Bodh Gaya attack condemned

Bring those responsible to book - Nayaka Thera

Asela Kuruluwansa

The most sacred place for Buddhists all over the world, Bodh Gaya, that the Buddha gained Enlightenment has been desecrated by terrorists and insurgents.

This is a very sad situation to treat a religion that spreads Friendliness (Metta), Compassion (Karuna), Appreciative Joy (Muditha) and Equanimity (Upeksha), Sri Lanka Ramagnana Maha Nikaya Mahanayaka Most Ven. Napana Premasiri Nayaka Thera said.

The Nayaka Thera was referring to the latest terrorist attack that took place in the holy sacred place of Buddhists around the world, Bodh Gaya on Sunday.

The Nayaka Thera further noted that the safety of these places should be the responsibility of the Indian Government and those responsible for this heinous should be brought to book.

“No religious centre should be the target of any terrorist or individual, as these religious places spread holy messages to the world. The whole world should denounce these types of attacks that vandalize and desecrate sacred lands around the world,” he further added.

“A comprehensive investigation should be carried out by the Indian Government to find the real reason behind the attack, “the Nayaka Thera requested.

SLFP

The Sacred Buddhist Shrine in Bihar, India is one of the most honoured religious places of worship of the Buddhsits the World over and the SLFP unreservedly condemn the serial attack, Sri Lanka Freedom Party in a communique said.

SLFP Secretary General and Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, issuing a statement to the media said the site of the Buddhist temple is of historical value to the Buddhists as the Mahabodhi Temple established there a result of an effort by Anagarika Dharmapala and the temple is most venerated as it is set in the land of the Birth of the Buddha.

“Sri Lanka has experienced riots of this nature and attacks on religious places in the past three decades. We know the hurt feeling very well. We have ended that dark era in Sri Lanka. We as SLFP wholeheartedly condemn the attack aimed at a religious place in Indian soil and wish to emphasise that this type of cowardly attacks cannot destroy Buddhism.

We also express our heartfelt sympathies to the victims of this dastardly attack and urge the Indian government and the relevant authorities to investigate into the incident and bring to book those responsible,” the statement added.

Mahajana Eksath Peramuna

Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) issuing a statement said that they condemned the cowardly act of the terrorists targeting one of the most Sacred Shrines of the Buddhist World.

MEP Secretary Karunathilaka Dissanayake said in the statement that the brutal act would be condemned by peace loving people in the world and considered it a threat to freedom of worship and continuance of Buddhism.

While wishing speedy recovery to those injured in the unfortunate incident, called upon the Indian government to take steps punish those responsible, the statement said.

Minister Wimal Weerawansa

Constructions, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa issuing a statement with regard to the attack of the Buddhist temple in Bihar in India has requested the Indian government to take immediate steps to arrest those responsible.

“I condemned the attack on the Buddhist Temple and sad to learn that some of those at the temple including two Buddhist monks suffered injury as a result of the attack,” Minister Weerawansa said in his statement.

“We have experienced same four years ago what India is experiencing right now.

We have experienced the consequences of terror attacks and we are reminded of the attack at the Jaya Srimaha Bodhi and Sacred Tooth Relic Temple in Kandy.

The shock is still felt by the Sri Lankans. This kind of attack is a threat to peaceful living and bars communal harmony as well.

Hence we call upon all to wipe out terrorism from the face of the earth and Sri Lanka promises to give all assistance to make that a reality, Minister Weerawansa added.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference shocked and saddened

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference was shocked and saddened to hear about the terror attack carried out in the Pilgrim city of Bodh Gaya, a place so sacred to Buddhism. It is a city which is considered with great respect particularly by the Buddhists worldwide being the place where Gauthama Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment, states a release from Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka.

“The Catholic Bishops’ Conference condemns this act of violence directed against a renowned place of a religious worship an earnestly expects that the authorities take necessary steps to ensure the safety of the sacred shrine.

“We express our solidarity with the Buddhists brethren in facing this sad experience.”

Muslim Council of Sri Lanka

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka vehemently condemns the terror attack on Bodh Gaya’s Mahabodhi temple, which is considered the Mecca of Buddhists and is of deep religious significance to the Buddhists of the world, a press release from the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka said.

It said, Sri Lankan Muslims are deeply saddened and dismayed at the dastardly attack on the sacred Mahabodhi temple and adjoining areas and see this as a blatant act of terrorism perpetuated by senseless individuals. We are indeed relieved that no major damage has been reported to the sacred shrine.

Our prayers are with the injured for a speedy recovery.

Terrorism in any form should not be tolerated, and attacks on places of worship are a heinous crime and should be unacceptable to any reasonable human being.

The Buddhists consider the sacred Mahabodhi temple as the cradle of Buddhism and the Muslims of Sri Lanka urge the governments of the region as well as world leaders to ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly crime are brought to justice immediately.

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka comprises a network of organizations of the Sri Lankan Muslim civil society and Diaspora.