A case has been filed before the Tangalle High Court against a Bhikku who participated in a dhamma sermon at the Carlton House in Tangalle. The complaint has been filed by a group of Bhikkus including Omalpe Sobitha Thera alleging that the Bhikku concerned had violated the dhamma discipline by preaching incorrect dhamma material.
Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa has also been named as an accused in the case.
In a media release the National Sangha Council which filed the case said it was filed against Chittagalle Anandasiri Thera who participated in the dhamma discourse at Carlton House for distorting the dhamma and thereby breaking the dhamma discipline. The Council said the case has also been filed against Minister of Sports Namal Rajapaksa and Minister of State DV Chanaka for facilitating the sermon which the council regards as a crime against the Sasana.
“Therefore we have sought the help of the Tangalle High Court to seek redress for the crime committed against the Sasana by preaching of the dhamma as unrighteousness and unrighteousness as dhamma.”
According to the council a video of the sermon circulating shows the Bhikku describing the Lord Buddha as a person who has no heart, who breaks down family institutions and one who has no social consciousness.
The Thrainikayika Mahanayake Theras, the Minister of Buddha Sasana, the Commissioner of Buddha Sasana and several other parties have been named as responsible for this matter.
Ven. Ranpathwila Wimalarathana Thero pointed out that Ven. Chittagalle Thero addresses the Buddha using informal terms such as ‘Eya’ and ‘Meya’. The council has also slammed the statement made by the Bhikku claiming that all Bhikkus in the country must be killed in order to build the nation. “Killing a huamn or aiding and abetting that act should not be done by a Bhikku” the statement said.
Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thero said that a bhikkhu who pretends to be a Theravada bhikkhu and preaches the Dhamma in a way that does not conform to Buddhism and distorts the philosophy of the Buddha causes the decline of the Sangha.
While the Mahanayake Theras have been informed of the incident Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera further said that the Bhikkus had to seek the help of the courts as they did not receive any reply from them.
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