High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

This year’s Vesak was celebrated at the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi by the staff of the High Commission with the members of the Sri Lankan community in New Delhi,  on 27 May 2010. The religious ceremony consisted of a Bodhi Puja and sermons, conducted by members of Sri Lankan and Indian Monks and Bhikkunis.

After the conclusion of the religious events, members of the High Commission staff and the members of Sri Lankan community lighted Vesak lanterns in and around the High Commission premises. The three best creations of Vesak lanterns were awarded gifts.

Earlier in the day, High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam participated as the Chief Guest of the Vesak Celebrations organized by the Young Men’s Bhuddhist Association of India at the Auditorium of the National Museum in New Delhi. He stressed the importance of adhering to the principles of Metta, Karuna, Muditha and Upeksha for a contended life. His address outlined the fact that Buddhism was a faith that respects and tolerates all other religions and it focuses on the human mind which is responsible for everything including making war and peace. The Lord Buddha was the greatest liberal and humanitarian who more than two thousand years ago pioneered a social revolution stating that it was action and not birth that determined one's status in life. 

The High Commission staff and the members of the Sri Lankan community will participate at the Sila Programme being organized at the New Delhi Buddha Vihar, Maha Bodhi Society of India on 30 May 2010.

President 's  message for Vesak.

Vesak Full Moon Day which marks the birth of prince Siddhartha, His Enlightenment and Parinibbana is the noblest religious event for all Buddhists. We can spend this day meaningfully by engaging in Buddhist ritual and practice.

We who observe the five precepts do not approve killing, bloodshed and torture. It brings joy to celebrate this Vesak after closing the sorrowful chapter of thirty years of bloodshed and destruction of life. It is fortunate that Buddhists now enjoy the freedom and a secure atmosphere necessary for that purpose. We must enter a
spiritual and virtuous way of life in order to sustain that joy.

A path of love (metta), compassion (karuna), sympathetic joy (muditha) and equanimity (upekkha) should be followed. Ours should be a nation which is not shortsighted but farsighted and committed to achieve consolation through patience as taught by Buddha. If delays in the past obstructed our path to Nibbana, we should learn to avoid such delay.

Yo cha pubbe pamajjithva – paccha so nappamajjathi So imang lokang pabhasethi- abha muththova chandima

- Dhammapada

“If one was heedless in the beginning but is not so afterwards, he will illuminate this world as the moon emerges through the cloud”, thus Buddha taught.

Those who live virtuous lives will not see the faults of the past and grieve in the present. Let us resolve during this Vesak Day to follow the wholesome path of Buddha with determination and relentless efforts to build a virtuous nation.

May the Triple Gem bless you!

During the 16^th SAARC Summit in Thimphu, Bhutan in April 2010, President Mahinda Rajapksa toured the construction site of Buddha Dordenma Statue at Kuenselphodrang in Thimphu.  Pleased with the ongoing progress of the construction of the statue, and as a manifestation of Sri Lanka’s support for this project in the context of the spiritual bonds between the two countries, President Rajapaksa offered a token financial contribution towards the successful completion of the project.

 The Buddha Dordenma is a 169 ft tall statue of the Shakyamuni Buddha under construction in a mountain top of Bhutan, overlooking the southern approach to Thimphu.  It is situated amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuk, the 13^th Desi Druk, a former statesman of Bhutan of the 18^th century.  The statue, which symbolizes indestructibility, when completed is expected to house over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha Statues. 

On behalf of the President of Sri Lanka, Prasad Kariyawasam, non-resident envoy of Sri Lanka to Bhutan handed over a cheque of USD 10,000/- to Ambassador of Bhutan in New Delhi.

Prime Minister's  message for Vesak.

I consider it a privilege to address the Buddhists all around the world and most importantly in Sri Lanka, as the Minister of Religious Affairs and the Prime Minister at this glorious moment where we all celebrate the ‘Themangul’ Festival of Lord Buddha.