COLOMBO – A delegation led by the Most Venerable Banagala Upatissa Thera, President of the Mahabodi Society of Sri Lanka and Chief Sangha Nayaka for Japan, Chief Priest–Lankaji Temple, Japan and Chief Priest-Sanchi Chethiyagiri Viharaya, India, visited Saudi Arabia from May 9 -13, on an invitation extended by Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League and President of the Organization of Muslim Scholars.
In what has been described as a historic visit, the first by a Buddhist monk to the kingdom, the the monk was in Saudi Arabia to participate in a forum for religious leaders and senior scholars, titled ‘Promoting Common Values Among the followers of Religions’, held at the prestigious Ritz Carlton Hotel in Riyadh. The forum was organized by the Muslim World League, an International Islamic Non-Governmental Organization based in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Kurukkal Ramachandra Iyer of the Hindu Religious Department and Ven. Koswatte Palitha Thera had also attended part in the Forum. It was also the first time a Hindu Priest from Sri Lanka visited the Kingdom.
A statement from the Sri Lanka Embassy in Riyadh, said Ven Banagala Upatissa Thera, addressing the event, focused his attention on the similarities in the teachings of The Buddha and teachings and practices in the Islamic faith, stating, “Many people would be shocked to think of Islam and Buddhism being comparable in anyway and yet if you look closely at their teachings, and their efforts towards peace, they are more similar than one may suspect”.
Elaborating on the teaching of The Buddha, the Ven Upatissa Thera had also emphasized the importance of Buddhist philosophy for world peace, noting that that mantras and philosophy are valid and useful in everyone’s life not only for Buddhists.
During his stay in Riyadh, the Ven Thera had also spoken to a Sri Lankan community members on religious tolerance and understanding, stressing the importance of positive contribution by the Sri Lankans living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at a time when Sri Lanka faces a critical economic situation.
The Ven Thera had also taken part in the Vesak Celebration at the Sri Lanka Embassy premises on May 13, organized by the Sri Lanka Cultural Forum together with Sri Lankan community in Riyadh. The celebrations included a Bodhi Pooja, and Cultural performance by the students of the Daham Pasala.
The Ven Upatissa Thera had also hailed the Sri Lankan community in Riyadh for scaling down the Vasak celebrations this time and diverting the resources meant for the celebrations for the needy people in Sri Lanka.
He had also taken part in the Dhana (Alms giving) which was organized at the Embassy on May 12.
-ENCL