09 September 2022

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

 

CHINA IS A BUDDHIST NATION & INDIA IS ITS OPPOSITION

Former Minister Sarath Weerasekera was reported to have confirmed yet again that Sri Lanka was a Buddhist country - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP_1Q9pPORA

 

In June, the following was recorded about this politician:

[Former Minister Sarath Weerasekera today warned the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) not to test the patience of Buddhists.

Speaking in Parliament today, Weerasekera said that the TNA was making defamatory statements towards Buddhist monks and Buddhist teachings.

He accused the TNA of being the political party of slain LTTE leader Vellupillai Prabakaran.

Weerasekera said that when Prabakaran was killing people the Buddhist community did not harm ordinary Tamils.

https://colombogazette.com/2022/06/21/weerasekera-warns-tna-not-to-test-patience-of-buddhists/

The following is also reported by News First, about this person under the title ‘The land may divide us, but the sky and the ocean unites us all: Wimal at the welcome ceremony for Yuan Wang 5’

[Rear Admiral (Retd) Dr. Sarath Weerasekara, also speaking at the welcome ceremony said that the resolution of the issue with regard to the vessel further strengthens the relations between China and Sri Lanka, and visits such as these also strengthens the friendship between the countries.]

To the extent ‘leadership’ is recognized as being by majority in terms of numbers, it is understandable that to  that mind China is a Buddhist nation and India is an Opposition tending in global context. Hence China and Buddhist Sri Lanka are One and India and Hindu Sri Lanka are One opposition to such a mind.

This often is shown as discrimination of minorities but eventually, when separated from minorities, it turns against Juniors.

UNITED STATES COMMISSION on INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

COUNTRY UPDATE: Sri Lanka, includes the following: at https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2021-10/2021%20Sri%20Lanka%20Country%20U

 

 

[Background The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a presidential republic with a unicameral parliament. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa serves as chief of state and head of government while his older brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa, serves as prime minister. ……

Under Article 9 of the Sri Lankan constitution, Buddhism is afforded special status: the State is directed to “protect and foster” Buddhism which holds the “foremost place” within the country. The constitution also guarantees the freedom of religion or belief in subsequent articles

Complex ethno-religious divisions account for much of the conflict in Sri Lanka which accompanied the civil war sparked in 1983.]

I identify with the above.  I recognise also that the UNHRC does not seem to inquire into its effects including after the Economic collapse.

Article 9 clearly separates the country as Buddhist nation and Multireligious Nation. All non-Buddhists belong in the latter, as per the Sri Lankan Constitution. True Buddhists would accept reduction in financial wealth as a blessing to follow in the path of Buddha.

Analysed through causal forces – when Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa took oaths as President, he promised Buddha to humbly beg for the daily needs of his People, the Sri Lankan Buddhists. Hence that was facilitated.

Now, Dr Sarath Weerasekara is doing likewise. Every true Buddhist,  who thinks Buddhism is foremost – will automatically lose money power. There is no need to fight against religious discrimination. All one has to do is complain to Buddha.

Even between Kathirgamam and Nallur – Sinhalese chose the Veda / Indigenous Murugan at Kathirgamam and Tamils chose the Grand Murugan at Nallur. Sellasannithi Kanthan in North  – a branch of Kathirgamam is also simple Annathana Kanthan /  Lord of food charity. As we pray, so shall we be blessed. UNHRC needs to recognise this.

As for the Buddhist Government in Sri Lanka, getting into agreements to honour debts is fine. But not for economic prosperity, while ‘Buddhism foremost’ remains in the constitution. It is disrespectful of Lord Buddha and the Constitution, to do so in Sri Lanka.

In contrast, Thailand, where Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa took refuge for a short period,  the airport, itself is called Suvarnabhumi / Land of Gold. The sculpture at the airport is Hindu legend,  of the churning of the Milk Ocean. As per Wikipedia:

[Buddhism is the largest religion in Thailand, which is practiced by 93% of the population. Thailand is a Secular State in the Thai constitution, which guarantees religious freedom for all Thai citizens, though the king is required by law to be a Theravada Buddhist. ]

Thailand is the parallel of the Non-Buddhist Sri Lankan nation as per constitution. Sri Lanka also would be Suvarnabhumi / Land of Gold, if Fundamental Rights were not overridden by political articles in the constitution and / or in practice.