Buddhist philosophy still exists due to great commitment of the Mahasangha – President

President Maithripala Sirisena said that Buddhist philosophy still existed in Sri Lanka due to the great commitment of the Mahasangha. 

He added that followers should follow the example of Buddhism’s pioneers regarding these good values and perpetuate them.

He made these observations while participating in the 100th birth anniversary celebrations of the Supreme Mahanayake Thera of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Mahasangha Sabha, Most Ven. Davuldena Sri Gnanissara MahanayakeThera, held at the BMICH  yesterday.

The President further said that the advice and guidance given by the Mahasangha including Most Ven. Davuldena Sri Gnanissara MahanayakeThera to rulers for the development of Sasanaya and the country were great strength to them.

The President presented a special felicitation memento and a felicitation volume to the Mahanayake Thera at the occasion.

A commemorative stamp was also issued to mark the 100th birth anniversary of the Most Ven. Davuldena Sri Gnanissara MahanayakeThera.

“The greatness of our history was always symbolised by the Maha Sangha,” the President said, adding that the Maha Sangha always took the lead in protecting Sri Lanka’s culture 

Recalling the dictum of ‘Bahujana hitaya - bahujana sukhaya’ (for the happiness of the many, for the welfare of the many) the President further said that the moral values of society still remain due to the commitment of the Maha Sangha for the betterment of society.

The Maha Sangha, including the Mahanayaka of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya, Most Venerable Napana Premasiri Thero, the Anu Nayake of Amarapura Nikaya, Most Venerable Aggamaha Panditha Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thero, Most Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Anunayake Thero of the Malwatte Chapter, Most Venerable Vedaruwe Upali Thera, Most Ven Dodampahala Chandrasiri Nayaka Thera, Acting Chief Justice- Chandra Ekanayake, Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Ministers Patalie Champika Ranawaka, Wijayadasa Rajapakshe, Daya Gamage, Rajitha Senaratne, Governor of the Southern Province, Hemakumara Nanayakkara, former Speaker W. J. M. Lokubandara, Secretary of the Buddhasasana Ministry, Wasantha Ekanayake, Post Master General Rohana Abeyrathna, Additional Secretary to the President Rohana Keerthi Dissanayake and others participated in the event.