By Ven. Dr. Walpola Piyananda
Chief Sangha Nayake for the U.S.A.
As has too often been the case in the last 19 years, our beloved Sri Lanka is once again facing a challenge to all people. The Tigers have been terrorizing this poor, suffering land, but we have a unique opportunity now to improve the situation, and should act immediately.

Now that we have had a change of regime, and in fact have opposing parties in the Presidency and the Parliament. Our president is still Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike, but her party will now be the opposition party; and the former opposition leader, Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe, is now the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and his party will be ruling the government. We stand at crossroads. So do we play partisan politics? Do we face a constitutional crisis, as some scholars warn? Or do we come to our senses and realize it’s time now to swallow our pride over our relative political strengths, to avoid gloating, and to join together for the good of our desperate little country. Dhammapada says, "Victory begets enmity; the defeated dwell in pain. Happily the peaceful live, discarding both victory and defeat."

It’s time now for a government of national unity, just as President Bush and the opposition leader Congressman Gephardt have called for in the U.S. saying that "Country must be first, and parties, second." Also, Israel has managed time and time again after their elections to form a coalition government, which is why they are so powerful in that region of the world. We are facing an extreme crisis, but we have the resources to overcome it. For example, after the general election, Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe, now the Prime Minister, had offered to form a coalition government, which is in the spirit of unity and we should take this opportunity to strengthen ourselves against future destructive forces, which may come against our country.

Referring to our long tradition of Buddhism, we should remember that the Buddha said, "sukkha sanghassa samaggi", that is, "Happy is the unity of the Sangha," but this applies to every group of people, not only to ordained monks. It is time to pay a little more attention to the advice of the Buddha, all of us, laymen and monks, sincere citizens of our country must unite.

What can we learn from the Buddha to foster this unity among the diverse groups of our small but complicated land? Upon questioning by his closest disciple, Ananda, the Buddha explained how a certain group of people, the Vajji, were able to maintain their prosperity, unity and peaceful coexistence. The Vajji had what they called the Practices of Non-Decline. They include:

* gathering together for discussion frequently;

* meeting in harmony and unity, leaving in harmony and unity, and carrying out their affairs in harmony and unity;

* respecting and following all their laws under their constitution;

* respecting and listening to worthy leaders, both religious and secular;

* refraining from committing or advocating violent crimes, rape, destroying other’s property, or killing;

* respecting, protecting, and maintaining their ancestral religion and shrines;

* providing for the safety of, studying from, and respecting teachers who have attained the way;

The Buddha said, "As the people of Vajji continue to observe these seven practices, it is certain that their country still prospers."

Now during this time of change in the government, it is the perfect opportunity for the LTTE leaders to also change their tactics, to leave behind violence and separatism, and to move forward to negotiate in peace. Thinking of future generations, our children and their future, we all should try peaceful methods and patience for their sakes so that they need not grow up in fear. Dhammapada says "All tremble at violence; all fear death. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill."

The Buddha taught us, "Hate is never overcome by hate. By love is hatred overcome. This is the eternal law." Jesus Christ taught, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Following their example, let us aim at creating a society where calm, peace, and understanding can prevail over conquest and defeat; where the persecution of the innocent is vigorously denounced; where one who conquers oneself is more respected than those who conquer millions by violence; and where hatred is conquered by love. Let wisdom and compassion be the driving forces of our actions; let all living beings be treated with fairness; and let peace and harmony reign in our hearts.

The time is right. Let’s show that, in the spirit of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, as well as modern teachers of non-violence, i.e., Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.; in the spirit of true democracy and respect for our fellow human beings; we can work together, live together, solve our problems together, and create the Sri Lanka we have been dreaming about for decades. Let’s help to overcome 19 years of terror, let’s learn to show respect, restraint, and universal lovingkindness. Let’s join forces for the greater good of all the citizens of our island nation, so that we can be a light unto the world.

Let’s leave a legacy of peace, progress, and prosperity for our Sri Lankan children, no matter their religious, ethnic, or socioeconomic group. I urge our politicians to join together in a powerful coalition for the good of all, and I urge my

fellow Sri Lankans to support such a coalition. Let’s rededicate ourselves to unity and peace now.

Let us overcome anger with lovingkindness,

Let us overcome cruelty with compassion,

Let us overcome jealousy with appreciative joy,

Let us overcome greed with equanimity,

Let us overcome ignorance with wisdom.