Getting closer to Dharma will help build a society of Maithriya - President

President Maithripala Sirisena says that getting closer to Dharma that transcends all time and making it part of our lives, will help build a society of Maithriya or Tolerance and Goodwill.

This Vesak Festival a great blessing that dawns at a time when we are taking action to build a society that will ensure co-existence, equality and justice to all, nurtured by the Buddhist teachings of Maithriya - tolerance and goodwill, Mudhitha - sympathetic joy, Karuna - compassion and Upekha – equanimity, he stated in a message to mark Vesak.

The message: “Having tarried through innumerable eras in Samsara to achieve the Tenfold Perfection, Vesak Day marks triple events in the life of the Buddha, with his birth at Lumbini as a prince of the Sakya Clan of Bharatha; his attaining Enlightenment through the strength of determination, having abandoned worldly pleasures and taking to an ascetic life; and attaining Parinirvana at Kusinara, having preached for 45 years, to show the way to Nirvana and the end of all suffering.

It is a cause for joy that this message of the Buddha, for humankind and all beings, to be free of suffering and achieve the eternal bliss of Nirvana, prevails with great influence and strength in this our island home, to this day. By getting closer to this Dharma that transcends all time and making it part of our lives, will help build a society of Maithriya or Tolerance and Goodwill.

Observing the Five Precepts taught by the Buddha for the benefit of humans, is also an asset of knowledge and understanding that helps protect the rights of all beings on this earth. The birth of the Buddha under the shade of a Sal tree, his achieving Enlightenment under the shade of a Bodhi tree or Ficus Religiosa and his achieving Parinirvana in a large field of trees, has brought a great message of the close relationship that should exist between humans and nature; which is a core value in the teachings of Buddhism.

This Vesak Festival a great blessing that dawns at a time when we are taking action to build a society that will ensure co-existence, equality and justice to all, nurtured by the Buddhist teachings of Maithriya - tolerance and goodwill, Mudhitha - sympathetic joy, Karuna - compassion and Upekha - equanimity.

It is my wish and prayer on this occasion that our people who are fortunate to learn and experience the teachings of the Buddha, would follow these teachings and through this obtain spiritual liberation and contribute to build a truly just society.

I wish you all a Vesak of Peace and joy!”

PM’s Vesak Message

Let us fill our lives with morals, loving kindness and wisdom in this month of Vesak where the entire environment looks fresh and serene to celebrate thrice blessed day for Buddhists as it commemorates the birth of Buddha, his attaining Enlightenment and his passing away into Nirvana.

“Meth Sithin Guna Wadamu” (Cultivate Compassion) has been announced as the theme of State Vesak Festival, in this year, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe says in his Vesak message.
 
An era has dawn to work for our deliverance with heedfulness towards enlightening the society making a true change in our attitudes. We, as the citizens of Sri Lanka, the centre for Buddhism should enrich our lives with the core values of Buddhist Teachings at a time where the whole world has focus its eye on Buddhism. We should be exemplary to others.
 
With the establishment of the new Government we are performing to make a better society with concentrated and cultivated minds while taking many steps for the improvement of Buddhism. An atmosphere in where we all can live in harmony irrespective of our cast or creed differences has been created.
 
Let us join our hands together to build a righteous society with spiritual purification instead of converting this blissful Vesak into a mere celebration.
 
I wish you the courage to perform that noble responsibility.
 
May the triple gem bless you!