‘Contribute to uplift needy temples’
Members of the Buddhist community including the clergy should
contribute to uplift needy temples parallel to the efforts of the
government. It is the duty of those who could afford, to provide
requirements to the temples which are rendering unique services to
discipline the society, said Parliamentary Affairs Secretary to the
President Kumarasiri Hettige in his address as Chief Guest at the
ceremony to offer requisites to the temples located in rural areas in
the island.
The ceremony held at the International Buddhist Centre recently was
organized under the patronage of Ven Maharagama Mahinda Thera, Chief
Incumbent, Wellawatta International Buddhist Centre. Hettige said
Buddhist places of religious worship islandwide are being developed
today by the devotees of the area. The Buddhist community is able to
devote their time, energy and resources for such religious duties due to
the peaceful environment prevailing in the country with the elimination
of terrorism.
“Every effort should be made to establish a righteous society to
achieve further development economically. In this regard the Buddhist
places of religious worship could exert a great influence on the
children as well as adults,” he said. The government is rendering yeoman
service to uplift the Buddhist dispensation, Hettige pointed out.
“The Sangha is the life blood of the Buddhist nation. However, some
elements criticize the conduct of their own brethren. Laymen should not
be involved in such disputes”, he said. He added that temples should not
be turned into business centres.
“Such trends should be averted”, he said adding, if the temples and
Maha Sangha are strengthened, it would not be difficult to build a
righteous society.
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