Don't disrupt Olympic Torch Run, says Chief Venerable

KUALA LUMPUR: Politics should be kept out of the coming Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia Venerable K.Sri Dhammaratana also urged Malaysians to refrain from interfering in the Olympic torch relay which is scheduled to take place here on Monday, 21st April, 2008.

"My request to Malaysians of all races and religions is to remain calm and to have a positive attitude. Let's make the Olympic Games successful in the name of international peace. We should let compassion be our guiding light and non-violence be our way of life," he said.

Taking a cue from the Dalai Lama, Ven.Dhammaratana reiterated that there were different platforms for different issues.

"Some people are trying to turn the Olympics into a political game but as far as I know it is an international sports meet. We must try to understand and be aware of what the Olympic Games is all about. It's an occasion celebrated together in the true spirit of sports.
"While the torch is being carried in Malaysia, we should get together and radiate positive energy for the success of the games," he said at the Maha Vihara temple in Brickfields yesterday.

Ven.Dhammaratana said a Special prayer would be held on Sunday at 9am to pray for peace in Tibet and the success of the Olympic Games.

"As a religious leader, I'm trying my best to influence the people to spread peace and pray with a sincere heart. I have invited Buddhist monks and other religious leaders in the country to join us in the simultaneous prayer.

"It's also part of our duty to influence the monks in Tibet, whether Chinese, Tibetan, Thai or Japanese, to carry the message of peace."

He also said that those who had disrupted the relay in London, Paris and San Francisco had created an unhealthy environment.

"This can be due to a lack of understanding and their emotions. Being human beings we are all different and our emotions sometimes rule our actions."

The Malaysian leg of the relay will begin on Monday at the Dataran Merdeka. It will pass by Wisma OCM, the City Hall building, Parliament House, the National Museum, National Mosque, Old Central Railway Station, Chinese Assembly Hall, Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) and KL Tower before arriving at Merdeka Stadium.

The torchbearers from Malaysia include badminton players Razif, Jalani and Rashid Sidek, Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock; women world squash champion Nicol David; bowler Shalin Zulkifli; swimmers Lim Keng Liat and Nurul Huda Abdullah; former national football team skipper Datuk Soh Chin Aun; runner Marina Chin and diver Bryan Nickson Lomas.

The Olympic Council of Malaysia will also be organising a Fun Run for the public at 7.30am on the eve of the relay at Dataran Merdeka.