On 18.12.2001, there was a news item in your paper (Late City Edition) where at a reception to the Ven. Samitha thera , the Ven Pallantara Sumanajothi thera has said that there should be a hundred monks in parliament. Why not 225 monks in parliament with the president too being a monk? Why can’t we recruit monks to the judiciary, the police and armed services?

The purpose in taking to the robes is to follow a spiritual life, with the ultimate purpose of gaining enlightenment. The Buddha endowed with supernatural wisdom realized that it was not possible to gain enlightenment while being engaged in mundane affairs. This is what made him give up the worldly life.

We Buddhists have the highest veneration for our sangha, that’s why we prostrate before them. In parliament a monk is just another person, subject to abuse, vilification insult and even obscene language. He will also have to bow to the speaker every time the latter comes in and goes out of the chambers, unless of course he gets a special ruling, which is highly unlikely.

If after entering the order a monk feels, it’s not his calling then he is free to disrobe and follow his vocation.
A concerned Buddhist