A time for self-renewal

As we commemorate the Birth, Enlightenment and the Parinibbhana of the Buddha, the Enlightened One, on this Vesak Full Moon Poya Day, the time is ripe to re-open our hearts to His immortal words that espoused peace and compassion to all.

There is no doubt that today's society has detached itself from the Dhamma and indeed, from the great words of other religious leaders. In ancient Sri Lanka, the temple was the focal point of the village. This close link seems to have eroded with time and the onset of sheer commercialism, to the point where many do not have time to spare to visit their temple even on a Poya Day. This is a pathetic state of affairs as many of society's ills could be cured if we follow religious tenets.

Vesak affords us an ideal opportunity to think anew on these issues and take corrective action. It is in the Dhamma that our solace lies. Strict adherence to the Panchaseela (Five Precepts) can guide an individual on the path to inner peace. If the society as a whole follows such religious practices it will be a much better place for all to live in, in peace and harmony.

Peace and harmony are what Sri Lanka sorely needs at this juncture. In fact, a unique feature in Sri Lanka is that those belonging to other religions actively participate in Vesak festivities. They help their Buddhist relatives and friends in conducting Vesak ceremonies and most of them participate keenly in such events. It is indeed heartening to note that dignitaries from other religions have extended their heartfelt wishes to the Buddhist community on the Thrice-Blessed Day of Vesak.

Buddhists, in turn, take a keen interest in helping their non-Buddhist compatriots on their religious occasions. This embodies the true spirit of the Sri Lanka's multi-cultural, multi-racial composition. There are many places in Sri Lanka where temples, churches, mosques and kovils are located next to each other. This again reminds us that unity in diversity really works.

Such unity and reconciliation will help achieve what has eluded us for nearly 30 years - peace. A firm foundation for peace must first be laid in the hearts of the people, who have unfortunately been driven apart as a result of the vexed conflict.

It has been observed that even terrorist elements have not been able to stop the yearning desire of the people living in areas they dominate to break free of the shackles and join the rest of the masses in the search for peace.

There are elements who would stop at nothing to achieve their horrendous aim of driving the masses apart. There cannot be any greater need for peaceful co-existence among the masses than at this critical juncture, when a long-lasting solution is being sought to the conflict through the All Party Representative Committee mechanism.

The Buddha himself was a firm advocate of peace and mediated on several occasions when rulers threatened to go to war. Places of worship can play a major role in peace building. Religious dignitaries have a close rapport with the faithful and national festivals like Vesak give them an opportunity to spread the message of compassion towards all beings.

We must begin our days with compassionate thoughts, leaving aside the relentless pursuit of material wealth even for a few minutes. Vesak itself is now celebrated by most people in a material way, neglecting the spiritual aspect.

This is not the path that Buddhists should tread on. The end to perpetual suffering lies in shaping our lives according to the sublime words of the Buddha. His visionary thoughts, expressed more than 2,550 years ago, can still inspire us to lead pious lives that would be an example to the rest of society.