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Tuesday, 17 May 2011 |
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Most Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkhita Mahanayake Thera said, “ascetic Siddhartha, who was interested in exploring the truth, studied contemporary philosophies and ideas in Bharata and underwent six years of suffering and attained enlightenment 2600 years ago under the Esathu Bodhi in Buddhagaya, understanding worldly reality through his life experiences and knowledge after following codes of perfection for aeons. Subsequently, he toured the length and breadth of the country preaching the dhamma for the benefit of humankind for 45 years. “The value of Buddhism had not been reduced one bit despite various challenges faced for 26 centuries owing to its philosophic and practical features. “Since Buddhism is a teaching which can be adhered by anyone wishing to make the best out of this world and life hereafter, it has gained world attention to the delight of all buddhists. “There has been no greater biography in human history than the character of the Buddha. At this time when we are commemorating the 2600th Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi, it is the duty of all including the laity and clergy to endeavour to create a disciplined future generation giving pride of place to the adherence of principles. “Our motherland was called Dharmadvipa due to the great Sinhala Buddhist culture nurtured by the discipline gained through Buddhism. Rebuilding of such an environment is the biggest tribute which can be paid to Buddha. “May the blessings of the noble Triple Gem and the Sacred Tooth Relic enable to achieve that noble objective excluding meaningless and selfish thoughts.” ‘Lead prosperous lives by uplifting moral values’
Vesak Pasalosvaka Poya day which marks the birth, enlightenment and the parinibbana of Siddharta Gauthama Buddha is the greatest day of significance to Buddhists throughout the world, said Most Ven Tibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter in a message to mark the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi. The Most Venerable Mahanayaka Thera said, “Siddharta Gauthama Buddha, who worked with unmatched courage, self sacrifice and non-violence, completed ten-fold perfections from the time He made a determination to attain Buddhahood and achieved his goal 2600 years ago and rendered a great service to humankind and world peace for 45 years. There is no greater service than this in the history of the world. “On this 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi, may one and all resolve to lead a prosperous life by uplifting moral and spiritual values while engaging in dana, seela, bhavana and Amisa and Prathipatti pooja while making arrangements to propagate the dhamma throughout the world. “May the blessings of the Noble Triple Gem and Sacred Tooth Relic be with all beings.” ‘Let us commemorate this unique event adhering to principles’It is 2600 years since the attainment of enlightenment by the Bodhisathva, which falls on Vesak Full Moon Poya day this year, which is a memorable and unique event for the people of Sri Lanka as well as the entire Buddhist population of the world, said Most Ven Niyangoda Vijithasiri Anunayake Thera, Head of the Presidential Steering Committee in a special message for the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi.
The Most Venerable Anunayake Thera said, the enlightment of Buddha was an epic event for the people to find solutions to their existing problems based on the Four Noble Truths. A Buddha is born based on these principles of the Sambuddhatva. “As such the race, creed and caste has no place in this lifestyle. “Therefore, it will be of vital importance for all’s well-being, if humankind pays attention to the Noble Teachings of Buddha. This message will be an everlasting communique. “Already a 20 point plan of action on the theme ‘Let us prepare the principles by revitalizing our moral life’ with the concurrence of the Most Venerable Mahanayaka Theras of the Three Nikayas has been prepared and action has been taken to implement the same. “The main principles of the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi can be made successful if all the people viz the Venerable Maha Sangha and the lay people extended a practical way of approach. “It will be the obligation of the Sri Lankan Buddhists who are the hereditory owners of the religion and others to divert their attention for the fulfillment of the Noble Teachings of Buddha for the betterment of humankind. “To commemorate this event, the government has declared the period from the Full Moon Day of Vesak 2011 to the Full Moon Poya day of Vesak 2012 as the Sambuddhathva Jayanthi year. “Let us pay our utmost attention by observing panchaseela which is based for the moral uplifting of humankind, refraining from taking meat, getting used to lead a simple life, setting apart a time for members of the family for religious activities, being disciplined, courteous and dressing in white attire when attending religious activities during this period of the year. “To mark the dawn of the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi, the temples are requested to ring bells at 5.45 am on May 17,2011 and it is expected that this day will be set apart for observing Atasil by Sri Lankan Buddhists. The Special Presidential Steering Committee for the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi sincerely and benevolently appeal to the Venerable Maha Sangha and the Buddhist population of Sri Lanka to take no pains to commemorate the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi adhering to principles. “May all beings be well and happy! ‘Buddhism, philosophy suitable for all times’Sukho Buddanana Uppado, it is a great blessing to gain a human soul
and live during a period following the birth of a Buddha, said Health
Minister and SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena in a message to
mark the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi, recalling a preaching by Buddha.
He said, “Gauthama Buddha gained enlightenment by the power and strength of the ten-fold perfections which he fulfilled for aeons. “When Buddha was exploring the truth, the entire Indian society had a tendency to understand the truth about the objective in life. “As a result of rallying an entire society towards one single goal, Gauthama Buddha attained enlightenment like a lotus whichblossomed from muddy water. “It is pertinent for us to give thought to this matter during the 2600th Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi Vesak festival. “We are, today, celebrating the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi at a time when the whole world is beginning to realise the truth of Buddha’s teachings. Current socio-economic transformations has made the world an unsuitable place to live in. “In this situation Buddhism has been established as an eternal philosophy suitable for all times. “Let us all make this Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi an opportunity to lead a fruitful life gaining inspiration from Buddha’s dhamma.” Vesak in Los AngelesVesak was celebrated at Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Viharaya in Los Angeles on May 7 under the guidance of Ven Walpola Piyananda Thera.
The day began with members of the Dayake Sabha observing Sil. Ven Yogavacara Rahula, an American monk ordained in Sri Lanka gave a sermon and conducted a meditation session. Another programme began at 4.30 pm with children competing for prizes in speech and pali chanting. Awards were given for essay contest winners. The Sri Lankan acting Consul General, Asoka Godawita presented the awards. A drama entitled “Tanha” was presented by the children, directed by Sunil Semasinghe, and a youth orchestra and choir performed bhakti gee and popular Sri Lankan melodies directed by Ramani Weerasingha. Dharma Vijaya’s resident monks including Ven Dr Udagama Sumangala, Ven Bambarawane Kalyanawansa and Ven Gajanayakagama Kassapa participated in the religious services. Ven Kalabululande Dhammajothi spent the week before Vesak constructing an elaborate, multi-tiered and lighted moving lantern. A giant screen was erected to display a digital pandol, which was provided by the Colombo University. Dansala was served by the temple youth at the end of the evening. ‘Bring down wall of disharmony’
The minister said that another objective of the people during this Vesak festival should be to raise the living condition of thousands of Tamil people who had been under the threat of LTTE terrorism for nearly thirty years.
‘Espouse non-violence, love and compassion’
He said, “Sri Lankan Buddhists imbibed with Theravada Buddhist Culture are commemorating the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi on a grand scale. “Peace has returned to the country which is now marching towards development and prosperity. “The government is today committed to nurture and protect Buddhism and the blessings of the dhamma should bring peace and tranquility to the whole world where many regions are experiencing the fear of war and terrorism.” Lantern competitionA Vesak lanterns competition and exhibition will be held at Kiribathgoda from May 17 to 31 organized by the Public Affairs Minister Mervyn Silva in collaboration with Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha and Kiribathgoda Suhada Eksath Welenda Sangamaya. The first three prize winners will be awarded cash prizes of Rs 200,000, Rs 150,000 and Rs 100,000. Programmes in BeruwalaSpecial religious programmes will be held in Beruwala district to mark the 2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi under the guidance of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne. The first ceremony will start at the Malegoda Pushparama temple with a perahera on May 11 and sanghika dhana will be offered to 100 bhikkhus. Foundation stone laying ceremony for Dhathu Mandiraya and library in Mathugama Yatadolawatta Wachissararamaya will be held on May 17. Kelaniya PinkamasA series of pinkamas organized by the People’s Bank, Kelaniya branch will be held on Vesak Poya day. A dhammadesanawa will commence at 3.30 pm preached by Ven Morawaka Soratha Nayake Thera, Chief Incumbent of Sri Nagarukkaramaya, Wewelduwa, Kelaniya. Vesak lantern competition for Kelaniya schoolchildren and an ice cream dansala will also be held. Dham Aruna Dhamma book copies will be distributed at Kossinna Raja Maha Viharaya at 9.45 am and copies will be distributed free of charge at Kelaniya branch premises at 3.30 pm. Ratnapura religious activitiesPublic Administration and Home Affairs Ministry will conduct a special religious programme on May 17 in Ratnapura district under the patronage of Minister W D J Senewiratne. Pandals have been erected across main access roads to Ratnapura from Eheliyagoda, Imbulpe, Ambilipitiya and Kalawana while the area covering them has been declared as the Minipura Vesak Zone. Exposition of Sacred Buddha Relics, Vesak lanterns and bhakthi gee competitions, ordaining ceremonies, Vesak dramas and Buddhist film festivals, tree planting and helping people in need will be included in the programme. Arrangements are being made to build a home for one needy family in every divisional secretariat division of the Ratnapura district during this Sambuddhathva year. This programme will be inspected once in every three months. Vesak pandalA massive Vesak Pandal put up by Horana Podu Velanda Sangamaya for the 16th consecutive year will be displayed from May 16 to May 22 in front of Horana Super Market. The Pandal carries the story of Sambula Jathakaya. ‘Poya Day Discussion’ on ITNITN will commence telecasting ‘Poya Day Discussion’, programme from Vesak Poya day on May 17 at 8.30 pm Buddhist philosophy will be analyzed by a panel of learned Buddhist monks and intellectuals. This programme has been presented by Rosmand Senaratne since 1997.
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Act
with dedication to bring down the wall of disharmony being built between
the Sinhala and Tamil communities by pro-LTTE elements and pave the way
for a renaissance of the Buddhist thinking in the people, said National
Freedom Front Leader and Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and
Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa, in a message to mark the
2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi. 
We
should utilize the Buddhist philosophy to create a peaceful world
espousing non-violence, love and compassion within the next century,
states Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S M Chandrasena in a
message to mark the Sambuddhatva Jayanthi and Vesak Poya. 
