EDITORIAL : THE DAILY MIRROR, SRILANKA

Conflict resolution and temple training for politicians

As pandals and lanterns continue to glitter with ceremonies to mark Vesak and the 2600 anniversary of the enlightenment of the Lord Buddha, government leaders are claiming that Sri Lanka is most honoured by the world for preserving Theravada Buddhism in its pristine purity. If they confine this to the new 16-storey Buddhist Research and Information Centre which is proclaimed as the biggest and best in the world, then it might be a case of a sandcastle that crumbles in a storm.

Instead government leaders, others in high positions and indeed all Buddhists need to remember that the only Dhamma sermon that billions of people all over the world will listen to is the Dhamma sermon of our lives and the only Buddhist scriptures the world may read are the scriptures of our lives.

In the afterglow of Vesak when we get back to the daily work, toil and struggles of our lives, we also need to reflect on some areas where we could earn the honour of the world not just by preaching the Dhamma but by practising it in various dimensions of our lives, individually and collectively. This is important especially for government leaders because often the world judges the country by the conduct of our leaders and their response to various situations. If the world sees craving for power and the subtle propagation of family dynasties through laws such as the 18th Amendment, if the world sees political leaders plundering the resources of the country through rampant bribery and corruption then it will be like the case of the devil quoting scriptures.

One of the vital areas in which our political leaders and others need to practise the principles of the Buddha Dhamma is our attitude and approach to conflict resolution. We are paying a heavy price nationally and internationally for the bloody mishandling of the ethnic conflict for more than half a century and we need to learn from it, repent and follow the path shown by the Dhamma if we wish to avoid getting into a bigger mess or muddle. One of the core teachings of the Dhamma is that violence will not cease by violence but can be conquered only by a spirit of love, compassion, accommodation and dialogue. During this Vesak period our political leaders could rise to noble heights and carry the people also with them by following the hallowed precepts for conflict resolution. The first is a paradigm shift, a change of attitude and of our mental picture or perception of any issue. We need to become aware that our perception is never absolute and always relative because our small minds despite all our big talk sees only a part of the picture. If we accept this reality that our perception is relative and not absolute then we will be able to accept the perception of other parties. Those who delude themselves into thinking that their perception of any issue is absolute, need to be reminded that they are suffering from some dangerous mental imbalance as did the notorious killer Hitler. This attitude of being open to a growing awareness and understanding will also open the door for a dialogue where we will be sincerely ready to listen to the grievances and aspirations of the other party or parties instead of just trying to win the argument at any cost such as the bloody cost we paid for the 30-year ethnic war because of various factors beginning from the “Sinhala only” folly of 1956.

If all parties are ready to listen to each other with an open mind then the synergy will generate a positive situation where one plus one will make three – meaning that all parties will see the issue in a new light and be ready to come to some accommodation on the middle path.

In the light of the wisdom of the Dhamma it might be also prudent for Sri Lanka to consider a 20th Amendment whereby those who wish to enter politics beginning at the local council level would first need to take a vow of simplicity, humility and sincerity and go to a temple for a year or two where Nayake Theras could teach them how to be selfless, detached, sacrificial and honestly serve the people in the field of politics. A minister is doing this for two weeks, and it should be wise for others to follow this example.