18.5.2008
Sri
Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Vesak Day message
yesterday said his "hope is to bequeath a prosperous
country that is without armaments and fear of enemies
and robbers, a country in which all could live in tranquility."
The
full text of the message is as follows:
“The
Buddha showed us that advancement in this world and the
next could be achieved by appreciating what is good. The
policy of the government is to steer the country to the
correct path by adhering to the Dhamma. In doing so our
responsibility is to tolerate other opinions and act with
loving kindness.
As
the Buddha has taught: “Be alert; do not idle. Follow
the law of virtue. He who is virtuous lives happily both
in this world and the next” – Dhammapada.
Ch.13 v 168.
Let
us stop being indifferent and speaking ill of the past.
We should brook no delay in working to build a virtuous
land.
Our
hope is to bequeath a prosperous country that is without
armaments and fear of enemies and robbers, a country in
which all could live in tranquility. Our resolve on this
Vesak Day is to work with a correct vision in keeping
with the Dhamma. This will see the fruition of our actions
to build a new Sri Lanka.
Let
us resolve make this Vesak Festival meaningful by seeking
refuge in the serene path of Buddha.
May
you all obtain refugee in the Buddha!
Courtesy -Colombo
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