Sri Lanka marching towards prosperity - Maha Sanghanayake of China

Nimal Wijesinghe Anuradhapura Additional district group correspondent

ANURADHAPURA: Sri Lanka is a fertile Buddhist country. The people are kindhearted and hospitable. There are indications everywhere we visited that Sri Lanka is being ushered towards a prosperous and strong Buddhist country, said Maha Sanghanayake of China and President of the All China Buddhist Association Venerable Shi Yi Cheng Thera.

He said so when the Chinese Buddhist delegation led by him called on Atamasthanadhipathi Ven. Pallegama Siriniwasa Nayake Thera at the Jaya Sri Mahabodhi Uda Maluwa temple before attending the special religious ceremonies at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.

A Chinese Buddhist delegation headed by Ven. Cheng Thera arrived in Sri Lanka on an invitation by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Mahanayake Thera thanked the President as he and the other members of the delegation had the opportunity to witness the world renowned Buddhist cultural pageant of the Kandy Esala Perahera and worship the Sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura.

The Mahanayake Thera said ties between China and Sri Lanka date back to the fifth century A.D.

Ven. Fa Hien Thera, a Chinese Buddhist priest’ who visited this country, as a Buddhist traveller, has mentioned the Atamasthanaya including the Sacred Bo-tree and the procession of the Sacred Tooth relic of Kandy. According to Ven. Fa Hien Thera, China and Sri Lanka are the only countries possessing the most Sacred Tooth Relics of the Buddha.

The High Priest wished that he and the Chinese Buddhist priests could strengthen the friendship and ties between two countries on a active Buddhist Cultural Foundation in future, and Sri Lanka would gain economic and spiritual emancipation reaching the pinnacle of prosperity and peace.

Ven. Pallegama Sirinivasa Nayaka Thera, the Atamasthanadhipathi, also delivered an anusasana. Ven. Pallegama Hemarathane Nayaka Thera, Chief Incumbent, Ruwanweli Maha Seya Viharaya was present.

NCP Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake participated in the religious observances.