'Buddhism, basis of strong bonds of friendship throughout history'
KANDY: Sri Lanka is not isolated in the international world.
It has strong religious, cultural and political bonds with powerful
Buddhist countries in the World said Enterprise Development and
Investment promotion Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama.
He was addressing the gathering at the opening of the Welivita Sri
Asarana Sarana Saranankara Sangharaja Nahimi Memorial Buddhist Centre at
Suriyagoda Viharaya, Pilimatalawa, Kandy. A visiting Thai Buddhist
delegation also attended this function.
VISITORS BOOK: Thailand’s Chulalonkorn University
Chancellor Ven. Dhammakusala Sadaham Thera signing the
visitors book after the opening of the Welivita Sri Asarana
Sarana Saranankara Sangharaja Nahimi Memorial Buddhist
Centre at the Pilimatalawa Suriyagoda Sri Narendrarama Raja
Maha Viharaya.
- Picture by Udeni Rajapaksa |
Dr. Amunugama said certain sections were carrying out adverse
propaganda against Sri Lanka portraying it as an isolated country in the
international world. He wished to categorically state in the presence of
Thai State guests that there was no truth whatsoever in such propaganda
and that the country had strong bonds of friendship with nations such as
China, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar which is
home for millions of Buddhists.
Buddhism had been the basis of such strong bonds of friendship
throughout history. It was most opportune to conduct a 'Dharma
Sanghayana' in association with these countries as it would cater to the
needs of the Sasana and help further consolidate existing ties of
friendship.
Dr. Amunugama said the country and the people in the area were
greatly honoured to host a Thai Buddhist delegation at the sacred
precincts where the late Welivita Sri Sangharaja Thera lived.
It was on the Sangharaja Thera's initiative that King Kirthi Sri
Rajasinghe sent a delegation to Thailand (Siam) to bring back the
Upasampada to Sri Lanka. Accordingly, a team of bhikkhus from Thailand
came down to Sri Lanka and performed the Upasampada Vinayakarma at the
Malwatte Viharaya. The latent Buddhist revival was mainly due to this
great service rendered by the late Ven. Welivita Sri Saranankara
Sangharaja Thera.
Recalling the services of King Rama of Thailand, Dr. Amunugama said a
printing press gifted by King Rama to Ven. Sangharaja Thera and Ven.
Sumanatissa Thera set up in Galle as 'Vidyadhara Press' was a great
impetus to the Buddhist revival. King Rama who had earlier lived the
life as a hermit for 30 years could be called the founder of modern
Thailand.
Paying a tribute to Urban Development and Sacred Area Development
Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Dr. Amunugama said Gunawardena was
rendering a dedicated service towards the development of sacred areas
throughout the country.
Minister Gunawardena said the greatest gift Sri Lanka could give the
outside world was Buddhism. The Child generation should be given a
proper knowledge and awareness about Buddhism to ensure its development
and perpetration. |