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Special program by Buddhasasana Ministry

The Ministry of Buddhasasana has drawn up a special program to revive moral and spiritual values among the Buddhist public by promoting closer links between the village and the temple.

The ministry on the initiative of Minister, W. J. M. Lokubandara has drawn up a set of guidelines towards achieving this objective and solicited the cooperation of the Maha Sangha in implementing them towards achieving this objective, said a press release issued by the National Integration Program Unit yesterday.

These guidelines include the conducting of student sil campaigns and other observances in temples on poya days with adequate food supplies and toilet and other facilities for the participants discouraging the holding of musical shows and other activities inimical to Buddhist culture during poya days in the respective areas and organising of shramadana campaigns to clean up and renovate temples and other public utilities in the respective villages.

The ministry has pointed out that the present practice of holding sil campaigns in schools on pre poya days does not help in achieving the desired objectives in uplifting moral and spiritual standards among the student population. It would be better if school authorities seek the assistance of the Maha Sangha in conducting these sil campaigns on the poya day itself at the respective temples.

At the start it will be a little difficult to conduct these activities as set out in the guidelines due to financial, logistical and other constraints. But these problems could be easily overcome systematically if public and private sector institutions and organisations are drawn into support the program, the ministry has said.

Participating in projects like renovating public amenities will enable students to gain leadership qualities according to Buddhist values.

The Department of Buddhist Affairs will assist this program by providing financial assistance to temples within its limited resources on the request of the respective Vihara Karya Sadhaka Samithis or the recommendation of the Secretaries of Regional Sasanarakshaka Sabhas or Divisional Secretaries.

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