Poson Messages

Desist from enmity and hatred - President

COLOMBO: There is no greater service we can render to society than to desist from enmity and hatred and make a joint effort to usher in social welfare, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in a message to mark Poson Pasalosvaka Poya today.

The message said: “It is with great devotion that the people of Sri Lanka today recall the historic phenomenon of Arahat Mahinda Thera’s advent to Sri Lanka to establish the Buddha Sasana and create a new society and culture 236 year’s after the Parinibbana of the Buddha.

People of Sri Lanka achieved greatness among other nations in the sphere of the economy, wisdom and civilization by following the noble disciplined path he preached by identifying the good and bad.

The link between the state and the Sasana started growing from the day Arahat Mahinda visited Sri Lanka. From then on protection of the Sasana was considered a paramount duty of the Government. Today, this has been confirmed even by the constitution.

It is a pride to state that my Government has followed this path and taken many measures to protect and nurture Buddha Sasana according to the advice given by the Maha Sangha.

Buddhism is a philosophy which preached a common path to overcome suffering for all beings. Therefore protection of Buddha Sasana means catering to the welfare of all beings and creating co-existing.

I firmly believe that society can be protected and nurtured through a religious environment.

There is no greater service we can render to society than to desist from enmity and hatred and make a collective effort to usher in social welfare. You are aware that my Government taking cognisance of this fact, has taken steps to prevent social deterioration and launched various programmes to create a righteous society where all can lead happy and healthy lives.

The Government has already taken steps to mark the 2600th Buddha Jayanthi in 2011 by launching programmes for a religious revival and social progress with the valued counsel of the Maha Sangha.

Our hope is to bequeath a rich society honouring the five noble precepts to the future generation with the assistance of all religionists.

On this Poson Poya Day, I call upon all Sri Lankans to rally round with resolve and procedure to recreate the social transformation which resulted from the advent of Arahat Mahinda Thera to mark the forthcoming 2600th Buddha Jayanthi”.

Advent of Buddhism laid foundation for austre living - PM

COLOMBO: Poson gifted a great culture and an advanced civilisation to Sri Lanka. The advent of Buddhism in the country after the Sacred mission of Arahant Mahinda laid the foundation for an austre living, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka said.

The Prime Minister in a Poson message said: “The village temple thus became the centre of spiritual and secular life.

With the progress of time, material forces have eroded our culture and other traditional values and therefore it is time for us to resolve on this Poson Poya Day to henceforth lead a simple and righteous life.”