse". Then again the politicians are one of the people them selves.

Why Dalilama's wisdom??. ASk GOD wisdom. HE will give it(wisdom) generously with out finding fault. Thanks

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Editorial - Dalai Lama’s wisdom for our leaders

Comments - 11

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