A Romantic Priest At The Ministry Of Morals

By Ravi Perera –FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Ravi Perera

“False face must hide what the false heart doth know” ~ Macbeth – Shakespeare

The reach of the modern media is limitless; lifting the cloak on institutions which for centuries had remained inviolable, its light flashing into each nook and corner, challenging long-held beliefs, remaking our opinions on every man and matter.

Circulating on the internet recently were some pictures/videos of a supposed Buddhist priest with a female companion, allegedly his mistress. Found in a compromising situation, they were surrounded by angry devotees of his temple, probably the arrangers of the entrapment, and some police officers. His private life bared to the wide world, the priest was hardly coherent. The female companion for some reason appeared to be handcuffed, adding further humiliation to the feeble, one most vulnerable.

Understandably, we are indignant when those claiming moral authority over us, a priest, a teacher, a judge, strays across the line of rectitude. Not only do they occupy socially important positions, their situation confers a certain authority transcending legal definition. Respect is accorded to them, the society at large will defer respectfully to their opinion. Often, held up as worthy, we look to them for guidance, exemplars for the younger generation.

We humans are fallible, often faltering, failing, betraying the principles we profess. In a society in obvious decay, such failings are rampant, everything is in turmoil; there are no norms or standards, anything goes; mammon is the only true god. We see this decline particularly in the clergy, a much diminished institution today.

Far from the religion’s fundamental asceticism and renunciation of the worldly life, the order has become an institution awash in the material. Obtaining rich patrons, brokering power and gathering wealth; the institution is given more to the ritualistic aspects of religion; forgoing the essential, for the pursuit of the illusion. There is a gaping chasm between the inspiring philosophy of Buddhism and the real lives of its adherents, observably flawed in both character as well as of mind.

If the clergy is diminished, it is the overwhelming theme of the layman; lives highlighted only by their acts of foolishness, incompetence, lies and deceit.

Who among those angry devotees of the temple could cast the first stone?

If we assume that the average devotee is a creature of the society he comes from, and at the same time, partly responsible (however small that responsibility) for the country around him, a tentative character sketch suggests itself.

Instinctive, discontent, superstitious, a life commonplace in every aspect. Religion for him is the occult, worshipping of false gods and indulging in lurid rituals. He will grovel before those he considers his superiors, pleading for favours and benefits. His working life is marked by an indifferent performance at the work place, taking/giving of bribes, making of false expense claims and stealing from the employer. It is not enough, for further prosperity he pleads to a pantheon of gods. To ease a heavy conscience, the man may occasionally indulge in a so called religious rite or an act of charity, whenever possible, giving the exercise wide publicity. Here is a pious man, the multitude will proclaim!

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