A message of Peace and Hope from the Monks and Nuns of the Australian Sangha
Association.

Winds of change are now blowing through Sri Lanka after much trouble and hardship,
reminding us all of the Buddha’s teaching on impermanence and suffering.

After many weeks of protests Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has resigned;
and yet many people have been recently wounded and others have lost their lives as protests continue.

Sri Lanka is a nation rooted deeply in the teachings of the Buddha. Please remember the
Great Lord’s teachings on Wisdom and Compassion and remain peaceful in your protests.

Show the World how the great Buddhist virtues of tolerance and loving-kindness can lead to a peaceful resolution to the problems you are now facing. Be a guiding light in a world currently experiencing much darkness.

Remember that it is your own countrymen and countrywomen that you might be facing, that they have families that are struggling too, and they are worthy and deserving of your love and compassion.

Change is inevitable but it need not be violent in its nature. Change can be peaceful.
Speak with the worthy Sangha of Sri Lanka. Seek out their wisdom and guidance in this
difficult time. The Dhamma will show you the way through.

To those Sri Lankans living in Australia feeling helpless at what they see happening in their motherland, know that you too can seek out our Sangha here for support and guidance.

We know that the people of Sri Lanka will find their way through this time of upheaval. It is not the first time, they have done it before. And peace will reign once more in the land known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.

With the Blessings of the Triple Gem.
Yours in the Dhamma,

Venerable Tenpa Bejanke
Chair
Australian Sangha Association