Sex education is not needed in schools - Monks' conference decides

The 'Maha Sangha Summit' was held this afternoon (20th) at the headquarters of the Buddhist Federation in Colombo, with the participation of hundreds of Buddhist monks who arrived from all parts of the island, expressing their protest against the government's failure to give due respect to Buddhism and its disregard for the long-standing tradition of seeking advice from the Maha Sangha on diplomatic matters.

Over 70% of Sri Lanka's population of approximately 22 million are Buddhists, while Hindu, Muslim, and Christian minorities also live in the country. Although the constitution guarantees all religious freedom by law, it was specifically emphasized here that the responsibility to protect and foster Buddhism as the state religion is entrusted to the government. Buddhist monks in this country have a strong influence in social, cultural, and political affairs.

At this summit, organized under the patronage of Venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero, a 10-point Sangha pledge was declared to alleviate the crises currently faced by the Buddha Sasana, the monks, and the people. Venerable Professor Agalakada Sirisumana Thero, Chief Incumbent of Bodhirajarama Temple, Lunawa, Moratuwa, and Head of the Department of Sinhala Studies at the University of Colombo, stated that the said Sangha pledge, with the signatures of all monks, is scheduled to be presented to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in the future.

Through the said pledge, the government has been informed to recognize the historical connection between the state and Buddhism, which has existed since the arrival of Arahant Mahinda, and the right of Buddhist monks to advise the state. It was further stated that, as ancient inscriptions indicate that 'non-Buddhists should not rule Lanka', non-Buddhists should not be appointed to the highest positions in the country, and rulers should act without the four prejudices (agathi) in accordance with the Buddhist political philosophy, including the Dasaraja Dharma (Ten Royal Virtues).

The need to formulate modern school education and curricula based on Buddhist educational principles centered around the Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya was also discussed at this summit. There, Professor Venerable Kotapitiye Rahula Thero, who strongly questioned the readiness to introduce sex education into schools, pointed out that even without such formal teachings, ancient Sri Lankans lived extremely successful family lives while upholding modesty, fear of wrongdoing, and cultural values.

It has been pointed out that it is the government's responsibility to protect the rights accorded to Buddhism by the Constitution and the Kandyan Convention. Furthermore, the Maha Sangha emphasized that even Western conspirators or the LTTE organization could not break the long-standing lay-monastic relationship, and that legal steps should be taken to prevent the insults and pressures faced by Buddhist monks from NGOs and social media in the present day. Additionally, it states that the government is responsible for protecting temples and devalagams (temple lands) with archaeological value, including Buddha statues, as national heritage.

At this protest, which concluded peacefully without any violent incidents, the Maha Sangha strongly urged the government to make the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and the Department of Buddhist Affairs, which are currently inactive due to the lack of a proper minister, efficient institutions again.