Buddhist teachings should be promoted more widely

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has emphasized the critical importance of disseminating Buddhist teachings more widely in society, particularly in his Vesak Day message. He stated that true gratitude towards the Buddha is demonstrated through understanding and practicing the Dhamma, as taught by the enlightened one.

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Promoting the Buddha's guiding teachings more widely in society is an extremely important task today.

Premadasa referenced the Balapandita Sutta from the Majjhima Nikaya, which likens the opportunity of human birth to a blind turtle surfacing once every hundred years to peer through a floating yoke. This analogy underscores the profound value Buddhism places on humanity and the inherent worth of every individual, irrespective of religion, race, or caste, distinctions the Buddha taught were meaningless.

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That offering becomes a true offering only to the extent that we understand and act according to the Dhamma path shown by the Buddha, as the Buddha himself showed.

He further elaborated that the Buddha's teachings, as found in various suttas like Ambattha, Assalayana, Aggañña, and Vasala, consistently demonstrate the fundamental equality of all human beings. Premadasa asserted that many of the world's current problems stem from a failure to uphold these essential human values.

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All humans are born free and equal in rights and dignity.

Drawing a parallel with the first article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that all humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights, Premadasa noted that Buddhist teachings clearly articulate this principle. He urged everyone to focus on the path to integrating the essence of the Buddha's teachings into their lives this Vesak, reminding them of the Dhammapada's lesson: "Be your own refuge, for there is no other refuge."

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Be your own refuge, for there is no other refuge.