Outdated Temporalities Act should be amended – Ven. Theras

Cabinet approval of the has been granted to amend the Buddhist Temporalities Act to suit the present day and to draft the Theravada Monk Discourse Bill. The Government presented this proposal and the Maha Sangha commented on the amendment of these 91-year-old Acts.

Committee Member of the Sri Lanka Ramagngna Nikaya Shaasthrapathi, Principal, Parivenadhipathi Udunuwara Shasanaarakshana Bala Mandala Secretary, Venerable Galaha Sri Shantha Thera said: It is necessary to amend required Acts. Prior to bringing up the development of the Sasana, the country and its people, approval should be obtained from the Most Venerable Chief Prelates.

There are a number of problems in Bikkhu society at present. We should realize those. The Maha Sangha is on the alert and watching what is happening. The outdated Temporalities Act should be amended. But it should be done with the knowledge of Maha Sangha who knows about the erudite history. Prior to solving problems of the Sasana, society that has been destroyed by rulers who ruled the country from several years ago should be healed.

Rulers should follow the path of King Dharmashoka who was a great king had seen the Neegrodha Samanera and listened to his preach the Buddha’s doctrine and then engaged in a mission on behalf of the Sasana in history. The people of this country are watching and waiting why they are revising Acts.

Shasanarakshaka Bala Mandala of the Polonnaruwa district, Chief Sanghanayake of the Amarapura Sect, Chief Incumbent of the Jayanthi Vihara of Kaduruwela, Kaduruwela Dhammapala Nayake Thera said: I am of the opinion that the Buddhist Temporalities Act, the present government is attempting to amend is not very relevant to our temples in Polonnaruwa.

However, I believe that this Act will be most relevant to Chief Incumbents of Rajamaha Viharas.

Monks are remaining silent at this moment of time because the people of this country are victims of many severe problems and not because of anything else, the Nayake Thera said.