| “The teachings of the Buddha help us to bring the world the means of resolving all disputes that arise from unbridled desire. Thus it behoves upon us to give to the world the path to peace and consolation from these great teachings of the Sammasambuddhatva or Great Enlightenment of the Buddha, 2600 years ago”, President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Vesak message said.
“In achieving a lasting and sustainable peace in our land, and help us move to our goals of development, we have sought to follow the teachings of the Sakyamuni Sammasambuddha that showed the path to free us from the four evil dispositions of desire, hatred, fear and ignorance. Accordingly, the policies of our government give foremost place to the Buddha Dhamma”, said the President.
The President in his Vesak message, further said that, “Through 2600 years, the teachings of the Buddha have shown the correct path of livelihood to mankind. The comfort and consolation these provided to humans remain immeasurable. Today our motherland is honoured throughout the world for preserving the teachings of the Buddha in their pristine purity through two millennia and more.”
The President further added, “Let an angry man be conquered by love; an evil man by goodness. Let a miser be won over by liberality; and a liar by truthfulness” states the Dhammapada in the “Koda Vagga”. This exhortation of the Buddha should always nurture us facing up to all challenges.
“On this Vesak festival, it should be out determination to take refuge in the teachings of the Buddha, and through the proper observation of the teachings of Buddhism, make this 2600 Sammasambuddhatva Jayanthi meaningful to all people”, he said.
Cardinal calls on Catholics
to actively participate
in Vesak celebrations
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjit has called upon all Catholics to actively participate in the commemoration of the thrice blessed day of Vesak and the 2600th anniversary of the enlightenment of the Lord Buddha.
The Cardinal, who is also the Archbishop of Colombo and the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Sri Lanka, and has taken many initiatives to bring about inter religious unity in diversity, said Catholics should avoid the eating of meat or fish and the consumption of liquor in compliance with the five main precepts of Buddhism.
Cardinal Malcolm has also advised Catholics to listen to Dhamma sermons, practise them and in various other ways cooperate with the Buddhists in making this significant Vesak poya week a time that will transform their lives to be sincere and sacrificially serve others instead of confining it to pandals, lanterns and outward rituals. |
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