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(Third, left) Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Vietnam Sampath Prasanna Walpita Gamage, Ambassador of Thailand to Vietnam Tanee Sangrat, Dr.G.B. Harisha, Director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Hanoi, attend the sermon. Photo: Phatsuonline

Ven.Thich Thanh Nhieu, Vice President of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS); Most Ven.Thich Duc Thien, Secretary General of Viet Nam National Council Buddhist Sangha, Vice President of VBS; Ambassador of Thailand to Vietnam, His Excellency (H.E.) Tanee Sangrat, Director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Hanoi, Dr.G.B Harisha; Chief Representative Office of Ranfer Investments Ltd, Thusil Tissera, were presented at the event.

Sri Lanka and Vietnam treasure a long-standing ties, especially in Buddhism. The sermon is one of the activities contributing to upholding this precious relation in the present time.

Speaking at the opening remark of the sermon, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Vietnam, H.E. Sampath Prasanna Walpita Gamage said:

“I think, this is the time in which we need to rethink about the values and the lessons from Lord Buddha’s sermons, when we look at the crises in the world. His message of peace and loving kindness are important than ever to make this world a better place."

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Vietnam, H.E. Sampath Prasanna Walpita Gamage makes the opening remark. Photo: Phatsuonline

On the occasion, the Ambassador also extended thank to Most Ven.Thich Duc Thien for the assistance given in translating the sermon and to VBS for providing the venue, hoping that VBS will continue to support events that strengthen the ties in Buddhism between Vietnam and Sri Lanka in the time to come.

Dr.Ven. Mirisse Dhammika Thero (left) and Most Ven.Thich Duc Thien. Photo: Phatsuonline

During the over one-hour sermon, Dr.Ven. Mirisse Dhammika Thero briefed the participants on Lord Buddha's teachings, with a focus on compassion, emphasizing that the goal the United Nations has been striving toward, which is bringing happiness to all and respecting every human being, was embodied in Lord Buddha’s teaching since over 2,000 years ago. The key to achieve this goal are mutual respect and unconditional love for others, regardless of the differences of their background, skin colors, languages, genders, religions, etc.

“We are in the same human family”, Dr.Ven. Mirisse Dhammika Thero noted and reminded people to practice compassion in their everyday life". He emphasized the value of Lord Buddha's teachings in current context, when wars, conflicts and disputes have been escalating in many places in the world.

At the end of the sermon, Dr.Ven. Mirisse Dhammika Thero also took his time to answer Buddhist’s questions on several concepts in Buddhism, including ‘mindfulness’, and the application of Buddha’s teachings in balancing emotions like managing anger and finding inner peace.

Dr.Ven. Mirisse Dhammika Thero receives gift from Most Ven.Thich Duc Thien. Photo: Phatsuonline.

Dr.Ven. Mirisse Dhammika Thero obtained his PhD in Education from the University of Simon Fraser in Vancouver, Canada. The Thero is one of the leading Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka, promoting Lord Buddha’s teachings and meditation for modern life, not only in Sri Lanka but also in other countries around the world. He is the Head of the Foundation of Buddhism for the Youth in Sri Lanka.