Bhikkhus in universities don’t follow Buddhism: Mihintale prelate

• Says they grow their beard and moustache in the style of Saharan and follow the ideologies of Lenin and Taliban and not the doctrine enunciated by the Buddha

By B.G.Chaturanga and Kanchan Kumara   

Chief Incumbent of Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara Ven. Walawahengunawewe Dhammarathana Thera said the student Buddhist monks in universities were not following the teachings of the Buddha.  

Delivering an Anusasana at a meeting to distribute school requisites to a group of children in low income families in Mihintale division on Sunday (18), he pointed out that they grow their beard and moustache in the style of Saharan and follow the ideologies of Lenin and Taliban and not the doctrine enunciated by the Buddha.  

“The activities of these young Buddhist monks studying in universities including Pali and Buddhist University is unbecoming of them as members of the Mahasangha. Most of the university students are affiliates of political parties. They have a right to engage in politics, but without offending others. The university education of Buddhist monks should end in a maximum of four years as in the case of other university students. Their behaviour patterns lead to severe criticism bringing disrepute to the entire 40,000 Buddhist monks “Ven. Dhammarathana Thera said.