22 April 2023

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

 

 

DIPLOMATIC NUMBER 9

 

 

‘The United States has had more mass shootings than any other country.’ The moral authority of Americans is relative to this scientific judgment.

As per ‘the Morning’ report headed ‘Anti-Terror Bill: US Envoy calls for ‘extensive’ public, P’ment debate’:

‘United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung has called for ‘extensive’ public and Parliamentary discussions on the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill, which is to be introduced to repeal the controversial Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA).’

As per the ‘alert’ by the Ambassador’s office, earlier this month:

‘Event: Reports indicate the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) plans to hold a demonstration march starting from Lipton Circus moving towards the University Grants Commission at Ward Place (Colombo 7) at 2 PM today (Monday, April 3, 2023).  Approximately 1,000 people are expected to participate.

Even peaceful demonstrations can quickly turn confrontational and escalate into violence.  Avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place and exercise caution when in the vicinity of large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.

Actions to Take: 

• Avoid areas of rallies or demonstrations.
• Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.
• Monitor local media for updates.
• Keep a low profile.

 

The above alert confirms how Americans feel about the security situation in Sri Lanka. It is a suggestion and not a law.

The current reality in Sri Lanka is that the masses would feel that they ‘dismissed’ the previous government. As per the principle of ‘sovereignty’  Sri Lankans are entitled to listen to their own personal god. The challenge facing us is that we have not given ‘form’ to that god, Common to all Sri Lankans. Our laws are pathways leading to that common god. Foremost amongst the laws is our constitution. The strongest challenge in this is the ‘Buddhism foremost’ article. While the wording in this article is relative and therefore discriminatory, the number 9 is favourable.

In Maths, if 9 is added to a number and the numbers are added within to  bring them to a single digit, 9 takes them back to their original single digit value. If  the individual digits in 208 are added they give an answer of 1. When 9 is added to 208, it becomes 2089. The single digit total of this also is 1. 9 is therefore a catalyst that influences outcomes but does not participate in the change itself. One could refer to it as the Diplomatic number

 In Hinduism this is presented as follows:

‘The number 9 is revered in Hinduism and considered a complete, perfected and divine number because it represents the end of a cycle in the decimal system, which originated from the Indian subcontinent as early as 3000 BC.’ – Wikipedia

 

The Buddhism foremost order  was article 6 in the 1972 constitution. This 6 represented brawn power of all 5 senses and surface memory. This is the natural heritage from King Dutugemunu who was a war lord and a devotee of Kathirgama Murugan with 6 faces who decaled independence from His parents. In the case of King Dutugemunu, it was from India – as represented by Tamil King Ellalan. In the case of Mrs Bandaranaike, it was from the British.

 It helped override armed rebellion in Southern Sri Lanka where the government needed an armed Opposition to JVP rebels.

When the 1978 Constitution was developed the need of the government headed by President J R Jayawardene was to go commercial. This in principle was anti-Buddhist. So Buddhism foremost became article renumbered itself to article 9.  This made Buddhism a heritage with karmic values. Like 9 it confirmed the end of a cycle. Anyone who respects Buddhism is blessed with positive Energy and anyone who profited from it was cursed. Curses,  like covid are exponentially negative in value. It was this that dethroned the Buddhist President who benefitted from the armed the war. Had this president shown ‘Hindu Foremost’ in war, he would have retired after the war – as King Dutugemunu did.

When we believe, we are supported by the power of the Absolute. When we disrespect another’s belief, we invoke exponential negative power.

Until today, I thought and recommended intellectually on the basis of Equal Opportunity principles. This morning I listened to my Canadian cousin’s speech at https://sathyasaiyugam.blogspot.com/2020/05/blog-post.html?m=1 . Priya mentions her first book ‘Ruby Garland’ dedicated to her Guru Sai Baba. I recalled the time when Priya was getting ready to take the book to be blessed by Swami Sathya Sai Baba. I was not a devotee then, but I appreciated Priya’s dedication. I gave her my special pen with which Swami Sathya Sai Baba would  sign her book. Priya later confirmed that Swami signed the book with that pen. I did read the book after it was published. In that Priya has written about the divine power of 9. Hence my identity with article 9’s significance. Back then, I was not a writer. I feel today that I was initiated by Swami Sathya Sai Baba, into public writing back then itself.

 

This year in Northern Sri Lanka, our former gardener Rathinam visited us. He sang parts a Hindu legend. The lines in essence meant :

‘Thaan undathu mann undathu; mann undathu (food consumed by the self goes to earth)

Pirrar undathu Sivan undathu (food given to others is consumed by Lord Shiva).

 

When we non-Buddhists share our wisdom with Buddhists, Buddha himself consumes our work and enlightens us about Buddhist philosophy.

 

Article 9 teaches us how to be a successful  Opposition to govern the whole as a minority, believing in the whole.