Chief monk keeps post

KUALA LUMPUR: Ven Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana remains as Chief Monk of the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields after surviving an attempt to oust him by several disgruntled members.

In a three-hour closed door extra-ordinary general meeting (EGM) yesterday which began at 4pm, 76 members of the Sasana Abhiwurdi Wardhana Society decided through a show of hands not to vote against Dhammaratana, while eight others wanted the resolution to be put to a vote. The society manages the temple.

A group of about 20 members had earlier obtained a court order to hold the EGM as they felt that Dhammaratana, who is also the Chief High Priest of Malaysia, had committed a grave offence by wearing a suit to the conferment ceremony of his Datukship title from the King in 2010.

Society president Tilak Leslie Jayawardena said the disgrunted members had agreed not to bring this up again in the future.

“We collectively agree that this is not the best course of action.

“The best way is through dialogue and discussion,” he said.

In describing the meeting as cordial with “no shouting”, Tilak said many members felt the EGM was unnecessary.

“As good Buddhists, we conducted this with open minds and everyone is happy with the outcome,” he said.

Don Harold Jayasinghe, a life member of the society who is among those who had sought the EGM, said he respected the members’ decision.

“What Dhammaratana did (by wearing a suit) was wrong but we are prepared to forgive, according to Buddhist values,” he said adding that they would have no problems working together again.

A jovial Dhammaratana thanked the Sinhalese Buddhist community for their positive decision and called on everyone to be united and work together.

“People make mistakes, it is human nature. This is not a big issue. We should take the good things and ignore the bad ones,” he said.

Earlier during the meeting sources said it was heated with most of those present against the removal of Dhammaratana as it would reflect badly on the temple and community.