Messages from Myanmar
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
From Dr. Candâvaràbhivamsa, Myanmar
Dear Venerable Maha Sarigha. Distinguished Scholars. Ladies and Gentlemen,
First of all, on this auspicious day for the Buddhists, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the authorized persons for celebrating the 10th United Nations Day of Vesak 2014 and for invitation us to this grand ceremony. On this occasion, the United Nations Day of Vesak (UNDV) Celebrations and Academic Conference will take upon “Buddhist Perspective towards achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals as the main theme. In accordance with my knowledge, all the UN Millennium Development Goals lead to become prosperous and peaceful world. To build up such kind of world, all world citizens have responsibilities by unraveling the inconveniences in this world. In order to solve the problems undergoing in the world nowadays, I believe today’s assembly enables us to discuss and share the ideas in searching for solution of global issues with positive and constructive investigation without going astray from the Buddha’s means. I hope that the impact of harmonious gathering the Buddhist countries here will convey to the unity of the Buddhist society, peace-building and healthy world by reducing the conflicts and violence in this world in a certain stage. Indeed setting up the peace-building on the firm foundation of morality is the endeavoring for surviving the sasana as well. That is paying the gratitude to our great benefactor, the Buddha, who was the owner of the sasana. on His thrice-sacred day (the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha Gotama). Making determination on the auspicious day to be endured the sasana, ardently should we strive for the sake of all beings as well as for the finer world.
May all beings be prosperous and peaceful forever!
May the Buddha sasana endure for a long time!
Dr. Candâvaràbhivamsa Pro-rector Sayadaw ITBM University, Myanmar
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
From Venerable Dr. Ashin Nyanissara (Ph.D., D.Litt.), Myanmar
I am greatly honoured to convey my most heartfelt congratulatory message to this grand Buddhist occasion commemorating the United Nations Day of Vesak 2014, scheduled to be held on 7-11 May 2014 in Bai Dinh Temple of Ninh Binh, Vietnam.
I am particularly honoured to have the opportunity of meeting and working together with the Vietnamese Theravada and Mahayana brothers as well as like-minded, pious and devoted people from ( ) countries of the world towards our common goal of Peace, Unity, Harmony and Co-existence at this great occasion, which coincides with the B.E (2558
Where there is darkness, the light is really needed. The darkness and the light cannot coexist. We have to put the light in place of darkness. When there is fire, the water is absolutely necessary. Today, the world is under the darkness of sorrow and suffering caused by violence, conflict and brutal fighting. In the Buddha’s message, it was said, “The world is blind, the world is unstable, and the world is burning so hot internally and externally.” In the world history, there have been so many bloodsheds because of power craving and ignoring the Truth. So, the world is badly in need of peace, harmony and co-existence. This is a great challenge for political leaders, spiritual leaders and religious leaders. We all have to accept those responsibilities and brace up for those challenges.
Every religion has an outer shell and inner core. Outer shell consists of rites, rituals, ceremonies, beliefs, myths, and doctrines —which differentiate from one religion to another. However, there is an inner core which is common to all religions. This is the universal teaching of morality, charity, discipline, pure mind, pure love, compassion, good will, tolerance, and insight. This is a common denominator that all religious leaders ought to emphasize and religious followers ought to practice. If proper importance is given to the essence of all religions and love; tolerance and compassion are shown for their surface level aspects can minimize conflict and violence.
All human beings should be free to profess and free to follow their faith. However, they must be careful not to neglect the practice of the essence of their own respective religion, not to disturb others by their own religion, and not condemn other faiths. In this diversity of faiths, when people of different views approached the Buddha, He said, “Let us set aside our differences, let us give attention to what we can agree on and let us put common core which we agree upon into practice. Why quarrel?” Such wise counsel still retains its value until today.
It is clear that the votaries of violence primarily hurt their own kith and kin. They may do so directly through their intolerance or indirectly by provoking a violent response to their actions. On the other hand, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” This is the law of nature. It may equally be called the decree or way of God. The Buddha said, “Animosity can be eradicated by its opposite --which is love, patience, forgiveness and so on. Animosity cannot be eradicated by animosity. Violence cease by nonviolence. Violence never cease through violence. Hatred never cease through hatred in this world. Through pure love only, they cease. This is an eternal law.” This is Dhamma. What is called Dhamma in the world has nothing to do with Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, Islamism, or any other “ism”. Dhamma is a simple truth. Dhamma teaches us before we harm others. We first harm ourselves by generating mental negativity and by removing such negativity, we can find peace within ourselves and we can strengthen this peace in the world outside.
While appreciating to the organizers and collaborators for their relentless efforts in successfully organizing this grand occasion, I would like to conclude my message by stressing the need for all religious leaders to work harder in imparting the intrinsic teaching of their respective religions to their followers, which I believe, would contribute to maintain peace in the whole world.
Thank you,
Venerable Dr. Ashin Nyanissara (Ph.D., D.Litt.)
Chancellor of Sitagu International Buddhist Academies
Honorary Professor of International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University
Chairman of International Association of Theravada Buddhist Universities
Chairman of the board of director (TDSA)
