News
Monks praise Sri Lankans for kindness and care
View(s):By Kasun Warakapitiya
The week-long ‘Walk for Peace’ led by US-based Vitenamese monk Venerable Pannakara Thera ended this week, with the monk leaving a strong message of peace while appreciating the response from Sri Lankans throughout the journey.
Before the final day of the walk began from Kelaniya, Pannakara Thera held a Dhamma talk at the Kelani Viharaya, where the monks had a discussion with young people.
He said mindfulness is the best medicine that heals the mind.
He pointed out the vast difference between the walk for peace in the US and Sri Lanka, adding that Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country and people already knew how to worship the Triple Gem.
Some Sri Lankans tried to grab us, he said, and that act is not mindful either. “Nothing wrong with it, nothing wrong with hospitality,’’ he said.
He said, “If people sacrifice life, time, money and family to come to the temple. Every time they return, they must go home with peace and merit. No one should return with hate, unhappiness and suffering. People should not waste their time, since something better can be done using that time.”
Pannakara Thera and the monks headed towards Colombo, where the walk was scheduled to end ceremoniously with the patronage of the government. The monks reached Independence Square on Tuesday evening.
Ven. Narampanawe Sumanathissa Anunayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter delivered a special oration during the state event held to mark the walk for peace journey. He explained that the people in America too value peace, although it is not a Buddhist country. Support for the walk by all sorts of people has given the world the message that the world requires peace.
At the event, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handed over sacred relics and the sapling of the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi.
Pannakara Thera said the monks experienced the living spirit of love, kindness and compassion in Sri Lanka amid scorching heat and heavy rain. Walking barefoot on asphalt roads tested the body and mind. “With every difficulty, people responded with kindness.”
The kindness and care showed the true strength of Sri Lankans. He thanked Sri Lankan people on behalf of the walk for peace team and people who were touched by the efforts.
President Dissanayake said that Sri Lanka knows the value of peace due to the unpleasant experience of the 30-year war.
He expressed gratitude to Pannakara Thera for taking great effort to promote global peace. “Humanity comes forward first when peace is achieved, but during war, first, humanity gets killed,” he said.
The event came to a close when the monks walked to Gangaramaya Temple.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!