NEWSLETTER – MARCH 2018

The Employer’s Duty towards the Employee

One of the most prominent utterances of the Buddha, one that is clearly relevant to the modern life, is his expression in the Sigalovada Sutta about the employer’s relationship with the employee.

In this Sutta, the Buddha drew attention to the duties of the employer.The Buddha explained that noble people should honor the workers or employees in a noble way. Accordingly, “honoring the workers” means the fulfillment of the following five duties toward the workers:

  1. Assign work and duties in accordance with their skill and ability.
  2. Pay a salary befitting their work and service.
  3. Provide medical assistance.
  4. Make wholesome food available.
  5. Allow leave and vacations at the right time
The Buddha concluded that, thus treated, the workers would fulfill their duties towards the employer and would work diligently.

It is amazing that the Buddha expressed these beautiful and meaningful concepts some twenty-six centuries ago while some modern employers are still reluctant to implement them!

Digha Nikaya: 31: Sigalovada Sutta; The Long Discourses of the Buddha: 461-469

Vihara News:

Renovation of the Old Avasa Has Begun

We are pleased to inform that the renovation of the old Avasa building has now begun. Workers will first complete the roof and then begin the work inside.

The old Avasa was the only building we had from 1989 to 2000. Monks lived there, and all activities were held in that little space.

With its historical importance, we felt that the building needed preservation instead of demolition. The Vihara is thankful to Dr. Bandula and Constansa Wijay for volunteering to preserve the building.

Dhamma Programs at the Vihara This Weekend

 Saturday, March 17:

1. Theravada Buddhism Course (from 3:30 to 5:30 pm)

(This is the 10th day of the course. It is conducted in English by Ven. Dedunupitiye Upananda Nayaka Thero and is free of charge. Lesson is: Nibbana (Nirvana in Sanskrit).

2. Weekly Mediation Session (from 6:30 to 8:00 pm)

Sunday, March 18:

Children’s classes:

Buddha Puja: 8:30 to 8: 45 am
Meditation and Dhamma advise to all children: 8:45 to 9:00 am.

Dhamma classes: From 9:00 am
Sinhala classes: From 10:30 am
Music and Dance classes: After lunch