Born into a Buddhist family, I grew up considering myself a Buddhist. And growing up I did believe and practice the philosophical side of this so called “more of a philosophy than a religion” religion. Which I genuinely believed in the past, was to be an honest; good hearted, intellectual, kind, caring, loving, open-minded, understanding, empathetic, humane; human being. But having lived in Sri Lanka, a so called Buddhist country for 19½ years altogether (6 years in a row in my teens; between the ages of 12½ to 18½; and now, for just over 8 years so far, plus short periods of times in between), I found the practice of Lankan Buddhists as the most evil practice anywhere; with the most cruel, inhumane, Buddhist people I’ve come across (so far as I am concerned at least) in the world. A Buddhist country that has given me sooooo much of stress, depression and misery; I’d be an idiot to have any love for this country or this extremist religion.
Lankan people, in general tend to possess, very extremist ideologies; no matter what the religion or race (after all, there was an almost 30 year unnecessary civil war between the Sinhalese and the Tamil, which could have been resolved eons ago without so much bloodshed, death and destruction). One can understand illiteracy and poverty as a core reason for such ignorance and hatred (although poverty is no excuse for cruelty), but the more educated, so called intellectual, rich, sophisticated (whether one is actually sophisticated and hold any form intellect, among Lanka’s rich n’ pretentious elite, is quite debatable; money does not bring about intellect or sophistication) society of Sri Lanka, are no better; when it comes to religious and racial extremism. Especially when it comes to foreign delegates; you’ll find Lankan’s all smiles and welcoming (but these smiles might not be genuine); behind a foreigners back, Lankan’s can be sarcastic, with crude humour. Or, they might directly say something utterly insulting and racist, in their own mother tongue; but with a plastic smile pasted on their face; so as to not let the foreigner know, how locals actually feel about their alien presence here. Why? you wonder. One, Travel is a major industry in SL, and the country’s economy grows through tourism; as well as foreign aid (another reason to have kept the war going on for so long, from both sides). Of course, this reason mainly applies to people with an actual understanding of economical growth (or lack of it), in the country. And Two, Sri Lankan people are rarely honest. They can be sadistically blunt and sarcastically insulting to other Lankan’s quite directly; and never necessarily show any genuine friendship and love to anyone, in general. A fake friendship could exist, if it reaps benefits. People here are not ashamed of doing anything wrong, just getting caught. Of course all this is in general sense, that applies, not to everyone, but, to the majority of this hellish country. A country that’s quite literally “hot as HELL”, although that’s not the only thing that makes this country hell on Earth. Paradise, it definitely is not!!!!!
What’s worse is this ingenuine hypocritical traits are passed down by parents to their young. I’ve met and heard people, especially Sri Lankan’s living abroad in secrecy (illegal immigrants), who are teaching their children, to do wrong; but not get caught. Plus, Lankan’s tend to teach kids all these false customary acts of tradition, but no real respect and/or etiquette. In fact, the tradition of going down on all fours in front of elders, as if to give them a blow job, is pretty distasteful. The way heavily cleavage women, squat down with their heaving breasts sweeping the floor, in front of horny orange robed monks, the hypocrisy and fakeness of it, is pathetically disgusting. Oh, it doesn’t matter how indecent people are in behaviour; and how disrespectful their actions tend to be; so long as, end of the day, they squat and pretend to show respect in front of their elders and other fraudulent monkeys (umm!! I mean monks). Respect should lie in one’s heart, without real respect, all these brainwashed robotic customary acts are baseless and utterly ridiculous.
Look at all the Temple Bullshit, in Sri Lanka. All blindly following customary acts, given down by traditions, which are less to do with Buddhism, and more to do with fear motivation. So basically if I don’t go and worship at the temple, and get blessings from a dead man (for the Buddha died centuries ago), bad things will happen to me, no matter how good a human I might be. Doesn’t that make Buddhism, Evil???? I highly doubt religion is meant to be so vengeful. In fact according to Buddhism, one is not to blindly accept everything given down by tradition. There is so much unnecessary evils that take place in this country in the name of culture, false pride, fake sense of patriotism and inhumane archaic traditions. The simple act of piercing a baby girl’s ears, ’cause girls are supposed to have holes, including in their ears, is quite a distasteful tradition. If a girl (or even a guy) want’s to wear rings, they’d pierce all over their body if they desire to, when they grow up. Why put a baby girl through so much of pain and tears in the name of tradition????
Premarital sex is a no no. Yet people do practice it, in secrecy, and then they hypocritically talk about Lankan culture, and all that nonsense, as if the utmost devout. Marriage is a license for people to have sex here. Most men here being Mama’s boys; the mother is the servant and the wife the prostitute (or the wife could encompass both traits, equally). Virginity, especially in (unmarried) women, is held with high regard. A married couple indulging in a sexual relationship (immaterial if they procreate, or just have sex for sexual pleasure) is acceptable; but a decent good person, who might want to be in a proper relationship with one person (but does not believe in the concept of marriage), is shunned if he desires to have sex, even if it’s just with one partner. A man being a bachelor, does not mean he’s a playboy. There are more promiscuous individuals, who are actually in wedlock, than out of it. Not that there is anything wrong with being promiscuous, if one is open about it, and doesn’t use people, to their advantage. I, aged 42, am still a virgin; partially by choice. And I’m neither ashamed nor proud, of the fact that I don’t have sex life, and never had one. And nobody has the right to judge me for it. And I don’t believe in the fact one should stay a virgin, till they get married, either. Marriage is not a necessity for me, neither is sex. But yes, the desire for sex exists. Of course, I want to have sex, it’s normal, but with a person I am attracted to. I have fallen in love many times, but ’twas always unrequited love, thus nothing happened. The point is, being a pretty decent fellow, I don’t believe in jumping into bed with any Tom, Dick, or Hariendre, walking down the street. Nor do I believe in the concept marriage (it’s not a necessity for me to legalize a sexual relationship, not that I’m against it). So I find myself fighting both worlds, the side that thinks I’m a loser for not having sex, for not having gone on a date, and the side that thinks I ought to get married. I don’t believe in getting married for the sake of it either. Wouldn’t I be ruining two lives, if I did so??? I am as open minded as you get. Way too open minded an individual, with a brain of my own, thank you, for such a narrow minded country. So basically, neither do I believe in jumping into bed, or taking the plunge into matrimony, to please others. Period!!! Anyway, if I had a partner ( I wish I did, or do, in the near future, at least once); and we wish to get married, I highly doubt we’ll be able to get married the way we’d want, in a society still residing in the dark ages.
Plus the hypocrisy of weddings in this country, where do I even begin. The show and pomp weddings in the name of tradition, or worse Buddhism (as Buddhism is the exact opposite); tend to be the worst. It’s interesting how so many couples climb the Poruwa (wedding altar) in their glittery gaudy traditional attire, as if they were the virgin Mary, prior to the ceremony. Makes old hags very happy. Don’t get me started on how people suck up to the older generation here, and then degradingly make fun of them behind their back. As I stated earlier, no real respect exists here. Plus, the so called Lankan traditional weddings have very little do with this disgraceful country’s traditions or actual religion. The Bride dressed in white (a western tradition started by Queen Victoria); of course here it’s a Kandyan Osariya worn in white by the bride, with a lot of jewelry, and one long necklace, appropriately placed as if cover their breasts and vagina (whilst the lusty blood red Osariya actually feels more traditional; and appropriate, considering the fact, how many brides are actual virgins to don the virginal white on their wedding day); the bestman/men, pageboy/s, bridesmaid/s and flowergirl/s; the pouring of milk of clay pots stacked on top of each other (à la the champagne being poured on stacked up crystalware, in the west); the cutting of Kiribath (milk-rice pudding) since the late 90’s (similar to cutting the wedding cake, another copied western tradition); etc etc ….. An elegant grand wedding, if one desires it, is fine; but hypocriticality of calling it as per Lankan culture, or worse as per Buddhist culture (where as Buddhism is about simplicity, and grand scale weddings are not); and the use of the Nilamé kit/Tuppotia (a traditional show off garb worn by Kandyan Lankan’s attributed to the temple known as the Dalada Malgawa; especially donned at the Dalada Malgawa Perehara (parade)) is what’s wrong. Again the fact that the Nilamé kit, is attributed to Kandyan Buddhists, itself is a wrong concept. Buddhism is the exact opposite of the show and pomp, practiced by the Dalada Malgawa; where Buddha’s tooth relic is placed inside a gold gilded mini stupa, and no one can actually see the relic, but the admire the gold casing it’s covered up in. It definitely looks beautiful, but how do we really know, their is a relic in there, let alone a Buddha’s tooth??? And the treatment, torture and use of chained up Elephants by the Dalada Malgawa; to be showcased at the Perehara; is pure Animal Cruelty!!!!!! Completely goes against the teachings of Buddhism.
Of course, Animal rights activists in Colombo argue that these Elephant in Sri Lanka should be protected because it’s a Sub Species; found nowhere else in the world (which is an argument more to do with a Sri Lankan ego, than Animal Rights). BUT, Sub species or not, imprisonment and maltreatment of animals is still imprisonment and maltreatment; be it Elephants, Oxen or Dogs. Animal torture is still animal torture, be it a unique Sri Lankan species of Elephants or not. Besides the Dalda Maligawa Perehara is all show and pomp, in the name of Buddhism. That’s the biggest irony; again, “Buddhism is the exact opposite of showing off”!! Going back to the hypocrisy of Lankan weddings for instance; what’s worse is that they have weddings at temples as well (temples never had weddings here in the past, but it’s like Buddhists are competing with Christians, for Christians do have Church Weddings). The wedding, in the proper sense, was meant to be at the Bride’s family home, and Home Coming function, at the Grooms. What’s even worse is that, at these weddings sometimes the groom comes to wedding seated on a chained suffering elephant. Or even a teary frightened little baby elephant. Surly people can’t be that ignorant, not to notice an animal suffering. No animals should be used in this manner!!!
And getting back to the ridiculous show and pomp padres in the name Buddhism, hosted by the famed Buddhist temple in Kandy; the act of participating in the perahara is also very traumatic for the elephants. Elephants don’t like bright lights and loud noises, and they are alarmed by objects moving rapidly at the edge of their field of vision. Even a tourist watching the show should realize how stressed these elephants in deep distress are. So these animals that are among the most intelligent on the planet are being repeatedly subjected to traumatic experiences in the name of human pageantry. And, as I stated earlier, according to Buddhism people aren’t suppose to blindly carry traditions, handed down by ancestors. If the use of/harming of, Animals, were officially banned; then this Perehara nonsense would have to stop, automatically. It won’t completely put an end to ill treatment of animals; but it’s a start. Look at Canary Islands and Catalonia, they banned bullfighting, despite it being a brutally famed Spanish tradition. Animals, be it Elephants or bulls, aren’t lucky to take part in these festivities, for they’ve been tortured to a point they don’t even know that they are elephants/bulls. These animals are meant to be wild and free, with their own families, not meant to used for sick pleasures of the inhumane human beings. Eating meat might be a necessary evil (though that’s also debatable), ill treatment of animals is not!!
Everything from illtreatment of wild animals, to illtreatment of domesticated animals exists. How Cattle and Poultry are treated here, is a different argument; but let’s get to the fact how pets are mistreated here, especially Cats & Dogs. Doggism exists to the utmost in this Doggist nation of so called Buddhists. There have been many factual articles of how dog meat was being sold as venison, and other meats; and small fish from dirty canals were being sold as seafood. Most victims of these cons, happen to be foreign tourists, who love to try out local delicacies (and they sure do, unknowingly). In July this year, many prestigious Sri lankan Universities, poisoned stray dogs in the most inhumane manner and watched them screeching in pain for hours as they died. Pregnant cats were being buried alive. And many more stories emerged with pictures and video clips in newspapers and social media. What a lovely Buddhist country this is?? Yes, they can be so proud of this nation???
Of course, local Buddhists believe, humans are a superior being, and that humans that have been bad in previous births, are reborn as animals; thus they feel it’s OK to illtreat animals, and to turn a blind eye to animal suffering. Buddhism does NOT SAY, it’s OK to illtreat animals, even though the theory of Karma and rebirth, exists in Buddhist scriptures.
Karma itself is a questionable subject. Karma sounds really great in theory. So people who ill treat you, will get it back someday. It could be in their next birth. But their is dark side to this. So if you have apparently done something unthinkable in your past life, you are doomed in this life no matter what you do? nor matter what a good human you are? I’m not taking about rewards, but just to be content with life. But apparently I can’t because I was apparently a monster in my past birth?? That’s terrible!! So basically there is no hope what so ever for a peaceful happy life. Karma is a bitch!!!! Of course I don’t believe in re-birth. In the sense, that there is no factual proof of it’s existence. But I keep an open mind, so I don’t really say, that re-birth does not exist per se, but that I don’t know. And to be quite honest, nobody really knows what happens after one dies, until they actually die. It might be the end of it, or heaven and hell (as Christians believe), or re-birth, or something else entirely. Nobody really knows, with a 100% assuracy. And I’m in no hurry to find out (even though there have been times so depressing, that I’ve felt the desire to find out, but no, not in any real hurry).
And getting back to dogs, and concept of apparently humans being re-born as dogs, or other, according to their karma, brought forward from their previous life. If being born a dog, is to atone for a sin committed in your past birth; one ought to wonder, aren’t dogs way kinder and innocent than humans. In fact, Dog is better than God. Of course, the Buddha is not a god, but supposedly a great human being, who walked the earth centuries ago. Yet all humans are flawed creatures, nobody is perfect. BUT the Buddha was supposedly a perfect mortal being. Yet, if you think of it, as Prince Siddhartha, he got tired of having sex with his woman, and thus finally abandoned his wife, and new born baby. Sure, he gained enlightenment or whatever later; BUT what he did at that moment is unapologetic. To leave his wife, at such a crucial moment in their life. A very selfish act. And for all you know, the Buddha was gay; that might be the reason he grew tired of constantly screwing a woman. Yet ironically, Homosexuality is frowned upon, specifically by Lankan Buddhist. Further proof of his sexuality could be the fact, when the Mara (a demon in Buddhist mythology, considered as fact, by most Buddhists) sent his beautiful daughters to seduce the Buddha, he wasn’t perturbed. Because he was so pure, or was there another reason for it? Jokes apart, if Buddha, or any religious leaders were actually homosexual (and there is NOTHING wrong with being gay), the irony is, that the Most homophobic societies exists within these religious circles. While religious people ought to be more open, accepting, kind, generous and non-judgemental.
People here tend to show prejudice to everything possible. Let’s take a look at peoples preference towards the fairer skin tones, as an acceptance of beauty. Buddha was supposedly beautiful, because of his fair skin. What proof is there, that he was fair??? It’s pretty much similar to the portrayal of Christ as white. Christ wasn’t Caucasian, as he was from the middle east, but he could’ve been fair skinned. And Buddha being from Northern India (he was born in Lumbini, Nepal of today, back then Lumbini was part of India), it’s possible that he was fairer. But fairness does not necessarily mean attractiveness. There are lot of dark skinned, or jet black, people with sharp beautiful features, who tend to be just as attractive, or even prettier. The Indian sub-continent tends to be favourable towards the fair skin tones. But, North India, Nepal & Pakistan, tend to be fairer skinned anyway. Sri Lanka is a BLACK Country (or at least dark skinned); here the prejudice is far more absurd, of “the pot calling the kettle black” syndrome, quite literally. But being black skinned is not a fault. Fairer skinned people here insult Dark skinned people & Dark skinned people here tend to insult darker skinned people, and so on, even with the use of the ‘N’ word (used in a more derogatory sense, than a friendly manner). Once when somebody, almost as dark as me, called me a Nigger; I told him, if he actually said that to a black person (meaning people of actual African decent) he would have got it. The irony is, that whilst studying in New Delhi, a group of Africans, called me “White”!!!! Back in my mid-20’s, when I came to Sri Lanka, with a superb Modeling Portfolio, done in Delhi; I tried give it a try here. I was asked to bleach my skin. Am not ashamed of my dark skin, but Lankan’s do have a major complex about their complexion. And I wasn’t as dark as I am today. The guy, who called me a “Nigger”, bleached his skin, went onto be a quite good looking model (endorsing ‘Fair & Handsome’ fairness creams) and a pathetic actor (that people adore), in Sri Lanka. Am glad of my decision not to take that false route.
Whether Buddha was fair skinned or not, nobody would really know, but I doubt he would have differentiated among skin tones, or put labels on standards of Beauty. Sri Lanka’s racism is far worse, than that of the British, America or Australia; where too racism exists, besides being multicultural societies. Of course Sri Lankan’s do have a dislike for Caucasians as well, but just that (as I mentioned above), they bow down to white skin, but back bite like anything. They are not genuine about their racism. European tourists are called Sudha/Sudhi (a derogatory term for white skinned male/female), or Karapota (Cockroach, maybe ’cause of the white blood roaches tend to have); but Karapota is more of a term used for the Dutch & Portuguese Burgher communities here. Muslims are called Tambia, and so on. You find Racism in SL, towards skin tones, other religions besides their own, and other races besides their own; et al, and is far worse, than anywhere else. The rest of the world, most people know about it, be it corruption, racism, violence etc etc … Very few have even heard of the insignificant dot of island on the world’s map, or it’s disturbingly negative attributes.
Of course, this actor I brought up earlier wasn’t a bad person, as such. I just brought him up as an example, how dark skinned people insult other, even slightly darker than them, to the extent of using the “N” word (I’ve gone through far worse psychological, and to some extent physical, abuse, especially through the hands of Sri Lankan’s, and more specifically by Lankan Buddhists, residing all over the world). No, the untalented superstar of Lankan cinema, in not a bad person, but just a bloody fool, and quite an unhygienic one at that (the irony of people disliking dogs, and other animals, because they feel animals are unclean, is quite laughable; my dogs are way cleaner than most people in this country). And this person is an advocate of Buddhism in the country. And a vegetarian (how much of a vegetarian is another debatable fact, a lot of fishertarians call themselves vegetarians. Fish are living things that can feel too, and they suffer the most, caught in a net, as they die; and don’t get me started on seafood that are boiled alive). I am not a vegetarian, but I don’t behave like I’m going to die without meat. I can go for/and have gone for, months without eating any meat. But most non-vegetarian Buddhist here behave as if they are die without meat. Their greed for animal flesh, or in any other manner, is revolting. Of course, this does not mean, just ’cause a person is vegetarian, they are better people, or that they treat animals with love and kindness. All religions, and races, within this country prefer to believe, only their beliefs/race is right, and the best. But Buddhism, which is not meant to discriminate, tends to be the worse kind of supremacist attitude prevalent in this so called Buddhist nation.
Look at the Sri Lankan flag itself, with a devilish looking Lion holding the sword, and archaic representation of Sinhalese supremacy (thus the country itself has this archaic mentality of the dark ages, respecting a royal lion of an non-progressive nation), with the Bo-leaf on the four corners (symbolic of Buddhism), of the maroon background (maroon colour represents the Sinhalese race). But what’s worse is, who or what is the lion showing the sword to?? The Green & Saffron stripes, representing the Hindu’s & the Muslims, respectively. So basically, instead of protecting the minority groups of the country (the Christians & the Catholic Burgher’s are not even touched upon) the lion is saying, don’t fuck with us Sinhalese Buddhist, we rule!!! Either way, why should the flag have something to say for, or against, any religion or race. Shouldn’t it represent something a bit more universally significant, blending harmoniously with flags of other nations, in simplicity; without trying to ape an archaic royal mentality.
The Swastika, is an ancient symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, attributed to the Aryan race. Again peoples fascination for fairer skin, can date back to the Buddha’s era. The Buddha himself being from the Aryan race (non-Buddhist are known as anāryas) was supposedly beautifully fair skinned (as mentioned above). So the Aryan race is fair skinned, and our own roots are Indo-Aryan, but through evolution under the hellish sun, we have really dark skin, yet our sharp features give away our Aryan roots. But what’s wrong is the Swastika’s racist roots, that gave way to Hitler’s Nazi regime to use it as the symbol of Aryan supremacy. And even today white supremacists, neo-Nazi groups, use it. And in Sri Lanka, it has become a symbol of Buddhist supremacy. And it’s interesting to note, how a lot Sri Lankan’s believe Hitler was right to cleanse the world of Jews. Plus local Buddhists attitudes towards the Muslims is pretty much the same as Nazi attitudes towards the Jews!!! And there are various schools of thought when it comes to Buddhism, and Sri Lankan’s feel, only their Buddhism is correct; even which they don’t really practice properly.
Even still, what proof is there, what Buddha was to have said, was actually said. Buddhist preaching were never written down at the time of the Buddha. Buddhists text were first said to be written down about 400 years after the death of Buddha. Prior to that, doctrines were passed down orally, from generation to generation. And like Chinese Whispers, the doctrines would have changed completely by the time the texts were finally written down. The best religion to me is humanity, to be a good decent human being. Something badly missing in this country. And that’s what the crux of any religion is, which has been distorted by time. More so, in this narrow minded country where a falsified Buddhism is held with high regard.
The irony of it all. In my late 20’s whilst living in England, I was so much more into Buddhism (without ever looking down on any other religion), that practically every Sunday, if possible, I’d go to a Thai Buddhist Monastery there (which again for Sri Lankan’s is a problem, as that is not supposed to be our kind of Buddhism), to meditate. So in England I was more of a practicing Buddhist, and when I came to Sri Lanka, the hypocrisy of it all here, got me off it. By my 30’s I was more of a Free Thinker than a Buddhist, but I still had respect for the religion I was born into. But just over two years ago, I was being so stressed by cruel Buddhists of this country, that I finally renounced the religion and denounced the practice of it in Sri Lanka. I lost any love I had for this country in my mid-30’s, after having being patient for so long; and finally removed Buddhism and lost all respect for the hypocritical sadistic practices and attitudes of Sri Lankan Buddhism, a few months after I turned 40!!!!! In fact, I had gone through so much pain, that particular day, that I did a kind of personal blog post, that I had never posted before, despite all the stress and depression I’ve gone through most of my life, surviving on my own. See my post Day of Depression from September 2015. The day I finally removed Buddhism!!!!!!
Evil forces of Sri Lankan Buddhism, prevented me from working on this post (as it has been doing for ages anyway, trying to prevent me from Blogging about anything, period); but I persevered. I started working on this over a month ago, but I finally got to finish it today. Hope I’ve manged to make all the necessary points I needed to.
Nuwan Sen n’ Social Issues
No Nonsense with Nuwan Sen 
This was a highly intrguing and moving post which strikes a chord with my own views on certain ‘practises’ in religion. I wholeheartedly agree with many if not all of your views here about being preassured and forced into such circunstances is beyond belief and utterly disgraceful not to mention disgusting. I could go on but I shan’t.
I’ve always strayed away from the topic of Religion, purely because I knew many are faithful to their own and it could stir up issues with the other side as I noticed when I was a teenager. My religious studies class had made mh opinions seem something sinful and I was instantly cast aside and gosspied for apparently having ‘no respect’.
I hate the strict and bizarre statements that brainwash people into being a certain way and it also makes me sad to see that aswell as feel it from my own background of feeling opressed by certain religious ‘guidelines’ that scholars have evidently made sexist amongst other views.
The stupidity is beyond me and despite the mordern way of life, such ideaolgies do not seem to budge from their prehistoric minds. It goes as far as simple matters such as not being able to be friends of the opposite sex. I am glad you made this post as you rightly can and I hope you will soon enough find the peace, love and utter kindness you deserve without such restrictions.
Sincerely Sonea
Thank you Sonea,
I agree, it’s unfortunate this prehistoric mentality is still prevalent today, in the 21st century. It’s pretty pathetic.
Everything has a beginning and an end; time for these archaic religious notions to die off, and a new religion, of humanity, kindness and open-mindedness take root!!
Make the world a better place!!
Wow a fascinating read Newan… so many interesting things to me, I think I will need to reread it soon. Like your British experience Buddhism has so compelling to me, but the local melding with politics and culture is so poinent. An intricate and delicate complexity. Thanks for sharing!
Mal :)xx
Thanks Malcolm!!! It’s exactly the local melding with all politics in temples here (don’t get me started on monks here) and hypocritical culture, is what got me off it!!
Yes, Buddhism is as a fascinating subject to study, like Greek & Roman mythology, Hindu Mythology, Egyptology etc etc…. But the practice of Buddhism here is so evil, most of the times, argh!! I don’t like to be associated with it.
Just today, as I took my dogs for a walk, this monstrous old woman was cursing my harmless dog (I wrote a whole thing on Gingy’s FB page); and these are the kind of people who unashamedly go and worship in temples here!!
Hi Nuwan,
What a detailed beast or a blog. Well done mate!!!
I can sense that this was a cathartic piece and you are a brave man to write it. I agree with everything you have written and think religion is evil. I hope you have read Christopher Hitchen’s God is Not Great or at least watched some of his excellent videos on youtube. One of my favourites that I think would strike a chord with you is (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBSH2oWVGEs) Debate topic: Is the Catholic church a force for good in the world? Intelligence 2 (Squared) debate between Christopher Hitchens / Stephen Fry vs Archbishop John Onaiyekan / Ann Widdecombe.
Hitchens also has his own secular 10 commandments which you’d appreciate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternatives_to_the_Ten_Commandments#Christopher_Hitchens
You could easily replace any of the major religions on your blog and it would essentially say the say thing. It gives people the impression that they have all of the answers when they don’t. Instead of doubt and questioning, it instils arrogant certainty.
A final recommendation for your is Bill Maher’s documentary Religulous. If you want a link I can send you one. It is hilarious! One of the gems from the film is his line: “If you belonged to a political party or a social club that was tied to as much bigotry, misogyny, homophobia, violence, and sheer ignorance as religion is, you’d resign in protest.”
All the best buddy for 2018. Australia just voted for Marriage Equality and our fireworks were rainbow coloured for NYE. I hope Sri Lanka can one day see the light and accept all of her people for who they are.
Thanks for the thought-provoking read.
Your Australian friend,
David
Thanks for the lovely comment my dear friend. I’ll re-read and send you a longer reply later. A bit under the weather at the moment.
THNX for the positive reaction to my Blog post. Got a lot of bad reactions, by Lankans. But it’s their ego that got hurt. Their main problem is I wrote this for an international platform instead of just for locals to read.
Dear David (one of my nicest friends from Down Under 🙂 )
Today, finally I got to watch the video you sent me. Each time I tried to watch it, I had way too many disturbances and distractions; that prevented me from concentrating on this marvelous debate. Not that it was that easy to sit through it today, but I did; re-rewinding certain segments quite a few times.
First of all, thanks for introducing me to Christopher Eric Hitchens. I’ve seen segments of his speeches; on Youtube itself (after you sent me the link, and wasn’t able to watch this entire episode). But today, this episode, truly made me like him even more. I shall get back to him, soon.
That Archbishop is bloody fool (blasphemous for me to say so, but that what he is). Although I don’t believe one individual represents the entire Catholic Church; people in the name of the Catholic Church have been responsible for various genocides; be it literally or metaphorically. It’s the same case when it comes to Buddhism, in Sri Lanka; Hinduism in India & Islam in the Middle East; where the most prolific religion dominating a state of mind; overpowers and kills off brain cells of the utterly devout idiots. Religion is more a tool of fear. As the ancient Roman philosopher, Seneca stated; “Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful”. Which is pretty much the case in most extremist parts of the world, including Sri Lanka. The hypocrisy of this country is worse, as people are aware of all the atrocities inflicted by monks; but turn a blind eye. If asked, the common man here, who he is well aware; but feels it’s wrong to talk about a monk’s wrong deeds. So basically it is okay for them to do them, and get away with it, thanks to the protection from their religious robes. In that sense, Buddhism (at least in Shit Lanka), is worse; as Law does not necessary let Christian/Catholic priests get away with anything, that easily. But here, even the law, protects the orange robed monkeys. And don’t let me get started on Buddhist monks links to political corruption here. People squat down in front of, and venerate, these monks, they know for sure are secretly into booze and promiscuous sex lives (although monks behave disapprovingly towards the common man, for indulging in such practices; ironic, as monks are the ones that are suppose to lead a life of celibacy). I have no respect for such people. Plus, people here believe white hair earns respect. Old, but none the wiser; this country is full of immature adults.
Now let’s get to Stephen Fry; whom I have great regard for (both as a film personality and an open minded individual). I like the facts Fry pointed out. One, the baby in limbo theory is truly pathetic, I didn’t realize people still believed in this concept in Year 2000. I like the fact, he doesn’t condemn the human being Christ; as that is what Jesus Christ was, a good kind human being. He points out how history is not irrelevant (as former British MP Ann Widdecombe had called it irrelevant, to what is happening today). Of course, history is relevant. One has to look into the past, learn from past mistakes; to move forward, towards a more progressive humane future. History after all is full of wars; and in the name of what?? Race & Religion!!!! I like the fact, Fry calls those religious nuts sexually dysfunctional (but I do wonder what he’ll think of me, being a 42 year old virgin; although I didn’t really have much of a choice; Australia gave me scope of finding someone, but now I don’t have much hope of finding anyone in this narrow minded extremist country. And the way my stress, depression & stress medication have ruined my looks; it’s getting more difficult to find a life partner (not that I ever looked that great, but I wasn’t this bad either)).
The Catholic Church, or any religious institute, is not a force for good; just forceful in all the wrong directions. I really like Hitchens argument, just as much. But, when the invigilator/host, Zeinab Badawi, mentioned that Hitchens had written a rather unfavourable article on Mother Teresa, I must admit I felt a slight itch. Although, I haven’t read this piece on the Late Great Mother Teresa, so I can’t judge. BUT, I have to say this; she was an individual who immersed herself to help others, even though she might have been blinded by her devotion to this so called God. She was genuine in her care; suffered and sacrificed her life, serving the poor, the lepers et al. She was a modern day saint; like Mahatma Gandhi, Audrey Hepburn, John Lennon, Princess Diana among others; who were individuals; who genuinely gave themselves to make the world a better place (and not for selfish gain or fame). And when I call them Modern day Saints; I do not mean they were Saints in the literal sense; but as truly remarkable human beings.
When it comes to Buddhism (in Sri Lanka, at least); if a suffering human went to the Buddhist temple for help, he’ll be thrown out by monks saying that he’s suffering for his past sins (from a previous birth; as I explained the dark side of Karma, in my post). But, if he goes to a Christian/Catholic Institution; they’ll help him, but what’s wrong is, the condition would be that he converts to Christianity/Catholicism. So, unlike Mother Teresa, most Churches help with an alternate agenda in mind. So that is what’s wrong.
I loved Christopher Hitchens’ defense of Stephen Fry. Homosexuality is looked down by religion as evil; while neither the Buddha nor Jesus Christ, ever said such a thing (OK, the Buddha might have hinted on it; as people here believe, for he spoke against “unnatural sexual practice”, but was he speaking about homosexuality?? or was he speaking of the all the heinous sexual crimes committed by people; rape, pedophilia, infidelity etc etc ….). Of course, when it comes to Buddhist monks they talk nonsense majority of the time. And they share nothing with Buddha’s preaching (or what is chronicled as to have been said by Buddha). Yet, for idiots here, if a bald headed man in a orange robe says something, he must be right!!! When it came to the nuts speaking for the Catholic Church, though I don’t agree with Ann Widdecombe; one thing she said, stuck out. She mentioned how in Zambia when she asked women, WHY they had so many Children; the answer was so that somebody would look after them in their old age. The same is true for Lankan’s in general. What a selfish reason to have kids??? In fact, I’ve been asked by many, why I don’t get married and have kids, whether I don’t want someone to take care of me in my old age. Seriously!!! Marriage does not interest me; although I would love to have a partner. Unfortunately I don’t have anyone. AND I would love to have kids (without expecting anything from them in return). I don’t have to have a marriage to have kids, there is always the option of adoption and/or artificial insemination. I’d rather do the former; as I’ll be saving a life or two or few, by the way of adopting. I’m just not in a place in my life, at the moment to do so (being a single person, I might not be able to adopt kids in this country). Thus, I’ve saved two stray dogs (common mongrels); discarded inhumanely by this so called Buddhist country. In return, they’ve saved me, to some extent. NOR, am I keen on being the Virgin Father, to humans, at the moment. Ha!! Interestingly Ann Widdecombe mentioned how it is not possible for a man to be Virgin Mary. How wrong she is; both men and women can be virgin parents in this day and age, if they refrain from having sex and choose to adopt or inseminate. Of course, I mean this only in theory, not necessarily in practice. The fact is, it can be done, if needed. Ha!
It’s interesting that Fry mentioned Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall. I started reading it, back in 2013; but left it incomplete. It’s among the few books, including your book – Gregory David Roberts’ Shantaram, that I left unfinished. I ought to get back to Wolf Hall, sometime in the near future. Just that there are so many other books that am keen on, over Wolf Hall. Speaking of novels, I finished reading The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy, quite recently. I LOVED it. In fact, now it’s my all time favourite novel; reducing my previous all time favourite, Dominique Lapierre’s City of Joy, which had been my favourite for 22 years, to 2nd place. AND there is a whole segment in City of Joy, that talks about Mother Teresa. This was when she was still alive. I just found out Christopher Hitchens in no more either. Wish I had known about him earlier.
Anyway, I shall say goodnight for now.
And comment further later.
Thanks again
from
Your “International” friend,
Nuwan 🙂
P.S. See https://nononsensewithnuwansen.wordpress.com/that-book-that-movie-of-2017/
AND finally. Back in 2008, whilst living in Paris, I accidentally came across an episode of Larry King Live, where King was interviewing Bill Maher, specifically on his new documentary (that most probably wasn’t released yet), Religulous (2008). I found Maher, to be an amusing personality. Loved him then and there. But I still could not locate/watch it. So if you have a link, please do send it to me, matie!! 🙂
Of course, there are some links, that can’t be opened in this country. But still, I can try.
Seriously David, with all the stress and depression, and me constantly fighting suicidal instincts, I wonder how am still alive. This country is so full of shit, for which I have a genuine hatred. I go to a psychiatrist, once every six months (December and June, I should visit him, later this week), but all he can do is, give me medication. There is nothing they can do. I’m unhappy, because I don’t conform to other’s sadistic desires. Or I have to become just as bad. It’s very difficult stay afloat in a cruel, selfish, inhumane society. A society that goes around, doing their robotic routines, devoid of any human emotions and empathy for others.
I feel like Joanna, in Ira Levin’s The Stepford Wives. It’s not easy to keep my sanity in check. Of course, the book (and their movie versions) is a sci-fi/horror fiction (thus unrealistic things happen to the wives); yet it’s symbolic of coming to live in a narrow-minded, extremist country, and how people turn into one of them, after sometime. Still surviving, not letting my unfortunate roots, drag me down, beneath the mud, like the rest of the them. People here are like the envious green grass, stuck to their roots; and jealous of a tree that climbs up. Ha!!
I ought to stop, before I say something too nonsensical. My brain is tired, and the stress of surviving on my own, is too heavy for it to handle. I’ve suffered alone, survived on my own, and still surviving.
AND, yes, I heard about Australia’s Yes Vote. Good, man, it’s a progressive nation (comparatively, at least). Lanka would never improve, psychologically speaking. Unless you literally open up their brains, and pour some sense; and open their hearts, pour some human kindness. It’s a cheap country. I just wish to get away, take my dogs with me, and have some contentment in my miserable life. I was somewhat happy, and relaxed for the first time in my life, when I resided in Sydney; mainly ’cause, by fluke, I didn’t associate any Sri Lankans. Early 2007, was really good. Post that, Lankans have been eating me my head, and driving me insane. Or rather trying too. Sadistic nation!!!
Breathing in, Breathing out, as we speak. 🙂
Thanks for reading this, and even better, understanding my point of view. And for the strong support.
Cheers
From your non-Sri Lankan friend (psychologically speaking, though am on paper)
Nuwan
Buddhism is about gaining wisdom through the understanding of the true nature of our “self” and therefore reality. Painting any group of pople with such a broad brush as you have in this post is unwise at best. I dont discount that you have had some experiences that made you feel this way. But blaming a group of people and claiming they are all the same is not in line with reality. In Buddhist practice we look within because that is where the root of our problems are. Maybe it is worth having another look at where your feelings are really comming from.
Kindly re-read!!
I haven’t spoken against Buddhists, or Buddhism for that matter. I’ve pointed out the hypocritical, inhumane, sadistic attitudes of Sri Lankans, in the name of Buddhism.
Sure, I’ve made a few tongue in cheek comment on religion, but specifically I’ve pointed out what Sri Lankan’s are, in general; but focusing more Lankan’s that call themselves Buddhist.
And Sri Lankans assume, they are the only proper Buddhists in the world; and they (not me) insult the Buddhists practice of all other countries. Including Zen Buddhism, which you’ve studied!!
I’ve also mentioned how I use to visit a Thai monastery in England. I loved it. But Buddhists here (again, not me) insult Thai Buddhism as an alien concept, that is considered wrong.
As, my title suggests, this write-up is about “the evils of Sri Lankan Buddhism”, not Buddhism in general.
Plus, Am very well aware of the philosophical aspects of Buddhism. And have respected those for age. Just happen to lose respect for this country’s Buddhist; who have NO respect for anyone, what so ever.
By some serendipity like rain after prolonged drought I stumbled upon your terse prose on the miserable Ceylon population. I unconditionally fully agree with every word except one singulat term you have written about the island’s venomous populace behind whose every face I see a Potuguese, a Dutch, a Briton, or a South Indian with an occasional French, a Chinese, a Malay and so on in a dwindling order. But theses people who have been incapable of thinking for themselves since circa 1200 AD pretend that they are the supreme humans of this planet. After all all these religions are thoroughly oudated concepts but are still capable of keeping masses intoxicated with religious fervor. I wish more strength to you to write bravely like that.
And the single word that took me aback was the superlative or rather the adjective you have used to describe the island’s tertiary schools. I mean that you have written “prestigious universities”. None of the fourteen or so universities here which are plain ‘board-laali campuses’ do not qualify for that prefix. Peradeniya of course was created by that Britisher Jennings but during his tenure itself he witnessed his plans going haywire owing to natives’ hankypanky, and it is a slum campus now. And more variants of these tertiary schools are mushrooming here. The irony is even if they form universities for every Divisional Revenue Officer’s division or Koraley, Ceylonese will not be able to think for themselves let alone becoming ‘well-educated’.
May I mention the only flaw I found among the so many words you have written? I trust you would not be offended. That is about that stupid annual exercise in the slim town of Candy. That was some political tool used by those S.Indian depots who ruled there. Even earlier those half-Portuguese vernacular despots kept running that show to keep an enfeebled populace at bay. As far as I know the Burmese despot ca 1500 bought that tooth or whatever from Jaffna’s Portuguese East India Company’s chief of mercenaries by paying in gold that weighed as much as pachyderm which I do not know whether the heavier Irrawaddy jumbo or a Ceylonese Elephas maximus Maximus Ruhunu Getaya. Best Regards and more strength.
Thank you for your great insight, into the history of Ceylon. So the tooth relic was actually bought, from “Jaffna’s Portuguese East India Company’s chief of mercenaries by paying in gold”!!! I wasn’t aware, of that fact.
And speaking of “prestigious universities”; I need to re-read this blog post to see, where n’ why I mentioned such a thing, for Sri Lanka has none; just a facade of such a concept (I completely agree with you).
I like your usage of the term “slum universities”, that’s way I felt about the so called International School I went to when I came to live in Sri Lanka. A total dump of a place, no international standard; plus that school totally ruined my education. My academic life improved after I left school, here.
It’s interesting to note, you share the name of 17th century seafarer, Robert Knox; who found his way into Ceylon (either with his father or, was it his son), and was held captive for two decades. He finally escaped; but you most probably already knew that! I haven’t read his book on Ceylon yet, but really ought to.
Thanks for venturing this way.
Wow you had a lot on your chest. A very interesting read, I really enjoyed it. You should see how the Buddhists monks behave in Cambodia! They got a ton of cash from begging and really don’t mind spending it in expensive restaurants. I have seen the poor get on their knees and worshiping a monk in the streets and he was loving that sense of godly power, he even took some money from them. I do not think I would’ve believed it if I did not see it with my own eyes. I am originally a Muslim and I can tell you that we have some real scum bags amongst us so the feeling is mutual. I just followed you and looking forward to more content, well done!
True!!! Monks manage to get a lot of money for doing nothing. Without actually earning, they earn money, love & respect. Blind faith, invigorates fear among fools. Monks (and Politicians, alike), especially in Lanka, tend to be nothing but power hungry. You should see the wars in the temples, between monks. And how monks love, and demand, to be taken around in luxury vehicles.
Yes, I can imagine; it must be pretty hard being a Muslim too. The thing is, religion, initially, was meant to be something good; BUT today it’s been used and abused in the most demeaning manner.
It’s time to stop using archaic religious beliefs, as a tool against humanity; and practice being a good human being itself. Humanity is the best religion, after all. Something missing, today; especially in countries like Sri Lanka.
Just like you I have absolutely nothing against religion but I cannot stand it when religious people choose to be heads of the religion like Imams, Rabbis and Priests falsely pretend to be pillars of the community and they are doing grotesque things and people see this and get the wrong idea about religion. On the bright side my wife has been to Sri Lanka and said the curry is the best in the world would love to try it someday! lol……
Ha!! Ha!! Am not a fan of Sri Lankan food. It’s full of chilies, chilies & chilies. I’m sure she tasted a curry made in a more Indianised style; that’s made for tourists. Proper Lankan food isn’t spicy (I love spicy food; especially North Indian, Thai et al); but just a load of chilies. It kills your taste buds, and then Lankan’s complain how only Lankan food is the good cuisine ever, and all other bad.
I totally agree with how people (especially Imams, Rabbis & Priests) do inhumane activities in the name of religion. Laymen either prefer to turn a blind eye, or worse follow suit.
Don’t forget Punjabi food my friend super tasty lol.
Yum!!!! I miss good food!!
So funny, we started off talking about religion and hags now we a discussing food. Maybe we should publish a cooking blog. Hahahahaha. lol
Truly!!! Hahaha!!! 😀
hey, i had seen that you had a bad experience in our country and i’m sorry to hear that, im actually sri lankan but i had met some people before who were exactly as you said, but not all people are like that, every country has some idiots in them, yes, the civil war of tamils and buddhists was inconvenient, but it wasnt because of religion, they wanted half of sri lanka to themselves as a independent country and we buddhists didnt want that to happen. plus we didnt want to fight, they started the war by bombing schools and religious sites, we were forced to defend. and the part of monks getting money for support in their lives, and their job? preaching the dhamma [ advice ] to people who are in trouble. and so what if they go and eat in restaurants? they spend their money they want to! More later, its midnight!
Thank you for your comment!
As I’ve mentioned here, am speaking in general terms!! I have no problem with each and every person here! When I meet people I give them the benefit of the doubt without judging them, until they treat me badly (I only judge the judgemental). Even then am very patient and forgiving and give people many a chances; 2nd, 3rd, 4th and as many as my patience can handle!!
Speaking of Ethnic problems between the Sinhalese & Tamils, that goes way back to the 50’s and the discrimination Tamils felt! Either way, both sides were wrong, all previous governments as well as terrorism (which ALL Tamils were NOT involved in)! Sinhalese prefer to blame the Tamils, and Tamils blame the Sinhalese! I don’t condone any terrorist acts, but remember there is no smoke without fire!! At the same time it doesn’t make it right to go around bombing and killing innocent people, anywhere!!! Both LTTE & JVP were responsible for all the genocide in this country, as well as plenty of government officials throughout the war!! An act of Terror is an Act or Terror, no matter which side is involved!!
Of course, my problem with this country and it’s people (in general) is more personal! Am struggling through stress and depression at this very moment (I haven’t touched my Blog this whole year, so far, except for the post I did on 1st January 2020). So I should thank you once more for commenting, which made me open my Blog today! Just yesterday I was tweeting about the Power Cuts, I had no problem with it, it was because a Power Grid had exploded! Once we had electricity after 6 hours of no power, I tweeted abt it and couple of people asked for my location. One had no face, no name, nothing, so I asked why, just to make sure it was simply because he didn’t have electricity yet. The bugger started sending me abuses, calling me “Fucking dick, idiot, Troll” etc etc… I blocked him then and there. Politeness is not a virtue people here practice (generally)!!
By the way, I don’t see where I’ve mentioned Monks eating at restaurants in my article, but what I’ve been trying to show is the hypocrisy of it all!
I have nothing against you, or anyone personally (again, no name, no face, but at least you seem polite 🙂 thus I approved); but this was an article I had to write at the time I did!
Normally I prefer not to post personal posts on my Blog/Twitter, but this was one rare occasion I did!!
Cheers!! (y)
Haha!!! Thanks for the Kind and considerant comment!!! Im very, and i mean VERY sorry for replying after this much time. You see, my laptop broke and i had to send it to fix it. Plus with the new covid situation, there was a hard time getting resources to fix it!!! I never thought i’d get a reply since my point of veiw was different…. well lets just say that…. I WAS WRONG. You, sir, are a very nice guy even though you went through the bad part of our country. Since I have school, I cant really reply in the morning, so even though my laptop is fixed, i will be replying to you MUCH LATER after you reply. And Im really gotta apolagise on behalf of my country, That person that called you those things was a scumbag. Im certainly not proud of it, but some, no, most people in our country drink alchohol, and for some reason, most of them can drink about 5 litres of alchohol, and be totally fine, the catch is, they get REALLY drunk. So most likely, that rude person was either an idiot or a drunk/high person. And thanks for sharing part of your personal life to a random person, you really didnt have to tho. To give you a little insight to who i am, im just 13, so forgive me if i have some spelling errors. And when i reread your post, i couldnt find it, when i checked the comments tho, thts when it clicked!!! It was from the replies, not your post. So… sry bout that.
And the part where the monks were doing bad stuff actually disgusted me, especially the part where they frikin took money from a begger. Those monks are not real monks. Those were monks that wanted to become monks because they could do something wrong and the government can just, IGNORE IT. IM DISGUSTED. My own country i love, doing these sins. Im christian even though my dad is buddhist, and to this day i have never seen the local monks doing those stuff when i went to the temple with my father. Oh, and did i mention that im DISGUSTED by this. Since I have not much time for today, I gotta reply in seperate replies on seperate dates, so sry for the inconveinience T-T. The reason parents put holes in their baby girls ears when they are young is because when they are young, their ears have less nerves in the lobes. Plus its much more easier to finish making the hole quickly since its tender at a young age. Yes, it is very sad when the babies cry in pain, in which im totally against, but the thing is, IF they made a hole when they are older, there would be much more pain that you would get than in which you would get when your young. So there, thats what i think. If you still find something wrong about this, feel free to tell me!!! Who knows? Maybe I might just hate it when you tell me. Again, thanks for posting this, if you had not posted this, i wouldnt have known about the misdeeds of my country. Peace!!! 😀
You are only 13!!!! Aww! Just a kid! So young, so innocent!! I use to love this country at that age too!! Wait till you turn 30!!!!!😑😅 😀 Ha!
No, that idiot wasn’t drunk, just very foolish; pretty much like most (NOT ALL) immature fools who think behaving like a dick makes them look cool!! And when I say Most, I mean Majority, not every single one! And drinking is no excuse for bad behaviour! A good person would not condone wrongdoings just because he or she is drunk!
Speaking of piercing ears of a child as it’s tender, it’s not their choice! When they grow up it’s up to them to decide whether they want to pierce any part of their body if they wish to! Immaterial of gender!! Kind of sexist and cruel to put little girls through that in the name of ancient tradition, don’t you think?
By the way, your English is quite good! You must go to a good school and most probably study in English medium! Of course the education system of this country is pretty pathetic, but that’s a different argument!!
Good luck with your studies, kiddo!! AND Stay Safe!! 🙂 ❤
Ah!!! And 1 more thing!!! Most of the things that you said sri lankan people did was pretty enlightening. I wanted to get this out of my chest so here, Not all people are bad. There are good and there are bad. Most of the things you discussed were done by sinful people, those who are filled with hate. Just because some idiotic parents told their child to do bad things and not get caught, doesnt mean the whole country does it. Atleast, my parents didnt teach me that.
So to summarise, An act, be it most or least, Does not mean the whole country is based on that good or bad act. Stay Safe. :]
Again buddy!! Agreed!! Not all, BUT MOST!!!
Glad you have good parents!! Plus you mentioned they are from two different religious backgrounds! Even better!! The answer to a better world is interracial friendships and romances!! That way there’s less hate and more accepting and understanding people from different cultures without prejudice!!
Take Care!! 🙂 ❤
” Look at the Sri Lankan flag itself, with a devilish looking Lion holding the sword, and archaic representation of Sinhalese supremacy (thus the country itself has this archaic mentality of the dark ages, respecting a royal lion of an non-progressive nation), with the Bo-leaf on the four corners (symbolic of Buddhism), of the maroon background (maroon colour represents the Sinhalese race). But what’s worse is, who or what is the lion showing the sword to?? The Green & Saffron stripes, representing the Hindu’s & the Muslims, respectively. So basically, instead of protecting the minority groups of the country (the Christians & the Catholic Burgher’s are not even touched upon) the lion is saying, don’t fuck with us Sinhalese Buddhist, we rule!!! Either way, why should the flag have something to say for, or against, any religion or race. Shouldn’t it represent something a bit more universally significant, blending harmoniously with flags of other nations, in simplicity; without trying to ape an archaic royal mentality. ”
Ok, so this is my point of view. : 1) The devilish look on the lion was because it was drawn on ancient times, in which wasn’t really good at realism. They didnt mean to make it look like a devil, It’s just a result of art stratagey at the time.
2) It’s showing the sword to no-one. If you think that’s the case, then that logic will go to the flag, no matter where the lion is turned. If it’s up, you’ll say its facing the other races. ( You missed something when you were telling the meanings of the parts of the plag, The yellow border means all the other religions and races that belong in Sri Lanka, So this, ” the Christians & the Catholic Burgher’s are not even touched upon ” is incorrect. And before you say, ” But that’s racist, if muslim and tamils get their own stripes, why can’t they? ”, Because there’s no space in the flag to put more stripes in the flag. )
3) The Lion is holding the sword to signify victory, royalty and defence. And before you ask : The sword means victory because we won by getting independance from britain, thus being a victory. This is what is shown with our lion with a sword, our independence from the Brithish colony! That does not mean we are signifying it as a threat. It’s our memory of our independence.
4) ” Either way, why should the flag have something to say for, or against, any religion or race. Shouldn’t it represent something a bit more universally significant, blending harmoniously with flags of other nations, in simplicity; without trying to ape an archaic royal mentality. ” Good Question. Why is it like that? The answer is that every flag has it’s own uniqueness. For example, India has a wheel in the middle, thus making it pretty unique. Why is there a wheel? Because it’s a part of India’s beautiful culture! The same goes to Sri Lanka. Flags are what defines what the country they belong to are like. Just because some flags are imiliar doesnt mean they are trying to blnd in. It can be an coincident. Or maybe it’s similiar. No matter the cause, overall, Long term short. No, no we do not need to blend in with others.
India’s 1st Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, at the time of India’s Independence (in 1947) actually changed Mahatma Gandhi’s Spinning Wheel (which was in the original Indian Flag) to the navy blue Ashoka Chakra, as he was afraid India might not progress! So the Indian flag has a unique identity, but also blends internationally! Of course he didn’t change it on his own, it was discussed and decided by a specially constituted assembly! I studied Nehru’s Independence Speech for my Bachelors! Wow!! That was such a long time ago! I highly recommend it! Am sure it’s available online today, but make sure you find a proper unedited/non-ruined copy of it.
By the way buddy, you are not letting this go that easily are you? How long have you been analyzing this old article I wrote over 3years ago, on a whim due to all the harassment I kept facing here! This too feels a bit like harassment, don’t you think?
At the same time it would be nice to actually meet up and discuss this with you in person! If you are interested in reviewing this further send me a number (and a name would be nice too 😏) to contact you with (don’t worry I won’t approve that comment, so public won’t see it). Let me know!!
Sorry for delay in approving this particular comment! I’ve been very ill, just recovering! Comparatively feeling better now!
”India’s 1st Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, at the time of India’s Independence (in 1947) actually changed Mahatma Gandhi’s Spinning Wheel (which was in the original Indian Flag) to the navy blue Ashoka Chakra, as he was afraid India might not progress! So the Indian flag has a unique identity, but also blends internationally! Of course he didn’t change it on his own, it was discussed and decided by a specially constituted assembly! I studied Nehru’s Independence Speech for my Bachelors! Wow!! That was such a long time ago! I highly recommend it! Am sure it’s available online today, but make sure you find a proper unedited/non-ruined copy of it.” Oh! I didn’t know that! Thank you for sharing that with me! Although I still stand by my point to keep our flag unique, That made me think about it for a bit. ”By the way buddy, you are not letting this go that easily are you?” I mean…. No? I still need to make some points to share until we come to a conclusion. I can’t just suddenly stop. With school in the way and all, I can’t do it all in one day either. So sorry, but no, No I’m not letting this go easily. ”How long have you been analyzing this old article I wrote over 3years ago, on a whim due to all the harassment I kept facing here! This too feels a bit like harassment, don’t you think?” I’m sorry that you have faced harrasment, Some people are real jerks, I show my sympathy for it, but I don’t think what I’m doing right now is harrasment….I mean….. All I’m doing is just saying my point of veiw in this article. Sure, It’s over 3 years old, But still, I need to make you know why our country does this and that. Why this is right. Why your right in some cases. I don’t think sharing my point of veiw to another person is harrasment. Would you care to explain about it a bit more? Thanks. ”At the same time it would be nice to actually meet up and discuss this with you in person! If you are interested in reviewing this further send me a number (and a name would be nice too 😏) to contact you with (don’t worry I won’t approve that comment, so public won’t see it). Let me know!!” I mean… sure…. But I consider gmail better… I’m very protective of my privacy and my safety. Who knows? Just because I said I’m 13, doesn’t mean you can be sure of it. You might endanger yourself aswell. There’s been hundreds of cases where people have hacked someone’s device just by giving a call and listening to their voice or looking at their face. So It’s best we don’t open our private info. Maybe you can give your gmail address and we can talk there. And If you want a name, Well this is the the closest I can go to my real name, Shawn Thomas. I know, I know, Sounds real lazy and fake, But that’s what I’m comfortable to be named. By the Way, Would you care to keep my gmail address a secret? As you can see by the gay address name I go by here, I’m insecure. Thanks for your understanding. ”Sorry for delay in approving this particular comment! I’ve been very ill, just recovering! Comparatively feeling better now!” Aw, that sucks! I feel so bad for you! At the same case, I’m glad that your feeling a little better! Hope you get much better soon!
OK!! OK!!
Forgot you are only 13!! The irony of you choosing such a very English name as a pen-name, ahem; Mr. Thomas! With your deep attachment to a religion of non-attachment and the country that supposedly embraces it, I expected a very Sinhalese name!! Ha!!
Btw Also Happy New Year!
Wish you the same, nameless character!! 😏 👍🏽