Vesak Messages
The Buddha’s teachings have shown correct path - President
“It is with immense fervour and
devotion that we celebrate, with full state patronage, the Thrice
Blessed festival of Vesak this year, which also marks the 2600th
Sammasambuddhatva Jayanthi,” President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in a Vesak
message.
The message: “Through 2600 years the teachings of the Buddha have
shown the correct path of livelihood to mankind. The comfort and
consolation these provided to humans remain immeasurable. Today, our
motherland is honoured throughout the world for preserving the teachings
of the Buddha in their pristine purity through two millennia and more.
“In achieving a lasting and sustainable peace in our land and help us
move to our goals of development, we have sought to follow the teachings
of the Sakyamuni Sammasambuddha that showed the path to free us from the
four evil dispositions of desire, hatred, fear and ignorance.
“Accordingly, the policies of our government give the foremost place
to the Buddha Dhamma. Akkodhena jine kodham - asaadhum saadhunaa jine
Jine kadariyam daanena - saccena alikavaadinam
“Let an angry man be conquered by love; an evil man by goodness. Let
a miser be won over by liberality; and a liar by truthfulness”, states
the Dhammapada in the Koda Vagga. This exhortation of the Buddha should
always nurture us in facing up to all challenges.
“The teachings of the Buddha help us to bring to the world the means
of resolving all disputes that arise from unbridled desire. Thus it
behoves upon us to give to the world the path to peace and consolation
from these great teachings of the Sammasambuddhatva or Great
Enlightenment of the Buddha, 2600 years ago.
“On this Vesak festival it should be our determination to take refuge
in the teachings of the Buddha, and through the proper observation of
the teachings of Buddhism make this 2600 Sammasambuddhatva Jayanthi
meaningful to all people.
“May the Noble Triple Gem Bless you!”
Sambuddhatva Jayanthi celebrated in a free environment - PM
The sacred Vesak Poya Day
commemorating the 2600th Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi is a very important
and historic day for all Buddhists in Sri Lanka, Prime Minister D M
Jayaratne said in a Vesak message.
The message: “It is because we have been able to celebrate the
historic Vesak Poya Day in a country and social environment which
upholds Buddha’s teaching, Bahujana Hithaya Bahujana Sukhaya of treating
all with equality in keeping with Buddhism.
“If there has been a teacher who taught his followers to treat all
religions, beliefs and people in equal measure eschewing differences as
to race, community caste or physical or social considerations, it was
the Samma Sambuddha. If there is a Buddhist country with a leader of
state who strives to imbibe that noble Buddha’s teaching in society, it
is none other than this tiny island Sri Lanka.
“As such all Sri Lankans have now gained the opportunity to celebrate
the 2600th Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi with deep devotion in a free
environment as a nation which achieved freedom after a 30 year murderous
war.
“Murderer Prabhakaran as well as terrorist leader Osama bin Laden
have departed before the 2600th Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi making
Buddha’s teaching that those who resort to arms will perish by arms, “ a
reality.
”I believe that the unfounded charges levelled against the country
will melt away like a ‘dew drop amidst sun’s rays’. It is only a mind
that is positioned in Samma Sathi which can transform that belief into
reality. People with such thoughts are called Buddhists. The
responsibility of propagating and maintaining the Buddha dhamma in its
purity for an aeon is cast on the learned Maha Sangha.
”The type of role entrusted to the Maha Sangha in this task was
described by the Buddha in his teaching thus:-
Pramadavoo Yameku Thunpitakaya Igena,
Boho Bana Kiyathath
Thama eya nopilipadee nam,
Nosalakai nam,
Ohu, Anunge Harakun rakina,
Gopalleku meni
Mahana dame palayata
Himi karayeku nowe.
”If a person who is late studies the Tripitakaya and delivers
religious discourses without observing the tenets himself, he is like a
shepherd looking after another persons cattle and not entitled to the
benefits of monkhood.”This proves that the Dhamma cannot be protected by
the mere ordination of children as samanera bhikkhus.
At this moment we are celebrating the 2600th Sri Sambuddhatva
Jayanthi, we should understand the need to live according to Buddhism.
Disciplining the mind, soul and word is itself sufficient for a person
to call himself a true Buddhist.
May the people all over the world enjoy peace and tranquility.”
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