The National Buddhist Think Tank met yesterday with participation of President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat.

This was the fifth time the National Buddhist Think Tank held a meeting under the President’s patronage. During the meeting they discussed the steps to be taken for the progress of the Shasana under four subjects including the developing of Pirivena education, building of institutions for novice monks, establishment of a Theravada Buddhist Center, and holding the International Vesak Festival – 2017.

It was also discussed the necessity of a training Centre to train Piriven teachers, as well as regarding the updating of the Piriven education administration system.

The progress achieved in the Piriven education field after the appointment of Ven. Prof. Nabirithtankadawala Gnarathana Thero, as the Director of Priven Education, under the guidance of the President, was discussed in detail. The President and the National Buddhist Think Tank expressed their gratitude to Ven Gnarathana Thero regarding policy decisions and practical steps taken under his leadership during the past short period of time.

The necessary of updating the Piriven regulations and the relevant Act was also emphasized during the meeting.

The attention has been drawn regarding the importance of appointing an Editorial / Advisory Board on printing Buddhists Tripitaka books and regarding re-printing of those books.

President Sirisena gave directions to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana to submit a report on the institutions for Buddhist novice monks.

The importance of implementing a policy on the education of the female monks was also emphasized during the meeting.

Attention also drawn to resolve the issues related in obtaining Visas for the Bhikkhus who come to Sri Lanka to study Buddhism and regarding the education and dormitory facilities for the foreign Bhikkhus and the need for supervising in that field.

The possibility of giving appointments for the persons who passed the Buddhist Dharmacharya Examination was also discussed and it was further decided to hold discussions with the Public Service Commission regarding delays on this issue.

It was also discussed to establish an International Theravada Buddhist Centre in Sri Lanka. The parties also agreed to Buddhist Books Scrutiny Bill to the Parliament without any hesitation.

The attention was drawn to manage the duties of the Buddhist Coordinating Bhikkus and also emphasized the need of fulfilling their duties within a new subject area.  For examples collecting of the puskola poth (books made of ola leaves) and Buddhist Arts at a single institution at divisional secretariat levels.

The organizing works of the International Vesak Festival to be held next year in Sri Lanka was discussed in detail during the meeting. The importance of getting assistance of Buddhist Nayaka Theras and Sri Lankan Buddhist intellectuals also emphasized.

It was also decided to hold a Round table discussion with the participation of all stakeholders regarding the national reconciliation. The President pointed out the necessity of getting recommendations and guidance of the National Buddhist Think Tank in this regard.