Dharmapala Senaratna’s letter on un-ethical conversions in the Island of 21st August reveals the mind of an "uncommitted onlooker" as he describes him self.
"Uncommitted onlookers" This is what the ‘staats - folk’ or the ‘core’ group in this country have been and are even at present. This type of "uncommitted onlookers" cannot be expected to study and understand a problem seriously . Hence their opinion too could be termed "midsummer madness".
The conversion problem is not a matter of the religious label one carries . There is a concerted effort by Christian Fundamentalists to convert the unsuspecting local people into various sects in Christianity which have their origins in the United States of America. The methods are unethical because these predators approach the weak and innocent and exploit their misery. There is no explanation of the religious teachings . Instead, the Sangha and the Buddha Dhamma are criticized . Some of these instances and experiences have been photographed and are on video films. The articles of insult and ridicule such as the women’’ underwear with the picture of the Buddha, candles and biscuits in the form of the Buddha and many others are in Sri Lanka today. They have crept under the very nose of the government into this land of Buddhism. Fortunately for the perpetrators of this crime the ministers of Buddha Sasana have been "uncommitted onlookers". It was a, Buddhist monk who sought the law to get these items of ridicule and insult banned . On 19th August, a private television channel exposed these items of ridicule used by these religious to indicate the final breakaway from the original faith of the would be convert .It is evidence served on a platter for" uncommitted onlookers’.
To state that one has not visited his/her place of worship is just an idle boast . A Buddhist does not only observe Pansil. A Buddhist is expected to visit the temple to see to the welfare of the monks. The Sasana depends on the munificence of the laity . There are those who shun the temple through fear that they may be asked for contributions. In Buddhism, there are Bhikkhus and dayakas. There is no flock as stated by the writer. With literacy the people have passed the stage of ‘parrot like ‘ repetition . There are very erudite monks who are able exponents of the Dhamma . Unfortunately, a few Buddhists ate still in this pre-school stage of the Dhamma, The Dhamma is "Ehi Passiko" - ‘to come and see’: not blindly believe . Those learned in the Dhamma are aware that it is not only a way of living but also intellectually stimulating . It is much more than the recitation of Pali stanzas . There were scholars like Rhys Davis (Ceylon) and Winternitz (India) who studied the Dhamma to unearth flaws but who finally were converted to the Dhamma. Rhys Davis later founded that the Pali Text Society in London. Religion is not a matter of a label only. It is also about heritage, culture a way of living and attitudes. It is also a colonial problem with neo - colonialism threatening us in the form of Globalization.
Arunasiri Dias,
Panadura.
(http://www.island.lk/2004/09/14/opinion4.html)
