Vesak message

On Vesak Full Moon Day we should commemorate the expounding of the Truth – the teachings of the Buddha – the Fully Enlightened One!

The time has come to share this knowledge – at least, the basics – with the world, as some people have become utterly mundane and mercenary-minded – with so much violence, treachery, murder and embezzlement as part of everyday life.

People of our times are driven to madness by wanting pelf and power. All this is because they do not have the knowledge of what life is all about and the Laws of the Universe. They do not understand kindness, compassion, helping others and, most importantly, what they are doing to themselves and what awaits them in the future.

Lord Buddha showed the way – the Truth – to men and Gods. The teaching is for all of humanity interested in knowing the Truth – not just the Sinhala people! The basics that everyone should know and realise will make people to unlearn the folly of their learning and be a great boost to halt violence in the world.

One truth is that every single thing in the Universe is impermanent and is in a state of flux – changing all the time. Our attachment – the clinging – to all such impermanent things – people, property, heirlooms, lineage etc. causes suffering.

Another important factor realized by the Buddha is that this is not our only birth. We have been born and have died millions of times and we will be born again and again in happy places, unhappy places, miserable places etc., according to our own actions. Every action has a reaction. This is the Law of Karma.

There is no God up there who created us or to whom we could appeal for help. We travel alone with the repercussions of our own actions. This stunning revelation should stop brutality and killing by anyone with a veneer of intelligence!

Lord Buddha on realizing the stunning and frightening truth of Samsara, expounded the Dhamma and showed the correct way of living and the way out of suffering to all humanity.

A mother

LTTE is Seriously Violating the CFA with Sea Movements and Attacks on Sri Lankan Navy

SLMM Media Release
11 May 2006
 

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have committed gross violations of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) in recent days by moving at sea with the aim of provoking the Sri Lankan navy and now finally embarking on an offensive operation against the navy sinking one vessel and putting SLMM monitors in grave danger.

The sea surrounding Sri Lanka is a Government Controlled Area. This has been ruled so by the Head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission in line with international law. Non-state actors cannot rule open sea waters or airspace. The LTTE has therefore no rights at sea.

The LTTE has made, what the SLMM feels are threats to our monitors warning them not to participate in patrols in Navy vessels. The SLMM takes these threats very seriously and would like to remind the LTTE of its responsibility as an equal partner to the Ceasefire Agreement to do everything in its power not to jeopardise the monitors’ safety.

We therefore demand that the LTTE immediately ceases all activities and operations at sea as they are a serious violation of the CFA. This sort of reckless behaviour can only lead to a dangerous escalation resulting in growing hostilities and jeopardising any possibility for future peace talks.

We would also like to urge the Government of Sri Lanka not to be pushed by these provocative acts and to show as much restraint as possible.

Crisis talks after Sri Lanka raid

International truce monitors in Sri Lanka are to hold emergency talks with Tamil Tiger rebels after a sea battle the government says left dozens dead.

The European peace monitors blamed the rebels for a "gross violation" of the 2002 ceasefire in Thursday’s violence.

The government says 17 troops died in a Tiger suicide sea attack near Jaffna and more than 40 rebels were killed in retaliatory strikes.

The Tigers say the navy attacked them during a training exercise.

The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) said one of its team was in the navy convoy.

The team said in a statement: "This sort of reckless behaviour can only lead to a dangerous escalation resulting in growing hostilities and jeopardising any possibility for future peace talks."

SLMM spokeswoman Helen Olafsdottir blamed the Tigers for provoking the navy.

"It’s very clear that the Sea Tigers have no rights at sea – we have ruled it here in this mission that this is a government-controlled area, because non-state actors cannot control sea and open waters so this is a very, very serious ceasefire violation."

LINK TO ORIGINAL

Buddha’s teachings of unrivalled importance in present era – President

In a Message to mark Vesak Poya and the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi, President Mahinda Rajapakse said the teaching of the Enlightened One was of unrivalled importance, particularly in the present era, since it exhorts the mankind that all those who wage war are destined to downfall.

The President said: "It is with a profound sense of devotion that I send this message, on the occasion of the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi.

Vesak Full Moon Day is the most precious day for Buddhist world over, since it marks the birth, Enlightenment and the Passing Away of the Lord Buddha.

The transcendental teaching of the Buddha, up holds that the mind is the precursor of all deeds and even peace as well as war evolves in the mind. Therefore, peace and solidarity too originates in the mind of mankind.

Today the entire world appears to be at loggerheads and at the brink of war. As such the teaching of the Enlightened One is of unrivalled importance, particularly in the present era since it exhorts the mankind that all those who wage war are destined to downfall and ultimate destruction. It also teaches us the futility of hatred and atrocities.

If the sublime doctrine of the Buddha is understood and followed the present day world could be converted to one of a peaceful and tranquil place where loving kindness reign. What is most needed today is to follow the five precepts, taught by the Buddha practically in our day to day life.

The objective of celebrating the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi shall be to observe the five precepts and abstain from all undesirable deeds so that we may march towards a conflict-free world.

As a first step towards such a destination my government has censored the consumption liquor and meat during this most precious period of Vesak.

So let all of us determine, on this most sublime day to deviate form sinful deeds and practice the five precepts.

May the blessings of the Triple Gem, be on all of us."