The right to life - Editorial

4 June 2012 03:02 am - 1 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Be it an animal or human, the worth of life does not differ. While sparing and saving lives has been considered a meritorious deed, taking away a life, is considered otherwise. This is the universal religion of mankind, which, if practised properly, can make the world a better place to live in.

Many aeons ago, on a day like this, Ven. Arahat Mahinda Thera first appeared before King Devanampiya Tissa in Mihintale, which was then a sanctuary of royal hunters. He made the King spare the life of the deer, the former was chasing. The King took a moment to realize the worth of another life, and did at Arahat Mahinda Thera’s behest. Thus, the vital concept of ‘live and let live’ was emphasized through the term ‘abhaya dana’ which is considered as one of the most meritorious deeds one could ever perform.

Hence, the Poson Poya Day, commemorated islandwide today, not only narrates the establishment Buddhism in the country, but also the introduction of humanistic fundamentals that are supported by every religion and doctrine. Specially in the absence of a constitutional provision that assures the right to life, religious principles play a major role in making people life-givers instead of live-takers. Yet, one look at the current picture of the island nation, and one would get the impression that Arahat Mahinda Thera’s word

has got lost in translation. It has failed to travel the time. It is not only the deer that are being hunted now. Neither are the herds of cattle the only helpless creatures to get slaughtered daily. People too have become the victims in tragedies where the doers belong to the same kind.

Ours is a country with an escalating crime rate where killings fill the news bulletins, and bodies are recovered from roadsides almost daily. Leave alone the authorities’ inability to curb the disturbing trend, those who still call this land the ‘Dhamma Deepaya’ need to question themselves whether the term is still valid. Poson is not all about displaying a cardboard replica of Mihintale in front of the homes or distributing food in ‘dansal.’ No doubt, ‘Amisa pooja’, do bring merits in return, but such offerings lose their value when the core ideals of the Buddha Dhamma preached by Arahat Mahinda Thera are not followed. Thus, to commemorate the Poson Poya in a genuine manner, Sri Lankans still have a lot of ground to cover.

Perhaps, we have been so overwhelmed by King Dharmashoka’s generosity that all this while, instead of unwrapping the gift, we were only running our fingers over it.

After all, any dhamma that is not practised cannot be preserved for posterity.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 1

Mevan Monday, 04 June 2012 06:06 PM

An animal welfare bill giving animals the "right to life" has been ready for several years. Not a single party or an MP is prepared to present it to parliament, not even the JHU. For that matter, none of the Buddhist organizations or monks are prepared to champion this bill.
So much for Poson and all the Bana that is preached!

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

The right to life - Editorial

Comments - 1

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

Why Sri Lanka’s children continue to be victims of sexual exploitation

Voices of grief demand secrets from under the rubble

Human carelessness, main cause of wildfires raging across Sri Lanka

Pilots’ plight at SriLankan Airlines

Purchasing of medicine: How Health Ministry initiated ploys to enjoy lofty commissions

“Our education system should cater to the child of the 21st Century” - R. M. M. Ratnayake, Royal College Principal

Gary Anandasangaree Canada’s First Sri Lankan Tamil Cabinet Minister

Most Viewed in News

SLC proposes ’’home’’ for Pakistan and Afghanistan teams

24 underage couples found engaged in sexual activities at Homagama

SriLankan Airlines partners with Virgin Australia

How and why Azad Maulana fled to Europe

IMF unveils 16-point plan to address governance challenges in Sri Lanka

Why is Ali Sabry dragging Sri Lanka in the Indo-Canada conflict?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Social media regulation an obvious scenario: President

State land on lease basis for 100 MW solar energy project

President’s interview with Germany’s DW news agency Nonsense!

Shi Yang 6 visit Sri Lanka, China yet to see eye to eye on timeline

MIRROR CRICKET

Weak bowling unit a concern for Sri Lanka - Vaas

New Zealand’s Southee ’unavailable’ for World Cup opener

Sri Lanka lose to Afghanistan in Asian Games men’s cricket

Gurbaz, Shah eclipse Mendis’ giant effort

Europe, Africa and South America to host games in 2030 World Cup: FIFA

Weak bowling unit a concern for Sri Lanka - Vaas

Sri Lanka win Asian Games bronze medals in Men’s, Women’s 4x400m relays

New Zealand’s Southee ’unavailable’ for World Cup opener