Buddhists of Lanka need a worldview and sense of self that is not devastated by the likes of Kalinga Magha, western colonial powers and colonising politicians of the present day. They cannot be enslaved to old forms that clothe self-interest, greed, caste, hatred and parochialism. They must strive to make a living adaptation of the Buddhist message for their own time and place by returning to the path. A timeless teaching cannot be trapped in verbal formulas and hackneyed ancient ceremonies. Those are for followers – not leaders; and a Buddhist is never the follower of another person or a blind imitator of tradition” must be digested well by all Buddhists and others too.

This was a very interesting read and I learned a lot.

In addition to “A new social vision and assertion of social solidarity .. emerg[ing] from the Sasana itself ….” I think it would be useful to concurrently begin a process of secularization of the State as well. For starters, I think the university positions reserved for aspiring Buddhist clergy should be revoked, and all religious training repatriated to the Buddhist temple. This will reduce the numbers of opportunist Buddhist “priests” and help depoliticize the sangha.

Best regards
GTBP