![]() It is ironic to see groups that should preach ‘ahimsa’ (non violence) using “blood” (le’) indirectly to symbolise their call for violant action! Fortunately my gut feeling is that this call is fizzling out without a ‘climax’, with some symbols now appearing without the (blood ’le’) words and others with only the lion. It is unfortunate to see Buddhist ideology after distortion creeping, in the quest to destabilise society and grab power by manipulative political groups. (Power Games in War and Peace: the tragic impact of corruption, violence and impunity on the Sri Lankan child. Koenigsberg contrasts this concept to the Buddhist phylosophy (if interpreted and practiced correcrtly), that seeks to discover the self in a place separate from language and symbolic systems such as race.Īlmost every government uses terms like “Nationalism”, “Democracy”, etc to mobilise youth to sacrifice their lives to maintain or grab power. The ISIS now uses distorted versions of Islam as Jihad. More recently Prabhakaran used the same concept and manipulated the inner ethinic inclusiveness and insecurity for survival of Tamils. He believed that if Germans fused together (as opposed as individual) like a single block of steel would create an indestructible body that no one could tear apart. Hitler like most fanatic nationalists, believed his nation to be in a process of deterioration. Americans today use “Safeguarding Democracy” in their quest to dominate the world while Hitler used the symbol of Aryanism or Swasthika. ‘Empire’ was used by Alexander, ‘Chanda’ Asoka and the British or Crusades used Christianity as a Symbol. All one needs is a symbol to rally around. These symbolic associations could be manipulated by power hungry (so called) leaders. Rulers often make use of these divisions to establish power locally or between Nations. Naturally Jews have their strength due to their ethnic inclusiveness and so are most minorities all over the world. the subject of child abuse and abuse in child conscription! However, in the absence of White vans today I am not reluctant to divulge my identity!Ĭommunities especially minorities feel insecure when they are by themselves as individuals, (or even majority groups when threatened and insecure or made to feel insecure by ruthless politicians) but feel strong as a ‘herd’ and would like to belong to a group either as an Ethnic or Religious group or both. One’s commitment to a religion should be the understanding of religious priniciples, the conscience of the practice of the religion in terms of correct attitudes and behaviour in society and home.īy discussing this highly controversial topic, I am likely/may offend many of all faiths and maybe it may be like opening a can of worms! I have anyway had a history of stirring hornet’s nests in the past, eg. However, the right to worship and having statues, crosses, “budhu geys“ (domestic place of worship) at home is a right of a person, which should be considered private. ![]() Haircuts, beards, ‘fish symbol’, attire, body language and jargon and distinguish members from outsiders and convey the clan in a subtle way maybe with a sense of moral superiority. For a few, covert ways of identifying clan members as happens in the West is by using “Gang symbols”. Others although not ‘racist’, (including politicians) favour the ‘religion ‘of the ‘college flag’ when giving appointments. I suppose school colours or court of arms also reflect the clannish feelings. I believe for most, it is an innocent action of bringing blessings or good luck from these religious symbols rather than being extremist or racist! A vehicle is accident prone and sometimes it’s lethal to occupants and needs supernatural powers to save them rather than drive carefully or obey laws!! One of my friends said that his Wife believes that the husband cannot resort to any vices (?except alcohol) in a holy environment of the car! or does it apply for the wife as well? However, prominent display of Buddha or Christian statues on dashboards, quotes from the Quoran across windscreens, or crosses hanging from mirrors reflect inner feelings of each group. ![]() Open ethnic and religious sentiments such as Sinha-le (blood of the lion/Sinhala) have become fashionable in Sri Lanka with slogans across windscreens usually among the lower social groups such as three wheeler drivers who are bold enough to display the fashion! Are these people a majority who are Buddhists commited with deep convictions or are they displaying their ignorance? Do they even understand one stanza of the great philosophy of Buddhism? The upper strata except for a few are not that bold or are not convinced of the radical movement. ![]()
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