Poson messages

We must create peaceful environment - President

COLOMBO: The best tribute we can pay to Arahat Mahinda Thera who laid the foundation for a religious, cultural and social revival in this country is to crate a peaceful environment in this country which will enable all people to live a life upholding non-violence, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message to mark Poson Poya issued yesterday.

The message:

“Buddhism got embedded in our hearts since the advent of Arahat Mahinda Thera and his retinue in Mihintale from Dambadiva on a Poson Pasalosvaka Poya day in the 236th year of the Buddhist Era and that event ushered in a great cultural revival in Sri Lanka’s history.

The moral and spiritual values rekindled since King Devanampiyatissa embraced Buddhism on that day are etched in the hearts of Buddhists todate.

Our fore-fathers who gave pride of place to the culture based on the Tank, Dagoba, village and temple not only protected this country through self sacrifice but also prepared the way to make this country self sufficient through their blood and sweat.

It was due to the culture gifted to us with the advent of Arahat Mahinda Thera that Tanks and Canals no second to the sea, dagobas reaching the sky were built and made fields fertile and rewarding by reviving the agri economy.

It is therefore a pleasure to see the people of this country rallying round to commemorate the advent of Arahat Mahinda Thera and pay him gratitude today.

The best tribute we could pay to Arahat Mahinda Thera who laid the foundation to nurture the hearts of people with values and wisdom by spreading the dhamma message would be to create a peaceful environment to enable people to live a life of non-violence.

It is the value of the life of all being which King Devanampiyatissa taught to the world by giving up hunting after listening to the dhamma preached by Arahat Mahinda Thera.”

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Time to eschew all petty differences - PM

COLOMBO: The time has come for us to eschew all petty differences and brighten our future on the basis of the concepts enunciated by Arahat Mahinda Thera, states Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake in a message to mark Poson Poya issued yesterday.

The message:

“We have reached a moment which reminded us of a historic event which ushered a religious, cultural and social revival in Sri Lanka. That was when the light of the dhamma which emerged from Missaka rock spread throughout the country.

It seems Arahat Mahinda thera’s address to king Devanampiyatissa from Missaka rock which said “O emperor we the followers of emperor Dharmasoka are leading recluse lives. We have come from Jambudveepa out of sheer sympathy towards you” is resonating in the air today.

Nature of invastion is destruction. Dhammaduta service is for the benefit and welfare of the people. Arahat Mahinda thera and delegation arrived here for that service proving the greatness of the friendship between kings Dharmasoka and Devanampiyatissa.

The greatness of the civilization bestowed on this country through this historic event which eradicated royal hunting expeditions, military drills and heresy is no secret.

It was this Poson Poya day which ushered in a Buddhist revival and a righteous life full of unity, patience non violence and other moral and spiritual values rejecting selfishness, enmity, hatred, war and revenge.

We cannot forget the fact following this missions described by historians as ‘Asoka Dharmaya’ a sapling of the Jaya Sri Mahabodhi and the Bhikkuni Sasana were endowed on us.

It is the Buddhist revival kindled by the advent of Arahat Mahinda thera which endowed warrior kings like Dutugemunu and Parakramabahu the great reformist art loving kings like Siri Sanghabo and Buddhadasa, Arahat theras and learned Sangharajas to this country.

It is due to Buddhism that chronicles like Amawathura, Buthsarana, Daham Sarana, Pujavaliya and Kav Silumina were endowed to this country. Anordingly, the advent of Arahat Mahinda thera ushered in a Golden era which enlightened the country and its people.

Therefore, it is of paramount importance to commemorate that event which laid the foundation for a civilised and cultured society. Time has come for us to eschew petty differences and brighten our future based on those concepts.”