Messages from Sri Lanka
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
From Mr. Navin Goonaratne, Sri Lanka
Most Ven Prof Dr Phara Brahmapundit
President, International Council for Day of Vesak
Rector, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University
Most Ven Thich Thanh Nhieu
Chairman, ICDV - UNDV 2014
International Organizing Committee
We acknowledge the honour bestowed on Vietnam in staging the United Nations Day of Vesak 2014, in Hanoi.
In this connection, the theme for the celebrations “Buddhist Contribution to Achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals” will no doubt receive the fullest cooperation of all organizations and members participating in this International Event.
The Light of Asia Foundation, the promoter of the “Lotus World” concept,
Co-Founded by the Chairman of the Foundation and the Principal Star of the “Sri Siddhartha Gautama” Movie - Gagan Malik of India-will contribute to one of the sub themes “Buddhist Contribution to a Healthy Living”, at this Assembly.
It will also aim to foster cooperation among all communities and Institutions to develop solutions to the global crisis facing us today.
Therefore, highlighting the teachings of the Supremely Enlightened Buddha, we wish all success for the initiative taken by the International Council Celebrating the Day of Vesak in Vietnam in contributing to restoring Peace in the World.
Navin Gooneratne
Co Founder - Lotus World
Honorary Chairman - Light of Asia Foundation
Producer - ‘SRI SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA’
E-mail: navinsrilanka@gmail.com, Mobile: +94 777 352628
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
From Ven. Professor Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thero, Sri Lanka
We fell greatly honoured and much privileged to be invited to send a congratulatory Message on the occasion of the celebration of the 11th Anniversary of this epoch making event.
We write this with a feeling of nostalgia and deep gratitude to the late Hon. Kadirgamar, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, who took great effort in successfully presenting this resolution to the UN Assembly and setting it passed. Even since then the Buddhist all over the world and also peoples of other faiths who appreciate the Buddha’s message of humanness have been solemnly celebrating this event.
This time the “National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha” (NVBS) is shouldering the responsibility of holding the 11th Anniversary Celebration of this great event. This is the second time that the anniversary celebration is being conducted in Vietnam and going by precedent we are quite certain that the NVBS will organize and conduct this celebration with great solemnity, sanctity as well as utility religious pomp and majesty this celebration deserves.
The Vesak Day, according to the Buddhist tradition, marks three significant events connected with the Buddha’s life : birth, enlightenment and passing away of the one of the greatest religious teachers ever to tread the world. The main focus of the Buddha’s teaching is human liberation ; spiritual and social liberation. This made the Buddha become greatly concerned with all facets of human problems : spiritual, social, economic, educational, environmental and so on. The Buddha’s insightful and futuristic teachings on these numerous aspects of human – life are quite pragmatic, universally applicable, and hence extremely relevant and beneficial to the present world, chequered with all kinds of conflicts and problems.
Hence, the celebration of this great event can be made conducive to focus the attention of the world population in the right direction of fostering mutual understanding, collective sustainable development, harmony, peace and cooperation. The collective strength of the Buddhist world should be harnessed to make the world a much congenial place to live.
We very earnestly hope and sincerely wish that the National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha with this celebration of the 11th Anniversary will take the lead in showing this right direction to the world.
We wish this 11th Anniversary of UN Vesak Day celebration all success.
Ven. Professor Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thero.
Secretary General (English Section) World Buddhist Sangha Council.
Chancellor – University of Sri Jayawardanapura, Sri Lanka.
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
From Prof. G. D. Sumanapala, Sri Lanka
Dear Ven. Sir,
I feel I am honored to be invited to issue this message for the UN Vesak Celebration 2014 in Vietnam. The records of the history of Vietnam have proved that the people in the country are very courageous and are able to proceed towards a definite goal until it is achieved. So we hope that this celebration in Vietnam will provide a suitable stage for a large number of Buddhists all over the world to have a sound discussion regarding the relevance of Buddhist teachings to the future world. The sustainable development, global warming, environmental protection, healthy living, peace building, conflict resolution and Buddhist education are the most relevant points to be discussed in relation to the social context of the modern world. Buddhism is a universal religion and it is not only for Buddhists. The universal truths such as three signata, four noble truths and the dependent co-origination are very scientific and can be easily communicated to the people in any country. The celebrations and other external activities of the Buddhists have been developed over the past decades though we do not find a significant contribution made through them to the actual life of people. A large number of people in the world, both in developed and undeveloped countries, are suffering from mental and physical diseases. They are increasing in number day and night. The modern world population is becoming victims of various diseases. Although scientific researches provide various reasons for this condition, the most part of the conditions are related to the lifestyle of the people. The simple lifestyle with insight into the real nature of the world which is recommended by Buddhism will be the most important solution for those problems. So the time has come to propagate the real message of Buddhism throughout the world in order to solve many problems facing the world today. I wish that this celebration and conference will lead the participants towards this direction instead of guiding them to perform large scale celebrations.
Thank You,
Yours in the Dhamma,
Prof. G. D. Sumanapala.
Senior Professor,
Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies,
University of Kelaniya,
Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
From Ven. Dr. Bodagama Chandima Nayaka Thera, Sri Lanka
Dear Ven. Sir,
I am extremely happy to send this congratulatory message for the UN Vesak celebrations in 2014 in Vietnam. The three memorable events of the Buddha’s biography, birth, enlightenment and passing away, have been globally recognized and they are celebrated throughout the world. No doubt that these celebrations will create the thoughts of compassion and wisdom in the hearts of the people. It has become an essential and immediate requirement to create such thoughts in the brain and heart of the people because of the sad news that come from all corners of the world. In this regard not only the celebrations but also some actual programmes should be launched by the Buddhists. We have taken a new step by establishing the Nagananda International Institute for Buddhist Studies in order to impart the results of higher educational activities to the society. Our university is not only an academic institute but a fully practical study centre which provides social service and spiritual guidance by the students and the lecturers while engaged in educational activities. A university should be a part and parcel of the society. It should not be separated from the common people. A part of the academic programmes should be dedicated for the upliftment of the condition of the people. The Buddha has stated that the practice of his teachings is the great offering to the Buddha. Further it is said that the service for the world is the real offering to the Buddha. Therefore I wish that the Vesak celebrations in Vietnam may create an impetus in the hearts of people to put the Buddha’s teachings into practice.
May the Blessings of the Triple-gem bring peace, happiness and unity to all of you!
Thank You,
Yours in the Dhamma,
Ven. Dr. Bodagama Chandima Thera.
Chief Executive Officer/Vice-Chancellor,
Nagananda International Institute for Buddhist Studies,
Manelwatta, Bollegala, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
