Buddhism offers much knowledge - President
Rohan MATHES
COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that Buddhism offers much
knowledge on calamities such as tsunamies and world wars and its
underlying causes.
President Rajapaksa made this observation at Temple Trees yesterday (Unduwap
Poya day), when he met a young collective of around 200 monks now in Sri
Lanka, to participate at the third annual World Buddhist Conference at
the Tholangamuwa Sri Sunandarama Raja Maha Viharaya from December 2 to
the 5th.
President Rajapaksa said that he expects to construct an
international Buddhist Centre to include and display models of old
Buddhist temples of the Buddhist countries of the world in Sri Lanka, so
that Sri Lanka and other devotees of the world could pay homage to them.
The monks represent the Theravada, Mahayana and Thanthrayana Buddhist
organisations of the world, from 25 countries, including Sri Lanka, the
USA, Malaysia, Nepal, Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Brazil,
France, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Japan, Switzerland,
South Africa and North Korea.
The monks who are also representing their countries at the 2550 Sri
Sambuddha Jayanthiya which is concurrent with the Conference, presented
Buddha statues and Buddhist publications to the President.
They are also expected to tour the country to obtain a fair knowledge
of the problems encountered by temples, especially those in remote
villages.
President Rajapaksa obtained aid for the proposed organisation plan
of the Ven. Wimalakeerthi Thera from Australia. The Office-Bearers'
constitution which includes Sri Lanka too, was presented to the
President by Ven. Pandhiwara Soratha Thera.
The President also presented World Dharmadhutha Sammana and the 2550
Buddha Jayanthi Sammana among others to the monks who participated at
the said conference.
A large gathering including the clergy and the laity attended this
function. |