Mechanism to take action against monks involved in anti-religious activities: Vidura

28 October 2022 07:10 pm - 37 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Buddhashasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickremanayake said a new mechanism would be in place to have the Nayaka Theras informed regarding the monks involved in anti-religious activities and to implement the law against them as well as to take disciplinary action.

The Minister said this at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs recently.

He said that the Nayaka Theras would be informed in the case of an allegation related to monks, through the police, coordinated by the Ministry, and to implement the law against them as well as to take disciplinary action.

The Minister also said that it is expected to introduce a new Act with powers to establish a separate structure to deal with this said concern in the future under the guidance of Nayaka Theras.
The committee drew special attention to the damage caused to the order by monks who are pious and engaged in certain business activities and accordingly the need of the Ministry to intervene to prevent such.
Attention was drawn to the deterioration of discipline in universities where monks are educated.

It was discussed that 45% of the monks who usually enter Buddhist universities leave the order in the final year. Accordingly, the committee emphasized the need to take further action to control this situation. Accordingly, the Minister also indicated that he expects to discuss and take measures with the Ministry of Higher Education in the future.
There was also a lengthy discussion about ordaining children at an early age.

The Minister emphasized the need to prepare a specific program in this regard, as it is a responsibility assigned by the constitution to protect Buddhism. Accordingly, the Minister said that steps will be taken to appoint a Subcommittee of the Ministerial Consultative Committee to discuss this matter in the next meeting

Comments - 37

Civil servant Friday, 28 October 2022 07:44 PM

Very good move. First of all make sure they don’t chair any form of political meetings.

Tamil Friday, 28 October 2022 08:15 PM

It is inhumane to take children under the age of 18 away from their parents and preventing having them go through the only one chance of normal human life in order to be trained as priests for life. I

Nihal S Friday, 28 October 2022 09:31 PM

Please start with M. Ananda @ Abayarama. You are another useless guy and I hope will be flushed out during next election.

Wonder Friday, 28 October 2022 10:32 PM

The age for Muslim marriages was looked into, then why not look into the age of becoming a monk? To become A child monk is as unacceptable as a child bride.

das Saturday, 29 October 2022 01:12 AM

Start by seperating religion and the state. Religious beliefs are a private affair, not to be used by politicians to boost their image

Nandasena R Saturday, 29 October 2022 02:21 AM

It is high time that Buddhist Monks are banned from all political positions; be it in the parliament or local councils etc. They have given up worldly life and have sworn to serve a greater cause, why then are they dabbling in earthly matters? It may be hard for some to swallow the truth BUT the fundamental reason for Bankruptcy of SL can be traced back to monks interference in many ways than one in politics of this country since SWRD Banda's time.

Ram Saturday, 29 October 2022 02:26 AM

Gnanasara is one of the biggest culprits on this score. He should have been behind bars long time ago but escaped. Even the Mahanayakas have failed to advice or dismiss them from their nikaya or priesthood. So the Mahanayakas too are to be faulted

Neville Jayakody Saturday, 29 October 2022 04:28 AM

Is accepting vehicles as donation with an intention of favours an anti religious activity?

Bandu Dharmaratne Saturday, 29 October 2022 05:28 AM

Why not start with the chief of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple for misleading the entire nation?

kumar Saturday, 29 October 2022 06:55 AM

What nonsense! Complicating religion with politics. Even priests are humans. There can't be different laws that applicable to priest only. If they did anything wrong in the religious point of view, Heads of Nikayas or Dhayaka Saba has to take any action and not by the government.

vince Saturday, 29 October 2022 03:23 PM

Some of these yellow-robed people think they are above the law. Unfortunately, Law thinks they are above reproach. As for the politician cretins don't start me.

Mizaru Saturday, 29 October 2022 06:55 AM

Religion is a delusion and this clown makes no sense.

Neil Saturday, 29 October 2022 06:58 AM

Very good. Start it from the so called maha nayakas.

dionjansz@rocketmail.com Saturday, 29 October 2022 07:04 AM

This minister behaves like is 'Bull in a China Shop'. These are very sensitive subjects and should be dwelt with dignity and respect. He is a total idiot who always put the cart before the horse. Mr. President please control these idiots.

Power hungry Saturday, 29 October 2022 08:03 AM

Vidura, we thought , was a man of principles but it's not so. He only wanted a Ministerial Portfolio.

Lio Sil Saturday, 29 October 2022 08:12 AM

Wouln't it be better to have a mechanism to take action against the rogue politicians who get involved in anti-social work as well?

DAR Saturday, 29 October 2022 08:32 AM

Any monk engaged in politics, finance or anti religious activities, shouldn't be given the privilege of using honorary titles with their names like Sangha, Thera, or Bhikkhu but rather called Cheeveradari, or Sravaka.

akila Saturday, 29 October 2022 08:56 AM

too little too late

anil Saturday, 29 October 2022 08:57 AM

start with that monk who is a trade union leader for the nurses

Citizen k Saturday, 29 October 2022 09:07 AM

Lest we forget Galagoda gnarissara there the hero of communal riots in Aluthgama.

U.ranjith Saturday, 29 October 2022 09:27 AM

It is good idea to control the ordaining the children at an early age. It is a violation of child's rights to have a normal life. They don't understand anything about life and it's privileges. According to the Lord Buddha to become a monk you should fully understand the worries of life where children do not. Age should be limited to about 18 years to become a monk like other religions.

All that matters is earthly matter Saturday, 29 October 2022 11:57 AM

It is a fundamental right for anyone to express their opinion and participate in the political process. If the constitution bans certain groups from participating then I question whether it is a true democracy. A buddhist monk has much to contribute to society like any other person. If a member of the clergy breaks the law that's a different matter and they should be dealt accordingly. All Sri Lankans (laity and clergy) must be encouraged to be politically savvy.

Bernard Jayatilake Saturday, 29 October 2022 12:02 PM

Legislation should be brought to ban Mahsnayaka Theras from dealing in vehicle business which, if allowed to continue, would decimate them as some Abiththas, with the connivance of outsiders, forgetting Sasana, murder their Chief Priests to grab wealth of the temple.

Samson De Silva Saturday, 29 October 2022 12:30 PM

Making a child a buddhist monk is child abuse. There are laws against child abuse. Please enact them. Penalise the parents and the priests involved.

Waco Saturday, 29 October 2022 01:23 PM

No need to introduce new rules and regulations. All these are available in the Buddhist Culture. Senior monks must see to these requirements.

Dee Saturday, 29 October 2022 02:10 PM

Take off all these monks for m politics. That'd solve all issues. Any other matter , the people and nature will take care of. Being a politically powerful monk overshadow all misdoings. Even the followers won't dare question or challenge!

One of them had to go. Saturday, 29 October 2022 04:19 PM

When religion and politics mix, one of them have to go. USSR - Rasputin mingled with Czar, Religion had to go, and politics remained. Vatican - religion remained and politics had to go. Iran - politics had to go, but now religion is struggling to stay alive. Sri Lanka - Rajapaks abdicated, but religion is also almost gone, with new effort to resuscitate one of them.

Master mind ranil rajalakasa and real japalasa thives Saturday, 29 October 2022 06:29 PM

All these games will continue until the election game is over , then muslims properties will burn Again

Kumar Saturday, 29 October 2022 08:57 PM

These monks' wont give-up their earthly pleasure including their V8s. This talk about rules and regulation is just talk only. There are monks that follow great teacher's way. It is just a handful.

Quolp Saturday, 29 October 2022 09:30 PM

This very poor man does not know under whose instruction the whole affairs going on?

Jinapala Kalagedara Sunday, 30 October 2022 12:53 AM

Politicians can do anything in this country? What a joke Vidura? Once you went out with Myna Kaputa now join what is called the crook group and talking BANA and licking all backs!! Shame to your father too!!

Jayt Sunday, 30 October 2022 08:24 AM

Now, you guys move to India and ask indian to give hindu politician and make India is a Christian country. And move to Palestine and ask all russian settlers go back to Russia. Pease and harmony comes to the whole world. Buddhist monks are fighting for their country. How about Saudi Arabia. Dubai Qatar and asking them to remove saria law all Islamic imams from government? And If tell it to jews, Arab and Indian what you telling monks, you will never come back alive!

Reply to All that matters is earthly matter Sunday, 30 October 2022 02:05 PM

Not about banning protest it is about religious extremism where monks hold molotov cocktails and t56 where a monk could burn another religious text or destroy other religious sites what happened to aragalaya "United as one" what happened to justice for crimes what happened to "power of the people" there are monks that use a flag with no stripes at perehera or monks murdering other monks They can't even be called as monks (four pārājika) The multiple situations despite allowed By WHO giving no proper burial

Punchi Sunday, 30 October 2022 03:46 PM

National Buddhism has destroyed Lanka and opened it to Chinese occupation just like National Socialism destroyed Nazi Germany and allowed allied occupation

madhuka Sunday, 30 October 2022 06:44 PM

Thailand was bold enough to enact similar rules, preventing Buddhist minks from doing politics. I remember during Thakshinsinatra's time, when the Buddhist monks tried to protest against the government on some matter, he had deployed the army outside every temple with orders to shoot anyone who steps out

arya Sunday, 30 October 2022 06:45 PM

SL lost a golden opportunity to implement this rule when a Buddhist monk shot Banda

Dhanapala Hilangama Monday, 31 October 2022 01:44 PM

First aerobe the monks in the parliament as this is against the Buddhism. Siddartha refused his kingship and went to become the Buddha. Now today poor sangrias doing the opposite. Put a robe to become a king!! Take action for this Moda Vidula!! Shame to your college!!

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Mechanism to take action against monks involved in anti-religious activities: Vidura

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