Buddhist clergy inculcates noble values - minister
S M Wijayaratne, Kurunegala Daily News Corr
"Noble human values exist in the minds of the people because of the
spiritual guidance offered by members of the Buddhist clergy. The Maha
Sangha have always guided rulers to govern our country by utilizing the
greatest teachings of the Buddha, whose compassion towards humanity was
boundless.
"If there were no virtuous members of Buddhist clergy, we would have
become bankrupt in human values by now and behaved like beasts in the
forest. Therefore, our duty towards such noble human beings must be
fulfilled without further delay," said Health Minister Maithripala
Sirisena at Wellewa Bodhirukkaramaya ancient temple at Polgahawela in
the Kurunegala district.
The minister was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the
proposed medical treatment centre for Buddhist monks to be constructed
at an estimated cost of Rs 35 million.
"It is a matter for us to be proud of our Buddhist scholars who
spread the noble message of the Enlightened One in many foreign
countries.
"We live in a just society in peace and harmony today because of our
Buddhist monks and the religious dignitaries of other faiths. We all
should explore ways for fostering noble human values in the minds of
university undergraduates and schoolchildren. Parents and teachers
should take the lead in this regard and it is a task of national
interest. Everybody should participate in the task of moulding the
characters of youngsters," Minister Sirisena said.
Most Ven Handagala Ayupala Nayaka Thera of Ihala Dolospattuwe, North
Western Province Governor Tissa R Balalla, Deputy Minister of Industry
and Commerce Jayaratne Herath, SLFP chief organizer for Polgahawela
Tikiri Adikari, former Parliamentarian Lionel Rajapaksa and the
Polgahawela PS Chairman were present.
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