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by Afreeha Jawad

For quite some time some intra-religious strife has been around but its progressive expansion we see today - seemingly a notable increase almost taints the authenticity of the preachings enunciated by its founders.

The Mahayana and Theravada division in Buddhism is just an example with Sri Lanka being perhaps the only country which still speaks of Theravada - believably the purest form of Buddhism. Incidentally, Mahayana is more secular with priests being permitted to lead lay lives.

Christianity with its numerous divides of Protestants, Catholics, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Methodists and what not, today witnesses the Jehovah's Witnesses, the most recent development being the 'Born Again Christians'.

Muslims too have not failed in the competitive spirit - the most longstanding division being differences between the Sunni and Shiaites, with the former following the Prophet and the latter being his son-in-law Ali's disciples.

Recently we see the emergence of other groups such as Thableeq, Jawheed, Jamat E'Islam, with its 'forefinger wagging party' during prayer time in one or the other. Lengthy beards and caps are their preferred attire.

They - I mean the Thableeq among others - upheld that Mowloods or religious functions held in Prophet's honour were unwanted and uncalled for and that belief in Allah along would suffice - something totally rebuked and refuted in toto by the older Muslims and hence fell by the wayside. Conducting what is called or popularly known as 'Bayans' in their houses - with a loyal membership taking turns in such exercise - these sermons supposedly of a 'religious' fervour envelope seemingly 'unsullied devotion'.

Retrospective thinking brought to mind a relation (blood or water I do not know) also of similar group membership whose profound and prolific pronouncement echoed Thableeq 'knowledge' of Islam. "I am a perfectionist", she said when the Quran itself in Sura Ankabut drives home life's impermanence in comparing life to a spider's web. With one finger the web is gone - perfectionism and all.

Besides, I've heard of Hindu Bajans and Islamic Hadith but Bayan is altogether new to my hearing.

Today, religious assemblies from whatever ethnic quarter they may emanate, all fall short of spirituality. To many today the crying theme is 'Oh! God give me this, that and the other' - all requests of a conditional nature.

In Kataragama, an assortment of requests (I wonder how God Skanda manages with this stockpile) are made with a smiling Poosari waiting to empty the collection till. Animal sacrifices and monetary offerings, among other things, are outstanding and follow fulfilled promises.

In a total absence of food in a land where nothing grows - which exactly once was the Middle Eastern 'state' - flesh eating for survival could be tolerated - which is why the Prophet brought in the Halal concept. The constant reminder, 'Do not transgress' in the act of animal slaughter - the killing of animals only for food is as we find in Quran, evidence enough to prove the Prophet's contempt towards wanton killing of animals, when there is an abundance of fruits, nuts and vegetables.

It's time that Muslims, Sinhalese, Tamils and the various religious denominations moved away from religiosity into the higher realms of spirituality as we find embedded in Buddhist Abhidhamma through meditation, Islamic mysticism through 'Takwa' or God-consciousness, Christian sainthood and Hindu Atman through Bhavana and Yoga.

Presumably, the dynamics in a globalized market mechanism compel humans to lose sight of spirituality for they are in search of what facilitates the senses and hurry after that which comforts the flesh. Spirituality finds no place in the pecuniary nexus.

Perhaps you may even have heard people in turbulent times of personal loss say 'Baarayak Thibba, I have vowed", or, Muslims say "I have kept a Niyat" - a conditional fulfilment - a progressive increase in such offerings is seen as people's needs accentuate in a highly commercial and competitive corporate world - which is now considered part and parcel of religion. A mother was once heard telling her offspring, "Son, pray that God gives us money". So the boy went down daily on his knees to the giving God.

Money? Money for what? One may ask. Yes, to buy things - a car,a house, an airconditioner and what not. Where and to whom does that money go. Isn't it to keep the global market going.

So people pray to God not asking to see his countenance but for material wonders.

By the way, what happened to those 'Mowlanas' or 'Godly men' who made their sudden and pompous entry and exit into Muslim society? Certain families had this overwhelming tendency to even own them while they themselves 'believably' in the 'higher station' of 'Godliness' preferred not the humble shack but the luxurious dwellings of Muslim elite - how they came about those luxuries is altogether another matter. Looks like the Mowlanas have lost colour amidst the emerging Thableeq mainstay.

Today's religious functions be it Bayan, Bana or church congregation are only a display of one's social status and social entry or introduction of a potential bride or groom to the marriage market. In a relatively progressive Muslim society, prying eyes for such candidates hurriedly followed by 'inquiries' is all too conspicuous.

In a vain display of wealth and status whither spirituality?

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