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| Sunday, 03 August 2003 |
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Importance of safeguarding Buddhism stressed By Chamikara Weerasinghe Minister of Justice, Law Reforms and Buddha Sasana, W.J.M. Lokubandara, stressed the importance of protecting the doctrine of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka, as it seemed to be rapidly declining in countries like the Maldives, Malaysia and even in India, where Lord Buddha was born. The Minister was speaking at a ceremony, at the Kalutara Town Hall, where State honours in copper scrolls were granted to several thousands of parents from Colombo and Kalutara districts who had given their sons for ordination as Samanera bhikkhus. The ceremony was presided over by the Ven. Gonaduwe Gunananda Thera. More than 400 members of the Maha Sangha were present on the occasion. Minister Lokubandara said that the doctrine of Buddhism which had existed for more than 2,500 years, was now on the wane since people did not adhere to its principles and practices. The minister said that it was the bounden duty of all Buddhists in Sri Lanka to safeguard the Sasana and propagate Buddhism in its true spirit. He urged the Maha Sangha to dedicate themselves to learn Pali and become proficient in that language, in which the doctrine of Buddhism was recorded. He recalled the services of the Ven. Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thera of the "Panadua Controversy", fame and the Welivita Sri Saranankara Sangharaja Thera. |
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