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Vesak messages

Buddha's teachings will help find solutions to country's problems - President

Following Buddhist principles will enable us to find solutions to most of our problems and achieve peace, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said in her Vesak message. The Buddhist philosophy is indeed a guideline for solution of conflicts, President Kumaratunga said.

The message:"First of all let me wish a Happy Vesak to all Buddhists in Sri Lanka who in unison join the global Buddhist community to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Buddha's life.

This is a festival giving priority to the two fold methods of paying obeisance, namely "Amisa pooja" and "Prathipaththi pooja" meaning reverence by offerings and reverence by observance of principles or precepts. With reference to the latter, the eight fold noble path is the way to correct living as envisaged in Buddhist teachings. Correct perspective, correct concept, correct speech, correct action, correct livelihood, correct endeavour, right mindfulness and right concentration are the way of life taught therein. Equanimity, universal love, compassion, softheartedness, non-hatred, non-revengefulness and free thinking are all Buddhist principles that are sine quo non of a developed democratic society.

In Sri Lanka, a country claiming a heritage of 2500 years of Buddhist history, it is profusely deplorable to witness a drastic moral and cultural degradation accompanied by a high rate of crime during the past few years. Anti-social activities such as alcoholism, drug addiction and child abuse are on the increase day by day. Against this backdrop, it is high time for us now to regain ourselves by adapting our lives in keeping with the noble teachings of the Buddha, the Supreme Being.

Buddha proclaimed that unabated endeavour, presence of mind and action with circumspect associated with righteous living, will increase the fame and fortune of a person. If our masses and their leaders follow these Buddhist principles solutions to most of our problems will not be that uneasy to find. That way, we will also be able to achieve peace that we all seek. On this great full moon day of Vesak, may all of us resolve to conduct our ways of living in terms of the teachings of Buddha, the Supreme Being.

"Assahasena Dhammena - Samane Nayathi Pare,
Dhammassa Guththo Medhavi - Dhammattohthi Pavuchchathi"

(Dhammapada - Dhammatta Wagga)

(Unaffected by malice, the wise one who endures victory or defeat by righteous and peaceful means, is full of merits activated by the Law of Nature).

May you all be blessed with a Happy Vesak.

Buddhist doctrine a strong foundation for harmony - PM

The Buddhist doctrine of inculcating universal love, compassion, softheartedness and equanimity is a strong foundation to build up goodwill and fraternity among each other and among different communities, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in his Vesak message.

Buddha, the Supreme Being proclaimed that hatred could be overcome by non-hatred and compassion and equanimity towards all beings. We are presently engaged in the exercise of following this illustrious teaching to solve the riddles and crises that we encounter in our country today, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said.

The message: "The Vesak Full Moon Poya is a day of sublime significance to Buddhists the world over including those of Sri Lanka, as it is the day commemorating the triple event of birth, attainment of enlightenment and passing away of Buddha, the Supreme Being. Buddha's teachings enunciated 2500 years ago for the well-being of the people are more appropriate to the modern world which is replete with rifts, conflicts and struggles.

"In the modern society the phenomenon of "Amisapooja" or paying obeisance by rituals is more conspicuous in Vesak celebrations but the need of the hour is to give priority to "Prathipatthi pooja", the homage by observance of principles or precepts, because that alone will usher in a civilized society. "The sole objective of our endeavour is to regain Sri Lanka as the Dharmadweepa, the land of righteousness, which it was. May all beings do well with the blessings of the noble Triple Gem."

Opposition Leader's Vesak message

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse in a Vesak Day message states:

"The Vesak festival which is extremely important both in the national and religious point of view being the day on which the birth of Siduhath Bodhisatta, the Enlightenment and Parinibbana are commemorated is the opportunist hour to explain the reality of humanity not only to Buddhists but to the whole world, Opposition Leader, Mahinda Rajapakse said in his message issued on the occasion of Vesak celebrations.

"As a nation we have been celebrating Vesak during a period for over two thousand years as evidenced by legends and archaeological resources, Religious activities and observances are equally important, Rajapakse said.

He said thorana, dansala, bhakthi geetha, decorations and processions are essential elements for the continuous existence of the Buddhist culture. There is historical evidence to substantiate this fact. As Buddhists we should make it a point to display Buddhist flags at our houses we live in an era when the Buddhist philosophy and practice should be illuminated to the whole world. We should explain to the world community at the four noble truths is the path to get ride of misery, is the correct way of findings solution to all the problems encountered by the people. We should tell the world that eight fold path or Madyama Prathipada is the only way to emancipation.

The gist of doctrine discured by the Buddha during a period of forty five years is based on Madyama Prathipada. Modern mass media should be made use of to disseminate the Buddha's noble doctrine to the world population.

Sri Lanka which is regarded as the country where pure Buddhism prevails to take the lead to propagate Buddhism all over the world he said and he wishes a prosperous. Vesak festival to all the people in the world including the Buddhist population in Sri Lanka," the message said.

Vesak celebrated in spirit of brotherhood

Message of John Amaratunga, Minister of Interior and Christian Affairs

Vesak which is the most hallowed day for all Buddhists is an event which all Sri Lankans irrespective of religion or race celebrate with their Buddhist brethren in a spirit of brotherhood.

The thrice blessed occasion of Vesak which marks the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Lord Buddha is a day venerated and respected by non-Buddhists as well because Buddha Dhamma shows a way of life to all mankind to rid oneself of all evil and find peace within oneself. Lord Buddha's teachings is for all time and it is through the light of Dhamma that we could find a sure path to overcome conflicts and disputes not only among individuals and groups but also even among nations and races. Lord Buddha's teachings stem from disciplining one's mind to find inner tranquility.

It augurs well for peace and unity of the country for the non-Buddhists such as Hindus, Christians and Muslims to join with their Buddhist brethren in the organisation of varied Vesak events such as Dhamma Sermons, meditation, erecting pandals, lanterns, conducting dansalas, singing of Vesak devotional songs or helping the needy poor.

In a conflict ridden world of today Lord Buddha's teachings become more relevant as a practical way for resolution of conflicts through show of loving kindness, compassion and equanimity. At a time when Sri Lanka is in quest for a lasting peace in the country by resolving the ethnic conflict let us all reflect on the ideals Lord Buddha has shown us.

Greetings to Buddhist brethren

Message from M.H. Mohamed, Minister of Western Region Development, Chairman Sri Lanka Islamic Centre

I am happy to send my greetings to the Buddhist brethren in Sri Lanka, who are celebrating three significant events of the life of Lord Buddha on this Vesak Day.

I see there are many points of convergence as well as similarities in Buddhism and Islam, in spite of the fact that these two great religious traditions originated in far away localities.

Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha in the 6th century century B.C. in India and Islam was preached by Prophet Muhammad in the 6th A.D. in Arabia. Although separated by 12 centuries both these great leaders preached a new way of life that held out promise of the true purpose and freedom from the confusion and disillusionment of their respective worlds. Just as Buddhism shows the path to deliverance is through the Eight-Fold Path, the path to salvation in Islam is through the observance of five pillars as stipulated in Koran.

Today we are in a better position to celebrate Vesak and other religious festivals due to the prevailing peaceful environment in the country. Let us resolve on this Vesak Day to contribute our share to this peace effort and help to re-build our country in an enlightened manner in keeping with the teachings of Lord Buddha and other great religious leaders.

I wish a very happy Vesak for all Sri Lankans.

Core message is Peace

Message of the Catholic Bishops

On behalf of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka, we wish to offer our sentiments of joy as the Buddhist Brethren of our country celebrate the Vesak festival this year.

We know that it is a festival of great significance to the Buddhists all over the world. We join with them with sentiments of brotherhood and solidarity as citizens of Sri Lanka. The core message of Vesak is Peace. We are living in an hour in which the most important need is Peace. Let us join hands together to promote and foster a culture of Peace in our beloved motherland.

Best wishes and Happy Vesak.

Bishop Harold Anthony Perera, Chairman, Catholic National Commission for Inter-Religious Relations.

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