Douse flames of hatred through love: Cardinal

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith urged the followers of all faiths to make spirituality the centre of their lives and to live with love which was the ultimate truth taught by all religions.

In his Vesak message, Cardinal Ranjith said: “Let us douse the flames of hatred through love. We are made to celebrate Vesak in a situation where religious values are challenged than never before. All religions which are based on love are challenged by those who make terrorism their religion.

“It is no secret that Buddhism has played a major role in enriching people’s knowledge and truths for 2000 years. Therefore, this heritage belongs to people of all religions and not Buddhists alone. Buddhism is a fertile soil to people of all religions. This is because the centre of all religions in the world is love. Even Jesus taught us that God was love (John 4:8).

“I wish the Buddhists well in this occasion where they commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha who taught that one must love all beings in addition to loving each other in the human race. I respect this quality in Buddhism,” Cardinal Ranjith said.