Moral development vital - President
Rasika SOMARATHNA
President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday underscored the need for
economic development to go in tandem with the People’s moral and
spiritual development. He said the country’s quest to achieve economic
development would become hollow if it fails to develop a society
comprising individuals with correct virtues. The President made these
observations after he opened the completed first stage of the Sadaham
Sevana – Mahamandala Vihara Complex, at Gothami Gardens, Rajagiriya. The
first stage comprises a fully equipped Buddhist Library, an
International Buddhist Research Centre and other facilities.
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa unveiling
the plaque for the Sadaham Sevana Mahamandala Building
Complex at Rajagiriya yesterday. Ven Maha Sangha headed by
Ven Davuldena Gnanissara Nayake Thera of Amarapura Maha
Sangha Sabha, Ministers Prof G L Peiris, Patali Champika
Ranawaka, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, several
officials and a large number of artistes were present on the
occasion. Picture by Sudath Silva |
The President addressing the gathering noted that the Government
while focusing on peace and development had also laid emphasis on the
all round development of the younger generation. “Our intention is to
create a society with correct virtues, a society which respects their
peers and elders and one which protects nature,” he added. Commenting on
the efforts to create the ‘Mahamandala Vihara Complex’ the President
said that in Buddhism, the Buddha’s message was to clarify and fully
understand the true nature of Dhamma before either practising or
spreading the message. The President said that in line with the above,
the present initiative would further help to spread the word of Buddhism
across the world. It would also create an international platform for
Buddhist information and researches, he added.
The President said that another objective of the institution was to
promote and ensure the survival and co-existence of all beings including
environment. “As many natural disasters are man-made the institution
could act as a platform for dialogue and finding ways to protect nature”
he noted.
The Mahamandala Vihara Complex built according to a concept of Ven
Athuraliye Rathana Thera when completed would comprise of three layers
with a total floor area of 70,000 sq ft.
The complex would comprise, lecture theaters, an auditorium, audio
and video rooms, a library, an art gallery, research rooms, a yoga
centre, an alms hall, several Ashramas, the Mahamandala Stupa, the image
house etc.
Ven Rathana Thera, Ven Omalpe Sobhitha Thera and two visiting Korean
Parliamentarians too addressed the gathering.
Ministers G L Peiris, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Defence Secretary
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Indian High Commissioner, Korea and Nepal
Ambassodors other foreign delegates, local politicians, the Maha Sangha
and devotees were in attendance.
A two-minute silence was observed in remembrance of the recent
tsunami victims of Japan.
The initiative is being carried out by donations provided by the
Government and both local and foreign devotees. Organizers expect public
donationas. For more information visit www.sadahamsevana.org
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