26th May 2010

Vesak Commemoration Lecture 2010

at Sri Lanka High Commission in London

A Vesak Commemoration Lecture titled “Buddhism as a Resource for Peace and Progress:  Who is Prepared to Use it” was delivered by Prof. Richard F. Gombrich of the Oxford University at the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London today.

Prof. Gombrich highlighted the importance of Buddhism in today’s context as a philosophy of peace and tolerance.  Buddhism should be utilized progressively in today’s political and social life rather than restricting its practice to temples and monks.   He said that The Lord Buddha has taught the importance of pre-empting violence by alleviating poverty which is the fundamental cause of conflict and chaos in the society. The Buddhist world should shed the differences to uphold the basic principles of Buddhism, which are of great importance for the peaceful existence of the humankind. 

Prof. Gombrich is a world renowned scholar in Buddhist studies, Sanskrit and Pali and a leading British Indologist.  Founder President of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies and President of the UK Association of Buddhist Studies, Prof. Gombrich has published twenty books in Buddhism and related studies and authored more than a hundred articles as well as over sixty book reviews.

Buddhist Monks, Academics, Diplomats and members of the British and Sri Lankan community took part in the event, which was a part of Vesak celebrations organized by the High Commission.

Sri Lanka High Commission
London