• Buddhist scholar urges focus on Buddhist teachings

  By Dinitha Rathnayake   In August last year, the Nepalese Government formally objected to Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s statement at a webinar that Buddha was one of the greatest “Indians”. Nepal responded that it was a “well-established and undeniable fact proven by historical and archaeological evidence that Gautam Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal”. India was quick to nip the nascent controversy in the bud by asserting that there is “no doubt” that Buddha was born in Nepal. Amidst the growing vigour in the claims that Buddha was born in Sri Lanka, The Morning spoke to University of Colombo (UoC) Department of Buddhist Studies lecturer Dr. Wimal Hewamanage about this claim, the different schools of Buddhism, and the trajectory of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Below are excerpts of the interview.   [caption id="attachment_114919" align="alignright" width="404"] "Some try to prove that Buddha was born in Sri Lanka, ignoring the mountain of evidence available to prove that the real birthplace was in Nepal, which was then a part of ancient India. This is an unnecessary conflict" UoC Department of Buddhist Studies lecturer Dr. Wimal Hewamanage[/caption] It has been long-established that the Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal where the site has even been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What is your view on the idea that the Buddha was born in Sri Lanka? I don’t think we have a fair right to say that. Pali sources clearly state that Buddha was not born in Sri Lanka. According to me, this situation is troubling in several ways. This creates a complex situation among the followers. Some try to prove that Buddha was born in Sri Lanka, ignoring the mountain of evidence available to prove that the real birthplace was in Nepal, which was then a part of ancient India. This is an unnecessary conflict. We don’t have to make such claims that would make us face unnecessary economic, political, and social issues as a country. Sri Lanka is an island only about 40 miles off the coast of southeast India in the Indian Ocean, or more specifically, the Bay of Bengal. Scholars actually believe that Sri Lanka and India were once connected by a land bridge thousands of years ago, which has since been washed into the ocean. This is a fact, whether we like it or not. Why are we trying to change history? A comparative analysis of the histories of India and Sri Lanka reveal that there is more to be gained by recognising specific historical developments in Sri Lanka, rather than by regarding it as a country in which the Buddha was born. I understand the emotion behind us wanting to believe that some famous personalities are from our country. But the reality is different. People once believed that the world was flat, but now we know that it is round. What is important is not to debate about where the Buddha was born, but to discuss and understand the Buddhist philosophy since Buddhism and the Buddhist philosophy now have a global following.   What do you think about the work Buddhist monks do as activists, representing different groups in society? Despite the popular belief that monks in Sri Lanka are expected to remain detached from politics, there is a long history of monastic political engagement in the country. This activism has continued during the present transition period where monks have justified their involvement in issues that are beyond the scope of issues that are directly related to the sāsana through various methods of engagement. First is by invoking the duty of a monk to defend the sāsana or Buddhism, second is through other less confrontational ways, third is through image-building and fame, and fourth is through the propagation of the Buddha’s teachings and way of life. Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism each have their own unique identity. Theravada Buddhism came first. It focuses on the teachings of the Buddha through strict meditation and the Buddha’s Eightfold Path to Enlightenment. Theravada Buddhists seek to become arhat or fully awakened beings. Becoming an arhat requires great dedication. In fact, it’s usually only attempted by monks. On the other hand, the Mahayana tradition aimed at incorporating newer teachings into Buddhism. It also gave lay people the chance to reach enlightenment. With less emphasis on the original Pāli canon and a focus on encouraging everyone towards enlightenment, the Mahayana branch of Buddhism was established. The two major branches of Buddhism have their own interpretations of the Buddha’s teachings. But it’s important to remember that while Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism are different, they are still based on the same beliefs. In Sri Lanka, Mahayana rituals were not heavily followed until the last couple of decades, and now we see an increased emphasis on the use of these Mahayana rituals. I feel people want to commercialise Buddhism, which is not pure, and some things are mere publicity stunts.   What do you think about the conflict between religions? Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. This right includes freedom to change one’s religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, and to manifest that religion or belief in worship, teaching practice, and observance. But we don’t see that freedom in Sri Lanka. Religion is powerfully motivating, but belligerent humans fight over it and change its substance. This is simply because they refuse to admit that someone else might have a valid reason to believe in his or her own religion. People might fight because they feel that their rights, their identities, their religions, or their countries are under threat. But often people fight because they want something: More money, more land, more power. They want change. They want to control what other people do and what other people believe. For some, a religion's theological beliefs and rituals of worship are central to their lives, but it should not be a burden to anyone. Religion can play an important role in peace-making, and conflict prevention and resolution. People should not take guns in the name of religion.   How do you see Theravada vs. Mahayana Buddhism? The two major schools of Buddhism, Theravada and the Mahayana, are to be understood as different expressions of the same teaching of the historical Buddha. Theravada (Pali: “Way of the Elders”) is the major form of Buddhism prevalent in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. Theravada, like all other Buddhist schools, claims to adhere most closely to the original doctrines and practices taught by the Buddha. In the course of its history, Mahāyāna Buddhism spread throughout South Asia, Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. It remains influential today in China, Taiwan, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Nepal, Malaysia, and Bhutan. However, I don’t see a reason to argue about which is better – Theravada or Mahayana Buddhism. We have accepted great traditions and subtraditions. Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana are also subtraditions. There are three major boughs – or vehicles (yanas) – of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Just so you know where you are on that tree, Tibetan Buddhism is the third vehicle, which is Vajrayana. Each of the vehicles is styled for the different karma, needs, capacities, and proclivities of different beings. We need to follow what appeals to our sensibilities and tastes. If you find that you respond best to one or another path, or come to recognise your teacher from a particular path, that path is probably yours. Sometimes we blame one another without seeing the value of them. For example, the Mahayana schools generally recommend a vegetarian diet because Gautama Buddha set forth in some of the sutras that his followers must not eat the flesh of any sentient being. This is a good practice which we have to appreciate. Everything is mixed now. We don’t have to draw lines between one and another.   Will Buddhism disappear if we carry on down this path? According to the Buddha, this will happen one day. Only thing is we don’t have a schedule to know when and how this will happen. The Buddha said that his teaching will start to disappear. Buddhists grew very rapidly and the various schools of Buddhism are now established in all major western countries, making up a small minority in the US, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, which we have to be happy about.