COLOMBO : Mahanayake of Asgiriya Chapter Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thera said that the religious mission of Ven Arahat Mahinda Thera, who travelled to Sri Lanka with the message of Buddhism from Dambadiva, where Buddha was, to Sri Lanka is eternally memorable.
He said this while issuing a message on the occasion of Poson Full Moon day. The message said: Sri Lankan Buddhist devotees, have been commemorating the Poson Full Moon day, the day when Arhant Mihindu came to Sri Lanka. With this visit, Buddhist principles and beliefs were not only established in our country, but also the doctrine that Lord Buddha preached for the good of the world was established. For more than 2,500 years, we have been recognised as the greatest Buddhist state that exists in the world. This is why the Poson Full Moon Poya Day is a very important day for us as Buddhists and Sri Lankans. In order to commemorate this day, hundreds of thousands of devotees engage in activities of merit such as almsgivings, meditation programmes, as well as putting up decorationsand holding Peraharas mainly centered on Rajarata to celebrate Poson Poya day on a grand scale. In the past few years, due to various unfortunate events and pandemic conditions, there were many obstacles to commemorate and celebrate the Poson Festival. However, this year, removing such obstacles is a matter of happiness for everyone.
There is no obstacle for us to celebrate the Poson Festival as good Buddhists by engaging in poojas according to the Dhamma of the Buddha. At this time, according to the philosophy of the Buddha, our future lifestyles should be thought out and shaped wisely, and the future human race will be entrusted with a lot of responsibility regarding that. We should protect the environment and natural resources, and not go against nature for the sake of human needs with the things the Earth provides us with.
