Derobing for Development

 ‘Derobe’ for Development!

By Prof Samitha Hettige

President Trump has changed his stand on Russian oil in a bid to reduce US fuel prices prior to midterm elections (Media). Buddhists see change as an opportunity to grow & enlighten but a threat. May be he was updated that ‘Buddhism’ embraces change as an inherent aspect of life as emphasized in ‘Pali’ as ‘Anicca’ (impermanence). By understanding & accepting the transient nature of existence, individuals can cultivate resilience & inner peace leading to personal transformation & liberation (Ref. Changecompass). While some are critical of the fronts which liberate people others are discussing dress code change (Derobing). The earliest known use of the English verb ‘Derobe’ was in the 1840s (Oxford). It’s a   combination of the prefix ‘De’ (reverse/ remove) with ‘Robe’ (a long flowing outer garment) (Webster). Some analysts believe that Prime Minister Sir John Kotalawala in mid 1950s experienced a negative impact when he said that he would ‘Derobe’ immoral Buddhist monks & paint their heads with tar.  Others who talk about derobing say that the English didn’t ‘Derobe’ Ven. Wariyapola Sumangala after being jailed in 1818.  Two decades before the verb was introduced the English Governor has pardoned him in 1821.

Ven. Sumangala’s statue located near the ‘Temple of Tooth’ in Kandy is a tourist attraction & tourism is an industry Sri Lankans should constantly ‘Derobe’ for innovative development to earn more wealth. It is important as poverty levels in Sri Lanka are significantly high at present (Ref. World Bank).  

Chinese Robes Develop Tourism

The Buddhist statues at the ‘Zhihua’ temple in Beijing (Ref. Picture) feature robes with painted patterns that simulate embroidery & finely woven textiles. These mimic the look of real high quality fabrics. Chinese authorities have restored 11 such statues from the Ming era during 2003 – 4. Those who visit the ‘Sanxingdui’ museum are able to see enlarged details of the surface patterns through digitized images. ‘Sanxingdui’ museum launched the ‘Glory of Bronze Civilization’ with the Rodin museum of France in 2024. It was a dialogue between ‘Sanxingdui’ & Auguste Rodin across space & time’. During the dialogue in Shanghai, 3000 year old ‘Sanxingdui’ bronze artifacts were compared with sculptures by French artist Auguste Rodin (Ref. Sanxingdui). In French language the verb ‘dérober’ may mean stealing, disappearing discreetly or slipping away secretly (Collins). Obstacles to develop the tourism industry in Sri Lanka shouldn’t be allowed to disappear without being properly addressed. Sri Lankans are exposed to unprecedented opportunities to strengthen the economy (not only tourism sector) with the Belt & Road Initiative of China. Views expressed are personal.

The writer is an Academic & the Executive Director of the ‘Zheng He Center’ in Colombo. Photo Source: WWW