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We sometimes are led to believe that the behaviour of people living under planetary influence is the cause of bad events that take place. Recently there were reports to say that there are more than twenty planets similar to the earth. The learned however, have given us details about the ill effects that occur due to the changes in the planetary system.

Today there are increasing incidents of natural disasters in the world. The mental stress caused to people has increased. Though the mental faculties have been greatly developed today, mental stress too has increased. If we look around there is evil around us.

The world has seen mental development reaching out to planetary exploration. Our mental faculties work best in times of happiness, joy, correct thinking and simple living. Lord Buddha preached the eightfold path to people who were seeking material benefits. We are influenced by our faculties of sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch and mind. We have to maintain a balance in making use of these. There was a time when people including our parents were disciplined and behaved with decorum. If we are not patient, incapable of undergoing privations and are not dedicated, what can we pass on to the next generation? We need to fight against evil forces that drag our children towards ill gotten money. A human rights culture can be distorted to an infection affecting the whole world.

The Japanese were used to living simply. They did not even lock their houses. They reached the height of development with good qualities and with less talk. Though they fought a futile war they reached economic development the hard way and with dedication.

The Lord Buddha can be regarded as a leader of economic revolution. The Japanese people made the best use of his economic vision. We know that in certain regions of Russia there lived people who were influenced by Buddhism.

This is a good time to talk about China, a country that is rising to be a big power after years of turmoil. What helped China to rise to this highest level? It could be the Buddhist way of life. People who created great art lived in China and their huge artistic talent benefitted the entire world. They were disciplined and talented. At the Gangaramaya, we have a statue of Queen Mahamaya (Lord Buddha’s mother) carrying Prince Siddhartha. This statue is said to be more than 1,200 years old and was made during the Than dynasty. In China, the parents and the elders gave to the world a rich cultural heritage. This blessing has even given an impetus to its economy.

Mental health leads to prosperity. If China, Japan, Thailand and India could tread this path they will be world leaders. Indeed, they are giving it priority. Our poor country has survived at least till now because of good qualities and good traditions. We should not be pushed around by people chanting about human rights and making pious proclamations, but we need to preserve and develop noble qualities of patience, kindness and forbearance. Today we lack physical and mental health. There are ignorant people, and others who try to live by dubious means and talk their way out of problems.

We need to develop different levels of culture according to age, for instance, from the age of 5 to 25, 25 to 50 and so on. They could be grouped together and a focused education given to them. In this way, they can develop themselves and the country too. Like what was done in the time of the great teacher Disapamok in India, we must train both the learned and the ignorant. All service sectors, including cleaning services, must be made efficient and guided. We have lost good qualities in life through the abuse of a free education. Parents are at a loss to decide whether to raise children or not as they are unable to find schools. The Gangaramaya supported the setting up of international schools here. Though they have good results, their fees are beyond the reach of many.

We did not enjoy franchise till 21 years of age. Now the age has been legalized at 18 years, but children are being employed at the age of 10 or 12. What is the future of these children? What can they dream of? We have no proper child control system in the family or in the education process.

A few days ago, there was a religious ceremony at a Nawagamuwa Temple. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in it. At a discussion with the prelates on this occasion it was decided that steps be taken to improve the mindset of all people. It was observed that unbridled desire and cravings have made our people weak and steps need be taken to correct this.

This is the understanding among all religions. First the clergy should be educated. They should be instructed about their duties. My opinion is that unacceptable behaviour must be controlled legally. As long as we allow places of accommodation, lodges, hotels and spas to function without proper control, we will not be able to protect our children, the weak and the innocent. Instead of being involved in proper employment some earn a living in a dubious manner. When there is no law and discipline in a country we will only have uneducated people around. We should know the difference between the common ox and the buffalo. They are different from each other. People are different. Their food, clothing and behaviour patterns are different. But we have one culture.

Marie Higgins, the German lady who set up Museaus College introduced the ‘Lama Saree’ to the girls. Who has taken this away? If not for the Daham Pasal, Lama Saree will not be known today. Some TV and radio stations have become channels for betting. Do the authorities know that some media organisations go to villages, provide entertainment, give a donation, and get the villagers to condemn those who were in power and those who are in power now.

Whatever it is, those who were and those who are now in power have done some service to the country. We should remember that. The beneficiaries have forgotten the past and the present. We must educate the people and help in good projects. Governance must be consistent. Then the future will be bright.

Discipline and composure will result in good mental health. Today people tend to lead others astray rather than getting them to the correct path. It is easy to say ‘let there be peace and prosperity’ but it is hard to live it.

There is war at home, war with the neighbour, war in the village, at the religious ceremony, at a party or even at a public occasion. Driving a motor car is also a war! There is no end to war! We must come to a realisation of the ills in our society, and we need to actively strive to eradicate it.