VIDEO

In current global deteriorating context, monks vulnerable to being victims

10 July 2023 08:21 pm - 33 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Venerable Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thera made a claim regarding the viral video footage involving Buddhist monks. He mentioned that in the current global context, including in Sri Lanka, where conditions are deteriorating, monks are a vulnerable group that could be potential victims.

Addressing the media, he said people should be aware that it is a serious and mentally ill situation if anyone expects only a clear and pure character from a monk amid this existing economic and social disorder.

"Therefore, we assure that these Buddhist monks, parties and the people in the country must take the correct path. As Buddhist monks, we do not stand to justify such incidents. Consequently, it is not fair to expect clear and pure characters only from Buddhist monks under this social situation," Venerable Sagara Thera said.

"With the recent incidents, we have clearly understood that these incidents are interconnected and that they are well-planned and are being done to destroy the dignity and power of the monks among civil society," he further said.

These activities are done by using very organized and formal methods while pumping massive amounts of money through non-governmental organizations, he claimed.

"We held discussions with IT professionals as well as educated people in the society during the past two days and figured out that these activities are being carried out in a well-organized manner. These are not random incidents. Through these incidents these groups are trying to destroy the dignity and power of the monks among civil society," Thera said.

"We are ashamed of the government for not taking action. The government and the police took several days to make decisions. They did not involve themselves and waited for the incident to go viral on social media," he said.

"In the video, it shows that the two women and the Buddhist monk were assaulted while removing their clothes. People have no right to assault women and monks in such a way. If there is a criminal case, they should have shown it to them without taking the law into their own hands," Thera said. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)

Comments - 33

Sinhalese Monday, 10 July 2023 08:40 PM

Shameful defense of the monks blaming all but their ownselves.

Silva Monday, 10 July 2023 09:08 PM

Of course the NGO sent the 2 women in the monks room. The poor monk didn't wanted it. To whom you want to sell this BS. The other monk was caught with something in his mouth. Maybe also the NGO's sticked it there. If you decide to become a monk, you should be clear and clean. If you cannot do it, get a job.

Buddhist Monday, 10 July 2023 09:52 PM

Why go global, let's talk about SL. Most of the issues we have, especially ethnic issues Monks are the reason! Further Monks are acting like politicians and sexual maniacs.

wickrama wijayasiri Monday, 10 July 2023 09:57 PM

Appalling statement. 'You scratch my back I will scratch yours'. The issue is monks' indiscipline, but not global conditions. People have lost respect for the saffron robes. It is 'Monks' own doing, but not others fault.

Atheïst Monday, 10 July 2023 09:58 PM

As an atheïst I never expect a clear and pure character from any clergy. No one should attack another human being. But sorry, you are talking in riddles. What do you mean by pumping massive amount of money through NGO's?

Mahila Tuesday, 11 July 2023 12:22 PM

"PUMPING MASSIVE AMOUNT OF MONEY through NGO"s? ..." As I understand it, he is probably RIGHT and adducing that the events at Ihala Bomiriya is due to those acts by interested parties urging the NGO’s they are financing!!!??? May be so!!!??? As onetime AG and CJ, Mohan Silva at UNHRC, once stated ‘Throwing his hands up in the Air’, "GOD ONLY KNOWS", when questioned about the whereabouts of Eknelygoda!!!??? In reality, what would, mere MORTALS know, if any, what really happens in this Universe, if learned and erudite are blind!!!???

Boss' Driver Monday, 10 July 2023 10:10 PM

Ven Ananda Sagara, assaulting some one for enjoying with two ladies is not right....bu tell the monks to practice what they preach or ask them to leave the temple and find a job !!!! Please try to understand, people go down on their knees and worship these monks....its a great betrayal of trust !!!

Impunity Monday, 10 July 2023 10:34 PM

Buddhist monks' private ill-behaved life is their business. They will suffer and pay for their inferior quality of life in the journey of SANSARA. But what about them being openly affiliated political group - group that is worst of its kind and also well connected to illegal fraudulent business activities. This is pretty dangerous and to a country and punishable.

Mullakeliya Ratwatte Monday, 10 July 2023 10:47 PM

Oh yes, it is always someone else’s fault. What was easily covered-up is now not possible because of smart phones. Start assisting all the young monks.

Aramkonndan Monday, 10 July 2023 11:26 PM

Generally bhikkus are the primary reasons to destroy SL by instigating racism among communities for the past 75 years since independent. In future people from all community feel awarness

Daniska Tuesday, 11 July 2023 01:11 AM

In Sri Lanka there is an old saying as "Puhul Hora Karen Dene"

Observer Tuesday, 11 July 2023 01:17 AM

On the whole, it’s your conduct including racism is causing problems. Your colleague Gnanasara is responsible for hate speeches.Only those who are over 18 should undergo training to become a monk.

ANNECUNT Tuesday, 11 July 2023 02:11 AM

WHAT WERE THE MONK AND TWO WOMEN DOING IN THE MONKS BEDROOM?

ranjit Tuesday, 11 July 2023 02:37 AM

don't blame NGOs for your follies. Certain monks are at fault and don't give excuses like NGOs etc c

Ram Tuesday, 11 July 2023 03:22 AM

Lay person must enter priesthood only if he can follow the Buddha's teachings. If unable to be in priesthood due to human desires he must become a lay teacher

Punchi Tuesday, 11 July 2023 04:12 AM

Sri Lankan monks are not monks for religious purposes. If so they training should teach them to not engage in irreligious activities. For our monks it isa way of life to obtain free food, free accommodation and other worldly benefits for free

Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 11 July 2023 05:07 AM

Many monks have failed to discharge their responsibility to the society. There are very good monks in the majority but a minority of monks making things worse for everyone. Monks should lead by example if they do not want to have a clean character then just remove the Safron robe and wear shirt and trousers.

Mahila Tuesday, 11 July 2023 06:25 AM

"It is not FAIR to EXPECT CLEAR and PURE CHARACTERS ONLY from Buddhist monks under this social situation," Venerable Sagara Thero said" Many thanks for making us understand the situation better!! Please forgive and Pardon IGNORANCE!? DUE TO HUMAN FALLIBILITY, we have been expecting far TOO MUCH, and is WRONG

Mahila Tuesday, 11 July 2023 06:25 AM

"It is not FAIR to EXPECT CLEAR and PURE CHARACTERS ONLY from Buddhist monks under this social situation," Venerable Sagara Thero said" Many thanks for making us understand the situation better!! Please forgive and Pardon IGNORANCE!? DUE TO HUMAN FALLIBILITY, we have been expecting far TOO MUCH, and is WRONG

Mahesh Tuesday, 11 July 2023 06:39 AM

Lol. This drug addict joker seems to be another gal karaya and got scared. You should feel the pain and fear too mate. When you come infront of media and nake hate speech against certain individuals and ethncity they too felt fear. This guy did not condemn those videos evidence means he is also a gal karaya. These guys should be kicked out of religion.

PINA Tuesday, 11 July 2023 07:21 AM

Does the concept of Dharma involve two women in bed? Lay people providing food and other offerings to monks as an act of generosity is not intended to be deceived by monks, but rather as a means of supporting their spiritual practice and adherence to the principles of their respective traditions. Lay people offer these donations as a form of support and respect for the monks' commitment to a religious or monastic lifestyle.

Bandu Tuesday, 11 July 2023 08:41 AM

Keep out of politics and monks will be fine.

Clean your own cloth! Tuesday, 11 July 2023 08:48 AM

Now who is fault? Is it the political monk who lifted his yellow robe to woman? or was it the person who clicked the shutter at that time? Yu tell us!

Emsee Tuesday, 11 July 2023 08:56 AM

Yes, the assault on the monk and the two women is wrong. However, the future of the dispensation will be at risk if the Buddhist community and more importantly the monastic community does not take a serious look at them selves in order to maintain the discipline the Buddha expected of them. Hiding the rubbish under the carpet will not be conducive to the healthy survival of the Buddha's dispensation.

dinesh Tuesday, 11 July 2023 09:55 AM

this joker is banging the usual drum about foreign funded Buddhism destruction by NGOs, instead of looking into misdeeds of priests and how to punish them...

True Buddhist Tuesday, 11 July 2023 10:09 AM

There may be some truth about NGOs involvement however what monk in question did was beyond belief, should face the music!!

Gunaseelawathie Nugapatha Tuesday, 11 July 2023 10:18 AM

The Bhikku or Sangha must preserve at least Pancha Seela. Your statement is similar to one from politicians - Once we have heard from them that all are NGO work!!

Mahila Tuesday, 11 July 2023 12:28 PM

"PUMPING MASSIVE AMOUNT OF MONEY through NGO"s? ..." As I understand it, he is probably RIGHT and adducing that the events at Ihala Bomiriya is due to those acts by interested parties urging the NGO’s they are financing!!!??? May be so!!!??? As onetime AG and CJ, Mohan Silva at UNHRC, once stated ‘Throwing his hands up in the Air’, GOD ONLY KNOWS, when questioned about the whereabouts of Eknelygoda!!!??? In reality, what would mere MORTALS know, if any, what really happens in this Universe, if learned, erudite are unable to DISCERN!!!???

Mahila Tuesday, 11 July 2023 12:30 PM

Thanks, Valuable, GOOD and EXPLICIT admission!!!???

True Lankan Tuesday, 11 July 2023 12:36 PM

Said by Venerable Ananda Sanga Thera "they are well-planned" who sent these two women and Thero to the bed room? NGO? yes we cant justify them for what they did, but definitely Im against the Violence on them.

saman Tuesday, 11 July 2023 01:11 PM

If one cannot expect pure character from Buddhist monks, then they should stop expecting freebees from the public

Sammy Tuesday, 11 July 2023 01:42 PM

Instead of blaming and pointing fingers at others, the Sangha/Maha sangha should look within and just as much as they preach bana to lay people they should preach and practice among themselves. Any misconduct should be dealt with promptly. After all, people look up to these monks and priests for guidance and solace and provide the basic necessities. Any misconduct is a slur on their religion. Recently a girl was arrested for tweeting insulting stuff about religions. These type of misconduct by monks/priests is even more damaging to their religions.

DOT Tuesday, 11 July 2023 02:37 PM

Not for genuine budists! It's a part

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In current global deteriorating context, monks vulnerable to being victims

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