The Prime Minister says Buddha’s message of Middle Path very attractive to Europe.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said the middle path shown by the Buddha is very attractive to Europeans and other Westerners. Educated Europeans are also highly appreciative of the Buddha’s openness for scrutiny and the ’come and see for yourself’ attitude of Buddhism. They are not asked to believe in anything, but to follow the Buddha’s advice of testing ideas first, he said. The Prime Mister made this remark at the centenary celebration of the Berlin Buddhist Vihara in Germany held at the Temple Trees in Colombo yesterday.

The Premier said that Sri Lanka a natural centre of east and west with Pali Sanskrit scholars was treasure trove. But the real crown jewel was the Theravada practice in Sri Lanka. State of Sri Lanka consider its foremost duty and responsibility to foster the Buddhasana, assuring fullest support to the activities of Berlin Buddhist Vihara to propagate Buddhism in Europe.

German Ambassador Dr Felix Neumann said the Berlin Vihara is an excellent testimony for the strength of multi-cultural, multi-religious tolerance of German society. He said German society is committed to the policy of furthering compassion and loving kindness, which are in the teachings of the Buddha.