Truemors
is reporting from
Member
NP Rank:
NP Rank:
Jesus Christ Statue destroyed by Buddhist chauvinists
Share:
by senthil5000 | June 12, 2009 at 01:48 pm
781 views | 3 Recommendations | 47 comments
A group of Sinhala Buddhist chauvinists destroyed Jesus Christ statue from a convent at Minneriya, Sri Lanka. The Catholic Association expressed its deep concern on this racist act.
A group of Buddhist chauvinist elements forcefully removed a Jesus Christ statue from Minneriya convent on June 3 and destroyed it. The remnants of the statue were found near Minneriya tank. National Catholic Association has expressed deep concern over the vandalism against the Catholic community in Minneriya in north central province.
The Catholic Associstion also pointed out it is happening after president Rajapakse declaration that there is no minorities in the country and all are Sri Lankans.Attacks on catholic churches and priests has a long history in Sri Lanka.
The National Catholic Association in a statement has pointed out that this vandalism had taken place soon after the President Mahinda Rajapakse’s declaration that there is no minority in the country and all are Sri Lankan.
Attacks were made on Catholic religious places few years back. Now once again the vandalism against Catholic religious places in the south is taking place, the statment said.
This trend should be arrested by the authorities immediately if they were to maintain law and order, it further said.
Last month a statue of Jesus Christ located close to the Negombo railway station was removed by a group of chauvinist elements, the statement pointed out.
What is NowPublic?
NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (47)
at 14:08 on June 12th, 2009
What do you mean by a 'Buddhist chauvinist'? Can you explain that term to us please.
at 14:41 on June 12th, 2009
Buddhist chauvinists are people following buddhism with 'racist' attitude towards their religion and having no tolerence with other minority religions in the country. Sri Lanka has majority of buddhists and other minority religions are hindus, christians, muslims etc. Unlike other countries, in Sri Lanka buddhist monks are into politics. They have their own political party (JVP) linked to ruling government. They have prominant role in government's major decisions. All presidents in Sri Lanka so far are buddhists. Can you believe the first political assasination in Sri Lanka (killing sri lankan persident) was by a buddhist monk ?
at 00:39 on June 13th, 2009
"Can you believe the first political assasination in Sri Lanka (killing sri lankan persident) was by a buddhist monk ?"
This is a Fact. In 1959. the Late Mr. SWRD Bandaranaike, a former Prime Minister of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), was assassinated by a Buddhist monk named 'Talduwe Somarama', at his private residence.
Being a member of the clergy, he was not frisked and was able to smuggle in the murder weapon hidden in his robes.
This was a dastardly act, and accordingly, the monk was tried, convicted and hanged. Just weeks before he faced the hangman's noose, he openly converted himself to christianity. Probably to receive absolution in the after life.
In Buddhism, there is no absolution in this life or the next. One has to face the consequences of one's acts.
at 02:51 on June 13th, 2009
In this muti-religious society of Sri Lanka, with this new definition of 'Buddhist Chauvinists', could this contemptible deed be the act of Christian Chauvinists (as there are christians of many denominations), Muslim Chauvinists (as they are proliferated through out the world) or Hindu Chauvinists (as we see in India)?
How is that when the Archdiocese of Colombo makes no reference to any Buddhists or Buddhist Chauvinists but only to an 'unidentified gang', the tamilnet.com make such an uncorroborated report?
Speaks volumes for its ability to make unbiased reports.
at 11:17 on June 13th, 2009
I just realized that this lady's story is purely based on a Tamilnet report. Tamilnet, the mother of all fabrications and doctoring of photos and videos.
She likes to use Tamilnet on her stories. For her, the only way to go.
at 11:52 on June 14th, 2009
Tamilnet is one of the few new site to talk for the tamils. If you want to source from other news sites then allow independent medias and stop abducting / killing journalists talking for the rights of tamils.
BTW Iam not a lady. Any person with little tamil knowledge can find senthil is a male name.
at 15:32 on June 12th, 2009
Is Buddhist Chauvinist a term common to Sri Lanka? Or is it a more general term that mis-uses chauvinism? I ask because I see a big difference between racism, discrimination based on religion, and gender issues. To me chauvinism points to a gender based concern more then racial or religions discrimination.
And sadly yes, I can believe that the first assasination in Sri Lanka was done by a Buddhist monk. There is a common misconception that Buddhism is a squeaky clean religion when it comes to the darker sides of human nature. Sadly it is not, and people will be people no matter where they are or what they believe.
at 15:44 on June 12th, 2009
//Is Buddhist Chauvinist a term common to Sri Lanka?
Surprisingly I think the answer is yes. I haven't heared buddhist monks involved in these kinds of violence in any other countries. Buddhists are usually known for their sprituality and peace. I read king Ashoka changed his 'war mentality' after listening to teachings of Buddha. Its not clear how that kind of mentality changed totally in Sri Lanka.
at 13:13 on June 16th, 2009
The definition of chauvinsm is broader than the one most commonly heard, i.e. "male chauvinism"
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:chauvinism&ei=Vwo4Sv_YJYT8tQPGtd3SBQ&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title
at 15:45 on June 12th, 2009
Sri Lanka does have a unique form of Buddhism that is not compatible with classic Buddhism. In fact to some extend it can not even be called Buddhism any longer.
at 11:18 on June 13th, 2009
What knowledge? Hear, hear!
at 19:14 on June 13th, 2009
It seems that Paschen (yes, I chose to name names) has already made his mind up against the Sri Lankan Buddhists, in a manner that is best known to him.
It is more evident than ever, that there is a seperate code of conduct applicable to Paschen, so that he gets away after making deregatory remarks towards people and communities (specifically NP member Hiranya and Sri Lankan Buddhists.)
If this is not duplicity, I am out of words on how to call this type of mockery.
at 00:18 on June 13th, 2009
Paschen,
According to traditional Sri Lankan chronicles, Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 2nd century BC by Venerable Mahinda, the son of Emperor Ashoka.
Sri Lanka has the longest continuous history of Buddism of any Buddist nation, with the Sangha (Buddhist Clergy) having existed in a largely unbroken lineage since its introduction in the 2nd century BC.
"Sri Lanka does have a unique form of Buddhism ..."
True. It is ancient and pristinely pure. The written Buddhist scripts of Sri Lanka are older than the Bible and the Quran.
"... that is not compatible with classic Buddhism."
Can you explain what you refer to as, 'classic Buddhism'?
"In fact to some extend it can not even be called Buddhism any longer."
On what facts do you base this statement?
Being an Editor does not give you the licence to write untruths. Also as an Editor, which I presume is a responsible appointment, you should do some research before you write false statements and twist the truth as it misleads the general public.
As a word of advice, it is better for you to stick to matters you have some awareness rather than to wander into unknown realms which would expose and exemplify your ignorance.
at 00:40 on June 13th, 2009
"In fact to some extend it can not even be called Buddhism any longer. "
This editor seems to be in some kind of a hateful attitude against Sri Lanka these days.
Amy,
I hope you will take into account that he is continuously engaged in writing hateful comments against Sri Lanka and its citizens.
He better explain what he meant by his comment - NowPublic has become such an unpleasant place for me as a Sri Lankan because of this one single Editor who goes around writing this kind of comment with no base or evidence.
Editors, Please do your research about TamilNet.com before you take what's written on it as the gospel.
I'm very sad about this attitude. Specially when good people like Amy Judd are trying their best to do an excellent job of not being biased either way. Sorry to say this, I think I do not want to be part of this site any more because of this one single editor.
Thank you.
Hiranya.
at 10:25 on June 13th, 2009
Actually Paschen is right in saying, "In fact to some extend it can not even be called a Buddhism any longer." Let me know if you think this is Buddhism.
Source: asiantribune.com
at 11:03 on June 13th, 2009
Nobody who engaged in these acts (if the reports are true) can be called "sane" or "normal" let alone a proper follower of any religion.
How does this reflect on what is the kind of Buddhism that's practiced in Sri Lanka by all buddhists? What a sad judgment to come to.
I can't believe I bothered to reply to this even, but I did however.
at 11:09 on June 13th, 2009
But one thing is evident Sivakaran. Maybe some people are bent on slinging mud on all Sri Lankans (or is it just the Sinhala-Buddhists?) somehow or the other - so something that's done by 1 person or a grp of people would always be talked of as if it's what all the people here do, wouldn't it?
This is not the first time I have seen this generalization being done either.
at 21:50 on June 13th, 2009
This is not the first time I have seen this kind of generalization being done either.
I am not saying all the Sinhala-Buddhist's would go in the Buddhist chauvinism category. But those in control unfortunately do.
However, The real Buddhist are those that would not even harm an ant, and takes precaution to ensure that they don't harm inadvertently.
Forget following the Buddha's teachings, if only the Buddhist monks stayed away from politics, the Sri Lanka would have still remained a beautiful paradise.
I like your Buddha, I do not like your Buddhists. Your Buddhists are so unlike your Buddha.
- Inspired by a Mahatma Gandhi quote (originally Christ and Christians)
at 10:47 on June 14th, 2009
"I am not saying all the Sinhala-Buddhist's would go in the Buddhist chauvinism category."
Thank you Sivakaran.
"if only the Buddhist monks stayed away from politics, the Sri Lanka would have still remained a beautiful paradise."
I was never in support of JHU, however it's a laugh that JHU is considered the cause of all bad things in Sri Lanka. Still, I can understand what you mean by that comment. I will pray for the day that Tamil Diaspora will come to realize that Prabhakaran only brought misery to Tamil people and eliminating him has given the Sri Lankan Tamil community their lost dignity and a new life. Sri Lankan Tamil citizens know this.
at 11:40 on June 14th, 2009
I was not just referring to JHU, and I am glad you understood what I meant.
Sorry, I have to disagree that the Tamils regained their dignity.
Just the fact you have to ask some one permission to go washroom, eat, take bath, etc is bad enough. But then there is torture, rape, and killing. You can deny all you want, but there are enough news leaked from the camps to suggest they are in fact true.
Maybe, I will agree with you if you tell me that after living in the "welfare villages" for couple of days.
Yes, they gained a "new life", unfortunately, its not what they hoped for.
I have relatives living in Sri Lanka, and I am able to talk to some of them. Although, they live far away from the camps and what used to be the "safe zone" or war zone.
They are living in a military state. They are even afraid to talk to next door neighbors, and they definitely have no clue as to what is happening in the camps. They are not allowed to go and meet the people in the camps.
I pray for the day that the good people of Sinhalese will wake up and question the atrocities of the Sri Lankan government. I guess, first step would be to demand for truth.
at 22:00 on June 14th, 2009
"Just the fact you have to ask some one permission to go washroom, eat, take bath, etc is bad enough."
Agree with you. And I can't pretend to know how it feels to be in that position unless I talk to someone in that position. However I know of few people who called their relatives in Colombo from camps and what they have said was they are relieved the whole thing is over.
"But then there is torture, rape, and killing. You can deny all you want, but there are enough news leaked from the camps to suggest they are in fact true."
No I don't agree with you.
"They are living in a military state. They are even afraid to talk to next door neighbors, and they definitely have no clue as to what is happening in the camps. They are not allowed to go and meet the people in the camps. "
Of course this is the way with war. Those who live close to it suffer the most. We all want this to end soon and people to get on with their lives. Please spare a thought for those Sinhalese too who were unfortunate just like the Tamils in Wanni - who lived in 'border villages' of LTTE territory. Can you remember how many times LTTE did village massacres? How many times the same village (like Kebithigollawa) was attacked? You can talk of the hardships that Tamils undergo due to security restrictions. But have you thought about why it is so? What is the role that Tamil Diaspora played in all this by funding LTTE? Did they spare a thought for their kith and kin in Wanni when they cheered for LTTE? I know there are those who didn't fund nor cheer. But what about the large percentage that did? Sivakaran, the Diaspora didn't even care that young Tamil children were being recruited by force all this time. They didn't care the children were being used in battle and being killed in battle. They chose to support and fund the LTTE who did that. Why? I don't think I will ever understand that.
We all want people to get back to their normal lives. And this country to be a country with no War. That is all.
at 12:39 on June 13th, 2009
Hi Hiranya,
this autor use any thing to bring Budhism and Sri Lanka in a bad light.
by the way I miss your avatar
at 11:19 on June 13th, 2009
Waiting and waiting for Paschen's reply to CeeGee.
at 02:26 on June 13th, 2009
at 02:22 on June 13th, 2009
I cannot see any mention of Buddhists or for that matter Buddist chauvanists in this article forwarded by the Archdiocese of Colombo.
at 02:43 on June 13th, 2009
Thank you for that additional information CeeGee.
Look at the balanced comment on the matter by Marcus.Riedner and I thank you for it. No person with a sane mind would vandalise or destroy any place or property let alone a religoius place.
However, anybody who points the finger at all people belonging to a religion or a country due to an act like this has quite got the matter wrong and shows the absurdity in their thinking.
at 10:21 on June 13th, 2009
CeeGee, Not many news sites publish anything against government or their political parties. We know what happened to those who talked against government.
at 11:21 on June 13th, 2009
Do you mean like what happened to that poor journalist who got assaulted by Terrorist supporters in Oslo?
at 09:28 on June 14th, 2009
Do you mean like what the Tamil LTTE supporters are doing to innocent Tamils in Norway? That is proven.
What you are talking about the Sri Lanka Govt is alleged. Don't depend on your LTTE brothers at Tamilnet.
at 02:47 on June 13th, 2009
Take it easy Hiranya. Let's see what these 'know alls' come up with.
Sri Lanka does have a unique form of Buddhism
True. A form which cannot be fathomed by empty vessels.
CeeGee,
I cannot see any mention of Buddhists or for that matter Buddhist chauvinists in this article
So, what more do you expect from tamilnet? Tamilnet is gospel for KTTEs and now it is becoming so for some 'know alls' too.