Street shows meant for profit-making and entertainment overshadow the sacred meaning of the festival, they say

Buddhist monks have urged the government to ban commercial entertainment programmes, which violate Buddhist principles, during an annual festival commemorating the arrival of Buddhism on the island nation in the Indian Ocean centuries ago, according ot a report published by UCAN.

The monks said street dancing, folk performances, musical shows, comic acts, devil dances and haunted house exhibitions contradict Buddhist values. They lack religious significance and overshadow the sacred meaning of Poson Day.

The festival is celebrated on the full moon day of Poson — the seventh month in the Sinhalese calendar — which falls on June 10 this year. It marks the historic event in the 3rd century BC when Buddhist missionary monk Mahinda met King Devanampiyatissa at Mihintale, near Anuradhapura, and delivered his first sermon.

“We urge [the government] that this sacred day be recognised as one of the most important for Sri Lankan Buddhists,” said Ven. Thumbulle Seelakkanda Thera, Chairman of the All Ceylon Shasanarakshaka Bala Mandalaya, who addressed a press conference, with fellow monks, in Colombo, on June 4.

The monks sought a ban on street entertainment programmes and also appealed to people against organising them during Poson Week, celebrated in towns and villages across the country.

“Such activities should not take place. It is deeply regrettable if they do,” the chief monk added.

The monks said the event is meant for spiritual reflection, compassion, and moral discipline.

Traditionally, the Buddhist faithful observe sil (stressing moral conduct or virtue), visit temples, meditate, listen to sermons, offer alms, organise free food and flower stalls, light lanterns, and join pilgrimages, honouring the arrival of Buddhism with devotion and reflection. Many lay groups are also worried that sacred observances are being overshadowed by loud, secular performances and events.

Nileesha Chulani, a member of a Buddhist lay group and Sunday school teacher, said in the initial years, public displays depicting hell were meant to illustrate the consequences of sin, often incorporating artistic elements and offering some form of religious instruction.

“Today, these displays have turned commercial, driven by profits rather than spiritual purpose,” the 32-year-old Chulani told UCA News.

R.M.P. Rathnayake, the Commissioner for Buddhist affairs, said the events are granted permission as per the rules provided in government circulars. The organisers need approval from the police for the use of loudspeakers, etc., and pay entertainment tax.

“The use of Buddhist flags, particularly at free food stalls, has now been prohibited,” he said.

More than 70 percent of Sri Lanka’s 22 million people are followers of Buddhism.

For the past two years, the festivities were funded by the people as Buddhist monks turned down the Sri Lankan government’s offer for financial support, as the nation was passing through a severe foreign exchange crisis.

The monks walked the streets to collect funds for illuminating and providing facilities for the two million visitors at the Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya, a historic landmark in the Buddhist-majority nation.

This year, the National Poson Festival will be state-sponsored, which the monks said is a relief for them.The festival is second only in importance to Vesak, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Buddha, who founded the contemplative religion of Buddhism in India.