Speech
by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, at the opening of the
first International Buddhist Conference organized by
the Sri Dalada Maligawa, and held at Pallekele, Kandy,
August 11, 2006.
Most
Venerable Mahanayaka Theras: Venerable members of the
Maha Sangha. :Hon. Ministers and Chief Ministers: Members
of Parliament and Provincial Councils: Diyawadana Nilame
of the Sri Dalada Malagawa – Mr. Pradeep Thailanga
Dela Bandara, Chairman of the Organising Committee –
Mr. K.H.J.Wijedasa, Participants and Distinguished Guests.
It
is indeed a privilege to have the opportunity to participate
with you today. This conference stands out as one of
the main events of the 2550th Sambuddha Jayanthi celebrations
in our country. It is organized by the Diyawadana Nilame
of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, under the guidance of the
Most Venerable Mahanayaka Theras of the Malwatta and
Asgiriya Chapters.
Throughout
a period of more than 2000 years, not only was Theravada
Buddhism nurtured and protected under State patronage
in our country, but it was also disseminated from here
to many other countries in the world.
This
conference brings the different schools of Buddhism,
- Theravada, Mahayana, Thantrayana and the Western School,
- to share a common platform. And by doing so, it demonstrates
to the world – in my view – the living Buddhist
tradition and practice of Peaceful Co-existence. Therefore
this conference brings pride and dignity to the tens
of millions of people in the world who follow the philosophy
of the Buddha.
The
theme of this conference, - ‘The Buddhist Path
to a Better World’ is most relevant to the social
environment of the 21st century. I am aware that in
the course of the next two days, four different aspects
or dimensions of this broad theme are scheduled to be
the subject of your discussion: They are, - Buddhism
and the Social Question, Buddhism and Science, Buddhism
and the Co-existence of Nations, and, Buddhism and Health.
It
is in considering three elements contained in the Buddha
Dharma, that the importance of structuring a conference
along these four broad themes becomes most clear and
appropriate.
The
first finds reflection in the words of the Buddha, -
‘Saththa Deva Manussanang’, – which
means that the Enlightened One is a patron, teacher
and guide to both Gods and Human-beings.
The
second element as contained in the concept of Akalika
– explains that Buddhism is not bound by the concept
of ‘time’: In other words, its relevance
is not limited to any particular period of time.
The
third finds embodiment in the advice given by the Buddha
to Bikkhus in regard to the propagation of the Dharma.
‘Bahujana Hithaya Bahujana Sithaya’ implies
that the preaching of the Buddha Dharma, has as its
goal the generation of mental tranquility and happiness
in man, and of kindness and well-being in the world
community.
Emphasis,
in this connection, must be placed on the fact that
nowhere in the teachings is one encouraged to ‘convert’
persons of other faiths to the Buddhist religion.
It
is this supreme kindness which underlies the Buddha
Dharma that renders this conference and its discussions
relevant to the world community across the borders of
race and religion. It is for this very same reason that
persons of knowledge and learning have defined the Buddha
Dharma NOT as a religion, but as a philosophy of life.
The
Buddhist Philosophy is based on the principle of ‘cause
and effect’. Thus through the application of the
Buddha Dharma, it is possible to analyze the causes
and factors that lie behind the political, economic
social and environmental conflicts that engulf the world.
It
is also possible, through the application of the Dharma,
to identify the possible solutions for them. Also through
the application of the Buddha Dharma, the factors the
lie behind the prevalence of poverty, ethnic conflict,
domestic disharmony, dissatisfaction, and the decline
in social norms and values, can be analyzed and solutions
identified for them.
I
hope these matters will be discussed at length at your
conference. In this age of science and technology, it
is the view of learned persons that while certain elements
of the Buddha Dharma have been confirmed by the application
of science, other elements are clearly beyond the observation
of the scientific method. Therefore the theme of ‘Science
and the Buddha Dharma’ is, in my view, a most
exciting one.
Today
large numbers of Buddhists tend to give pride of place
to the conducting of rituals and to the practice of
making offerings. It is doubtful that they fully understand
the meaning of Buddhism as a philosophy of life: For
if they have the correct understanding, the quality
of life in Buddhist communities in the world would be
certainly better than what it is today.
At
the same time it is interesting to observe that when
compared with people living in what are traditionally
Buddhist countries, people living in the Western World
are showing a greater interest to understand and absorb
the essence of the Buddha Dharma. Hence the importance
of this conference to further reveal the practical relevance
of the Buddha Dharma both as a philosophy of life, and
as a means to cultivate an intelligent frame of mind.
While
Sri Lanka remains primarily a Theravada Buddhist country,
the fact that the other streams of Buddhist Philosophy
are represented at this conference is a cause for pride
and happiness. All these schools of Buddhism are rich
in the teachings of the Buddha in relation not only
to the well-being of humankind, but also to that of
animals and the vegetation around us as well. Therefore
I hope that this conference will focus not on the purely
theoretical aspects of Buddhism but more on the practical
methods and strategies to realize the Dharma as a way
of life.
The
success of a conference is judged not by the efficiency
with which it was conducted, but by the extent to which
its results are translated into action. I hope the Buddhist
leaders participating in the conference will take the
lead to implement in the next 2-3 years, the various
recommendations that will be contained in the outcome
of this conference. It is therefore expected that in
order to achieve this goal, the participants will set
in motion the necessary mechanisms on their return to
their respective countries.
It
is not only a traditional function, but also a constitutional
obligation of the Sri Lankan government, to protect
the Buddha Sasana. As such let me assure this conference
that in the implementation of your recommendations,
you will most certainly receive the support of our government.
It is for this reason too that your conference has received
the patronage of our government.
In
conclusion let me thank the Most Venerable Mahanayaka
Theras, the Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa
- Mr. Pradeep Thailanga Dela Bandara, the Chairman of
the Organising Committee - Mr. K.H.J.Wijedasa, Officials
of the Government, Members of the Security Services,
and all others who helped to make this conference a
success.
May
the Blessings of the Triple Gem be upon you all, ‘Oba
Semata Theruwan Saranay’.
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