Inner peace key to achieving lasting global harmony, says President in Vesak message

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake states that, according to Buddhism, to establish peace in the external world, spiritual peace within the individual must first be ensured.

The President made these remarks in a message issued on the occasion of Vesak Day.

The President’s Vesak message:

“Vesak, which commemorates the sacred threefold events of the Buddha, is the greatest festival for Buddhists around the world. The people of Sri Lanka, who inherit a proud culture enriched by Buddhist heritage, join Buddhists worldwide in reverently celebrating this sacred occasion.

Buddhism is the greatest philosophical teaching that brought a timeless and practical message of peace to the entire world. The entire doctrine preached by Gautama Buddha is founded upon the Four Brahmaviharas—loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity.

Likewise, the ideal teaching of peace, coexistence, and reconciliation is found in the Dharma taught by the Buddha as well as all enlightened teachers. Buddhism teaches that inner spiritual peace must be established first in order to create peace in the external world. This approach of inner peace, which helps align society towards common good, is more relevant today than ever before. I believe that the message brought to Sri Lanka by Venerable Pannyakara Thero of Vietnam, who recently undertook a pilgrimage on foot, also reflects this very principle.

Furthermore, Vesak is not only a religious observance but also a great cultural festival that reflects Sri Lanka’s identity, unity, and artistic creativity over thousands of years. Alongside Vesak celebrations, programs such as almsgiving, observance of precepts, meditation, and Dhamma sermons, as well as offerings such as dansals, devotional Buddhist songs, beautifully designed lanterns, decorative pandals, and festive displays, are enriched by the participation of all Sri Lankans regardless of religion. Thus, Vesak is undoubtedly a symbol of reconciliation that promotes mutual understanding, unity, and coexistence among all ethnic groups.

With this invitation for everyone to embrace the values of non-violence, compassion, and boundless loving-kindness towards all beings taught in the Buddha’s Dhamma, I extend my blessings that this Vesak festival brings peace and happiness to all minds through the cooling serenity of the Dhamma.”