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Basil to parliament from the national list
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DVLADV
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 18 Sep 2007 21:29:41 GMT Report for Abuse
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I have nothing against Buddhism but what have the monks really done for the country?
Christian missionaries helped nourish the education system and it has stood the test of time with all the mess created by the government.
We are still living off the infrastructure created by the British.
Even during tsunami can you point out something that the monks did that was extraordinary? |
freedom1
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 18 Sep 2007 21:48:44 GMT Report for Abuse
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SenaM,
you are right, the freedom of religion is of course very important. With four main religions on one Island Sri Lanka is certainly a good example for a peaceful co existence of religions. One should not say, that Buddhism is a religion, i know ...
The Sri Lankan monks create mixed feelings to be honest. At this time real ugly stuff stands out, so i need to learn more about the other sides.
Basically, it feels more comfortable when religion and politics do not get mixed. Crusades, Muslim fanatics etc. leave a bitter taste.
Edited By - freedom1 - 18 Sep 2007 22:00:05 GMT |
freedom1
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18 Sep 2007 21:56:46 GMT Report for Abuse
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DVLADV,
during the days after the tsunami Southern monks had helped to protect survivors from looters and robbers.
At the moment bad news stand out, but obviously we need to learn more about their activities and contributions. |
sanathds
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 18 Sep 2007 22:20:30 GMT Report for Abuse
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This was expected clearly and i have explained this in 2005, and this was called rajapakshaisation first by me.
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SenaM
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 18 Sep 2007 22:29:38 GMT Report for Abuse
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DVLADV
I have nothing against Buddhism but what have the monks really done for the country?
The first part sounds like a condescending statement from a
christian .. and with that, I am not surprised with the question of the second part.
We have a language and a people called 'Sinhala' .. in Sri Lanka today, because of the 'record keeping' of studious, literate budhist monks of the past. Much of ancient, and medieval Sinhala literature was of their creation. We were a civilised people .. before the arrival of the British (or the Portugese, or the Dutch), in Lanka. Since you probably require such assurance to come from a foreigner .. you can look up Robert Knox's account of the Sinhala people .. as he found them, during his sojourn here in Lanka.
Agree with you, christian missionaries who were in the fore-front in matters connected with 'education', during the British administration .. were devoted educationists. They were also concerned with proseletysing .. education, promise of a steady 'job', and conversion to the 'new' religion were 'parcelled together'. Education in Sinhala (or Tamil) .. for a worth-while job was not possible (it had to wait until the arrival of Mr Bandaranaike), and so a majority of the Sinhalese, and Tamils had to settle for 2nd class status, while a small segment emerged as an 'elite' armed with English, and a 'superiority' complex .. quick to assume, they had 'all the answers' to the problems facing the country and its people. (This elite was almost totally 'christian', until that great educationist, Col Henry Steele Olcott came to Sri Lanka, and helped to set up a number of excellent Colleges like .. Ananda, Nalanda, Dharmasoka .. in the Island, enabling budhist children to pick-up a decent education without sacrificing their heritage).
As to how our budhist-priests responded at the time of the Tsunami .. you seem to know little about it. (Possibly because you were not here in SL, at the time). Their response was magnificant .. the temples, and 'bana-salawas' were opened for all .. they helped the 'de-housed' Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim people alike. And the budhist 'dayakayas' of these temples too were 'magnificent'. You will find 'freedom1' cavilling at people whom he says were prepared to 'rob' and 'harass' victims of the Tsunami (there may have been a few incidents like that, too), but the vast majority of the sinhala-budhist population 'rose magnificently' .. to go to the aid of their less-fortunate country-men, regardless of race or religion. Foreigners who were in the affected areas at the time were 'loud in their praise' for the kind, help-ful Sinhala people - who, I am proud to say were 'budhists', for the most part.
Edited By - SenaM - 18 Sep 2007 22:45:43 GMT |
freedom1
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18 Sep 2007 22:33:45 GMT Report for Abuse
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rajapakshaisation
Proud Sri Lankans sound very happy with that as long as Dr. Mahinda Rajapakse provides them with news about shot LTTE cadres and sunk vessels.
Your word is a nice creation, much respect to that and my worries are with you. But people have elected this government and people will decide if the job has been done well or not.
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freedom1
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18 Sep 2007 22:43:29 GMT Report for Abuse
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SenaM,
the tsunami days have left me with good and bad memories about PEOPLE, regardless what race, religion and nationality. Some were utter scum, others saviors.
.... but the vast majority of the sinhala-budhist population 'rose magnificently' .. to go to the aid of their less-fortunate country-men .. regardless of race or religion. Foreigners who were in the affected areas at the time were 'loud in their praise' for the help-ful Sinhala people - who, I am proud to say were budhists, for the most part ....
... this is certainly correct! The vast majority of the Sinhalese. Tamil and Muslim people is like that.
Edited By - freedom1 - 18 Sep 2007 22:49:47 GMT |
Fairplay
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 18 Sep 2007 22:54:23 GMT Report for Abuse
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Mahinda REALLY wants to make it or break it!!
Who, what ,when is what Mahinda cannot say, nor can he imagine.
He does not know what he is doing for the country EXCEPT his POCKET.
Fairplay |
DVLADV
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18 Sep 2007 22:57:26 GMT Report for Abuse
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| I am not going to go through the total blah! blah on what you wrote. I just got one question. If Sinhala education was so good and could get productive employment, why is the Govt suggesting to a grade 14 to teach English. Don't you think it is a waste of time. Inside SL how many private companies do business in Sinhalese? |
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18 Sep 2007 21:36:12 GMT 