The Maha Sangha conference aimed at raising public awareness about what organizers describe as growing pressures on Buddhism and the Buddhist clergy was held Friday(20) afternoon in Colombo, with participants agreeing to submit a 10-point charter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The conference, which began at 2 p.m. at the headquarters of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC), brought together Buddhist monks and lay leaders from across the country.
Addressing the gathering, Ven. Professor Agalakada Sirisumana Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Sri Bodhirajaramaya in Moratuwa and Head of the Sinhala Department at the University of Colombo, said the charter, signed by all monks present, would be formally presented to the president.
He said the 10-point Sangha Charter was drafted to address the social, cultural and moral challenges facing the Buddha Sasana, the Maha Sangha and the wider public.
The charter calls on the government to uphold constitutional protections for Buddhism, preserve the traditional relationship between the clergy and lay community, ensure respect for Buddhist symbols and heritage, and strengthen institutions responsible for religious affairs. It also urges governance based on moral principles rooted in Buddhist philosophy and greater protection for the dignity of the Buddhist clergy. (Newswire)
