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| Saturday, 04 September 2004 |
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Chinese delegation seeks help to propagate Theravada Buddhism A Buddhist delegation from the Yunnan Province of the People's Republic of China called on Minister of Buddha Sasana, Public Security, Law and Order and Deputy Minister of Defence Ratnasiri Wickremanayaka at the Buddha Sasana Ministry on Thursday. The delegation is led by Xiong Shengxiang, Director of Religious Affairs Bureau of Yunnan Province, Dao Shuren, Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China and President of Buddhist Association of Yunnan Province, Dong Yun, Vice Chief of Department One of the Religious Affairs Bureau of Yunnan and Hu Lanzhi, Assistant Researcher of Religious Affairs Bureau. Shenxiang told the Minister that they are here to strengthen religious and cultural ties between the two countries and specially to propagate Thervada Buddhism in the Yunnan province and gain more knowledge and practice of Theravada Buddhism practised in Sri Lanka. He said five Bhikkus from China are studying at the Vidyodaya Pirivena and the Kelaniya University. They sought the Minister's assistance to send more Bhikkhus from China to study Theravada Buddhism to propagate Theravada Buddhism in China. He said the Chinese government has laid stress on development of spiritual values alongside technological development and to inculcate human values. The tour is also intended to exchange views on propagation of Theravada Buddhism and cultural ties with Sri Lanka. They will also meet the Mahanayaka Thera and invite the prelates to visit China and assist in cementing religious ties. He also invited the Minister to visit Yunnan province. Wickremanayake said China was now a developed country and was glad that China has laid stress on spiritual advancement of the people along with the technological advancement. He said however much a country is developed technologically, it would be of no use if the moral and spiritual values are not practised. He said his ministry would co-operate to train Bhikkhus from China to spread the word of Dhamma. Minister said ties between Sri Lanka and China started through Buddhism which later developed to economic and trade relations. He said Sri Lanka is still a developing country and China has assisted the country in several development efforts. He invited China to invest more in Sri Lanka by opening joint ventures and assist Sri Lanka's development. B. A. Abeywickrema, Secretary, Ministry of Buddha Sasana were also present at the discussion. |
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