Anti-Shasana forces are trying to defrock young monks amid drug allegations, Professor Medagoda Abhayathissa Thero warns.
Anti-Shasana forces are attempting to destroy the Sasana by pushing for the defrocking of young monks arrested over drug-related allegations, Professor Medagoda Abhayathissa Thero has warned.
He questioned whether there was a need to defrock the monks, who may have become victims of a conspiracy, without first conducting a proper investigation in accordance with disciplinary procedures.
“These young monks have become entangled in a major knot. We can see that they have fallen into a big trap, and it is important to investigate that properly before making decisions. Some forces are waiting to destroy the Sasana,” said Professor Medagoda Abhayathissa Thero, Preceptor of the Papiliyana Sunethradevi Parivena.
He made these remarks during the cremation ceremony of the late Most Venerable Kalawinnayake Dhammarakkhitha Thero.
The late Thero had served as the Chief Sanghanayake of the Kandy District of the Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha of the Udahamulla Sri Jinārāma Maha Vihara, and also as an Honorary Mahopadhyaya.
The cremation ceremony was held at the Navinna Public Grounds in Maharagama.
Speaking further, Professor Medagoda Abhayathissa Thero said, “Our venerable leader lived for 92 years. He fulfilled a very valuable role for the Sasana. This is a time to remember his life with joy.”
Addressing the monks present, he urged them not to become the final generation of the Sasana.
“You monks, do not become the last of the Sasana. The Buddha taught that you should hand over this monastic tradition to the next generation,” he said.
He noted that the late venerable leader had maintained a list of his disciples and had worked to nurture that community of disciples.
He said the late Thero had also been honoured by the Sangha Sabha with the position of Honorary Upadhyaya.
Professor Medagoda Abhayathissa Thero described him as a monk who possessed the wisdom to distinguish right from wrong.
He said monks are those who understand that many people follow their example, and therefore discipline others through their own conduct.
“The presence of exemplary monks is of great benefit to us,” he added.
“Our venerable leader spoke to me about certain issues that have arisen within the Sasana in recent times. If you look at the history of the Buddha Sasana from time to time, such issues have always existed,” he said.
Professor Medagoda Abhayathissa Thero further stated that the Sasana has always been closely connected with donors and supporters, like bark on a tree.
He said that if any kind of decline appears within the Sasana, both the laity and the Maha Sangha must come together to protect it with the feeling that it is their own Sasana.
Referring to the recent incident, he made what he described as a kind request.
“Some people, some groups, say that young monks should be defrocked and sent away. This Sasana is called the Noble Sasana. In such a situation, is there a possibility of defrocking them?” he questioned.
He warned that more issues could arise in the future, and said hasty decisions could create dangerous precedents.
“How many more issues will arise in the future? Without examining whether they are wrong or right, if suspects are defrocked and sent to court, and if these become precedents in the future, it will cause great harm,” he said.
He stressed that the needs of those hostile to the Sasana should not become the needs of the Sangha or the Buddhist community.
“The enemy’s need should not be our need. Therefore, when such issues arise in our Sasana, our venerable leaders have given correct decisions with steadfastness,” he said.
Professor Medagoda Abhayathissa Thero added that instead of making rushed decisions in such incidents, attention must be directed toward the collective actions that both the laity and monks should take for the future survival of the Sasana.
