Bhikkhus are also people with feelings and emotions - Ven. Vanavasi Rahula Thero

Ven. Vanavasi Rahula Thero, the founder of Jathika Namal Uyana, pointed out that a Sanghadhikarana Bill should be urgently brought before Parliament to regulate the Bhikkhu community. Joining a press conference held yesterday (30) at the Jathika Namal Uyana premises, His Lordship emphasized that even though they have entered monastic life, Bhikkhus are a segment of humanity with feelings, perceptions, and various desires.

Ven. Rahula Thero stated that since even Lord Buddha in the past enacted rules based on various wrongdoings committed by Bhikkhus, guiding them onto the right path is an essential matter in the present day as well.

His Lordship pointed out that in a context where Sri Lanka is recognized worldwide as a Theravada Buddhist country, incidents of Bhikkhus in this country being arrested with drugs being reported as major news even by foreign media is an extremely dangerous and tragic situation. Although no one is perfect, in the face of such serious situations, subjecting the entire Bhikkhu community to strict regulation has become an essential necessity. Therefore, it is His Lordship's view that a formal mechanism for punishing wrongdoers should be established through a Sanghadhikarana Bill.

Concurrently, Ven. Rahula Thero expresses confidence that many such crises can be resolved by amending the Vihara Devalagam Act to include new clauses that align with contemporary needs. His Lordship recalled that although he had presented facts regarding the necessity of introducing a Sanghadhikarana Bill to several past governments, no one took proper steps for it, and there is a public perception that some Nikaya headquarters are obstructing it. However, His Lordship emphasized that while no one can destroy the Buddha Sasana, through such actions, the individuals involved are destroying their own lives.

Ven. Vanavasi Rahula Thero requests that the current President's special attention be drawn to resolving this complex issue by amending the Sanghadhikarana Bill and presenting it to Parliament. His Lordship, pointing out that such situations cannot be claimed to be solvable only by the government, further stated that the respective Nikayas and relevant teachers (gurus) must definitely take responsibility for the behavior of the young Bhikkhus involved in these incidents.