#BEFRIEND DIVERSITY - MAKING FRIENDS FOR LIFE
#BEFRIEND DIVERSITY - MAKING FRIENDS FOR LIFE
#BEFRIEND DIVERSITY - MAKING FRIENDS FOR LIFE
EVENT 2018 | OFFERINGS | GATEWAYS | GALLERY
Wisdom and Meditation | Inspiration from Sri Lanka | Compassion and Peace | Sacred Earth Films | Water
Inspiration from Sri Lanka
7 DAYS OF REST: SRI LANKA - LEADING THE WAY ON A NATIONAL LEVEL
Through the dedicated and visionary support of Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thero, a Buddhist monk, politician and member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, a National Program of meaningful and engaging events and activities has been developed. The 7 days program is specifically designed to inspire active public participation and is being endorsed by numerous national and international celebrities and public figures.
With this nation-wide initiative Sri Lanka is exemplifying wise leadership and offering a pioneering example to all nations of the world. It is an example of how progressive officials and public figures can work together with grassroots organisations and movement leaders to inspire and engage the public with life-affirming and practical actions towards a thriving future for all.
We are profoundly grateful to Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thero for leading the way in showing how the Seven Days of Rest can be implemented in inspirational and pragmatic ways and become a powerful catalyst for whole system healing and transformation. This comprehensive, yet highly accessible program can provide a foundational template for other countries to apply throughout the year.
Press conference in Colombo announcing the 7 Days of Rest National Program with (from left to right on front row, Leelath Ratne, Dilantha Malagamuwa, Dr A T Ariyaratne, Ven. Ratana Thero, Iranganie Serasinghe, Susanthika Jayasinghe)
The 7 Days of Rest National Program for Sri Lanka
January 1st (Full Moon) - Kindness and Compassion Day
This day is dedicated to inter-spiritual and intercultural healing, harmony and mutual respect. At 3:00 pm we will participate in a nationwide, synchronised interspiritual meditation/prayer at Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo for unification, healing and compassion.
January 2nd - Clean Up and Zero-Waste Day
Starting at 8:30 am we will clean up all waste from our streets, parks and villages, and minimise all waste production throughout the day.
January 3rd - Tree Planting Day
What if every Sri Lankan could plant one tree on this day. Together we could plant 20 million trees in one day!
January 4th - Poverty Alleviation and Generosity Day
On this day we take action to bridge and heal our economic divides by sharing our resources and ideas to address man-made poverty.
January 5th - Screen-Free Family Day
Let us enjoy this day with family and friends without the distraction of television, tablets and social media.
January 6th - Health and Bicycle Day
Let your car have a day of rest too! On all continents bicycles are becoming a popular answer to lowering carbon emissions, getting healthy and especially easing traffic congestion.
January 7th - Culture and Holistic Education Day
We shall celebrate the final day with music, poetry, art, film and share global and local solutions which promote a healthy future for all.
TV Advertisement created for the opening event
on January 1st at Viharamahadevi Park (Sinhala)
Otara Gunewardene speaking at a Press Conference (English)
Sri Lankan Facebook page for National Program
Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thero is a Buddhist monk, author, social activist, environmentalist, politician and member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. He has dedicated his entire monkhood to embodying engaged Buddhism by selflessly serving the wellbeing of the people and the planet. He has played an instrumental role in ending Sri Lanka’s 30-year war and through his passion for organic agriculture and his popular support of the population has successfully ensured the banning of Monsanto’s glyphosate from the country.
Ven. Rathana Thero is deeply interested in systemic change and is eager to connect with the global network of pioneering changemakers to explore ways for Sri Lanka to become an example of systemic transition for the world.