The concluding ceremony of the seven-day “Ehipassiko” Stroll for Peace was held this afternoon (28) at Independence Sq., with the participation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The peace stroll, which commenced on the twenty second close to the Dambulla Raja Maha Vihara, was organised primarily based on the Buddha’s educating “Charatha Bhikkhave Charikam Bahujana Hithaya Bahujana Sukhaya Lokanukampaya”, carrying a message of compassion and loving-kindness. It was led by Vietnamese-born Ven. Pannakara Thero together with 12 overseas monks, protecting a distance of over 210 kilometres earlier than reaching Colombo.
Through the ceremony, President Dissanayake formally handed over a sacred relic of the Buddha and a sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to Ven. Pannakara Thero.
The occasion was attended by the Anunayake Theras of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters of the Siam Nikaya, Ven. Niyangoda Vijitha Siri Thero and Ven. Narampanawa Ananda Thero, along with Ven. Pamunugama Sri Sumangala Thero of the historic Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara and Ven. Melpitiye Wimalakiththi Thero, together with members of the Maha Sangha of the three Nikayas.
Additionally current had been Minister of Buddhasasana, Spiritual and Cultural Affairs Dr Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Native Authorities A.H.M.H. Abayarathna, Minister of Well being and Mass Media Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof, different parliamentarians and senior officers. Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara and a big gathering of lay and clergy additionally attended.
Delivering the primary sermon, Ven. Pannakara Thero mentioned he had supplied individuals a easy but highly effective self-discipline all through the journey, repeatedly sharing a single message.
“Be conscious. Be conscious of your ideas. Be conscious of your phrases. Be conscious of your actions. And no matter background, perception or identification, let loving-kindness and compassion in the direction of oneself, others and all beings be your tenet. Unity doesn’t imply that we’re all the identical,” he mentioned.
He expressed gratitude to the individuals of Sri Lanka for the respect, kindness and hospitality proven alongside the route, noting that such gestures mirrored the true power of a peaceable nation.
Reflecting on the journey, the Thero mentioned the stroll was not merely a bodily passage throughout the nation, however a connection from coronary heart to coronary heart. He described how individuals endured rain, scorching warmth and barefoot strolling on tough roads, but had been met with care and compassion at each stage.
He additionally reiterated seven rules for sustaining peace, drawn from the teachings of Gautama Buddha, together with unity by means of dialogue, moral conduct, respect for elders, safety of girls and youngsters, preservation of cultural and religious values, and respect for virtuous residing.
The Thero additional emphasised internal transformation, stating that peace should first be cultivated inside the particular person earlier than it could lengthen to households, society and the world.
Highlighting a symbolic presence throughout the stroll, he referred to a canine named “Aloka”, saying it conveyed a robust message that compassion should lengthen to all residing beings.
He additionally expressed gratitude for the providing of a sacred Bo sapling from the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to the Dhammachetiya mission in Texas, describing it as a residing bridge of Dhamma connecting Sri Lanka with the world.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed name for mindfulness, unity and compassion as the muse for lasting peace, with Ven. Pannakara Thero urging the general public to start every day with the affirmation: “At this time shall be my peaceable day.”
