Buddhism links India, Sri Lanka - Kariyawasam

Buddhism stands for harmony, tolerance ad equity, and has been one of the many links between India and Sri Lanka, the island country’s envoy said yesterday.

“Buddhism is a religion of peace and therefore its followers should spread the message of peace in the world,” Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Prasad Kariyawasam said.

He was speaking at a function to celebrate the 2,558th Buddha Jayanti organised by the Young Men Buddhist Association at the National Museum in New Delhi.

He added that India’s connection with Sri Lanka in recent times has improved because of Buddhism.

More than 70 percent of the population in Sri Lanka is Buddhist.

“It is very necessary to recognise the sacrifice Lord Buddha made for the welfare of human civilisation,” Kariyawasam said.

Kariyawasam said that the teachings of Lord Buddha were relevant even in today’s world and made people learn how to move toward excellence.

“Lord Buddha’s teachings can never be outdated. They were relevant in the past, are relevant in the present and will always be relevant in the future. It helps its follower to move towards excellence in their life,” Kariyawasam said, IANS reports.