Last week the entire country was talking about one topic and it was connected to the auspicious times announced this year for the Sinhala and Hindu New Year. We talk about this controversial issue today due to the importance of protecting Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage.
Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickramanayake put the full stop to the topic when he said that in the past, the Sri Lankan people followed auspicious times given by ‘Epa Litha’ and there were no various committees, organisations etc to give auspicious times for the Sinhala and Hindu New year.
Last week it was told by some astrologers that the auspicious times announced this year for the Sinhala and Hindu New Year were inauspicious for the country and its people.
After raising opposition to the auspicious times given by ‘Nekath Seetuwa’, a group of astrologers, also including several astrologers already in the National Committee of Astrologers who complied ‘Nekath Seettuwa’, had expressed concerns to the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters.
These astrologers had pointed out that the auspicious times that had fallen at night this year would cause much damage to the country and its people. They had said that they were unaware of how such a situation had taken place and that it could be due to the inclusion of astrologers on the committee based on their political affiliations. A popular figure who was well-connected to the former President commented on this issue during an interview with a highly popular YouTube channel.
There are certain facts that need to be pointed out in connection with this issue. The first fact is the auspicious times. In the past, auspicious times fell at night for several years, but no one questioned anything and just followed those auspicious times without any argument or hesitation. But this year this has become an ‘issue’. This is a bit strange, but maybe it is due to the midnight.
The other fact that needs to be mentioned is destroying the main objective of following auspicious times by the entire country by giving a second set of auspicious times. The main objective of auspicious times is making the entire country do the same thing at the same time once every year. This is a way of uniting and renewing the relationships of the country. This is the basic idea that is visible to all without any cultural or religious differences. This basic idea has been totally destroyed by now by giving a second set of ‘auspicious times’ by another group. Now people will be divided instead of uniting. They will destroy their relationships within the family due to arguments on the correct auspicious time.
On the other hand, astrologers should think about the safety and well being of people when making auspicious times simply because they need to be alive in order to follow auspicious times ! Dying later is something that can be sorted out ! But first of all, all need to prevent immediate deaths by snake bites, falling into wells, accidents etc that are more likely to happen during night than day.
It is very interesting to see what has resulted after following auspicious times during all past several decades. Today Sri Lanka is facing the gravest financial crisis ever reported during the entire history of the country. A large number of people died due to COVID-19 even after providing them the world’s best vaccines on time free of charge. Before that several thousands of Sri Lankans died due to the LTTE terrorism, insurgencies and natural disasters.
It seems nothing or no one can go against Mother Nature no matter who tries what at what time and how. The only way of preventing disasters is maintaining mindfulness all the time. Other than this, nothing or no one will be able to save anyone or anything, anywhere, anytime. One millisecond is more than enough to get killed on a local public road! But a person with mindfulness can save his life from a gunman who is trying to shoot a target (another person) inside a shop. Leaving home using the best auspicious time will never save that life if he/she was not mindful. It is very pathetic that the majority of Sri Lankan people, including some public figures, do not understand this simple bitter truth even after witnessing it 101 times.
These auspicious times are for Sinhalese and Hindus. When it comes to Sinhalese, the Buddha had never instructed them to follow auspicious times. It cannot be found in any of his teachings. Auspicious times are purely connected with the culture and NOT with Buddhism. Unfortunately the majority of Buddhists do not know this fact and some have been blindfolded by various ‘mentally sick experts of Buddhism’. Many real Buddhist devotees say the best time is now and when someone is capable of doing something.
When it comes to Hindus, they follow auspicious times which are called ‘Muhurta’. The meaning is a moment. The term appears as early as the Rig Veda, where, according to Monier Williams, it means “a moment”. It is their right to follow whatever is connected to their own religion and culture. All the others need to recognise and respect their religion and culture. There is a huge difference between worshiping and recognizing with due respect.
Following or not following auspicious times should be decided by people because it is directly connected to their religious and cultural rights and independence. No one can decide anything for them. The people should decide what they should do. But what we need to consider is the connection between the controversy of auspicious times and politics because politicians or their political parties should not play with people’s cultural and religious rights. The people and the entire country should be concerned about this issue because a few years ago, certain political parties tried their best to get rid of the Sri Lankan people’s cultural and religious rights of following auspicious times and celebrating Sinhala and Hindu New Year. Therefore this year it is possible for them to act in the same manner.
If Sri Lankan people belonging to Sinhala and Hindu cultures can understand simple things, they can realize the facts and figures behind the controversy in connection with the auspicious times of celebrating Sinhala and Hindu New Year next month. Who does not like to see the entire country uniting and doing the same thing at the same time, wearing the same colour and looking in the same direction? Who does not want to see this happen? Maybe they are the individuals and groups who do not like to see people relaxing and enjoying themselves. Then why do those individuals and groups not want to see it? It is simply because happy people do not seek any change ! They do not need help! They cannot be antagonized against anything or anyone! Who needs distressed people’s votes in future elections? Who wants mentally disturbed voters ? We can see through still water very clearly. The analysis is not over yet.
Even a kindergarten child can very easily understand that giving auspicious times that conflict with human beings’ natural behaviours and giving two sets of auspicious times for one festival totally destroy the essence of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year Festival. What should have been done was getting together and giving practical auspicious times that do not make any conflict with natural human behaviours such as eating and sleeping. When considering this single fact anyone with an iota of brain can understand that both sets of astrologers wanted to make a mess. They do not wish the happiness and well-being of Sri Lankan people. They want to see the downfall of this country and the people.
There is more than enough time for all of them to clear this mess because these auspicious times are required on April 12th and there are more than two weeks. There are 18 more days to get together and make a single practical set of auspicious times for the entire country by all the astrologers. All astrologers have to accept the fact that they ruined the essence of the festival by giving impractical auspicious times and two sets of auspicious times. None of them can be patriots.
If they do not get together and do it within the next 18 days, then the Sinhala and Hindu people of this country can very clearly see who wants what out of messing up auspicious times. No astrologer or a group of astrologers will be able to portray themselves as patriots and the individuals who wish for the well-being of the people and the country.
The people of this country should believe in themselves and NOT in anything or anyone. Other thing is they should NOT depend on anything or anyone. It is because all are trying to use people in some way. It is impossible to think that Sri Lankan people are brainy enough to understand this because of their foolish reactions during so-called `Aragalaya’. Still Sri Lankan people can be misled by anyone at any time. If citizens living in a country believe whatever appears in social media and Internet without double checking, there is no point talking about their level of education!
