By
Camelia Nathaniel
With the Aluthgama incident the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) has come under severe criticism from numerous quarters regarding the behaviour of General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Galaboda Aththe GnanasaraThero.
In an interview with The Sunday Leader the leader of the BBS the Venerable Kirama Wimalajothi Thero said that he did not condone the actions of the Ven. Gnanasara Thero and said that by what they had done brought disrepute to Buddhism.
He said that Ven. Gnanasara Thero’s actions were contrary to Buddhist teachings and he had warned the BBS to refrain from such impulsive behaviour in the future.
Here are excerpts of the interview:
Q: Is it true that you have resigned from the BBS?
A: No there is no truth to that and it is just a rumor. Since around six months back I had stayed away from actively getting involved in BBS matters due to the commitment I have regarding my writing and other academic matters, which got neglected due to my involvement with the BBS work.
Q. There are large scale allegations that the manner in which the BBS acted was unbecoming of the organization. What is your view?
A. On the last Poya day a monk who was on his way to attend a sermon was attacked by two Muslim youth and that is true. That sort of behavior cannot be condoned in any manner. Apparently when those who were attacked went to the police station to lodge a complaint, the police had not taken any action and thereafter certain groups had surrounded the police station.
Meanwhile, after the attack, a meeting was called not by the BBS but certain Buddhist organizations in the area where the BBS monk the Ven. Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thero was invited to address the meeting. That is why he went there. However, I don’t think that it was a good idea to call such a meeting at a time when there was tension in the area.
Taking a closer look at the whole sequence of events I see this incident as a conspiracy against the government, and the Buddhist clergy. However, the mobs that went on a rampage later on were not residents of these areas but they were persons who had come from outside. Hence it is very clear that it was a planned and well orchestrated attack to discredit the government.
Q: Due to this incident there are certain extremist elements who are trying to further ignite the racial tensions throughout the country. Do you feel that what the BBS did was to play right into the hands of these extremists and it only aggravated the situation?
A: Yes certainly. We have suffered for 30 long years with the war and after all that, now at a time when we are trying to establish peace in the country, it is clear that there are other sinister forces who are trying to drag the country into turmoil once again.
These sorts of incidents will also tarnish the image of the entire clergy as a whole. I therefore urge all our people to remain calm and not be provoked by these extremist elements. I also ask the government to conduct proper investigations in order to bring to book those who are behind this incident irrespective of who they are.
Q: Is it true that the BBS gets funding from Norway and other western countries?
A: No. The allegation that the BBS got funding from Norway or any other country is a totally false allegation. As far as I know the BBS never received even a cent from any western country. I worked for the BBS using my own funds. We never received any funding from anyone not even the government.
Q: The actions of the BBS have been instrumental in bringing disrepute to the country and the Buddhist community as a whole. Don’t you feel that the BBS has played right into the hands of these extremist elements in the way they acted in this recent incident?
A: Yes certainly. I cannot condone or approve the actions of the BBS in this incident and it only served to provoke a much grave situation. It was wrong for the BBS to go there after that incident and hold a rally in that area as it was clear that it would only add fuel to the situation.
We must also understand that it is not the peace loving general Muslim community, but there are other extremist Muslim elements in this country as well.
Not only them but there are extremist Christian elements as well. These extremist elements have been trying for a long time to destabilize the peace in this country. By their actions the BBS simply played into the hands of extremist elements. Therefore, all these actions must stop now.
I have warned the members of the BBS to refrain from engaging in such irresponsible acts in the future and they have agreed to take my advice.
Q: Buddhism teaches a very peaceful doctrine with no violence. But by the manner in which the Ven. Gnanasara Thero talks and behaves, does it not bring disrepute to Buddhism as a whole and is totally against the Buddhist teachings of non violence?
A: Yes certainly. By the manner in which he speaks and acts, it creates a certain sense of displeasure among the people.
Hence I too am of the view that he should behave in a more appropriate manner better suited for a monk, and not instigate tensions among races by his emotional outbursts. His behavior and speech is not suitable for a Buddhist monk. Buddhism is all about non violence and spreading of peace and kindness.
Hence this sort of behavior will only bring disrepute to Buddhism.
Courtesy:Ceylon Today