Philosophy of hate and violence View(s):It came as no surprise. Gnanasara Thera probably thought he could undermine that institution, too, and cow it into subservience with his weaponised verbiage like he did to others untrammelled. One of the victims was Ven Watarekke Vijitha Thera who Gnanasara Thera threatened to disrobe in the presence of the media. What is galling, however, is the Kotte mahanayake’s unsubstantiated assertion that Gnanasara Thera preaches his aggressive philosophy for the benefit of the country and the Sri Lankan people, a philosophy of hate, violence and incendiary rhetoric that is nowhere to be found in the moderate, peaceful and non-violent teachings of the Buddha. Isn’t it the same philosophy of hate and violence that is now being propagated in the name of standing up for the nation and speaking on behalf of its people?

Source: Sunday Times August 25, 2018 18:22 UTC