President's Vesak message:
Buddhist philosophy could provide solutions to modern man-made conflicts
The noble Buddhist philosophy could provide solutions to modern
man-made conflicts President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said in
a Vesak message. She also said: "We are striving to arrive at an
honourable peace acceptable to all following the lessons on equality
bequeathed to us by the Buddha".
The message:
"I wish a happy Vesak to Sri Lankan Buddhists who together with the
Buddhists the world over are celebrating the thrice blessed Vesak Day.
"Buddhism based on equality, compassion, kindness and sympathy is a
philosophy of life that transcends the bounds of mere religion.
Even modern scientific investigations have confirmed its nobleness,
rationality and supremacy. It is also the life philosophy that guided
the Sri Lankan Buddhists for ages.
Buddhist philosophy could provide solutions to modern man-made
conflicts. If people act according to Buddhist philosophy that clearly
says that a man's greatness does not depend on birth, race, religion or
caste most of the ethnic and racist conflicts faced by many countries
today would not have arisen. It was the Tathagatha Buddha who taught us
the first lesson in equality. Following its noble principles we are
striving for an honourable peace acceptable to all under which all could
live in equality and harmony.
I take this opportunity to pay our remembrances to thousands of our
brothers and sisters who died during the tsunami disaster five months
ago. I appeal to all Buddhists to conduct dana, Seela and Bhavana
campaigns giving priority to pratipatti puja and transfer merit to the
thousands who fell victims to that disaster irrespective of race,
religion, caste or any other distinction.
Let us resolve to contemplate on Buddhist values, thereby create a
good peaceful Sri Lanka and to refrain from unproductive action that
denigrate the supremacy of Buddhist philosophy and lead our lives as
principled Buddhists." |